Special interests include structural health monitoring, damage tolerance, failure prediction, and biomedical applications. Durand Bldg., Rm. Professor Christensen's research is concerned with the mechanics of materials. The behavior of polymers and polymeric fiber composites are areas of specialization. Of particular interest is the field of micro-mechanics which focuses upon materials' functionality at intermediate length scales between atomic and the usual macro scale.
Applicable techniques involve the methods of homogenization for all types of composite materials.
The intended outcomes of his research are useful means of characterizing the yielding, damage accumulation and failure behavior of modern materials. Durand Bldg., Rm. Applications of current interest include the landing of airplanes and harbor navigation. Durand Bldg., Rm. Durand Bldg., Rm.