Constitutive Models in Solid Mechanics

Course Notes — Technion, Fall 2025

Author

Shmuel Osovski

Published

January 1, 2025

Welcome

These are the official course notes for Constitutive Models in Solid Mechanics (Technion, Fall 2025). They serve three purposes simultaneously:

What you’re looking at What it is
This website Readable notes — study at your own pace, search, follow links
The PDF download button (top-right) A printable, self-contained course textbook
The Slides links on each lecture page RevealJS presentation used during lectures

The material is organized in three parts:

  • Part I covers the mathematical and continuum mechanics foundations (tensors, kinematics, thermodynamics).
  • Part II develops the main constitutive models: hyperelasticity, viscoelasticity, plasticity, and damage.
  • Part III addresses parameter identification, verification/validation, and data-driven / surrogate approaches.

How to use these notes

In class (Zoom or in-person): The slides are projected. You don’t need to copy everything — it’s all here. Annotate your own copy, focus on understanding, ask questions.

After class: Work through the relevant chapter here. The notes contain more detail than the slides: derivations are written out in full, code examples can be expanded, and cross-references are active links.

For homework: Each assignment is in the Homework section. Submit via Moodle by the posted deadline.

Instructor

Shmuel Osovski Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technion Office: DK Building, Room 404 Email: shmuliko@technion.ac.il Office Hours: Mondays 15:00–16:00 or by appointment