U NIVERSITY OF THE W ITWATERSRAND, J OHANNESBURG

School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

APPM3039A
Continuum Mechanics III
2025

Course Outline
1 Course Overview
Continuum mechanics studies the behaviour of materials by treating them as a continuum rather than a
collection of particles. In the first semester, we will be mainly concerned about the foundations of continuum
mechanics. The basic principles underlying the behaviour of solids and fluids are given in terms of tensors
(the strain tensor, the rate-of-strain tensor, and the stress tensor). We will derive the Cauchy momentum and
continuity equations for a continuum.
In the second semester we will begin treating solid and fluid mechanics separately. We will derive the
Navier displacement equation for elastic solids and the Navier-Stokes equation for Newtonian fluids. We will
then use the Navier displacement equation to study elastic waves and the Navier Stokes equation to study
laminar flows, which include Couette and Poiseuille flows. Towards the end of the semester, we will begin
looking at some real-world applications of Fluid Mechanics.

2 Staff Members
[email protected])
Course Coordinator: Dr. Matthews Sejeso ([email protected]

Course Lecturer: Dr. Erick Mubai

Email: [email protected]
Office: TW Kambule Mathematical Sciences Building (MSB), Room 112

3 The Mode of Teaching and Learning

All teaching and learning will take place in person, unless extreme circumstances make in-person lessons
impossible. Additional learning materials will be posted on the Wits Ulwazi course site. To access the course
site, please go to: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/courses/68341

Log in with your student number and usual Wits password. You should already be enrolled in the course.

4 Class Timetable & Schedule

In the timetable, there is a double lecture for the course each week:

• Weekly Lectures – Tuesdays: 10:15-12:00 (LB143)

• Once in Two Weeks Tutorials – Wednesdays: 12:30-13:15 (FNBGA)

There is a double lecture for the course each week and the weekly tutorials will alternate between Mechanics
III and Scientific Computing III. There will be quizzes at the end of Mechanics III tutorials that will contribute
towards your final course mark.

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5 Communication
5.1 Communication Platforms
All official communication will be posted to the announcements forum on Ulwazi
Ulwazi. It is your responsibility to
ensure you are receiving announcements through your University email.

Please use the Discussion Forum on Ulwazi to ask and answer questions related to the course. This will help
you engage with other students.

5.2 Communication Channels

If you have grievances, concerns, or complaints related to the APPM3039A course, please use the following
communication channels.

1. Individual Student Matters: If the complaint or grievance affects you individually, you should directly
approach the course lecturer (Dr Erick Mubai).

2. Classwide Matters: If the complaint or grievance affects the whole class, the matter should be
communicated to the course lecturer (Dr Erick Mubai) by the class representative.

3. Escalation to the course coordinator: If you believe, after a reasonable timeframe, the lecturer has not
resolved your complaint, you can escalate the matter to the course coordinator.

6 Consultations
If you need clarity on the concepts that were covered in class, questions about tutorials, exercises and class
examples, you can visit my office during the following consultation times.

days time venue

Tuesdays and Thursdays 13h15 - 14h00 Mathematical Science Building Office number 112

7 Course Objectives
The objectives of the course are

• to learn about the foundations of continuum mechanics.

• to derive governing equations for fluid mechanics and elastic bodies.

• to enhance problem solving skills.

• to apply continuum mechanics to real-world problems.

8 Course Content
Chapter 1: Matrices, Vectors and Tensors

Outcomes: At the end of the chapter you must be able to:

• use the index notation to prove some of the matrix identities

• prove the relation between the Levi Civita and Kronecker delta symbols

• verify that a quantity is a tensor

• understand tensors in the context of continuum mechanics

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Chapter 2: Strain and Stress Tensors

Outcomes: At the end of the chapter you must be able to:

• derive the strain, rate of strain and stress tensors

• understand the importance of strain, rate of strain and stress tensors for elastic materials and fluids

• understand the reason compatibility conditions are required for the strain tensor of a material

• derive the principal axes for a stress tensor and strain tensor

• understand the implications of the principal strain and stress on the failure of a material

Chapter 3: Equations of Motion for a Continuum

Outcomes: At the end of the chapter you must be able to:

• know and understand the difference between the Eulerian and Lagrangian description of a flow

• derive the Cauchy momentum and continuity equations for a continuum

Chapter 4: Introduction to Elasticity

Outcomes: At the end of the chapter you must be able to:

• derive Hooke’s law for an isotropic tensor

• use the Cauchy momentum equation to derive the Navier displacement equation

• derive and understand elastic properties such as the Poisson ratio and Young’s modulus

Chapter 5: Elastic Waves and Applications

Outcomes: At the end of the chapter you must be able to:

• derive equations governing equations for elastic waves in a material

• solve elastic wave problems in one medium properties

Chapter 6: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

Outcomes: At the end of the chapter you must be able to:

• derive the Navier-Stokes equation for incompressible, viscous fluid

• apply the Navier-Stokes equation to basic flows such as Couette and Poiseuille flows

Chapter 7: Stream Function, Ideal and Potential flows

Outcomes: At the end of the chapter you must be able to:

• know the physical interpretation of stream functions

• sketch streamlines of a given flow

• calculate the potential function of a flow

• derive the Laplace equation for the stream function and potential function

• apply the Laplace equation to find solutions to ideal flows

• derive the Bernoulli equation for an incompressible flow

• apply the Bernoulli equation to some incompressible flows

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9 Assessment
Your final mark will comprise of the following assessments.

• You will be given two assignments which will 20 % contribute towards your final mark.

• You will be given quizzes at the end of Mechanics III tutorials, that will contribute 10 % towards your
final mark.

• You will write four tests and the average of the three best test marks will contribute 30 % towards your
final mark

• You will write the June and November examinations. The average of the two exams will contribute 40 %
towards your final mark.

• Tests and examination dates

Test 01: TBA

Test 02: TBA
June Exam: TBC
Test 03: TBA
Test 04: TBA
November Exam: TBC

Please note that if you miss an assessment you will get a zero mark for the assessment unless you
produce a valid doctors certificate or any other relevant documentation. In the case you are absent from a
test for a legitimate reason then the average of the best three out of the four tests will contribute towards your
year mark. If you miss two or more tests for a legitimate reason and able to prove it with relevant
documentation then you will be given an opportunity to write a deferred test. You will be given a three day
grace period after the assessment to provide a medical certificate or any relevant documentation. Please note
that if you are found to have submitted a fake medical certificate, then you will face the appropriate
disciplinary action as set out by the University. In the case of Religious Holidays or Traditional Ceremonies,
you need to inform your lecturer (Dr Mubai) well in advance so that alternate arrangements can be made for
you. If you have sporting events scheduled during test time, you need to provide the relevant documentation
from your coach or club. If you miss an assessment due to medical condition or any legitimate reasons, you
have a three day grace period to fill out a Deferred Assessment Application Form from the APPM3039A Ulwazi
site along with a valid medical certificate or other relevant document. If the reason is deemed acceptable by
the lecturer, you will be offered an opportunity to take a deferred assessment within a week after the
assessment date.
If you are absent from the examinations in June or November, you will need to apply to the Faculty through
the self-service portal. Deferred exam applications should never be directed to the lecturer or the School of
CSAM.

10 Assessment Submission
The method of submission will be stated on each assessment.

11 Textbooks and Recommended Reading

The lecturer will inform you about the recommended readings at the beginning of each chapter.

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