University Of California, Berkeley

Department of Mechanical Engineering

ME 287 – Graduate Introduction to Continuum Mechanics (3 units)

Graduate Course

Syllabus

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

This course is a general introduction to the fundamental concepts of the mechanics of continuous media. Topics
covered include the kinematics of deformation, the concept of stress, and the conservation laws for mass,
momentum and energy. This is followed by an introduction to constitutive theory with applications to well-
established models for viscous fluids and elastic solids. The concepts are illustrated through the solution of
tractable initial-boundary-value problems. This course presents foundation-level coverage of theory underlying
a number of sub-fields, including Fluid Mechanics, Solid Mechanics and Heat Transfer.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

Physics 7A, Math 53 and Math 54, some prior exposure to the elementary mechanics of solids and fluids.

TEXTBOOK(S) AND/OR OTHER REQUIRED MATERIAL:

P.M. Naghdi's Notes on Continuum Mechanics (to be posted on Bcourses); P. Chadwick, Continuum
Mechanics: Concise Theory and Problems. Dover, N.Y. 1976; M.E. Gurtin. An Introduction to Continuum
Mechanics. Academic Press, N.Y., 1981.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

This is a gateway course for graduate students entering the fields of Solid Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics. It is
designed for students who require a rigorous foundation-level understanding in support of their future work in
the theory, modeling and analysis of problems arising in the Engineering Sciences.

DESIRED COURSE OUTCOMES:

Students will gain a deep understanding of the concepts and methods underlying modern continuum mechanics.
The course is designed to equip students with the background needed to pursue advanced graduate work in
allied fields.

TOPICS COVERED:

Mathematical preliminaries: Linear spaces, vectors and tensors in Euclidean spaces, tensor algebra and calculus;
Kinematics of deformation: Bodies, configurations, motions, mass and density, deformation gradient and its
polar decompositions, rotation and stretch strain measures, velocity gradient, stretching and vorticity tensors,
rigid-body motions, Reynolds' transport theorems; Physical principles: Mass conservation, definition of forces,
balance of linear momentum and moment of momentum, traction vector and stress tensor, local equations of
motion, alternative stress measures, change of frame and transformations under superposed rigid-body motions,
balance of energy; Constitutive theory: Invariance requirements and other restrictions on constitutive equations,
Page 1 Wednesday, April 18, 2018
constraints, viscous and inviscid fluids, elastic solids, linearization of elasticity theory and associated
kinematics.

CLASS/LABORATORY SCHEDULE:

3 hours of lecture/week, 1 hour discussion/week, 4-5 hours of homework/week, 2 in-class midterm exams, 1 3-
hour final exam scheduled during final exam period.

CONTRIBUTION OF THE COURSE TO MEETING THE PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT:

The course equips students with the knowledge and tools necessary to model and analyze a very wide range of
problems in the Engineering and Applied Sciences. It provides students with a firm foundation for a thorough
understanding of existing developments in these areas and for extending them in response to the emerging needs
and demands of the engineering profession.

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PROGRESS TOWARD COURSE OBJECTIVES

Homework (20%), two in-class midterms (20% each), final exam (40%).

NOTES

This course will be a roomshare with ME 185. Graduate students will be given approximately 20% more work
to do than undergraduates in terms of homework.

SAMPLE OF WEEKLY AGENDA

Week 1 Mathematical preliminaries: Linear spaces, vectors and tensors in Euclidean spaces.
Week 2 Tensor algebra and calculus
Week 3 Kinematics of deformation: Bodies, configurations, motions, mass and density
Week 4 Deformation gradient and its polar decompositions, rotation and stretch, strain measures
Velocity gradient, stretching and vorticity tensors, rigid-body motions, Reynolds' transport
Week 5 theorems, Midterm # 1
Week 6 Physical principles: Mass conservation, definition of forces
Week 7 Balance of linear momentum and moment of momentum
Week 8 Traction vector and stress tensor, local equations of motion
Week 9 Alternative stress measures, power-conjugate stress and deformation measures
Week 10 Change of frame and transformations under superposed rigid-body motions
Week 11 Balance of energy, Midterm # 2
Constitutive theory, invariance requirements and other restrictions on constitutive
Week 12 equations, constraints and their effects
Week 13 Viscous and inviscid fluids
Week 14 Elastic solids, linearization of elasticity theory and associated kinematics
Week 15 RRR: Review Session (Instructor or GSI)
Week 16 Final Week: Comprehensive Final Exam

PERSON(S) WHO PREPARED THIS DESCRIPTION

David Steigmann, March 7, 2018
Page 2 Wednesday, April 18, 2018
ABBREVIATED TRANSCRIPT TITLE (19 SPACES MAXIMUM): GRD INTRO CONT MECH
TIE CODE: LECS
GRADING: Letter
SEMESTER OFFERED: Fall and Spring
COURSES THAT WILL RESTRICT CREDIT: None
INSTRUCTORS: Casey, Johnson, Papadopoulos, Steigmann
DURATION OF COURSE: 15 Weeks
EST. TOTAL NUMBER OF REQUIRED HRS OF STUDENT WORK PER WEEK: 9 Hours
IS COURSE REPEATABLE FOR CREDIT? No
CROSSLIST:

Page 3 Wednesday, April 18, 2018