Continuum mechanics- open questions?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around open questions and unresolved problems in continuum mechanics, including theoretical and applied aspects. Participants explore various active research areas and challenges within the field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about unresolved problems in continuum mechanics, suggesting that the Navier-Stokes equations may be related to these issues.
  • Another participant identifies turbulence as a significant open issue and notes it as an active area of research.
  • A different viewpoint highlights advancements in constitutive modeling, particularly through tighter multiscale linking between continuum mechanics and quantum/statistical mechanics, as well as developments in areas like fracture and damage mechanics.
  • Multiple phase flow is mentioned as another important research area, though its specifics are questioned by another participant seeking clarification on the nature of phase changes between gases and liquids.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views on the open questions in continuum mechanics, with no consensus reached on specific issues or solutions.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions may depend on definitions of terms like "multiple phase flow," and there are unresolved aspects regarding the connections between different scales of mechanics.

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what are the open and still not yet answered problems in continuum mechanics as of today?
i reackon navier-stokes equations solutions is something that is related to the issue, right?
 
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Well, the whole messy issue of turbulence might well be considered an open issue. It is anyhow a very active research area.
 
On materials side, in their constitutive modeling, one of the trends making progress seems to be tighter multiscale linking. For example, constitutive models of continuum mechanics are fed by & coupled to quantum and statistical mechanics and everything in between, areas of continuum mechanics like fracture mechanics, damage mechanics etc. are going strong and developing (and benefitting lots from this, although there is a lot of research starting only from micro/nano up without the couplings).
 
Another important research area is multiple phase flow.
 
arildno said:
Another important research area is multiple phase flow.
does this mean that gases and liquids change phases into one another and you can't tell the difference or is it something competely different from what i descrbied.
please, do elaborate arlidno.
 
Last edited:

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