Introduction
Computational mechanics is the subject or profession concerned with the use of computational methods and devices to study phenomena governed by the principles of mechanics. Computational mechanics is a fundamentally important part of computational science and engineering, concerned with the use of computational approaches to characterize, predict and simulate physical events and engineering systems governed by the laws of mechanics. Computational mechanics (CM) is interdisciplinary. Computational Mechanics involve and enrich the rational application of mechanics, mathematics, and numerical methods in the practice of modern engineering. The three pillars of Computational Mechanics are mathematics, computer science, and mechanics. Computational fluid dynamics, computational thermodynamics, Computational electromagnetics, computational solid mechanics are some of the many specializations within CM.

The areas of mathematics most related to computational mechanics are partial differential equations, linear algebra and Numerical analysis. The most popular numerical methods used are the finite element, finite difference and boundary element methods in order of dominance. In solid mechanics finite element methods are far more prevalent than finite difference methods, whereas in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism, finite difference methods are almost equally applicable. The boundary element technique is in general less popular, but has a niche in certain areas including acoustics engineering, for example.

With regards to computing, computer programming, algorithms, and parallel computing play a major role in CM. The most widely used programming language in the scientific community, including computational mechanists, is FORTRAN. Recently, C++ has increased in popularity. The scientific computing community has been slow in adopting C++ as the lingua franca. Because of its very natural way of expressing mathematical computations, and its built-in visualization capacities, the proprietary language/environment MATLAB is also widely used, especially for rapid application development and model verification.

Scientists within the field of computational mechanics follow a list of tasks to analyze their target mechanical process:

• A mathematical model of the physical phenomenon is made. This usually involves expressing the natural or engineering system in terms of partial differential equations. This step uses physics to formalize a complex system.

• The mathematical equations are converted into forms which are suitable for digital computation. This step is called discretization because it involves creating an approximate discrete model from the original continuous model. In particular, it typically translates a partial differential equation (or a system thereof) into a system of ordinary differential equations. The processes involved in this step are studied in the field of Numerical analysis.

• Computer programs are made to solve the discretized equations using direct methods (which are single step methods resulting in the solution) or iterative methods (which start with a trial solution and arrive at the actual solution by successive refinement). Depending on the nature of the problem, supercomputers or parallel computers may be used at this stage.

• The mathematical model, numerical procedures and the computer codes are verified using either experimental results or simplified models for which exact analytical solutions are available. Quite frequently, new numerical or computational techniques are verified by comparing their result with those of existing well-established numerical methods. In many cases, benchmark problems are also available. The numerical results also have to be visualized and often physical interpretations will be given to the results.

Computational Mechanics has had a profound impact on science and technology over the past three decades. CM has transformed much of classical Newtonian theory into practical tools for prediction and understanding of complex systems. These tools are used in the simulation and design of current and future advances in technology throughout the developed and developing world. There has been a pervasive impact on manufacturing, communication, transportation, medicine, defense and many other areas central to modern civilization.

Computational Mechanics incorporates new models of physical and biological systems based upon quantum, molecular and biological mechanics and has an enormous potential for future growth and applicability.

The success of CM will ultimately be judged by its effectiveness in solving real-world problems of interest to society and in providing deeper understanding of natural phenomena and engineering systems. The field has been enormously successful to date because of its unprecedented predictive powers (though computer modeling), making possible the simulation of complex physical events and the use of these simulations to design engineering systems.

In the last century, especially in the second half thereof, computational mechanics has had profound influences on science and technology. Complex systems that would be very difficult or impossible to treat using analytical methods have been successfully simulated using the tools provided by computational mechanics. With the incorporation of quantum, molecular and biological mechanics into new models, CM is poised to play an even bigger role in the future.

The scope of the research in computational Mechanics reported will include theoretical and computational methods and their use in (a) solid and structural mechanics, constitutive modeling, inelastic and finite deformation response, and structural control; (b) fluid mechanics and fluids engineering; compressible and incompressible flows, and aerodynamics; (c) fracture mechanics and structural integrity; (d) transport phenomena and heat transfer; and (e) modern variational methods in mechanics and mathematical physics, in general. Researches which emphasize the enhancement of the understanding of the underlying mechanics, physics, and engineering science in these areas through analytical and computational methods, in addition to those which deal with novel computational methods in their own right, are of primary interest. General weighted residual methods such as finite element, boundary element, and finite difference methods, and other applicable mathematical methods, fall within the scope of this page. Also, the modern achievements of computer science, especially the use of artificial intelligence, are sought to be explored in the context of computational mechanics through pertinent research papers.

