Viscoelastic Solids
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University of Wisconsin

EMA 630: Viscoelastic solids.

Time and place: Offered, Fall 2003, 2005, 2007. Planned offering: every other year; next offering Fall 2009.
For Fall 2009, Tue. Thurs. 11:00-12:15 2321 Engineering Hall
Timetable

Textbook: R. S. Lakes, Viscoelastic Materials, Cambridge University Press, May 2009; Viscoelastic Materials book outline
alternate, R. S. Lakes, Viscoelastic Solids, CRC Press, 1998. Viscoelastic Solids book outline

References / reserve
Ferry, J. D., Viscoelastic Properties of Polymers
I. M. Ward and D. W. Hadley, Mechanical Properties of Solid Polymers

Coordinator: Rod Lakes, Professor of Engineering

Prerequisites: Intermediate mechanics of materials, such as the following.
EMA 506 advanced strength of materials or equivalent or EMA 303 and consent of instructor.
UW seal

Description: Linear theory of viscoelasticity; non-aging materials; Boltzmann superposition principle; linear functionals; thermodynamic foundations; time-temperature superposition principle; boundary and initial value problems. Applications of viscoelastic materials are to be examined in connection with vibration damping, relaxation of stress in fasteners, creep, droop, and sag in structural members, sound absorption, creep buckling, settlement of foundations, tire mechanics, and shock attenuation.

Goals: To prepare seniors and graduate students to do advanced analysis and design using materials such as polymers and composites with time and frequency dependent viscoelastic properties or to do research with polymers, composites or biological materials; development of physical insight.

Grading: Grading is based on exams, a project report, and on homework. The scale is 90-100% - A, etc. Reports and homework must be in paper form, not electronic. Report grades will be reduced by 10% for each working week (2% per day) of additional delay.

Interdisciplinary aspects
Engineering mechanics: All materials exhibit some viscoelastic response. Therefore understanding of elastic response should be supplemented with understanding of viscoelastic response.
Biomedical engineering: Tissues in the body are all viscoelastic. Most tissues exhibit large viscoelastic effects. These effects influence the performance of the tissue.
Materials science: Viscoelasticity results from physical processes such as dislocation motion, grain boundary slip, molecular motions, domain motion, or diffusion. Viscoelasticity is of use as a probe into such processes.
Mechanical engineering: Viscoelastic materials are used for control of vibration in machinery. Viscoelastic damping of materials can reduce noise. Creep and relaxation of materials can affect their performance in machinery.
Civil engineering: Viscoelasticity of soil and other earth materials is relevant to settlement of buildings.
Electrical engineering: Viscoelasticity in piezoelectric materials gives rise to energy dissipation, phase angles, and frequency dependence of properties. Vibration control in computer disk drives improves their performance.