Lewis Thigpen, Ph.D., PE.
Professor and Chairman

Phone: 202-806-6600
Email: [email protected]

Research Topics
Impact dynamics and penetration mechanics, micro-mechanical modeling of the constitutive behavior of materials.

Summary of Recent Research
Recent research has been in the area of web mechanics and material characterization at the micro-mechanical level. This research involves the development of models for the successful transport of webs through the various manufacturing processes without incurring material defects, machine downtime, and product loss. The approach is to model existing and proposed web transport processes from first principles of mechanics. The work includes characterization and simulation of statistical variations in material properties across the web and numerical modeling to simulate a range and distribution of mechanisms that cause material defects and product loss during web transport.

Recent Publications
Lewis Thigpen, Patrick T. Reardon, Mark A. Fitzgerald, Jeremy W. Leggoe, and Alan L. Graham, Numerical Simulations of the Effect of Local Material Property Variation on Deformation of Webs During Loading, Los Alamos National Laboratory Report, LA-CP-99-170, Los Alamos, NM, June, 1999.

Lewis Thigpen, Patrick T. Reardon, Mark A. Fitzgerald, Jeremy W. Leggoe, and Alan L. Graham, "Modeling the Effects of Random Material Structure on Deformation During Web Transport", in preparation for submission to ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics, 1999.

Thigpen, Lewis and Glakpe, Emmanuel K., "Academic and Industry Cooperation in Mechanical Engineering at Howard University", Proceedings, International Conference on Engineering Education 1999 Process Through Partnership: Strengthening Alliances, Ostrava - Prague, Czech Republic, August 10 - 14, 1999.

Thigpen, L. and Glakpe, E., "The Capstone Design Experience in Mechanical Engineering at Howard University", Proceeding, 1999 Frontiers in Education Conference, Designing the Future of Science & Engineering Education, San Juan Puerto Rico, November, 1999.