Abstract. For the last three-decades, there has been an increased interest in generalizing the classical continuum mechanics theories of elasticity, plasticity, damage, and fracture due to the limitations of the classical (local) theories in solving important engineering problems such as the localization of deformation, damage, and fracture, and the problem of size effects at small length scales. The focus of this talk will be on presenting a non-local theoretical and computational framework that can be used effectively in capturing size scale effects in micro- and nano-structured materials and composites, and in predicting physically meaningful and numerically converging results when simulating localized damage and fracture in these advanced heterogeneous materials.

Bio. Rashid K. Abu Al-Rub is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University. He got his Ph.D. in structural mechanics from Louisiana State University and his MS and BS in Civil Engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology. He has over 100 publications in book chapters, archival journals, and conference proceedings on topics concerning continuum-based multi-scale theoretical and computational solid mechanics. He authored a book entitled “Nonlocal Continuum Damage and Plasticity: Theory and Computation,” World Scientific Publishing, 2012. In 2007, he has been selected among nine leading scientists in the US by National Science Foundation and Department of Energy to design new grades of advanced high strength steels for the auto industry. He has twice been recognized by The Texas A&M University System with its student-led teaching excellence award, in 2009 and 2011. In 2011, he received the Ferdinand P. Beer and E. Russell Johnston Jr. Outstanding New Mechanics Educator Award from the American Society for Engineering Education.