Applied Mechanics
Encyclopedia : A : AP : APP : Applied Mechanics
Applied mechanics is a discipline that studies the response of solids and fluids to external forces, such as flow of a liquid, fracture of a solid, sound in the air, and vibration of a string. Applied mechanics bridges the gap between fundamental sciences and wide-ranging applications. Major approaches include formulating concepts and theories, discovering and interpreting phenomena, as well as developing experimental and computational tools.
A practitioner of the discipline is known as a mechanician.
Relations with other fields of study
Like many a discipline of a long and interesting history, Applied Mechanics has interacted with many other disciplines. In describing these interactions, one usually talks about one or the other of the following aspects.As a scientific discipline, Applied Mechanics derives many of its principles and methods from Physical sciences (in particular, Mechanics and Classical Mechanics), from Mathematics and, increasingly, from Computer Science. As such, Applied Mechanics shares similar attributes and outlooks as Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics, and Computational Science.
As an enabling discipline, Applied Mechanics has received impetus from the study of natural phenomena such as orbits of planets, circulation of blood, locomotion of animals, crawling of cells, formation of mountains, and propagation of seismic waves. Such studies have resulted in disciplines such as celestial mechanics, biomechanics and geomechanics.
As a practical discipline, Applied Mechanics has also advanced by participating in major inventions throughout history, such as buildings, ships, automobiles, railways, petroleum refineries, engines, airplanes, nuclear reactors, composite materials, computers, and medical implants. In such connections, the discipline is also known as Engineering Mechanics, often practiced within Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, and Bioengineering.
Major topics of Applied Mechanics
- Analytical mechanics
- Fluid mechanics
- Solid mechanics
- Experimental mechanics
- Dynamics (mechanics)
- Continuum mechanics
- Elasticity
- Plasticity
- Viscoelasticity
- Fracture mechanics
- Contact mechanics
- Mechanics of structures
- Mechanics of materials
- Stress waves
- Finite element method
- Computational mechanics
Emerging topics in Applied Mechanics
- Mechanical behavior of small structures
- Evolving structures
- Surface morphology
Examples of applications
- Mechanics of composites
- Mechanics of integrated structures
- Mechanics of medical implants
- Mechanics of tissues
- Mechanics of cells
- Earthquake engineering
Professional organizations
- [American Academy of Mechanics]
- Applied Mechanics Division, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- [International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics]
- [US National Committee on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics]
Professional publications
- [Advances in Applied Mechanics]
- [Applied Mechanics Reviews]
- [International Journal of Solids and Structures]
- [Journal of Fluid Mechanics]
- [Journal of Mechanics of Materials and Structures]
- [Journal of Applied Mechanics]
- [Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids]
- [Mechanics of Materials]
- [Mechanics Research Communications]
- [Quarterly Journal of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics]
History
See also
- Mechanicians
- Engineering mechanics
- Mechanics
- Geomechanics
- Biomechanics
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Structural analysis
External links
- [Applied Mechanics News] (AMN), a blog of news and views of interest to the international community of Applied Mechanics.
- [The Web of Mechanicians] attempts to link all past and living mechanicians.
References of general interest
- S.P. Timoshenko, "History of Strength of Materials", Dover.
- J.E. Gordon, "The New Science of Strong Materials", Princeon, 1984.
- H. Petroski, "To Engineer Is Human", St. Martins, 1985.
- T.A. McMahon and J.T. Bonner, "On Size and Life", Scientific American Library, W.H. Freeman, 1983.
- M.F. Ashby, "Materials Selection in Design", Pergamon, 1992.
- A.H. Cottrell, "Mechanical Properties of Matter", Wiley, New York, 1964.
- S.A. Wainwright, W.D. Biggs, J.D. Currey, J.M. Gosline, "Mechanical Design in Organisms", Edward Arnold, 1976.
- S. Vogel, "Comparative Biomechanics", Princeton, 2003.
- J. Howard, "Mechanics of Motor Proteins and the Cytoskeleton", Sinauer Associates, 2001.
- J.L. Meriam, L.G. Kraige. "Engineering Mechanics Volume 2: Dynamics", John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1986.
- J.L. Meriam, L.G. Kraige. "Engineering Mechanics Volume 1: Statics", John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1986.
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