Abstract
In this paper, the evolution of the teaching of Applied Mechanics in Italy is detailed. A particular point of view is considered, that is the textbooks published from the postwar period to the present day. In the educational process of a student, textbooks implicitly define the subject of study and are the reference book the student will keep throughout the career. Despite the foundations of Applied Mechanics date back to Renaissance, the way it is transmitted to students evolves over time, especially in the last fifty years. This study does not pretend to be complete but it correlates the main changes in the textbooks of Applied Mechanics to the historical changes in the Italian University system. An original classification is proposed to clustering publications that exhibit the same characteristic features. In particular, three “periods” are identified: the Masters (1945-1980), the Schools (1980-2000) and the Courses (2000-today). Each period is strictly correlated to significant reform of the Italian University system. It is stressed that the classification into the three proposed classes must be made based on the contents of the text and not purely on the date of publication.
Highlights
This invited paper is an extended and revised version of a previous work submitted by the author to the Third International Conference of IFToMM Italy, held on September 9-11, 2020 (Cocconcelli, 2021)
The textbook of Scotto Lavina is divided into three parts, the first one covers the foundations of Applied Mechanics, the second one is dedicated to the dynamics of machines (42%) while the third one is a collection of numerical examples that has not been considered in the computation of the percentages of pages (Scotto Lavina, 2016)
The author proposes an excursus on the evolution of textbooks of Applied Mechanics in Italy from the postwar period to today
Summary
This invited paper is an extended and revised version of a previous work submitted by the author to the Third International Conference of IFToMM Italy, held on September 9-11, 2020 (Cocconcelli, 2021). This historical excursus has been made through a particular point of view, i.e. the reference textbooks in the academic course of Applied Mechanics. Focusing on foundations of Applied Mechanics, the declaratory states that the sector includes the study of mechanical systems, machines and their components and structures, i.e. the develop of tools for the analysis and synthesis of machines and mechanisms. Theoretical and experimental methods and applications related to the analysis of mechanical behavior, synthesis, and design, in particular functional, of machines and mechanical systems are developed, through the study of kinematics, statics, dynamics, linear and non-linear, interactions with the environment (force fields, interactions with fluids) and between material surfaces (lubrication), control of automation and identification.
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