Foundations

This category includes publications that represent paradigm shifts or significant consolidations in the history of Engineering Mechanics. The maintainers of Qnotc have designated the twelve (12) publications listed below, though they recognize that additional publications may belong and also that some foundational work was not formally published. Comments and suggestions for publications to be included in this category are welcomed.

• Galilei, G. (1638). Discorsi e dimostrazioni matematiche intorno à due nuove scienze. Lodewijk Elzevir, Leiden, Dutch Republic. [Link]
• In English, Discourses and mathematical demonstrations concerning two new sciences.
• Pioneered the study of strength of materials.
• Lagrange, J.-L. (1788 (1st ed. vol. 1), 1789 (1st ed. vol. 2), 1811 (2nd ed. vol. 1), 1815 (2nd ed. vol. 2)). Mécanique analytique. Desaint (1st ed.), Ve Courcier (2nd ed.), Paris, France. [Link (1st ed. vol. 1)] [Link (2nd ed. vol. 1)] [Link (2nd ed. vol. 2)]
• In English, Analytical mechanics.
• Consolidated the mathematical approach to mechanics through the principle of virtual work.
• Navier, C.-L. (1826 (1st ed.), 1833 (2nd ed.)). Résumé des leçons données a l'école royale des ponts et chaussées, sur l'application de la mécanique a l'établissement des constructions et des machines. Premiére partie, contenant les leçons sur la résistance des matériaux, et sur l'établissement des constructions en terre, en maconnerie et en charpente. Firmin Didot (1st ed.), Carilian-Gœury (2nd ed.), Paris, France. [Link (1st ed.)] [Link (2nd ed.)]
• In English, Summary of the lessons given at the Royal School of Bridges and Roads, on the application of mechanics to the establishment of constructions and machines. First part, containing lessons on the resistance of materials, and on the establishment of constructions in earth, masonry and framework.
• Established methods of applying mechanics to practical engineering problems.
• Cauchy, A.-L. (1827). Exercices de mathématiques, seconde année. De Bure Brothers, Paris, France. [Link]
• In English, Math exercises, second year.
• Specifically, the section "De la pression ou tension dans un corps solide," or "Pressure or tension in a solid body," starting on p. 42.
• Introduced the stress tensor, with two elastic constants.
• Culmann, K. (1866). Die graphische statik. Meyer and Zeller, Zurich, Switzerland. [Link]
• In English, The graphic statics.
• Formalized the theory of graphic statics.
• Rayleigh, J. W. S. (1877 (1st ed. vol. 1), 1878 (1st ed. vol. 2), 1894 (2nd ed. vol. 1), 1896 (2nd ed. vol. 2)). The Theory of Sound. Macmillan, London, England. [Link (1st ed. vol. 1)] [Link (1st ed. vol. 2)] [Link (2nd ed. vol. 1)] [Link (2nd ed. vol. 2)]
• Formalized the theory of acoustics in a modern mathematical setting.
• Castigliano, C. A. (1879). Théorie de l'équilibre des systèmes élastiques et ses applications. A. F. Negro, Turin, Italy. [Link]
• In English, Theory of equilibrium of elastic systems and its applications.
• Introduced theorems to determine displacements in a linear-elastic structure based on the balance of work and strain energy. These theorems laid the foundation for the stiffness and flexibility matrix methods of structural analysis.
• Love, A. E. H. (1892 (1st ed. vol. 1), 1893 (1st ed. vol. 2), 1906 (2nd ed.). A Treatise on the Mathematical Theory of Elasticity. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England. [Link (1st ed. vol. 1] [Link (1st ed. vol. 2] [Link (2nd ed.)]
• Consolidated and obtained important solutions in the theory of elasticity and elastodynamics.
• Griffith, A. A. (1921). "VI. The phenomena of rupture and flow in solids." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Containing Papers of a Mathematical or Physical Character. 221: 163–198. [Link]
• Pioneered the study of fracture mechanics.
• Timoshenko, S. (1st ed.) and Goodier, J. N. (2nd ed.) (1934 (1st ed.), 1951 (2nd ed.)). Theory of Elasticity. McGraw-Hill, New York, United States. [Link (2nd ed.)]
• Developed a didactic framework of the theory of elasticity and consolidated important results of practical interest.
• Turner, M. J., Clough, R. W., Martin, H. C., and Topp, L. J. (1956). "Stiffness and Deflection Analysis of Complex Structures." Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences. 23(9): 805–823. [Link]
• Pioneered the study of finite element analysis.
• Zienkiewicz, O. C. and Cheung, Y. K. (1967). The Finite Element Method in Structural and Continuum Mechanics. McGraw-Hill, London, England. [Link]
• The first textbook on the finite element method. It remains a standard reference on the subject.