I am currently working on a project to model DCB test in ABAQUS. My current problem lies in understanding cohesive zone modelling. I was wondering if anyone can forward me a couple of  materials regarding the introduction of cohesive zones?

 This would help me understand the material greatly and help me in modelling the DCB test.

 Another question in ABAQUS:  how do you implement the material properties for cohesive elements? in particular, what values should i be using for them? e.g. E, G1, G2?

We are currently offerring an introductory course on mechanics for junior students for all fields and subjects.  It is a so called general knowledge course for students to know more on certain subjects and fields before a decision on choice of a major is made.  Since the Mechanics Department in our University has not been popular for so long, we have decided to evangalize our field with more glorious history of Mechanics: Newton, Bernoulli, Euler, Clausius, Faraday, and Einstein.

Six finalists for the 20th Annual Melosh Competition for the Best Student Paper in Finite Element Analysis have been announced.  They are:

Ludovic Chamoin, University of Texas at Austin

Irina Kalashnikova, Stanford University

Christian Linder, University of California, Berkeley

Ajaykumar Rajasekharan, Stanford University

Saurabh Srivastava, SUNY Buffalo

Tim Wildey, University of Texas at Austin 

To coincide with this year’s IMECE in Boston, the Fracture and Failure Mechanics Technical Committee is organizing a series of sessions to honor Professor John W. Hutchinson’s seminal contributions as he moves into semi-retirement. The organizers request abstracts in contemporary research related to fracture and failure mechanics. Topics that relate to Professor Hutchinson's many past and present research activities in other areas are also welcome.

I have been working in composites for sometime now. In the literature I have found that the words  "Representative Volume Element" (RVE) and "Unit Cell" (UC)  are  used frequently.  Some  authors treat them differently and some treat them  same. I am little bit confused can anyone PLEASE clarify the situation or suggest some good papers to read.

Thanks In Advance. 

We are now accepting abstracts. Please visit http://www.mecheng.iisc.ernet.in/~iqicf/ to get the template for abstracts. The deadline for abstract submission is March 31, 2008.