Blog posts

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

textbooks

ES 240

Fall 2006

solid mechanics

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.

Solid Mechanics Homework 21-25

Submitted by Zhigang Suo on Thu, 10/19/2006 - 13:56

21. A fiber in an infinite matrix

22. Anti-plane shear

23. Saint-Venant's principle for orthotropic materials

24. Plane problems with no length scales

25. More scaling relations: a half space filled with a power-law material

Return to the outline of the course.

Theory of Elasticity by Timoshenko and Goodier

Submitted by Megan McCain on Wed, 10/18/2006 - 21:21

Although I know it is not very original, I am recommending Timoshenko's Theory of Elasticity textbook. I find this book useful because it solves many classical solid mechanics problems without assuming the reader has a strong background in the subject (like me). When I am having difficulty with a homework problem, I turn to the index and it usually directs me to a section of the book directly related to the problem, or sometimes even the solution itself. Many parts of the book complement the course, such as the chapters "Plane Stress and Plane Strain" and "Analysis of Stress and Strain in 3 Dimensions."

The book starts with basic definitions and derivations of stress and strain, then applies these equations to solve problems in different coordinate systems. It also includes chapters on more specific topics, like torsion and thermal stress.