September 25
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12:00 PM
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1:00 PM
The Mechanics Seminar Series is a weekly seminar given by campus and visiting speakers on topics across the spectrum of mechanics research (solids, fluids, and dynamics). Professor Michael Leamy is a professor and department chair at the University of Vermont.
Presentation Title: Elastic-Plastic Wave Propagation in Structural Metamaterials
Abstract: This seminar will explore the mechanics and design of one-dimensional metamaterials for controlling elastic-plastic wave propagation, a topic that bridges fundamental nonlinear wave physics with applied structural design. We begin by developing a semi-analytical framework, grounded in the method of characteristics, for modeling elastic and elastic–plastic wave propagation in periodic rods with variable cross-section. This approach is validated against time-domain finite element simulations and used to analyze metamaterial structures featuring dogbone-like unit cells, highlighting how classical elastic bandgap phenomena influence plastic wave dynamics and residual strain patterns. Building on this foundation, we then introduce a scenario-specific optimization strategy for tailoring metamaterial geometries to manipulate plastic waves for performance-critical applications. These include vibration and damage mitigation, pulse shaping, and occupant protection. Through these examples, we demonstrate how optimized metamaterials can suppress damage penetration, elongate incident pulses to reduce peak stress, and localize plastic deformation, all while reducing material usage and enabling manufacturability. Collectively, this work establishes a pathway for using metamaterial architectures to actively manage plasticity in dynamic loading environments.
Bio: Michael J. Leamy is the Mechanical Engineering Department Chair and Dorothean Chair of Engineering and Science at the University of Vermont. Prior he was a Woodruff Endowed Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech. He received his B.S. from Clarkson University (1993), and his M.S. and Ph.D. (1995, 1998) from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, all in Mechanical Engineering. Professor Leamy’s research interests are in emerging and multidisciplinary areas of engineering science, with an emphasis on nonlinear dynamical behavior in structures, materials, and complex systems. He has received the Distinguished Achievement Award (1998) from the University of Michigan, the Lockheed Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award (2010), and the Lloyd Hamilton Donnell Best Paper Award from Applied Mechanics Reviews (co-recipient, 2016). He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the ASME Journal of Vibration and Acoustics (2024-Present).