Multiple-Scale Modeling of Fatigue Damage in Structures, Life Estimation, and Life Enhancement

This talk deals with multiple-scale analytical modeling of non-collinear/non-planar mixed-mode fatigue crack-growth in thin as well as thick-section structures in complex stress-fields and undergoing complex loading. Life-estimation methodologies, and life-enhancement techniques are discussed. The methods involve Schwartz-Neumann alternating between symmetric-Galerkin boundary element method (BEM) (involving only weakly-singular integral equations) for analyzing a local domain containing cracks, and finite element method (FEM) for analyzing the intermediate/global structure without cracks. The use of novel mathematical approaches, and very minimal numerics, results in the most computationally efficient methods, with the greatest accuracy, for fatigue life estimation of structures, available in the world today.

Speaker Bio: Satya Atluri is a UCI Distinguished Professor, in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UCI. His professional interests lie in the areas of aerospace and mechanical engineering. His teaching and research interests at UCI lie in the disciplinary areas of: applied mathematics; theoretical, applied, and computational mechanics of solids and fluids at various length and time scales; computer modeling in engineering and sciences; meshless and other novel computational methods; structural longevity, failure prevention, and health management. He previously taught at: UCLA (Distinguished Professor,1996-2002); Georgia Tech (Institute Professor, Regents’ Professor of Engineering, and Hightower Chair in Engineering,1974-1998); MIT (JC Hunsaker Professor,1990-1991); and the University of Washington (Assistant Professor,1971-1973). He received Doctor of Science degrees from: MIT (earned,1969). Among his numerous honors and awards are: Member of the US National Academy of Engineering (1996), and Member of the India National Academy of Engineering (1997). Over the past 40 years, he has authored or edited 45 monographs, and has published more than 800 archival papers in the general discipline of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Presentation Slides: PDF

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