Elementary Continuum Mechanics for Everyone: with applications to structural mechanics

•The principle of virtual work is used to establish consistent theories of kinematic nonlinearity and linearity for other kinds of bodies, such as beams and plates
•An in-depth treatment of structural instability as many structures fail due to this phenomenon
•An introduction to the most versatile numerical method, the finite element method, including means of mending inherent problems
•An informal, yet precise exposition that emphasizes not just how a topic is treated, but discusses why a particular choice is made
The book opens with a derivation of kinematically nonlinear 3-D continuum mechanics for solids.

Then the principle of virtual work is utilized to derive the simpler, kinematically linear 3-D theory and to provide the foundation for developing consistent theories of kinematic nonlinearity and linearity for specialized continua, such as beams and plates, and finite element methods for these structures.

A formulation in terms of the versatile Budiansky-Hutchinson notation is used as basis for the theories for these structures and structural elements, as well as for an in-depth treatment of structural instability.