CivE 398
Introduction to Continuum Mechanics
Awards:
Description
Stress, strain and displacements in two and three dimensions. Constitutive equations. Governing equations of elasticity and simple solutions. Strain energy and virtual work. Theories of failure.Prerequisites: CIV E 270 and MATH 209.
Learning Outcomes
- Define sets and functions and differentiate between different types of functions. Describe the relationship between real numbers and a continuum.- Define and identify the components of linear vector spaces and linear maps between vector spaces.
- Define the mathematical description of motion as a mathematical function that relates the material points of an object in an “undeformed” or “pre-deformed” state to its “deformed” state.
- Describe and calculate the uniaxial and three dimensional strain measures. Define the components and the invariants of the Cauchy stress tensor
- Describe and apply various stress based failure criteria to compute whether the material at a given stress state has failed or not
- Apply Newton’s equations of equilibrium to a continuum and identify the difference between static and dynamic equilibrium
- Differentiate between different types of materials (linear vs. nonlinear, , elastic vs. nonelastic, isotropic vs. anisotropic, homogenous vs. nonhomogenous, and viscous vs. nonviscous materials).
- Differentiate between isotropic, transversely isotropic, orthotropic, and generally anisotropic materials.
- Identify the relationship between the external loads, the internal forces, and the displacement of for beams under lateral and axial loading.
- Define and compute the strain energy and potential energy in linear elastic isotropic structures. Explain the concept of minimum potential energy at equilibrium.
- Identify and apply the principle of virtual work for linear elastic isotropic structures.
- Use the principle of minimum potential energy at equilibrium to find solutions to the equilibrium equations of various linear elastic isotropic structures.
| Lecture | Seminar | Lab | Credits | Total AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1/1 | 0/1 | 3.5 | 44.1 |
| M % | NS % | CS % | ES % | ED % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 0 |
None defined
- Use of engineering tools
Undergraduate Program(s)
| 2026/2027 - Fall - Civil-coop - Year 4 |
| 2026/2027 - Fall - Civil - Year 3 |
| 2025/2026 - Fall - Civil-coop - Year 4 |
| 2025/2026 - Fall - Civil - Year 3 |
| 2024/2025 - Fall - Civil-coop - Year 4 |
| 2024/2025 - Fall - Civil - Year 3 |
| 2023/2024 - Fall - Civil-coop - Year 4 |
| 2023/2024 - Fall - Civil - Year 3 |
| 2022/2023 - Fall - Civil-coop - Year 4 |
| 2022/2023 - Fall - Civil - Year 3 |
| 2021/2022 - Fall - Civil-coop - Year 4 |
| 2021/2022 - Fall - Civil - Year 3 |
| 2020/2021 - Fall - Civil-coop - Year 4 |
| 2020/2021 - Fall - Civil - Year 3 |
| 2019/2020 - Fall - Civil-coop - Year 4 |
| 2019/2020 - Fall - Civil - Year 3 |
Sections & Respective Instructors
| A1 - 2026/2027 - Fall - Dina Helmy |
| A1 - 2025/2026 - Fall - Clayton Pettit |
| A1 - 2024/2025 - Fall - Clayton Pettit |
| A1 - 2023/2024 - Fall - Clayton Pettit |
| A1 - 2022/2023 - Fall - Clayton Pettit |
| A1 - 2021/2022 - Fall - Clayton Pettit |
| A1 - 2020/2021 - Fall - Samer Adeeb |
| A1 - 2019/2020 - Fall - Samer Adeeb |