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Faculty position in computational mechanics engineering science and mechanics department, Penn State University

Submitted by Wei Hong on Mon, 10/23/2006 - 14:27

The Engineering Science and Mechanics Department at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in computational mechanics at the assistant professor level. Exceptional candidates at the associate or full professor level will also be considered. Candidates are sought with a foundation and research interests in mechanics across all scales from the molecular to the macroscopic, including expertise in: efficient massive and nonlinear computations; molecular and multiscale simulations; innovative and efficient approaches to nonlinear FEM for large deformations, inhomogeneities, and/or inclusions; problems with evolving microstructure such as phase transitions and damage evolution; massively parallel simulations of large systems of equations; novel numerical/empirical approaches to modeling multiscale constitutive behavior of composite, biological or otherwise novel material systems.

Textbook Recommendation

Submitted by Adrian Podpirka on Mon, 10/23/2006 - 03:56

So besides using Timoshenko (which is basically the bible of solid mechanics), I have been using Slaughter's The Linearized Theory of Elasticity which I came across in the Gordon McKay Library.

Unlike some of the other textbooks, there is a big focus put on the theory and the idea behind the examples while still having many worked out problems. The first few chapters give a big refresher course on mathematics and lay the groundwork for what is to be taught later on.

I came across this book in particular for the in depth coverage of Airy Stress Functions.

The book is broken into 11 chapters:

Review of Mechanics of Materials
Mathematical Preliminaries
Kinematics
Forces and Stress
Constitutive Equations
Linearized Elasticity Problems
2D Problems
Torsion of Noncircular Cylinders
3D Problems
Variational Methods
Complex Variable Methods

Second Symposium on Piezoelectricity, Acoustic Waves, and Device Applications (Spawda 2006)

Submitted by Ji Wang on Sun, 10/22/2006 - 07:24

Advances in the research of the theory of Piezoelectricity and Acoustic Waves have provided essential foundation and new opportunities to device technology and have been fostering academic exchanges and interaction in the piezoelectric device industry.With the increased research activities in piezoelectricity and acoustic waves and recent fast growth in piezoelectric devices, we are also facing many technological challenges from real engineering applications and product design and manufacturing.Following the successful SPAWDA 2004 in Ningbo, Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, IEEE UFFC and the Acoustical Society of China have decided, also with industrial support, to hold the SPAWDA 2006 at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China from December 14-17.The conference topics include, but not limited to,

Finite Element Method

Submitted by Zhigang Suo on Sat, 10/21/2006 - 14:24

The notes are attached. Return to the outline of the course.

Two recent articles about mathematicians

Submitted by Zhigang Suo on Fri, 10/20/2006 - 23:30

mechanician

If you have not read them, you might find them interesting.

The New Yorker article: Manifold Destiny
The New York Times article: The Emperor of Math

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Faculty Positions

Submitted by Yongqiang Li on Fri, 10/20/2006 - 17:24

The Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) at Virginia Tech seeks applications for two tenured or tenure-track faculty colleagues. The ideal candidates are expected to interface mechanics with the domain of biology (cellular mechanics, soft tissue biomechanics, macro-molecular biology, biodynamics, biofluids); the domains of nanotechnology or nanobiotechnology (mechanics of self-assembly, nanocomposites, functional nanodevices, biological and biomedical applications); or the domain of energy, with an emphasis on nanoscale and microscale problems or biological principles (fuel cells, renewable energy, energy conversion, clean energy, energy storage). However, intellectual depth is more important than the specific area of specialization, since ESM faculty members are expected to have a broad scholarly interest in engineering with a special emphasis on the fundamental mechanics.

Recommend books

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/20/2006 - 16:22

If you prefer to learn tensors in solid mechanics, Nye's book is recommended.

The author covers most of the physical properties in various crystal structures. Some handy tables are included in the book. However, he uses ONLY tensors to derive the properties. If you prefer to write down equations one by one, this would not be a suitable book to start.

Timoshenko's book is also recommended too. As a beginner, this book explains not only the problem, also the meaning behind it. It clearly describes the fundamental questions.

Some books

2006 American Academy of Mechanics awards - Call for nominations

Submitted by Rui Huang on Thu, 10/19/2006 - 23:38

mechanician

awards

American Academy of Mechanics

From Robert M. McMeeking (UC Santa Barbara).

The American Academy of Mechanics calls for nominations for two awards from its members:

The 2006 American Academy of Mechanics Outstanding Service Award

Preliminary nominations should consist of a one-page letter describing the outstanding service of the nominee to the Academy as well as to the profession, along with a one-page biographical sketch of the nominee, together with the names of at least three people willing to write letters of support in the event that the Awards Committee requests them.

The 2006 American Academy of Mechanics Junior Award

Plane elasticity problems

Submitted by Zhigang Suo on Thu, 10/19/2006 - 20:53

A word file is attached.

Return to the outline of the course.

Junior Faculty Position Opening at Princeton University

Submitted by Jean H. Prevost on Thu, 10/19/2006 - 14:53

job

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY. Assistant Professorship. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University has initiated a search seeking to fill a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in any of the following areas: materials, mechanics of solids, and structural engineering. For information about our current research activities, see our webpage, http://www.cee.princeton.edu/. The Department seeks outstanding candidates with clear potential for innovation and leadership in research and teaching. The Department is interested in candidates with the capacity to establish interdisciplinary collaborations with other schools and departments at Princeton. We particularly seek to build on our strong historical ties to our School of Architecture and to the Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM), and to develop links with broader initiatives dealing with sustainability of the built and natural environment.

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