The ASCE Raymond D. Mindlin Medal
04/12/2008
The Raymond D. Mindlin Medal has recently been established by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The Medal is awarded through the Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI, previously known as the Engineering Mechanics Division of the ASCE). The award recognizes an individual on his/her outstanding research contributions to applied solid mechanics.
Prof. Alex Cheng, the Vice President of EMI, embarked on a campaign to solicit funds for the medal. Prof. Younane Abousleiman (a former CEEM alumnus, The Director for the Poromechanics Institute, Oklahoma University), Chevron, and Madame M. A. Biot, among several other individuals, made major contributions to the fund. (http://www.olemiss.edu/sciencenet/mindlin/donor.htm)
Prof. Mindlin (1906-1987) made pioneering contributions to the field of applied mechanics during his tenure at Columbia University, such as:
- Photoelasticity and experimental mechanics
- Classical three-dimensional elasticity (e.g., Mindlin's problem)
- Generalized elastic continua (Strain-gradient and couple-stress theory)
- Frictional contact and granular media
- Waves and vibrations in isotropic and anisotropic plates (Mindlin's Plate Theory)
- Wave propagation in rods and cylinders
- Theory of electro-elasticity and piezoelectric crystal resonators
- Crystal lattice theories
The Department of CEEM established the Mindlin Lecture a few years ago to honor his contribution to Applied Mechanics.