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The CoMputational Mechanics and Methods (CM3 [cubic centimeter]) Group in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Kentucky is a research unit that extensively and intensively develops and applies computational methods (e.g., finite elements and meshfree/meshless methods) to model and simulate real world mechanics-related problems.

The research interests of our group lie primarily in the broad areas of Computational Mechanics and Computational Materials, with research focus in following main topics:

  • Multi-scale multi-physics modeling of solid materials (brittle, ductile);
  • Damage and failure modeling of solids and structures under normal and extreme conditions (high temperature, high velocity, etc);
  • Mechanics of material systems with stochastic heterogeneous microstructures (composites, polycrystals, etc);
  • Advanced methods for Integrated Computational Materials Engineering and materials design.

We believe that new and existing ideas become better through exploration and collaboration. If you find what we are doing is interesting to you, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Cheers!


Four Golden Lessons (to PhD students)

By Steven Weinberg

  • Lesson 1: "No one knows everything, and you don't have to."
  • Lesson 2: "While you are swimming and not sinking you should aim for rough water."
  • Lesson 3: "To forgive yourself for wasting time."
  • Lesson 4: "Learn something about the history of science, or at a minimum the history of your own branch of science."
deep sea

News

Welcome new group member Ahsanul Islam

We have a new group member joined our group in Fall 2025 semester. Welcome Ahsanul!

Donglai graduated with a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering!

Donglai has has successfully defended his thesis for PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering. His research was on microstructure-based modeling and simulation via a nonlocal multiphysics discrete approach. Congratulations to Dr. Liu!

New paper on mixed formulation of plane stress problem has been accepted for publication in Mechanics Research Communications

New paper entitled "A Mixed Formulation of the Plane-Stress Problem to Facilitate Reuse of Constitutive Models in Finite-Element Programs" has been accepted for publication in Mechanics Research Communications.

New paper on peridynamic material correspondence formulation using non-spherical influence functions has been accepted for publication in CMAME

New paper entitled "A Generalized Peridynamic Material Correspondence Formulation Using Non-Spherical Influence Functions" has been accepted for publication in Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering.

New paper on computation of effective thermal and mechanical properties of fibrous porous materials has been accepted for publication in Composites Part B

New paper entitled "Micro-CT image-based computation of effective thermal and mechanical properties of fibrous porous materials" has been accepted for publication in Composites Part B: Engineering.

New paper on influence functions for improved capture of bond deformation has been accepted for publication in Mechanics Research Communicates

New paper entitled "Influence Functions for Accurate Representation of Bond Deformation in Discrete Modeling" has been accepted for publication in Mechanics Research Communications.

New paper on modeling thermo-hygro-mechanical coupling of laminate composite has been accepted for publication in Composite Structures

New paper entitled "Numerical Modeling Thermo-Hygro-Mechanical Coupling of Cross-Ply Laminate Composites Using a Nonlocal Discrete Approach" has been accepted for publication in Composite Structures.

Welcome new group member Khaleda Maya

We have a new group member joined our group in Fall 2023 semester. Welcome Khaleda!

New paper on Numerical Modelling of Brittle Fracture using Lattice Particle Method has been accepted for publication by Engineering Fracture Mechanics

New paper entitled "Numerical Modelling of Brittle Fracture using Lattice Particle Method with Applications to Fluid Structure Interaction Problems via SPH Coupling" has been accepted for publication in the Engineering Fracture Mechanics.

New paper on modeling material length-scale effect using 2nd-order peridynamics theory has been accepted for publication by IJES

New paper entitled "Modeling Material Length-Scale Effect Using the Second-Order Peridynamic Material Correspondence Model" has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Engineering Science.