Mechanics and Materials

We are working towards the common goal of understanding, modeling and improving a wide spectrum of traditional and emerging materials, using theoretical, experimental and computational mechanics from nano to macro scale.

Focus Areas

Theoretical mechanics

  • Constitutive modeling – viscoelasticity, plasticity, viscoplasticity
  • Damage mechanics, fracture and fatigue
  • Mechanics of porous media
  • Crystal mechanics
  • Scaling theories
  • Finite plastic deformation

Experimental mechanics

  • Micromechanics – nanoindentation, nanoscratch, and rheometry
  • Durability and damage mechanics
  • Chemo-mechanics
  • Low- and high-cycle fatigue, fracture, permanent deformation
  • Integration of material, component and system testing
  • Nondestructive evaluation

Computational Mechanics

  • Finite element analysis and related methods
  • Inverse problems and optimization
  • Data-driven methods and machine learning
  • Multiscale modeling – hierarchical and concurrent

Applications to specific materials

  • Asphalt and asphalt concrete
  • Cementitious materials and concrete
  • Composites – fiber reinforced polymers
  • Geological materials – shale, sandstone, carbonates and soil
  • Metals and alloys – single crystals and polycrystalline materials
  • Sustainable bio-materials

Faculty

Graduate Course Requirements

The Master of Science (MS) degree requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate study including up to 6 credit hours for a thesis and a final oral examination.  Every student is expected work closely with his/her academic advisor to develop a well-coordinated plan of course work to supplement and complement their research.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree normally includes one academic year of full-time course work beyond the master’s degree. The major component of the Ph.D. program is preparation of a dissertation reporting the results of an original investigation that represents a significant contribution to knowledge.

Facilities and Centers

Our Research In Action

Dr. Mohammad Pour-Ghaz examines the deteriorated bridge slabs.
Dr. Mohammad Pour-Ghaz examines the deteriorated bridge slabs.
Graduate research assistant preparing soil specimen for testing.
Visualizing moisture flow in fractured concrete using advanced electrical imaging technology.

Graduate Courses

Primary Courses – Mechanics of Materials

Course Number Course Name
CE 515 Advanced Strength of Materials
CE 714 Stress Waves
CE 718 Constitutive Modeling of Engineering Materials
CE 741 Geomechanics of Stress Deformation
CE 742 Deformation and Instability of Soils
CE 759 Inelastic Behavior of Construction Materials
CE 794 Advanced Topics in Structures and Mechanics
MAE 543 Fracture Mechanics
MAE 730 Modern Plasticity
 PY 543 Introduction to the Structure of Solids

 

Primary Courses – Computational Methods and Mathematics

Course Number Course Name
CE 526 Finite Element Method in Structural Engineering
CE 536 Introduction to Numerical Methods for Civil Engineers
CE 721 Advanced Finite Element Methods
CE 793N Modeling and Computing for Geotechnical Engineering
MA 501 Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists I
MA 502 Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists II

 

Primary Courses – Materials Behavior and Engineering

Course Number Course Name
CE 548 Engineering Properties of Soils I
CE 594 Properties of Concrete and Advanced Cement-Based Composites
CE 595 Bituminous Materials
CE 595 Multiscale Characterization of Asphalt Materials
CE 751 Theory of Concrete Mixtures
CE 790 Advanced Topics in Civil Engineering
CE 793B Physicochemical and Biological Aspects of Soil Behavior
CE 794 Modeling Behavior of Infrastructure Materials

 

Related Courses

Course Number Course Name
CE 522 Theory and Design of Prestressed Concrete
CE 523 Theory and Behavior of Steel Structures
CE 524 Analysis and Design of Masonry Structures
CE 528 Structural Design in Wood
CE 529 FRP Strengthening and Repair of Concrete Structures
CE 537 Computer Methods and Applications
CE 549 Soil and Site Improvement
CE 594C Nondestructive Evaluation of Civil Infrastructure
CE 724 Probabilistic Methods of Structural Engineering
CE 726 Advanced Theory of Concrete Structures
CE 737 Computer-Aided Engineering Systems
CE 744 Foundation Engineering
CE 746 Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
CE 747 Geosynthetics in Geotechnical Engineering
CE 755 Highway Pavement Design
CE 757 Pavement Management Systems
BAE 528 Biomass to Renewable Energy Processes
BME 550 Medical Imaging: Ultrasonic, Optical, and Magnetic Resonance Systems
BME (TE) 566 Polymeric Biomaterials Engineering
MA 513 Introduction to Complex Variables
MA 520 Linear Algebra
MA 573 Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes I
MA 574 Mathematical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes II
MAE 531 Engineering Design Optimization
MAE 536 Micro/Nano Electromechanical Systems
MAE 537 Mechanics of Composite Materials
MAE (MSE) 539 Advanced Materials
MAE 546 Photonic Sensor Applications in Structure
MSE 531 Physical Metallurgy
MSE 540 Processing of Metallic Materials
MSE 545 Ceramic Processing
MSE 555 Polymer Technology and Engineering
MSE 556 Composite Materials
MSE 712 Scanning Electron Microscopy
MSE 741 Principles of Corrosion
MSE 791 Introduction to Nanomaterials
PY 511 Mechanics I
PY 512 Mechanics I
PY 519 Biological Physics
PY 525 Computational Physics
PY 519 Biological Physics
PY 525 Computational Physics
PY (TE) 570 Polymer Physics
PY 753 Introduction To the Structure Of Solids II
SSC 511 Soil Physics
SSC 521 Soil Chemistry
SSC 532 Soil Microbiology
TE (TT) (TTM) 533 Lean Six Sigma Quality
TE (BME) 566 Polymeric Biomaterials Engineering
TMS 500 Fiber and Polymer Microscopy
TMS (TE) 565 Textile Composites
TMS 761 Mechanical and Rheological Properties Of Fibrous Material
TMS 762 Physical Properties Of Fiber Forming Polymers, Fibers and Fibrous Structures
TMS (MSE) 763 Characterization Of Structure Of Fiber Forming Polymers