Spring 1993-Present Extensive research, both theoretical and experimental, in the areas of buckling and damage resistance of composite shell structures. Needs were identified and various approaches synthesized to better understand composite behavior during damaging events such as impact. Research includes, but is not limited to, composite manufacturing, innovative test fixture design and fabrication, impact and static testing, nondestructive evaluation, contact behavior, numerical modeling including instability phenomena, and damage prediction. Responsible for multiple weekly recitation lectures and help sessions, problem set derivation, exam development, and student evaluation. Responsible for laboratory lectures on manufacture of composites.
Students assist graduate researchers and in the process are exposed to issues in advanced research.
A majority of these students have subsequently moved on to pursue graduate work.