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As a
young professor at UCLA, Peter Likins developed an
unconventional approach to undergraduate Mechanics,
replacing the standard three courses (Statics, Strength of
Materials, Dynamics) with an integrated treatment based on
fundamental principles applicable to all idealized materials
(particles, rigid bodies, deformable bodies). Rather
than proceed through linear, planar and three-dimensional
motion, he began with three dimensional
kinematics so general motion was immediately accessible.
The entire subject rested on first principles, a way of
thinking not limited to mechanics.
ELEMENTS OF ENGINEERING MECHANICS
(McGraw-Hill, 1973) embodies his approach. |
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Advanced texts co-authored with
colleagues
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1983 (Tom Kane was my Stanford professor) |
1972 (Bob
Roberson was a senior faculty colleague at UCLA) |
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