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2021-22 Catalog

EE/ME 7

Introduction to Mechatronics

6 units (2-3-1)   |  first term
Mechatronics is the multi-disciplinary design of electro-mechanical systems. This course is intended to give the student a basic introduction to such systems. The course will focus on the implementations of sensor and actuator systems, the mechanical devices involved and the electrical circuits needed to interface with them. The class will consist of lectures and short labs where the student will be able to investigate the concepts discussed in lecture. Topics covered include motors, piezoelectric devices, light sensors, ultrasonic transducers, and navigational sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes. Graded pass/fail.
Instructor: George
ME 8

Introduction to Robotics

6 units (2-2-2)   |  first term
This course examines the range of concepts and engineering approaches applicable to robotics, including mobile systems (driving and walking) as well as manipulators (arms and legs). Robotics needs tools from mechanical design and fabrication, mathematical analysis of mechanisms, a variety of sensors, programming at all levels, algorithms to interpret visual images, and planners to determine actions. But robots also act in a larger context, involving human-robot interactions, social cues, and even raising ethical questions. The course will explore these topics through assignments, readings, and mini projects.
Instructor: Niemeyer
ME 10

Thinking Like an Engineer

1 unit   |  first term
A series of weekly seminars by practicing engineers in industry and academia to introduce students to principles and techniques useful for Mechanical Engineering. The course can be used to learn more about the different areas of study within Mechanical Engineering. Topics will be presented at an informal, introductory level. Required for ME undergraduates. Graded pass/fail.
Instructor: Andrade
ME 11 abc

Thermal Science

9 units (3-0-6)   |  first, second, third terms
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing required; ME 12 abc, may be taken concurrently.
An introduction to classical thermodynamics and transport with engineering applications. First and second laws; closed and open systems; properties of a pure substance; availability and irreversibility; generalized thermodynamic relations; gas and vapor power cycles; propulsion; mixtures; combustion and thermochemistry; chemical equilibrium; momentum and heat transfer including boundary layers with applications to internal and external flows. Not offered on a pass/fail basis.
Instructors: Blanquart, Shepherd
ME 12 abc

Mechanics

9 units (3-0-6)   |  first, second, third terms
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing required; ME 11 abc, may be taken concurrently.
An introduction to statics and dynamics of rigid bodies, deformable bodies, and fluids. Equilibrium of force systems, principle of virtual work, distributed force systems, friction, static analysis of rigid and deformable structures, hydrostatics, kinematics, particle dynamics, rigid-body dynamics, Euler's equations, ideal flow, vorticity, viscous stresses in fluids, dynamics of deformable systems, waves in fluids and solids. Not offered on a pass/fail basis.
Instructors: Mello, Daraio, Fu
ME 13/113

Mechanical Prototyping

4 units (0-4-0)   |  first, second, summer terms
Enrollment is limited and is based on responses to a questionnaire available in the Registrar's Office. Introduction to the technologies and practices needed to fabricate mechanical prototypes. Students will acquire the fundamental skills necessary to begin using 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. Students will learn how to build parametric models of parts and assemblies and learn how to generate detailed drawings of their designs. Students will also be introduced to manual machining techniques, as well as computer-controlled prototyping technologies, such as three-dimensional printing, laser cutting, and water jet cutting. Students will receive safety-training, instruction on the theories underlying different machining methods, and hands-on demonstrations of machining and mechanical assembly methods. Several prototypes will be constructed using the various technologies available in the Mechanical Engineering Machine Shop.
Instructor: Stovall
ME 14

Design and Fabrication

9 units (3-5-1)   |  third term
Prerequisites: ME 12 ab, ME 13.
Enrollment is limited and is based on responses to a questionnaire available in the Registrar's office. Introduction to mechanical engineering design, fabrication, and visual communication. Principles of mechanical engineering design are taught through a series of lectures and short group-based design projects with an emphasis on formal design reviews and team competitions. Course lectures address the strength properties of engineering materials, statistical descriptions of stress and strength, design safety factors, static and variable loading design criteria, engineering case studies, and the design of mechanical elements. Group-based projects include formal design reviews and involve substantial use of the machine shop and maker-space facilities, for the construction of working prototypes. Not offered on a pass/fail basis.
Instructors: Mello, Stovall
ME 23/123

CNC Machining

4 units (0-4-0)   |  third, summer terms
Prerequisites: ME 13/113.
Enrollment is limited and is based on responses to a questionnaire available in the Registrar's office. Introduction to computer numerical control machining. Students will learn to create Gcode and Mcode using Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software; they will be instructed on how to safely prepare and operate the machine's functions; and will be taught how to implement programmed data into several different types of CNC equipment. The class will cover the parts and terminology of the equipment, fixturing materials, setting workpiece, and tool offsets. Weekly assignments will include the use of CAM software, machine operation demonstrations, and machining projects.
Instructor: Stovall
ME 40

