Information About

Catalog description

Notions of stress and strain. Basic equations of the linear theory of elastic media. Stress function and displacement potentials. Applications to specific classes of problems such as plane strain, contact stresses, and axisymmetric problems. Stress concentration. Singular states of stress. Dislocations and residual stresses.

Prerequisites: A prior course in solid mechanics at the undergraduate level is recommended.

Who takes it

Students interested in research and projects related to solid mechanics should take this fundamental course in Elasticity. The course covers classical solutions in elasticity theory which pave the way for more advanced courses and techniques such as micromechanics, plasticity, viscoelasticity, and fracture. The techniques and solutions taught here are often useful as limit cases to test more complex phenomena in later studies. Mechanical, Civil and Materials engineering graduate students are the usual constituents.

What it's about

This course covers classical elasticity theory. The course begins with introduction to the concepts of tensorial stress and strain, then develops the basic mathematical equations of linear elastic media, including compatibility, equilibrium and Hooke's Law. The Airy stress function is developed and used to solve classic two-dimensional problems fundamental to stress analysis. Specific classes of problems are addressed such as: plane strain, axisymmetric, crack in infinite media, dislocations and contact. Concepts of stress concentration, singularities and residual and thermal stresses are discussed.

Reference Materials:

• S. P. Timoshenko and J. N. Goodier Theory of Elasticity, 3rd ed.. McGraw Hill, 1970.
• A. K. Mal, S. J. Singh Deformation of Elastic Solids. Prentice Hall,1991.
• A. C. Ugural, S. K. Fenster Advanced Strength and Applied Elasticity. Prentice Hall, 1995.

Contact:

Professor: Cate Brinson
e-mail: cbrinson@northwestern.edu

Professor: Leon Keer
e-mail: l-keer@northwestern.edu

[ Course web site ]