Past Event: Babuška Forum

Configurational mechanics with applications to 3-D crack growth

Gregory Rodin, Oden Institute, Mathematics Department, UT Austin

Abstract

In this talk, I will first explain basic ideas behind configurational mechanics, introduced by John Douglas Eshelby in 1951, and its usefulness to analyzing 2-D cracks. Then I propose a broader framework, which introduces configurational strain rates, internal forces, and constitutive equations, and show its usefulness to 3-D cracks. No computing, just pure philosophy. Short Bio: Dr. Rodin is a Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at The University of Texas at Austin. He joined The University of Texas at Austin in 1986, after completing his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Rodin is affiliated with the Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, Center for Mechanics of Solids Structure and Materials, Texas Materials Institute, and Center for Nano and Molecular Science and Technology. Dr. Rodin's research is concerned with multi-scale modeling and computational methods applicable to complex solids and fluids. He has published papers in the leading journals in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, numerical methods, materials science, and arctic engineering. He has delivered more than one hundred invited talks in USA, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. His research has been sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, Army Research Office, Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories, Texas Advanced Technology Program, ALCOA, Martin Marietta, Nippon Mining Co. (Japan) and Schlumberger R&D.