Dimensional and Data Analyses in Engineering

9 units (3-0-6)   |  first term
Prerequisites: Ma 1 abc.
The first part of this course covers the application of symmetry and dimensional homogeneity (Buckingham Pi theorem) to engineering analysis of systems. The important role of dimensional analysis in developing empirical theories, designing experiments and computer models, and analyzing data are stressed. The second part of the course focuses on quantitative data analysis including linear regression, least-squares, principle components, Fourier analysis, and Bayesian methods. The underlying theory is briefly covered, but the focus is on application to real-world problems encountered by mechanical engineers. Applications to uncertainty analysis and quantification are discussed. Homework will include implementation of techniques in Matlab.
Instructor: Colonius
ME 50 ab

Experiments and Modeling in Mechanical Engineering

9 units (0-6-3)   |  second, third terms
Prerequisites: ME 11 abc, ME 12 abc, ME 13, ME 14, and programming skills at the level of ACM 11.
Two-quarter course sequence covers the general theory and methods of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) with experimental laboratory methods applied to complementary engineering problems in solid, structural, and fluid mechanics. Computational procedures are discussed and applied to the analysis of steady-state, transient, and dynamic problems using a commercial software. CFD and FEA topics covered include meshing, types of elements, steady and unsteady solvers, inviscid and viscous flow, internal and external flow, drag and lift, static and dynamic mechanical loading, elastic and plastic behavior, and vibrational (modal) analysis. Fluid mechanics laboratory experiments introduce students to the operation of a water tunnel combined with laser particle image velocimetry (PIV) for quantified flow field visualization of velocity and vorticity. Solid mechanics experiments introduce students to the operation of a mechanical (axial/torsional) load frame combined with digital image correlation (DIC) and strain gage transducers for quantification and full field visualization of displacement and strain. Technical writing skills are emphasized through the generation of detailed full-length lab reports using a scientific journal format.
Instructor: Mello
ME 72 ab

Engineering Design Laboratory

9 units (3-4-2) first term, (1-8-0) second term   |  first, second terms
Prerequisites: ME 14.
Enrollment is limited. A project-based course in which teams of students are challenged to design, test, analyze, and fabricate a robotic device to compete against devices designed by other student teams. The class lectures and team projects stress the integration of mechanical design, electronics, mechatronics, engineering analysis, and computation to solve problems in engineering system design. Critical feedback is provided through a series of formal design reviews scheduled throughout the ME 72 ab course sequence. The laboratory units of ME 72 can be used to fulfill a portion of the laboratory requirement for the EAS option. Not offered on a pass/fail basis.
Instructors: Mello, Stovall
CS/EE/ME 75 abc

Multidisciplinary Systems Engineering

3 units (2-0-1), 6 units (2-0-4), or 9 units (2-0-7) first term; 6 units (2-3-1), 9 units (2-6-1), or 12 units (2-9-1) second and third terms   |  first, second, third terms
This course presents the fundamentals of modern multidisciplinary systems engineering in the context of a substantial design project. Students from a variety of disciplines will conceive, design, implement, and operate a system involving electrical, information, and mechanical engineering components. Specific tools will be provided for setting project goals and objectives, managing interfaces between component subsystems, working in design teams, and tracking progress against tasks. Students will be expected to apply knowledge from other courses at Caltech in designing and implementing specific subsystems. During the first two terms of the course, students will attend project meetings and learn some basic tools for project design, while taking courses in CS, EE, and ME that are related to the course project. During the third term, the entire team will build, document, and demonstrate the course design project, which will differ from year to year. Freshmen must receive permission from the lead instructor to enroll. Not offered 2021-2022
ME 90 abc

Senior Thesis, Experimental

9 units (0-0-9) first term; (0-9-0) second, third terms   |  first, second, third terms
Prerequisites: senior status; instructor's permission.
Experimental research supervised by an engineering faculty member. The topic selection is determined by the adviser and the student and is subject to approval by the Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Committee. First and second terms: midterm progress report and oral presentation during finals week. Third term: completion of thesis and final presentation. The second and third terms may be used to fulfill laboratory credit for EAS. Not offered on a pass/fail basis.
Instructor: Minnich
ME 100

