Please wait a minute...
Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering)  2014, Vol. 15 Issue (4): 231-240    DOI: 10.1631/jzus.A1400079
Civil Engineering     
The renaissance of continuum mechanics
Wei-qiu Chen
Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Download:     PDF (0 KB)     
Export: BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)      

Abstract  Continuum mechanics, just as the name implies, deals with the mechanics problems of all continua, whose physical (or mechanical) properties are assumed to vary continuously in the spaces they occupy. Continuum mechanics may be seen as the symbol of modern mechanics, which differs greatly from current physics, the two often being mixed up by people and even scientists. In this short paper, I will first try to give an illustration on the differences between (modern) mechanics and physics, in my personal view, and then focus on some important current research activities in continuum mechanics, attempting to identify its path to the near future. We can see that continuum mechanics, while having a dominating impact on engineering design in the 20th century, also plays a pivotal role in modern science, and is much closer to physics, chemistry, biology, etc. than ever before.

Key wordsContinuum mechanics      Quantum mechanics      Engineering      Current research activities      Renaissance     
Received: 06 March 2014      Published: 03 April 2014
CLC:  O33  
  O39  
Cite this article:

Wei-qiu Chen. The renaissance of continuum mechanics. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2014, 15(4): 231-240.

URL:

http://www.zjujournals.com/xueshu/zjus-a/10.1631/jzus.A1400079     OR     http://www.zjujournals.com/xueshu/zjus-a/Y2014/V15/I4/231

[1] Vibhor Trehan, Craig Chapman, Pathmeswaran Raju. Informal and formal modelling of engineering processes for design automation using knowledge based engineering[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2015, 16(9): 706-723.
[2] Zai-ming Zhang. Achievements and problems of geotechnical engineering investigation in China[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2011, 12(2): 87-102.
[3] Hui LUO, Hong-ping ZHU, Yu MIAO, Chuan-yao CHEN. Simulation of top-down crack propagation in asphalt pavements[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2010, 11(3): 223-230.
[4] Wen-guang WANG, Wei-ping WANG, Justyna ZANDER, Yi-fan ZHU. Three-dimensional conceptual model for service-oriented simulation[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2009, 10(8): 1075-1081.
[5] Qing WANG, Jiang-xiong LI, Ying-lin KE. Deformation-based freeform feature reconstruction in reverse engineering[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2008, 9(9): 1214-1228.
[6] Qing WANG, Wei-dong ZHU, Ying-lin KE. Reconstruction of symmetric models composed of analytic curves and surfaces from point cloud[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2008, 9(10): 1351-1362.
[7] LI Guo-qi, SHENG Huan-ye. Classification analysis of microarray data based on ontological engineering[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2007, 8(4): 638-643.
[8] CHEN Min-rong, LU Yong-zai, YANG Gen-ke. Multiobjective extremal optimization with applications to engineering design[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2007, 8(12): 1905-1911.
[9] WU Lu-shen, PENG Qing-jin. Research and development of fringe projection-based methods in 3D shape reconstruction[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2006, 7(6 ): 14-.
[10] LIANG Hai-hua, ZHU Miao-liang. Applying the model driven generative domain engineering method to develop self-organizing architectural solutions for mobile robot[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2006, 7(10): 5-.
[11] CHEN Tian-zhou, HE Zhen-jie, HUANG Jiang-wei, DAI Hong-jun. Component versioning for protocol configuration management[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2005, 6(Supplement 1): 75-78.
[12] SAHA Goutam Kumar. The EB-ANUBAD translator: A hybrid scheme[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2005, 6(10): 7-.
[13] TONG Shao-ping, WEI Hong, MA Chun-an, LIU Wei-ping. Rapid dechlorination of chlorinated organic compounds by nickel/iron bimetallic system in water*[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2005, 6( 7): 3-.
[14] ZHANG Sen-lin, LIU Mei-qin. Stability analysis of discrete-time BAM neural networks based on standard neural network models*[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2005, 6( 7): 14-.
[15] GAO Chong-yang, FANG You-tong. Investigation on the factors influencing the thickness distribution of superplastic-formed components*[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2005, 6( 7): 17-.