Many studies on the thin film/substrate structure and its failure mechanism were reported in recent years. The direct experimental results of thin film/substrate structure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) presents an intriguing problem:there exists a buckling failure mechanism at the lateral edge of metal film under pure bending. The qualitative theoretical analysis has been done on such buckling failure of thin film/substrate structure.

In a recent discussion it was suggested that it would be useful to perform tension tests on collagen fibrils. We have developed a MEMS-based experimental procedure that is capable of applying very large strains to individual collagen fibrils. The attached paper presents illustrative data; an upcoming paper will present much more data that illustrates the rich behavior of these fibrils during loading and unloading tests.

Here is a Lectureship in Solid Mechanics available in the Engineering Science Department at Oxford posted by Prof.Alan Cocks.

The  mini-symposium focuses on the link between the traditional materials modeling

and computational description of existing and new classes of materials, advanced and composite

materials and their applications. In particular, the mini-symposium is devoted to computational

characterization of material response and processing of material microstructures in the presence

of multiple temporal and spatial scales as well as multiple physical processes, and computational

I am currently working on a project to model DCB test in ABAQUS. My current problem lies in understanding cohesive zone modelling. I was wondering if anyone can forward me a couple of  materials regarding the introduction of cohesive zones?

 This would help me understand the material greatly and help me in modelling the DCB test.

 Another question in ABAQUS:  how do you implement the material properties for cohesive elements? in particular, what values should i be using for them? e.g. E, G1, G2?

We are currently offerring an introductory course on mechanics for junior students for all fields and subjects.  It is a so called general knowledge course for students to know more on certain subjects and fields before a decision on choice of a major is made.  Since the Mechanics Department in our University has not been popular for so long, we have decided to evangalize our field with more glorious history of Mechanics: Newton, Bernoulli, Euler, Clausius, Faraday, and Einstein.

Six finalists for the 20th Annual Melosh Competition for the Best Student Paper in Finite Element Analysis have been announced.  They are:

Ludovic Chamoin, University of Texas at Austin

Irina Kalashnikova, Stanford University

Christian Linder, University of California, Berkeley

Ajaykumar Rajasekharan, Stanford University

Saurabh Srivastava, SUNY Buffalo

Tim Wildey, University of Texas at Austin