Basic Principles and Mathematical Models of Engineering Mechanics Problems

Abstract

As an introductory chapter to the subsequent mathematical development of the Complex Variable Boundary Element Method (CVBEM) and its applications to various engineering mechanics and hydraulics problems, the related physics and mathematics are reviewed in the following sections. No attempt has been made to give a complete review, because as an introductory volume to explain a new numerical modeling technique, the presentation is structured to begin from the basic mathametics and systematically build up to the more specifics. This chapter is designed to provide some preliminary concepts and background material concerning the subject matter, to set some definitions, terminologies, and physical laws, to realign diverse views stemming from different disciplines toward a more unified perspective, and to list some useful equations for convenient reference in later chapters.