ABSTRACT
Mechanics is the study of the motion or equilibrium of matter and the forces that cause such motion or equilibrium. An engineering firm would like to make use of a decommissioned rig by redesigning it to serve as an artificial reef that would provide a hospitable sea habitat. This firm must find ways to strengthen the supports and to affix the reef components to sustain the sea life. So, a material continuum is a material for which density exists in a mathematical sense. A solid is a three-dimensional continuum that supports both tensile and shear forces and stresses. Newton’s laws were formulated by Sir Isaac Newton, based on his own experimental work and on the observations of others, including Galileo Galilei. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
