I am pleased to inform you that I will be defending my Ph.D. thesis, formally in mechanical engineering, at COEP, University of Pune, India, on the next Sunday (i.e. 20th September, 2009).

The title of my thesis is: "A New Approach to Computer Modeling and Analysis of Certain Fundamental Field Problems from Engineering Sciences." 

Northwestern University, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)and Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) jointly seek an outstanding individual in the area of mechanics for a tenure-track position at the level of assistant professor.  The successful candidate will be expected to develop an independent, internationally-recognized research program, teach graduate- and undergraduate-level courses, and supervise graduate research.  Both CEE and ME

A post-doctoral position is available at Kongju National University,South Korea to work in the field of nanomechanics(atomistic modeling) or Bio/nano mechatronics.Interested candidate should send their detailed CV to Prof.Sung-Gaun Kim via email to the following email address-(kimsg [at] kongju.ac.kr).The initial contract is for one year and is extendable to multiple years subject to his/her performance and availability of funding.

Hi all,

I have a fundamental question on Tensors. The length of a vector (firts order tensor) is independent of the reference co-ordinate system. In case of second order tensor (stress/strain), the invariants (I1, I2, I3) are independent of the co-ordinate system.

If I consider 4th order tensor (of course 3rd order also), say Cijkl, what parameters are constant? (Like length in vector and invariants in second order tensors).

Thanks in advance,

- Ramdas

I have used cohesive elements to create cracks now I am interested to seal the created cracks in order to study stress changes so I need to add this as a step to my analysis-

Does anybody know any trick for doing this? Can I do this by keeping the pressure inside fracture constant?-please give me comments

The default value of penalty stiffness scale factor in Ansys-Lsdyna  is 0.1, when one varies this value, he/she obtains different results, the question, how can one  know the right value of penalty stiffness scale factor?

I am simulating the impact of a 6mm - diameter steel solid ball with a rigid falt surface using Ansys-Lsdyna. the speed of the ball at the impact moment  is low (from 1 to 10 m/s). specificly, i am intersted in the period between  just touching and  just leaving the ground for the first impact.

Scientific Forming Technologies Corporation (SFTC) is currently looking for several self-motivated and talented individuals to further develop its Finite Element based software product DEFORM™.  Please visit www.deform.com for more details.  Ph.D in Engineering with strong background in mechanics, and/or manufacturing processes, and programming experience (FORTRAN under Windows or UNIX environment), and excellent problem solving skills are highly desirable.

Tony Evans passed away on Wednesday after a long and valiant fight against cancer.  He was Alcoa Professor of Materials, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Center for Multifunctional Materials and Structures at the University of California at Santa Barbara.