Solid mechanics or Mechanics of solids
Solid mechanics or Mechanics of solids is the branch of Mechanics, Physics, Mathematics that concerns the behavior of solid matter under external actions (e.g., external forces, temperature changes, applied displacements, etc.).
Or
It is a branch of science which deals with the internal effects of the forces on the bodies when they are loaded, from initial point to rupture or break.
Strength of Materials
Strength of materials deals with the relations between externally applied loads and their internal effects on the bodies.
Purpose of studying strength of materials
To ensure that the structure used will be safe against the maximum internal effects that may be produced by any combination of external loading.
Types of forces
Forces that are acting on the body, may be of the following types. Effects of these forces are studied in solid mechanics or mechanics of solids.
Normal forces
The forces that are acting perpendicular to the body are known as normal forces.
Normal forces are of two types:
- Tensile
- Compressive.
Tangential forces
The forces that are acting parallel to the body are known as tangential forces. Shear forces and frictional forces are example of tangential forces.
Independent forces
Active forces are independent forces.
Dependent forces
Reactive forces are dependent forces.
Concentrated forces
If forces are acting on an area of a body which is negligible as compared to the body, then these are known as concentrated forces.
Distributed forces
If forces are acting on an area of a body which is not negligible as compared to the body, then these are known as distributed forces. These may be of uniformly distributed load (UDL) or Uniformly varying load (UVL) or any kind of general loading.
Effects of forces
The effects of forces which are studied in solid mechanics or mechanics of solids are
- Translation
- Rotation (moment and torque)
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