• Biomechanics
• Composites
• Continuum Mechanics
• Fracture Mechanics
• Microstructures
  
  

"We at Michigan Tech have the most sincere instructors, prestigious professors, and aspirant researchers. We also have excellent experiment facilities."

—Hao Li
Solid mechanics graduate student

The program
Solid mechanics, a program within the mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics (ME-EM) department, emphasizes research in composites, biomechanics, nanomechanics, crash worthiness, experimental mechanics, computational mechanics, dynamics behavior of materials, ceramics, micro- and nanomechanics, wave propagation, fracture and fatigue, and continuum mechanics.

Degrees
MS in Engineering Mechanics
MS in Mechanical Engineering
PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

ME-EM is structured along four areas of teaching and research (design/dynamic systems, energy-thermofluids, manufacturing/industrial, and solid mechanics) with heavy emphasis placed on graduate student participation in laboratory and theoretical investigations, including interdisciplinary research and industrial and federally funded projects.

Off-campus
Highly motivated, qualified practicing engineers may participate in MTU’s distance learning MS and PhD programs. The programs create technical experts in areas of interest to industry.

Recent and current research projects in solid mechanics

Biomechanics

• Mechanotransduction in meniscal tissue
• Material properties of meniscal tissue

Composites

• Failure studies of random-fiber composites with applications to structural problems
• Concentrated load transfer through composite panels

Computational Mechanics

• Material characterization of glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites at high-strain rates
• Development of fastener systems for joining glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic components
• Modeling of brittle fracture during indentation and scratching

Continuum Mechanics

• A gradient elasticity approach to composites
• Mechanism-based strain gradient plasticity

Experimental Mechanics

• High-speed grinding of ceramics—a dynamic indentation approach
• Analysis of bituminous pavement surface characteristics and their effects on friction properties
• Hydroforming of aluminum extrusions

Fracture Mechanics

• Snowplow blade shape optimization
• Dynamics fracture mechanics of metal alloys and composites

Impact/High-Strain Rate

• High-strain-rate characterization of metallic glasses and structural foams
• Dynamic indentation harness tester
• Wear characterization of structural ceramics for gun barrel liners

Microstructures

• Study of interphase in aluminum epoxy joints
• Development of non-brittle ceramic for high-temperature and high-strength applications

Laboratories
Research is conducted in laboratories, completely outfitted with the latest technology used in industry today. They are:

• Biomechanics Research Lab
• High Strain Rate Lab
• Hydroforming Lab
• Materials Testing Lab
• Nanoindentation Lab
• Photomechanics Lab

Stature
The ME-EM department is one of the largest in the nation and is the largest in the College of Engineering at Michigan Tech. It has more than 40 full-time faculty members. In fall 2002, 147 graduate students, which included 59 doctoral students, were enrolled in the department.

Students at MTU work on projects funded by organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, DOE, DOD, DoEd, the automobile industry, and the aerospace industry.

ME-EM students work in laboratories that occupy more than 50,000 square feet of space and house the most advanced research and computing equipment available to date.

A $3.2-million campaign provided a new Student Innovation Complex for the ME-EM department, along with a number of renovated labs and new learning environments to support the revised curriculum.

All students are automatically considered for financial support—no additional application forms are necessary.

ME-EM is ranked 17th nationally in graduate student enrollment and 23rd nationally in PhD degrees awarded (1999-2000).