Mechanics, Materials and Structures
Areas of Current Research
Current research work in earthquake engineering, structural engineering, and computational mechanics includes the analysis and design of structures in seismically active areas; synthesis of earthquake ground motion; soil liquefaction and its effect on structures; linear and nonlinear finite-element methods; use of parallel computing in structural engineering; nonlinear dynamic analysis of structures; probabilistic mechanics and structural reliability; stochastic finite-element methods; vulnerability of buildings to progressive collapse; improvement of related codes and standards; response of structures to extreme loads (impact/blast/fire); sensors for structural condition assessment; methods of multi-hazard risk assessment and management; numerical modeling of fire-structure interactions; fluid-structure interactions; soil-structure interactions; cavitating flows; and dynamic/explosive impact on structures.
Current research work in materials includes the determination of the bulk mechanical and transport properties of porous materials; anomalous behavior of liquids in nanoporous materials; mechanisms responsible for deterioration of concrete and other building materials, particularly by crystallization of salt and ice; and the structure and properties of gels. Computational materials research includes numerical simulation of crack growth and propagation in layered and polycrystalline structures and topology optimization of materials microstructure. Students can participate in the Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM), which provides special courses, experimental facilities, and interdisciplinary interactions necessary for research in modern materials science and engineering.
A project on sequestration of carbon dioxide in saline aquifers involves numerical simulation of transport of injected CO 2 in deep aquifers and deterioration of cement in existing oil wells by the acidic brine. The work is done in collaboration with colleagues in the Program in Environmental Engineering and Water Resources who are studying geochemical interactions, the contamination of drinking water, and other related problems.