Continuum Mechanics textbook with solutions at back / available

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a suitable textbook for learning continuum mechanics, particularly one that includes problems and solutions. Participants share their experiences with different resources and express concerns about the adequacy of certain materials for self-study in preparation for a course that requires knowledge of continuum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant is seeking recommendations for an introductory continuum mechanics textbook that includes solutions to end-of-chapter problems.
  • Another participant suggests using Schaum's outlines, noting their usefulness but also warns that the specific outline for continuum mechanics may be outdated and uses unconventional variable notation.
  • A participant emphasizes the importance of understanding the derivations behind continuum mechanics equations, arguing that simply solving problems without this understanding is not an effective approach to learning the subject.
  • Concerns are raised about the relevance of problem-solving in continuum mechanics, with a participant stating that their courses focused more on derivations than on solving problems directly.
  • One participant inquires about the specific course requiring continuum mechanics knowledge, indicating they are enrolled in a micromechanics course.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of Schaum's outlines for learning continuum mechanics, with some agreeing on their utility while others caution against their outdated content. There is no consensus on the best resource for learning continuum mechanics, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the most appropriate materials.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the resources discussed, including outdated notation and the lack of derivations in some textbooks. The discussion also reflects varying educational approaches to continuum mechanics, with some emphasizing problem-solving and others focusing on theoretical understanding.

tricha122
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Hi all,

I'm currently trying to teach myself continuum mechanics (as I am enrolled in a course for which continuum mechanics is a pre requisite and have never taken such course)

I have been reading a book by mase and mase "introduction to continuum mechanics for engineers" 2nd edition. I find it quite easy to read / understand however I am stuck on many of the questions at the end of the chapter and there appears to be no solutions available.

Does anyone know of another intro to continuum mechanics book that would have assigned problems and solutions at the back of the book?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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You can also "search inside" book on amazon to see if its what you want (you may know that)
 
I agree with FeynmanIsCool that some of the Schaum's stuff is great, but this particular outline is very outdated, so be careful. For example, the variables they use are not used in any other literature (e.x. their Lagrangian strain is expressed with "L," their "velocity gradient" is expressed with "Y," and their "spin tensor" is "V" -- all very strange choices).

Furthermore, continuum mechanics describes the physics that Finite Element Analysis (FEA) codes use to solve problems, so an understanding of where the equations come from is the whole point. Schaum's book, which is an outline, skips all of the derivations, and therefore misses the point. In other words, I don't think that glossing over the continuum mechanics formulas and then solving a bunch of academic problems is the right approach for learning continuum mechanics. You will find that 1) no one solves problems by hand using continuum mechanics, ever, and 2) none of my courses on continuum mechanics required us to solve problems, per se, even on exams (instead, we were asked to work through derivations on the exams).

What course are you enrolled in that requires continuum mechanics? If you need some fluid mechanics background, I can't help you, unfortunately. But if you need solid mechanics background, I can give you some suggestions.
 
afreiden said:
I agree with FeynmanIsCool that some of the Schaum's stuff is great, but this particular outline is very outdated, so be careful. For example, the variables they use are not used in any other literature (e.x. their Lagrangian strain is expressed with "L," their "velocity gradient" is expressed with "Y," and their "spin tensor" is "V" -- all very strange choices).

Furthermore, continuum mechanics describes the physics that Finite Element Analysis (FEA) codes use to solve problems, so an understanding of where the equations come from is the whole point. Schaum's book, which is an outline, skips all of the derivations, and therefore misses the point. In other words, I don't think that glossing over the continuum mechanics formulas and then solving a bunch of academic problems is the right approach for learning continuum mechanics. You will find that 1) no one solves problems by hand using continuum mechanics, ever, and 2) none of my courses on continuum mechanics required us to solve problems, per se, even on exams (instead, we were asked to work through derivations on the exams).

What course are you enrolled in that requires continuum mechanics? If you need some fluid mechanics background, I can't help you, unfortunately. But if you need solid mechanics background, I can give you some suggestions.


I am taking a micromechanics course, which lists knowledge of continuum mechanics as a prerequisite
 

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