Continuum mechanics and applications

Continuum Mechanics and Applications course

Spring 2025

Web page : http://lsms.epfl.ch , https://www.epfl.ch/labs/gel/

Course instructors: Dr. Joaquin Garcia-Suarez, Pr. J.-F. Molinari, Pr. B. Lecampion

Teaching assistant: Jacopo Bilotto, 

Organization:

Weekly

1. Class on Monday from 16:15 to 18:45; GR A3 30
   

2. Exercise session on Thursday from 15:15 to 16:45;  GR A3 30
   
   Dr . Joaquin Garcia-Suarez: joaquin.garciasuarez@epfl.ch (GC A2 505)
   Prof. J.-F. Molinari: jean-francois.molinari@epfl.ch (GC A2 474)
   Prof. B. Lecampion: brice.lecampion@epfl.ch (GC B1 391)
   Jacopo Bilotto: jacopo.bilotto@epfl.ch (GC A2 484)

Content:

The goal of this course is to introduce the student to the theory of continuum mechanics. It is based on the content of classical textbooks of continuum mechanics such as the book of Malvern and lecture notes from Prof. Micheal Ortiz. The course is offered at the level of graduate course and gives a solid theoretical basis for students aiming to master theory and numerical modeling (finite-element method).

The course is divided in two modules. The first part covers the fundamentals of continuum mechanics:

• Kinematics of deformation (and in particular finite kinematics)
• Conservation laws (lagrangian and eulerian form): conservation of mass, linear and angular momentum balance, principle of virtual work, energy, first and second law of thermodynamics.

The second module covers constitutive theory and applications, include linear and non-linear elasticicity, visco elasticity, plasticity, Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, flow in porous media, shock waves in materials.