Prerequisite: ME 820 (important), MTH 443 (less important).

Instructor: T. J. Pence, 2452EB, 353-3889, pence@egr.msu.edu.

Time and Place:  MW 10:20-11:40 in Room 19 of the Natural Resources Building.

Text: There are two texts from which I will draw lecture material:

• Mechanical Response of Polymers: An Introduction, A. S. Wineman & K. R. Rajagopal, Cambridge University Press, 2000.
• Theory of Viscoelasticity: An Introduction, R. M. Christensen, Academic Press, 1982

Course Description: I will mainly follow the Wineman and Rajogopal book, which provides a development of viscoelasticity in genreral (it is not limited to polymers). The order of topics is anticipated to be as follows:

• Discussion of viscoelastic response
• Mechanical alanogies in one-dimensioanl: Maxwell, Kelvin & Voight models
• Linear viscoelastic response in one dimension & superposition principles
• Relaxation and creep, fading memory
• Constant strain rate processes, constant stress rate processes, recovery,
• Oscillatory processes, complex viscosity
• Three dimensional response, extension/shear coupling
• Axial load, bending and torsion, correspondence principle
• Boundary value problems, correspondence principle for quasi-static motion
• Thermal effects, time-temperature superposition
• Dynamical effects and wave propagation
• Nonlinear mechanical behavior

Grading: Grades will be assigned on the basis of a few homework assignments (35%), a mid-term exam (25%) and a project (40%). The project will involve independent study of a topic of interest that relates to this course and reporting on that topic to the class.  The final exam time (Friday, May 2, 10:00-12:00)  will be used for the last couple project presentations.