An Introduction to Mathematical Modeling: A Course in Mechanics

J. Tinsley Oden

Feb 2012 · Sold by John Wiley & Sons

About this ebook

A modern approach to mathematical modeling, featuring unique applications from the field of mechanics

An Introduction to Mathematical Modeling: A Course in Mechanics is designed to survey the mathematical models that form the foundations of modern science and incorporates examples that illustrate how the most successful models arise from basic principles in modern and classical mathematical physics. Written by a world authority on mathematical theory and computational mechanics, the book presents an account of continuum mechanics, electromagnetic field theory, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics for readers with varied backgrounds in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and physics.

The author streamlines a comprehensive understanding of the topic in three clearly organized sections:

• Nonlinear Continuum Mechanics introduces kinematics as well as force and stress in deformable bodies; mass and momentum; balance of linear and angular momentum; conservation of energy; and constitutive equations

• Electromagnetic Field Theory and Quantum Mechanics contains a brief account of electromagnetic wave theory and Maxwell's equations as well as an introductory account of quantum mechanics with related topics including ab initio methods and Spin and Pauli's principles

• Statistical Mechanics presents an introduction to statistical mechanics of systems in thermodynamic equilibrium as well as continuum mechanics, quantum mechanics, and molecular dynamics

Each part of the book concludes with exercise sets that allow readers to test their understanding of the presented material. Key theorems and fundamental equations are highlighted throughout, and an extensive bibliography outlines resources for further study.

Extensively class-tested to ensure an accessible presentation, An Introduction to Mathematical Modeling is an excellent book for courses on introductory mathematical modeling and statistical mechanics at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. The book also serves as a valuable reference for professionals working in the areas of modeling and simulation, physics, and computational engineering.

About the author

John Tinsley Oden, PhD, is Associate Vice President for Research and Director of the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES) at The University of Texas at Austin. He was the founding Director of the Institute, which was created in January of 2003 as an expansion of the Texas Institute for Computational and Applied Mathematics. A member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, the National Academies of Engineering of Mexico and of Brazil, and The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he serves on numerous national and international organizational, scientific, and advisory committees including the NSF Blue Ribbon Panel on Simulation-Based Engineering Science and the Task Force on Cyber Science and Grand Challenge Communities and Virtual Organizations. Dr. Oden has worked extensively on the mathematical theory and implementation of numerical methods applied to problems in solid and fluid mechanics and, particularly, nonlinear continuum mechanics and, in recent years, multi-scale modeling, stochastic systems, and uncertainty quantification.