Summary of Engineering Research

THEORETICAL AND APPLIED MECHANICS

H. AREF, Head;
J. W. PHILLIPS, Associate Head
212 Talbot Laboratory,
104 S. Wright St., Urbana, IL 61801 · 217-333-2322

The Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics is the academic and intellectual home of the science of mechanics. The mission of the department is both to nurture mechanics as a scientific discipline in its own right and to serve as an interface between basic work and applications in the many engineering disciplines that use mechanics. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of work in mechanics, the department strives to strengthen ties with programs in related fields, such as physics, applied mathematics, geology, materials science, and scientific computing.

Founded in 1890 to provide instruction in mechanics for all College of Engineering students a duty that the department still fulfills Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (TAM) has evolved into a broad, interdisciplinary group of faculty and students tackling problems in applied and computational mathematics, dynamics, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and mechanics of materials. Work in applied and computational mathematics focuses on asymptotic analysis, mathematical modeling, stochastic estimation, and advanced algorithms for large-scale computing. In dynamics, there are projects on elastic waves, the role of heterogeneity on acoustic signatures, and aspects of modern dynamical systems theory including chaos. The emphasis in solid mechanics is on characterizing, understanding, and modeling the behavior of modern materials, such as composites and shape-memory alloys, and on basic mechanisms, such as localization, embrittlement, and phase transformations. The main activity in fluid mechanics is the problem of turbulent flow and approaches range from advanced experimental techniques, such as holographic particle image velocimetry, to very large-scale numerical simulations that also address problems in convection and combustion.

Graduate research is an integral part of the educational program in TAM. Most of the research projects involve master's and doctoral students engaged in thesis research. The department is an active participant in the college-wide Computational Science and Engineering Program.

Several laboratories, both for research and instruction, are maintained in TAM and service a large number of students each year. TAM is building up a considerable presence on the World Wide Web for on-campus instruction, distance learning, and general information about activities in mechanics.

An active program of visitors, seminars, and short courses hosted by the department helps further the science of mechanics within the college and across the university.