kontinuitetsmekanikens

Kontinuitetsmekanikens, or continuum mechanics in English, is a branch of physics and engineering that studies the behavior of materials that can be described as a continuous mass. This means that the material is treated as if it were infinitely divisible, ignoring its discrete atomic or molecular structure. Continuum mechanics is used to describe the motion and deformation of solids, liquids, and gases.

The fundamental principles of continuum mechanics are based on conservation laws. These include the conservation of mass, the conservation of linear momentum (Newton's second law), and the conservation of energy. These laws are expressed in the form of differential equations that govern the behavior of the continuous medium.

Key concepts in continuum mechanics include stress, strain, and material constitutive relations. Stress represents the internal forces that particles within a continuous material exert on each other. Strain describes the deformation of the material in response to these stresses. Constitutive relations are mathematical equations that relate stress and strain, characterizing the mechanical properties of the specific material being studied.

Applications of continuum mechanics are widespread. It is essential for understanding phenomena such as fluid flow, structural integrity of buildings and bridges, wave propagation, and the behavior of biological tissues. It forms the basis for fields like solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and elasticity.