Solid mechanics

Solid mechanics (also known as the theory of elasticity) is a branch of physics, which governs the response of solid material to applied stress (e.g., external forces). It is part of a broader study known as continuum mechanics.

Related Topics:
Physics - Stress - Force - Continuum mechanics

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There are several standard models for how solid materials respond to stress:

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• Elastic -- a material has a rest shape and its shape departs away from the rest shape due to stress. The amount of departure from rest shape is called strain, the departure itself is called deformation. The resistance to deformation is called Young's modulus. A spring obeying Hooke's law is a one-dimensional linear version of a general elastic body.
• Viscoelastic -- a material that is elastic, but also has damping.
• Plastic -- a material that, when the stress exceeds a threshold, changes its rest shape in response. The material commonly known as "plastic" is named after this property.

See also viscosity and thermoplasticity.

Related Topics:
Viscosity - Thermoplasticity

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One of the most common practical applications of Solid Mechanics is the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation

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Solid mechanics extensively uses tensors to describe stresses, strains, and the relationship between them.

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Typically, solid mechanics uses linear models to relate stresses and strains (see linear elasticity). However, true materials exhibit non-linear behavior.

Related Topics:
Linear - Linear elasticity - Non-linear

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For more specific definitions of stress, strain, and the relationship between them, please see strength of materials.

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Solid mechanics: References ►