This textbook highlights the theory of fractional calculus and its wide
applications in mechanics and engineering. It describes in details the
research findings in using fractional calculus methods for modeling and
numerical simulation of complex mechanical behavior. It covers the
mathematical basis of fractional calculus, the relationship between
fractal and fractional calculus, unconventional statistics and anomalous
diffusion, typical applications of fractional calculus, and the
numerical solution of the fractional differential equation. It also
includes latest findings, such as variable order derivative, distributed
order derivative and its applications. Different from other textbooks in
this subject, the book avoids lengthy mathematical demonstrations, and
presents the theories in close connection to the applications in an
easily readable manner. This textbook is intended for students,
researchers and professionals in applied physics, engineering mechanics,
and applied mathematics. It is also of high reference value for those in
environmental mechanics, geotechnical mechanics, biomechanics, and
rheology.