Continuum modeling. An approach through practical examples (Q495035)

The book is intended to develop continuum modeling skills as applicable in fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, and heat transfer. The book features derivation of global (integral) laws together with the associated local (differential) equations; design of constitutive laws and the modeling of the boundary processes. The book starts with scaling and estimation of physical systems. It addresses on dimensional analysis and introduces non-dimensionalization of the physical variables. The dimensional analysis is important because it checks the consistency of the model equations. At the same time, the process of non-dimensionalization not only reduces the number of model parameters but also generalizes the process. The book mentions the role of Buckingham's Pi theorem on the reduction of the number of parameter involved in the system. The second chapter deals with the balance equations in continuum Physics. A global balance law is derived followed by the local balance laws in the form of the continuity, conservation of the linear and angular momentum; and also energy. The local balance laws together with Clausius Duhem inequality define the class of admissible thermodynamic processes. The book also addresses the role of boundary conditions as well as the discontinuities resulting into shocks in the framework of continuum mechanics. Chapter 3 introduces the concept of flux of matter. It discusses the derivation of the Darcy law for two particular cases of micro-structures: (1) a periodic array of cells and (2) randomly distributed cells. Also discussed is the thermo-diffusion evolution system for hot colloids. A book intended for the first year graduate students in Applied Mathematics or Engineering must contain examples based on the first principles to familiarize with non-dimensionalization technique or the conservation equations as described in the Mathematical Principles of Heat Transfer [\textit{K. N. Shukla}, Mathematical principles of heat transfer. Series in Thermal \& Fluid Physics and Engineering. New York, NY: Begell House (2005; Zbl 1108.76001)]. There are a lot of references cited in the book. The book may provide specialized information on the continuum modeling for the intended readership.