Independent Studies in Mechanical Engineering

Units are assigned in accordance with work accomplished
A faculty mentor will oversee a student proposed, independent research or study project to meet the needs of undergraduate students. Graded pass/fail. The consent of a faculty mentor and a written report is required for each term of work.
Ae/APh/CE/ME 101 abc

Fluid Mechanics

9 units (3-0-6)   |  first, second, third terms
Prerequisites: APh 17 or ME 11 abc, and ME 12 or equivalent, ACM 95/100 or equivalent (may be taken concurrently).
Fundamentals of fluid mechanics. Microscopic and macroscopic properties of liquids and gases; the continuum hypothesis; review of thermodynamics; general equations of motion; kinematics; stresses; constitutive relations; vorticity, circulation; Bernoulli's equation; potential flow; thin-airfoil theory; surface gravity waves; buoyancy-driven flows; rotating flows; viscous creeping flow; viscous boundary layers; introduction to stability and turbulence; quasi one-dimensional compressible flow; shock waves; unsteady compressible flow; and acoustics.
Instructors: Pullin, Austin, Colonius
Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc

Mechanics of Structures and Solids

9 units (3-0-6)   |  first, second, third terms
Prerequisites: ME 12 abc.
Introduction to continuum mechanics: kinematics, balance laws, constitutive laws with an emphasis on solids. Static and dynamic stress analysis. Two- and three-dimensional theory of stressed elastic solids. Wave propagation. Analysis of rods, plates and shells with applications in a variety of fields. Variational theorems and approximate solutions. Elastic stability.
Instructors: Rosakis, Ravichandran
E/ME/MedE 105 ab

Design for Freedom from Disability

9 units (3-0-6)   |  terms to be arranged
This Product Design class focuses on people with Disabilities and is done in collaboration with Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. Students visit the Center to define products based upon actual stated and observed needs. Designs and testing are done in collaboration with Rancho associates. Speakers include people with assistive needs, therapists and researchers. Classes teach normative design methodologies as adapted for this special area. Not offered 2021-2022.
Instructor: TBD
ME 110

Special Laboratory Work in Mechanical Engineering

3-9 units per term   |  maximum two terms
Special laboratory work or experimental research projects may be arranged by members of the faculty to meet the needs of individual students as appropriate. A written report is required for each term of work.
Instructor: Staff
ChE/ESE/ME/MS 111

Sustainable Engineering

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second term
Prerequisites: (ChE 62 and ChE 63 ab) or (ME 11 abc) or (Ph 2 c and MS 115) or Instructor's permission.
Examines the Earth's resources including fresh water, nitrogen, carbon and other biogeochemical cycles that impose planetary constraints on engineering; systems approaches to sustainable development goals; fossil fuel formation, chemical composition, production and use; engineering challenges and opportunities in decarbonizing energy, transportation and industry; global flows of critical elements used in zero-carbon energy systems; food-water-energy nexus; analysis of regional and local systems to model effects of human activities on air, water and soil.
Instructor: Kornfield
CE/ME 112 ab

Hydraulic Engineering

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second, third terms
Prerequisites: ME 11 abc, ME 12 abc; ACM 95/100 or equivalent (may be taken concurrently).
A survey of topics in hydraulic engineering: open channel and pipe flow, subcritical/critical flow and the hydraulic jump, hydraulic structures (weirs, inlet and outlet works, dams), hydraulic machinery, hydrology, river and flood modeling, solute transport, sediment mechanics, groundwater flow. Not offered 2021-2022.
ME 115 ab

Introduction to Kinematics and Robotics

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second, third terms
Prerequisites: Ma 2, ACM 95/100 ab recommended.
Introduction to the study of planar, rotational, and spatial motions with applications to robotics, computers, computer graphics, and mechanics. Topics in kinematic analysis will include screw theory, rotational representations, matrix groups, and Lie algebras. Applications include robot kinematics, mobility in mechanisms, and kinematics of open and closed chain mechanisms. Additional topics in robotics include path planning for robot manipulators, dynamics and control, and assembly. Course work will include laboratory demonstrations using simple robot manipulators. Not offered 2021-22.
MS/ME/MedE 116

Mechanical Behavior of Materials

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second term
Introduction to the mechanical behavior of solids, emphasizing the relationships between microstructure, architecture, defects, and mechanical properties. Elastic, inelastic, and plastic properties of crystalline and amorphous materials. Relations between stress and strains for different types of materials. Introduction to dislocation theory, motion and forces on dislocations, strengthening mechanisms in crystalline solids. Nanomaterials: properties, fabrication, and mechanics. Architected solids: fabrication, deformation, failure, and energy absorption. Biomaterials: mechanical properties of composites, multi-scale microstructure, biological vs. synthetic, shear lag model. Fracture in brittle solids and linear elastic fracture mechanics.
Instructor: Greer
ME/EE/EST 117

