Dear Colleagues, 

We are currently organizing a Symposium on Geomaterials: Poromechanics and Failure, for the upcoming EMI International Conference  "Mechanics for Civil Engineers Against Natural Hazards" in Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, from January 7th to 9th, 2015. 

We would like to invite submission for abstracts on modeling, characterization, and experimental studies on geomaterials for disaster prevention (landslides, earthquake) and for problems related to new energy applications (e.g. fracking, induced seismic events). 

Here is a description of the award and past winners.

Dear colleagues,

I would like to bring to your attention the advanced course on Modeling of localized inelastic deformation that will be taught by Milan Jirasek in Prague, Czech Republic on 15-19 September 2014. More detailed information on the course is posted at http://mech.fsv.cvut.cz/~milan/course2014.html. We are looking forward to seeing you in Prague!

We have EPSRC funding for a 39 month project modelling seabed ploughing (for cable and pipeline installation) starting in October 2014. We are recruiting two postdocs one in computational geomechanics (based at Durham, details here, closing August 4th) and another in experimental geomechanics (based at Dundee, details here).

The Society of Engineering Science (SES) oversees several awards and honors to members and eminent scholars of the field. A total of five medals are offered on an annual basis as well as election to Fellow grade of the Society. The awards are: A.C. Eringen Medal, Engineering Science Medal, William Prager Medal, G.I. Taylor Medal and the SES Young Investigator Medal.

Please see our recent paper in PNAS if you are interested.

doi:10.1073/pnas.1402909111

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/06/18/1402909111.abstract

A pre-stretched dielectric elastomer is capable of large deformation, when subject to voltage. This paper investigates the effect of two types of pre-stretch: by strain and by stress. The difference is compared and discussed using thermodynamics models. The significance of the pre-stretch in actuation is explained by examining the true stress in actuation. Under both pre-stretch strategies, during the actuation, the dielectric elastomer exhibits hysteresis loops due to snap-through but differs in shape and physical quantity.

Dear friends:

I’d like to bring to your attention three recently published books that I have read. The following are a few words about each book in the order that I read them.

1) “Vito Volterra” by A. Guerraggio and G. Paoloni
http://www.amazon.com/Vito-Volterra-Angelo-Guerraggio/dp/3642272622/ref…