BIWO-02: Continuum Mechanics, Tensor Calculus

Lecturer:

Dr.-Ing. Rainer Schlebusch, Dr.-Ing. Mike Richter 

Content and qualification aim:

The module focuses on the fundamental concepts of continuum mechanics and the associated variational principles. 

Content of the module: 

• Tensor Analysis
• Kinematics of Continuous Media
• The Concept of Stress
• Balance Equations
• Material Modeling for Solids
• Initial-Boundary-Value Problems
• Variational Principles

After having finished the module successfully students have the necessary background in tensor calculus needed in the context of continuum field theories.

Type of course:

4 hours of lectures, 2 hours of exercises per week, and self-study

Practical use of the module:

Obligatory module in the Master’s programme: Advanced Computational and Civil Engineering Structural Studies. The module provides the prerequisites for the elective modules BIWE-02, BIWE-08 and BIWE-09.

Requirements for the award of credits:

The credits are awarded if the module examination is successfully passed.
The module examination consists of a non-graded assignment (60 hours) and a written examination (90 min).

Remark:
At the Department of Civil Engineering we run two different systems of grading. Most modules are completed by an (oral or written) exam or a graded essay, paper, or thesis and these will be graded on a scale from excellent (1.0) to fail (5). This is then the grade of the module.
However, this module will be completed first by a non-graded assignment graded only passed or failed, and second by a written examination graded on a scale from 1.0 to 5.

Credits and grades:

8 credits can be acquired for this module.
The grade for the module is the weighted arithmetic average of the module examinations. The assignment has a weight of 1 and the written examination has a weight of 2.

Remark:
If the assignment is passed the grade of the written examination is the grade of the module. The assignment has not further influence on the final grade of the module.
If the assignment is failed the grade for the assignment is 5 and the grade of the module is calculated from the weighted arithmetic average (see table below).

Frequency of module:

The module is offered every academic year (winter semester).

Workload:

The workload is 240 working hours.

Duration of the module:

1 semester 

Recommended literature:

• A. Bertram: Elasticity and Plasticity of Large Deformations. An Introduction.
• G. A. Holzapfel: Nonlinear Solid Mechanics: A Continuum Approach for Engineering
• P. Wriggers: Nonlinear Finite Element Methods