Continuum Continuum mechanics mechanics provides provides a a theoretical theoretical structure structure for for analyzing analyzing the the response response of of materials materials to to mechanical mechanical and and thermal thermal loads. loads. One One of of the the beauties beauties of of continuum continuum mechanics mechanics is is that that the the fundamental fundamental balance balance laws laws (conservation (conservation of of mass mass and and balances balances of of linear linear momentum, momentum, angular angular momentum, momentum, energy energy and and entropy) entropy) are are valid valid for for all all simple simple materials. materials. Most Most of of the the modern modern research research in in continuum continuum mechanics mechanics focuses focuses on on the the development development of of constitutive constitutive equations equations which which are are used used to to characterize characterize the the response response of of a a particular particular class class of of materials materials (e.g. (e.g. invisicid invisicid fluids, fluids, viscous viscous fluids, fluids, elastic elastic solids, solids, viscoelastic viscoelastic solids, solids, elastic­ elastic­ plastic solids, elastic-viscoplastic solids, etc.). plastic solids, elastic-viscoplastic solids, etc.).