Fundamentals of Structural Mechanics [Hardcover]

Keith D. Hjelmstad (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 038723330X | ISBN-13: 978-0387233307 | Publication Date: November 12, 2004 | Edition: 2nd

A solid introduction to basic continuum mechanics, emphasizing variational formulations and numeric computation. The book offers a complete discussion of numerical method techniques used in the study of structural mechanics.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This readable, student-friendly text responds to the pedagogical needs created by the advent of computational mechanics by focusing more upon formulations and fundamental principles and less upon classical solution techniques. It covers three main areas--(1) the fundamental principles of continuum mechanics, (2) the theories of beams and plates, and (3) static stability theory--with three unifying strands connecting them--(1) a direct vector notation, (2) the principle of virtual work (or variational calculus), and (3) a unified approach to numerical computation. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Key Benefit: This book fills the gap created by the advent of computational mechanics by focusing more upon formulations and fundamental principles and less upon solution techniques. Key Topics: It covers three main areas—(1) the fundamental principles of continuum mechanics, (2) the theories of beams and plates, and (3) static stability theory—with three unifying strands connecting them—(1) a direct vector notation, (2) the principle of virtual work (or variational calculus), and (3) a unified approach to numerical computation. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 494 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 2nd edition (November 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038723330X
• ISBN-13: 978-0387233307
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,142,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Grand Tour of Mechanics - You'll See the Sights but Might Not Learn the Language, November 14, 2006

By 

Little Saturday (Champaign, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Structural Mechanics (Hardcover)

Until you've looked over some of the more advanced solid mechanics texts such as Marsden and Hughes, Love, or Timoshenko, you won't understand the virtues of this book. Likewise, without a cursory knowledge of FEM, you understand the main thrust of this book, which is to teach the student just enough sold/structural mechanics and mathematics that they can approximate the solution using the Ritz method.

The author covers quite a bit of ground in a small amount of space: tensors, tensor calculus, kinematics, equilibrium, constitutive laws, boundary value problems, the Ritz method, beams, plates, energy methods, stability, and nonlinear solution techniques. Dr. Hjelmstad introduces these topics to the reader with lucid prose, and he always gives a physical, logical, or practical justification for the mathematical gymnastics to come. By concentrating on the big ideas, the reader does not drown an abyss of algebra. The author's clear, direct style is perhaps the most attractive feature for students new to solid mechanics, but because so much is covered in this book, the advanced student will find ideas expanded in later books but in context here.

These are the main virtues of the book - it is also the main vice, because the practical step of solving solid mechanics problems is neglected. There are a few dozen solved examples in the book and a few hundred unsolved problems for the student. Without access to someone who knows how to solve these problems, the abstractions and techniques of the book are almost impossible to grasp. It would be a crime to interrupt the flow of the book, but an appendix with solution techniques, methods, and more worked problems for each chapter would be a major improvement as the book doesn't even include answers to selected problems. I have a few other minor gripes: the index isn't nearly long enough; too much time is spent on Timoshenko beams and not enough on Bernoulli-Euler beams (especially regarding boundary conditions), and small strain linear elasticity is stressed almost exclusively.

If you're a beginning student in structural mechanics looking for something more than Mohr's Circle and know someone to assist you in solving the problems, this is an excellent choice. If you want to know the very basic foundation of the computational structural mechanics, you'll want to read this book. If you want to know how to solve these problems, then you probably need to look elsewhere.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book., January 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Fundamentals of Structural Mechanics (Hardcover)

Disregard the two negative reviewers: They should go back to the Mohr's Circle and run around it naked with their thumbs in their mouths. If you really desire to learn the stuff, this is a great book. The author has a unique perspective on teaching mechanics. It is written with flair and finesse; its playful narrative is a rarity in books written on the same topic. It serves as an excellent introduction to continuum mechanics, and finite element methods, and I believe, it fills a previously unoccupied niche-a modern and streamlined treatment of the Fundamentals of Structural Mechanics-rather gracefully.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, August 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Fundamentals of Structural Mechanics (Hardcover)

For those who want a book for introductionary mechanics, go elsewhere. As the other reviewer said, this book is not about Mohr's Circle. This book lays a strong foundation for the study of finite element methods in solid mechanics and to other areas of numerical analysis of solid mechanics. The narrative is clear and in just enough detail to keep the student interested. Over complication of the subject matter and drag are avoided by, for instance, avoiding inclusions of simple derivations that can be performed by the reader himself, should he understand the previous chapters.

I am hope Dr.Hjelmstad admits only advanced undergrads and grad students to his course based on this book. It is sure to go way above the heads of lesser students.