ABSTRACT
The algebraic difficulties of analytic mechanical solutions are rather overwhelming and become insurmountable when solving real-world problems. Computational mechanics is based on the discretization of the geometric continuum and describing its physical behavior in terms of generalized coordinates. Its focus is on computing numerical solutions to practical problems of engineering mechanics. One of the fundamental concepts necessary to understanding continuum mechanical systems is a generic treatment of elasticity. In a three-dimensional elastic body, the elasticity relations could vary significantly. The first three are extensional strains and the last three are rotational strains. While staying on the mechanics territory, this chapter explores the area of heat conduction. Serious warping of objects left in the sun is a strong example of that scenario. Finally, the chapter discusses a problem of fluid mechanics, and elucidates their common, and their computational details.
