Introduction

Abstract

The introduction aims to remind the reader that engineering mechanics is derived from classical mechanics, which is a discipline of general physics. Therefore, engineering mechanics also relies on a proper model for space, and the relations between space and geometry are discussed briefly. The idea of expressing geometrical concepts by means of linear algebra is sketched together with the concept of vectors as geometrical objects. Although this book provides only the very first steps of the manifold concept, this chapter intends to make its importance for modern continuum mechanics clear by raising a number of questions which cannot be answered by the conventional approach. Furthermore, aspects regarding mathematical notation used in subsequent chapters are discussed briefly.