One alternative to mechanics-based (or mechanistic) modelling is empirical modelling, which relies upon predict how a material (system) will respond...

One alternative to mechanics-based (or mechanistic) modelling is empirical modelling, which relies upon predict how a material (system) will respond to applied forces. The field of mechanics is broad, encompassing the behaviour of all types of materials, from solids, particulate material, to fluids. The mechanics of a material modelled as a continuum is called Continuum Mechanics. Where can you apply continuum mechanics? Continuum mechanics has been successfully applied to solids, fluids (liquids and gasses) and particulate material such as soils (modelled by idealizing soil as a continuum). What are Alternatives to Continuum Mechanics?