ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the discussion turns to a more fundamental numerical simulation approach. This concept is based on the selection of the region under consideration and the direct application of the laws of physics to obtain numerical values for the variables of importance. The chapter presents computational tools for both solid and fluid mechanics were developed by a direct application of the laws of physics to a control element. A physical region will be selected and the governing engineering principles will be applied. For these reasons, these new techniques are known as the methods of finite volume. Before proceeding with the development of these techniques, it is important to point out a misconception that usually accompanies these methods. When the method of finite volumes is applied to the area of structural mechanics, it is known as direct analysis.
