NFYK10005U Continuum Mechanics

In the macroscopic world, most materials that surround us e.g. solids and liquids can safely be assumed to exist as continua, that is, the materials completely fill the space they occupy and the underlying atomic structures can be neglected. The course offers a modern introduction to the physics of continuous matter with an emphasis on examples from natural occurring systems (e.g. in astrophysics, geophysics and other fields). Focus is equally on the underlying formalism of continuum mechanics and phenomenology. In the course you will become familiar with the mechanical behavior of materials ranging from viscous fluids to elastic solids.

A description of fluids in motion including Eulaer equations, potential flow, Stokes flow, Viscocity and the Navier-Stokes equation. Boundary layer problems will be considered. A description of the deformation of solids, mehcanical equilibrium, the stress and strain tensors, Hooke's law and linear elsticity and a derivation of the Navier-Cauchy equation as well as examples from elastostatics:bending beams and torsion of shafts. Elastodynamics and elastic waves.