Energy Technology and Policy

9 units (3-0-6)   |  first term
Prerequisites: Ph 1 abc, Ch 1 ab and Ma 1 abc.
Energy technologies and the impact of government policy. Fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewables for electricity production and transportation. Resource models and climate change policies. New and emerging technologies.
Instructor: Hunt
Ae/ME 118

Classical Thermodynamics

9 units (3-0-6)   |  first term
Prerequisites: ME11abc, ME12abc, or equivalent.
Fundamentals of Classical Thermodynamics. Basic laws of thermodynamics, work and heat, entropy and available work, and thermal systems. Equations of state, compressibility functions, and the Law of Corresponding States. Thermodynamic potentials, phase equilibrium, phase transitions, and thermodynamic properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Examples will be drawn from fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, energy systems, and thermal-science applications.
Instructor: Dimotakis
ME 119

Heat and Mass Transfer

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second term
Prerequisites: ME 11 abc, ME 12 abc, ACM 95/100 (may be taken concurrently).
Transport properties, conservation equations, conduction heat transfer, convective heat and mass transport in laminar and turbulent flows, phase change processes, thermal radiation.
Instructor: Hunt
Ae/ME 120

Combustion Fundamentals

9 units (3-0-6)   |  third term
Prerequisites: Recommended: ME 118 and 119 or equivalent.
The course will cover chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, combustion chemistry, transport phenomena, and the governing equations for multicomponent gas mixtures. Topics will be chosen from non-premixed and premixed flames, laminar and turbulent flames, combustion-generated pollutants, and numerical simulations of reacting flows. Not offered 2021-2022.
ME/CS/EE 129

Experimental Robotics

9 units (3-6-0)   |  third term
This course covers the foundations of experimental realization on robotic systems. This includes software infrastructures, e.g., robotic operating systems (ROS), sensor integration, and implementation on hardware platforms. The ideas developed will be integrated onto robotic systems and tested experimentally in the context of class projects.
Instructor: Niemeyer
ME/CS/EE 133 abc

Robotics

9 units (3-3-3)   |  first, second terms
Prerequisites: ME/CS/EE 129, may be taken concurrently, or with permission of instructor.
The course develops the core concepts of robotics. The first quarter focuses on classical robotic manipulation, including topics in rigid body kinematics and dynamics. It develops planar and 3D kinematic formulations and algorithms for forward and inverse computations, Jacobians, and manipulability. The second quarter transitions to planning, navigation, and perception. Topics include configuration space, sample-based planners, A* and D* algorithms, to achieve collision-free motions. The third quarter discusses advanced material, for example grasping and dexterous manipulation using multi-fingered hands, or autonomous behaviors, or human-robot interactions. The lectures will review appropriate analytical techniques and may survey the current research literature. Course work will focus on an independent research project chosen by the student.
Instructor: Niemeyer
ME/CS/EE 134

Robotic Systems

9 units (3-6-0)   |  third term
Prerequisites: ME/CS/EE 129, may be taken concurrently, or with permission of instructor.
This course builds up, and brings to practice, the elements of robotic systems at the intersection of hardware, kinematics and control, computer vision, and autonomous behaviors. It presents selected topics from these domains, focusing on their integration into a full sense-think-act robot. The lectures will drive team-based projects, progressing from building custom robots to writing software and implementing all necessary aspects. Working systems will autonomously operate and complete their tasks during final demonstrations.
Instructor: Niemeyer
ME/CE/Ge/ESE 146

Computational Methods for Flow in Porous Media

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second term
Prerequisites: ME 11abc, ME 12abc, ACM 95/100, ACM 106ab (may be taken concurrently).
This course covers physical, mathematical and simulation aspects of single and two-phase flow and transport through porous media. Conservation equations for multiphase, multicomponent flow. Modeling of fluid mechanical instabilities such as viscous fingering, gravity fingering and gravity-driven convection. Coupling fluid flow with chemical reactions. Coupling single phase flow with poromechanics. Numerical methods for elliptic equations: finite volume methods, two-point flux approximations, finite difference, spectral method. Numerical methods for hyperbolic equations: high-order explicit methods, implicit method. Applications in hydrology, geological CO2 sequestration and induced seismicity, among others will be demonstrated.
Instructor: Fu
AM/CE/ME 150 abc

