Foundations of Solid Mechanics

Solid mechanics is a basic discipline which supports much of the practice of mechanical and civil engineering, and contributes significantly to other engineering and scientific disciplines. Research in solid mechanics, at the foundational level, emphasizes comprehensive understanding and well-formulated analyses of mechanical phenomena occurring in engineering systems. The increasing availability of large computers has had a tremendous impact on the field. The traditional emphasis on analysis has shifted toward development of more realistic and detailed descriptions of material response, more efficient computational methodologies, and accurate numerical solution of initial and boundary value problems. Despite (or perhaps because of) this trend, theory and analysis must continue to play a vital role in modern solid mechanics. Solid mechanics is enriched by the increasing level of activity in interdisciplinary research. Within the field, there is a need for better communication and interaction between computation, experiment, and theory.