ABSTRACT
Solid mechanics principles that form the foundation of advanced stress analysis methods are reviewed in this chapter. Definitions of strain components and the relationships to displacement variables are defined in Sections 2.1 and 2.2. Sections 2.3 and 2.4 present strain compatibility conditions and stress–strain relationships – two important principles essential for solving load–deformation response of structures. Analytical solution techniques, based on stress and displacement function descriptions, are described in Sections 2.5 and 2.6, highlighting the need for more advanced analysis technique (finite element methods) for response analysis of complex structural systems. A general calculation procedure for stiffness properties of finite solid elements is introduced in Section 2.7 followed by more specific discussions on formulations of truss-type elements that provide resistance to axial deformation only. Practice problems on model preparations for finite element analysis software are also introduced in this chapter.
