The notes on finite deformation have been divided into two parts: special cases and general theory (http://imechanica.org/node/538). In class I start with special cases, and then sketch the general theory. But the two parts can be read in any order.

Although this is a class in solid mechanics, I chose a project which focuses on fluid dynamics. I did this because I think this project will be very educational with respect to the Finite Element Analysis and mechanics in general.

For my semester project, I will investigate equilibrium geometries of ripples in an elastic sheet. In order to do so, I will need to learn how to study out of plane bending of a thin membrane with ABAQUS. The project can be divided into the following stages:

1. Set up the membrane geometry model in ABAQUS

2. Apply relevant boundary conditions and tractions

3. Set up the job

4. Run the job, and post-process

Please see the attached file for details.

Finished BashringUnfinished Bashring Mounted on Crank

The biology of the inversion process in Volvox carteri is examined, and a coupled mechanical and kinetic model is proposed.  See attached proposal for details. The presentation given is also attached here, as well as the final paper.  Also, a movie of the simulation that made all of the work wroth while, the inversion of a half-sphere, is attached here as well.  Note: The file inversion2bw.doc is a movie, just download it and change the extension to .avi.  This has to be done since iMechanica doesn't allow attachment of .avi files directly.

Computer assignment #2 : natural frequency problem

due on Monday (Nov. 17, 2008)

Assignment #1 and related paper

1 Schedule & Proceedings

2 Reading-about ABAQUS

3 Learning ABAQUS

4 CAE example

Mechanics of Materials is the book I used for my undergraduate course in strength of materials and it helped me understand the basics, and hence my selection. 

The outline is as follows:

Ch. 1: Introduction -  concepts of stress

Ch. 2: Stress and strain - axial loading

Ch. 3: Torsion

Ch. 4: Pure bending

Ch. 5: Analysis and design of beams for bending

Ch. 6: Shearing stresses in beams and thin-walled members

Ch. 7: Transformations of stress and strain

Ch. 8: Principal stresses under a given loading

Ch. 9: Deflection of beams

Ch. 10: Columns

Ch. 11: Energy methods 

      The texts from Timoshenko and Landau and Lifschitz are classics. I think learning the physical approach of L&L is particularly valuable. The following sections are available in L&L:

 1. Fundamental Equations

 2. Equilibrium of Rods and Plates

3. Elastic Waves

4. Thermal Conduction and Viscosity in Solids

Look for insightful physical explanations, and expect to read with a pen and paper at your side, to understand exactly the brilliance behind each statement made.

http://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Behavior-Materials-Marc-Meyers/dp/1427614822/ref=pd_cp_b_0?pf_rd_p=413864201&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0521866758&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0S0M88CGD0M7DMFVDEEB

This link contains basic book information and reviews of the book.  The content of the book is as follows:

1.
Materials: structure, properties and performance

2. Elasticity and
viscoelasticity

--This is the book I used for my junior-year solid mechanics class as a mechanical engineer.  You an read more about it here: http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Mechanics-Materials-Roman-Solecki/dp/0195143728/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224209659&sr=8-3

--The book covers a wide range of topics, starting with a standard chapter on intro to stress and strain.  It then quickly moves to more advance topics, including numerical methods/finite element analysis, and a good section on buckling and vibration.

* Title of the post: Theory of Elasticity by S.P. Timoshenko and J.N. Goodier