Introduction to Mechanics of Materials

This chapter introduces the subject of Mechanics of Materials. It provides information on areas of application and representative applications of the subject, the significance of the subject, the history of the subject and its evolution, and typical problem scenarios and main steps of their solution. The main contents of the chapter are the following: Introduction and definition of the subject of Mechanics of Materials, including the usage of finite elements, Giving areas of application and representative applications of Mechanics of Materials, Indicating the significance of Mechanics of Materials, Outlining the history of the subject and its evolution, and Providing typical problem scenarios and the main steps of their solution.