Structural Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications

This lecture introduces the fundamental concepts of structural mechanics, covering the relationship with other branches of mechanics, statics, dynamics, kinetics, stress analysis, and fluid mechanics. The instructor presents real-world examples, such as analyzing fracture toughness in human bone, designing a robotic hand, measuring turgor pressure in bacteria, and assessing the stiffness of cell membranes. Practical applications include calculating stresses, strains, and material properties to optimize structural designs and understand mechanical behavior at different scales.