Fundamental steps in structural mechanics

It is easy to recognize that all structures in nature are three-dimensional. However, the reader has surely also encountered structures in simple forms such as an assemblage of geometrically slender members. As we discussed in the previous chapter, these simplified forms lead directly to models that are in accordance with the hierarchical modeling process. In fact, there are a number of structural mechanics mathematical models such as bars, beams, plates and shells, among others, that provide a convenient and efficient way to model structural behavior for design and analysis purposes. These mathematical models will be discussed in the following chapters due to their importance in the structural modeling process.