Tensor analysis is the language in terms of which continuum mechanisms can be presented in the simplest and most physically meaningful fashion. For this reason, I suggest that those readers who are not already familiar with this subject should read at least a portion of this appendix before starting with the main text.

The degree to which tensor analysis must be mastered depends upon your aims. We have written this appendix with three types of people in mind.

Many first-year graduate students in engineering are anxious to get to interesting applications as quickly as possible. We suggest that they read only those sections marked with double asterisks. They should also understand those exercises marked with double asterisks. Not all of this need be done before embarking on Chapter 1. Sometimes it is helpful to alternate between Chapter 1 and this appendix.

Those students who are somewhat more curious about the foundations of continuum mechanics will want to read the unmarked sections as well as those marked with two asterisks. The unmarked sections not only allow you to be more critical in your reading but are required for a complete understanding of the transport theorem in Section 1.3.2.

The complete Appendix A is recommended for anyone who wishes to do serious research in any of the subareas of continuum mechanics. The single-asterisked sections are required to derive the forms of various results in curvilinear coordinate systems.