To provide an introduction to the theory governing the nonlinear deformation of elastic solids subject to stress.

2 hours of lectures a week, over 11 weeks.

1 hour tutorial a week over 10 weeks (or equivalent)

Assessment

100% Final Exam

Reassessment

In accordance with the University's Code of Assessment reassessments are normally set for all courses which do not contribute to the honours classifications. For non honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students, and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions are listed below in this box.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The course aims are:

1. To introduce advanced topics in nonlinear elasticity.

2. To introduce constitutive laws for anisotropic materials.

3. To formulate and solve some boundary-value problems.

4. To demonstrate applications of nonlinear elasticity to artery tissue mechanics and other current areas of research.

On completion of this course the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and have the ability to apply central definitions, concepts and facts from continuum mechanics and use these to solve central problems in this area. In particular, at the end of the course students will be able to:

1. apply general principles relating to constitutive laws;

2. formulate boundary-value problems using stress tensors and constitutive laws;

3. solve a number of illustrative boundary-value problems;

4. use constitutive laws to model anisotropic material;

5. apply advanced methods in nonlinear elasticity to the modelling of artery tissues.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.