Theoretical Mechanics

Author: Feng Weiming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: This textbook is designed to meet the needs of the development of science and technology in the new century and the requirements of teaching reform. It is written according to the basic teaching requirements for the theoretical mechanics course issued by the Ministry of Education, incorporating the strengths of textbooks from both domestic and international sources, and combining recent teaching practices and achievements in teaching reform. To adapt to the current situation of significantly reduced teaching hours, major reforms and innovations have been made to the course structure without lowering the basic requirements. The textbook has been divided into two parts—kinematics and dynamics—instead of the traditional three parts. The content of statics is presented as the foundation and special case of dynamics, taught in the corresponding chapters of dynamics. This approach raises the starting point, saves teaching hours, and improves teaching efficiency.
The kinematics section consists of four chapters, covering the following main topics: kinematics of a point, basic motion of rigid bodies, composite motion of a point, and plane motion of rigid bodies. The dynamics section comprises nine chapters, covering the following main topics: fundamental concepts of rigid-body dynamics, simplification and equilibrium of force systems, dynamics of a particle, the principle of momentum, the principle of angular momentum, the principle of kinetic energy, D'Alembert's principle, the principle of virtual displacement, and the general equation of dynamics as well as the basics of mechanical vibration.
The textbook strives to achieve key points, clarity, compactness, and rigorous presentation. For more advanced and intensive content, it focuses on the essence and characteristics, providing concise explanations. The textbook also features carefully selected examples and exercises, emphasizing heuristic teaching to leave students with ample space for thinking. It can serve as a textbook for theoretical mechanics in universities and colleges of engineering, vocational and technical schools, and higher vocational colleges, as well as a reference for teachers and students in vocational universities and adult education institutions, and relevant engineering professionals.