Solid Mechanics

Solid mechanics research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science focuses on the following areas:

  • Continuum mechanics
  • Elasticity
  • Tissue Biomechanics
  • Nonlinear finite element analysis
  • Computational mechanics

Opportunities for Graduate Study

The department offers an M.S./Ph.D. study track in mechanical engineering with a core in solid mechanics that encompasses elasticity, plasticity, continuum mechanics, tissue biomechanics, and nonlinear finite element analysis.

The department also offers a program of study towards the Masters of Engineering (M.Eng) in Mechanical Engineering. This 30-credit degree program includes course work towards departmental requirements, an area of specialization, business and management fundamentals, and an internship or applied research experience. Students have the flexibility to focus on topics of biomechanics, computational mechanicsl dynamics and vibration mechanics relevant to career preparation for the aerospace industrial sector.

Solid Mechanics Faculty

Laurens E. Howle
Associate Professor
Hydroelastic modeling of deformable structures, transport in thermal and chemical systems, experimental and computational fluid dynamics, nonlinear and complex systems, heat and mass transport in biological systems, stability of fluid motions, machine learning, data mining, econophysics, reduced...
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Josiah Knight
Associate Professor and Co-director, Energy & Environment Certificate; Associate-Director, Gendell Center
Fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and dynamics
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Omar M. Knio
Edmund T. Pratt, Jr. Professor, and Director of Uncertainty and Risk Assessment
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Walter N. Simmons
Gendell Associate Professor of the Practice
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Lawrie Virgin
Professor
Professor Virgin's research is centered on studying the behavior of nonlinear dynamical systems. This work may be broadly divided into two components. First, investigation of the fundamental nature of nonlinear systems based on a mathematical description of their underlying equations of motion....
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Xuanhe Zhao
Assistant Professor
Dr Zhao's research is to understand the fundamental mechanics and physics of materials and phenomena emerging on the interface between engineering and biological systems and to design new materials and structures capable of extraordinary functions. He is currently particularly interested in soft...
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