Need and Objective of the Programme:
Computational Mechanics program enables the students to contribute to the efficiency of the design process and the effectiveness of the design of advanced mechanical systems through mathematical modeling and numerical simulation. This program is designed to meet the increasing demand for research-oriented graduates capable of using advanced concepts in computational mechanics and experimental techniques with applications in the disciplines of civil, mechanical, aerospace, materials and biomechanics. Hence this postgraduate programme provides the basis of high tech engineering design for a broad spectrum of applications. The fast developing area of computational mechanics induces a large number of research activities. The programme would attract people who have already finished their basic degree in the related discipline and further want to gain expertise in the promising field of Computational Mechanics.

Some of the well known applications of Computational Mechanics:
One well-known area in which Computational Mechanics has had dramatic success is with the simulation of crash worthiness of automobiles. Computer-generated simulations of the collision of a vehicle with walls or obstacles, based on fundamental scientific principles on the dynamics of deformable bodies, have replaced hundreds of full-scale tests and countless lives have been saved and injuries diminished by improved safety features developed through computer modeling and simulation. An exciting Computational Mechanics application area under development is predictive surgery. The geometry and properties of the living tissue are deduced from MRI imaging and other tests and go directly into computer subroutines that generate models; several different options are calculated and presented to the surgical team so that the best procedure for the particular patient under treatment can be obtained. Many different surgical strategies can be simulated and the results predicted by Computational Mechanics software before a single step in the actual surgery is taken. Computational Mechanics has been used in military applications too. One example is in the analysis and design of weapons and armor. Applications of Computational Mechanics are not limited to the engineering design of products and systems. Many are concerned with the basic understanding of natural phenomena or with the prediction of natural physical events, examples of which include the use of Computational Mechanics methods to study atmospheric changes, ocean currents, surface flow in rivers, subsurface flows in oil reservoirs, or geological phenomena such as the movement and evolution of polar ice caps or the tectonic plates.

Target Group:
• Practicing engineers who use computational mechanics tools to solve real life engineering problems and want to further enhance their skills and knowledge so as to enable them to pursue research and development activities more effectively for their organizations
• Fresh undergraduates in various disciplines of Mechanical. / Civil. / Aerospace Engineering and Naval Architecture who want to get acquainted with the tools and latest techniques of modeling and simulation of various physical phenomena so that they will be well qualified for wide range of professions in R & D organizations, industries, laboratories and universities.
• The programme is well-suited for those who want to pursue Ph.D. Programme in their respective fields

Employment Avenues and Career Opportunities
At the end of the course, the students are expected to possess (1) Expert knowledge of the mechanics of fluids and solids (2) Expert knowledge of numerical methods and skill in their implementation (3) Proficiency in the use of advanced computers and computer codes. Graduates of this unique Master Programme will be qualified to find employment in a wide range of professions like R & D organizations, industries, laboratories and universities.

Eligibility for admission
Candidates are expected to have a first class degree with a good academic record in Mechanical / Civil / Aerospace Engineering / Naval Architecture and have a desire to be able to apply advanced knowledge to practical applications.

Details of other Universities / Institutions offering similar programmes

1, Master of Science in Computational Mechanics at Technische Universität München

2. COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS PROGRAM AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES
Middle East Technical University Turkiye

3. Computational Mechanics Master's Program at Tunisia Polytechnic School

4. European School of CAE Technology (CADFEM GmbH), FH Ingolstadt, and FH Landshut
Ingolstadt and Landshut, Bavaria, Germany
Master of Engineering in Applied Computational Mechanics

5. M.S. PROGRAM IN MECHANICS, MATERIALS AND COMPUTING CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY

6. MSc in Computational Mechanics of Materials and Structures at unilogo Universität Stuttgart

7. School of Engineering, Swansea University,UK - 18 month MSc in Computational Mechanics in collaboration with other leading European research centres at CIMNE-Universitat Politecnica Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain), Stuttgart University (Germany) and Ecole Central de Nantes (France).

8. Irish Graduate Research Education Programme in Computational Mechanics

9. Mathematical Physics and Computational Mechanics at University of Twente, Netherlands

For more information on Computational Mechanics and its possibilities please visit the following websites:

RESEARCH DIRECTIONS IN COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS: A Report of the United States National Committee on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics September 2000

FAQs in Computational Mechanics