Graduate Engineering Seminar

1 unit   |  each term
Students attend a graduate seminar each week of each term and submit a report about the attended seminars. At least four of the attended seminars each term should be from the Mechanical and Civil Engineering seminar series. Students not registered for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees must receive the instructor's permission. Graded pass/fail.
Instructor: Staff
Ae/Ge/ME 160 ab

Continuum Mechanics of Fluids and Solids

9 units (3-0-6)   |  first, second terms
Elements of Cartesian tensors. Configurations and motions of a body. Kinematics-study of deformations, rotations and stretches, polar decomposition. Lagrangian and Eulerian strain velocity and spin tensor fields. Irrotational motions, rigid motions. Kinetics-balance laws. Linear and angular momentum, force, traction stress. Cauchy's theorem, properties of Cauchy's stress. Equations of motion, equilibrium equations. Power theorem, nominal (Piola-Kirchoff) stress. Thermodynamics of bodies. Internal energy, heat flux, heat supply. Laws of thermodynamics, notions of entropy, absolute temperature. Entropy inequality (Clausius-Duhem). Examples of special classes of constitutive laws for materials without memory. Objective rates, corotational, convected rates. Principles of materials frame indifference. Examples: the isotropic Navier-Stokes fluid, the isotropic thermoelastic solid. Basics of finite differences, finite elements, and boundary integral methods, and their applications to continuum mechanics problems illustrating a variety of classes of constitutive laws.
Instructors: Rosakis, Lapusta
MS/ME 161

Imperfections in Crystals

9 units (3-0-6)   |  third term
Prerequisites: graduate standing or MS 115.
The relation of lattice defects to the physical and mechanical properties of crystalline solids. Introduction to point imperfections and their relationships to transport properties in metallic, covalent, and ionic crystals. Kroeger-Vink notation. Introduction to dislocations: geometric, crystallographic, elastic, and energetic properties of dislocations. Dislocation reactions and interactions including formation of locks, stacking faults, and surface effects. Relations between collective dislocation behavior and mechanical properties of crystals. Introduction to computer simulations of dislocations. Grain boundaries. The structure and properties of interfaces in solids. Emphasis on materials science aspects of role of defects in electrical, morphological, optical, and mechanical properties of solids. Not offered 2021-2022.
Instructor: Greer
ME/CE 163

Mechanics and Rheology of Fluid-Infiltrated Porous Media

9 units (3-0-6)   |  third term
Prerequisites: Continuum Mechanics-Ae/Ge/ME 160 ab.
This course will focus on the physics of porous materials (e.g., geomaterials, biological tissue) and their intimate interaction with interstitial fluids (e.g., water, oil, blood). The course will be split into two parts: Part 1 will focus on the continuum mechanics (balance laws) of multi-phase solids, with particular attention to fluid diffusion-solid deformation coupling. Part 2 will introduce the concept of effective stresses and state of the art rheology available in modeling the constitutive response of representative porous materials. Emphasis will be placed on poro-elasticity and poro-plasticity. Not offered 2021-22.
AM/ME 165

Finite Elasticity

9 units (3-0-6)   |  third term
Prerequisites: Ae/Ge/ME 160 a.
Finite theory of elasticity: constitutive theory, semi-inverse methods. Variational methods. Applications to problems of current interest. Not offered 2021-22.
MS/ME 166

Fracture of Brittle Solids

9 units (3-0-6)   |  third term
Prerequisites: graduate standing or MS 115 and MS 116.
The mechanical response of brittle materials (ceramics, glasses and some network polymers) will be treated using classical elasticity, energy criteria, and fracture mechanics. The influence of environment and microstructure on mechanical behavior will be explored. Transformation toughened systems, large-grain crack-bridging systems, nanostructured ceramics, porous ceramics, anomalous glasses, and the role of residual stresses will be highlighted. Strength, flaw statistics and reliability will be discussed.
Instructor: Faber
ME/CS/EE 169

Mobile Robots

9 units (2-7-0)   |  third term
Prerequisites: ME/CS/EE 133b, or with permission of instructor.
Mobile robots need to perceive their environment and localize themselves with respect to maps thereof. They further require planners to move along collision-free paths. This course builds up mobile robots in team-based projects, writing the software from low-level hardware I/O to high level algorithms. The final systems will autonomously maneuver to reach their goals or track various objectives.
Instructor: Niemeyer
CE/ME/Ge 173

Mechanics of Soils

9 units (3-0-6)   |  third term
Prerequisites: Continuum Mechanics-Ae/Ge/ME 160a.
Basic principles of stiffness, deformation, effective stress and strength of soils, including sands, clays and silts. Elements of soil behavior such as stress-strain-strength behavior of clays, effects of sample disturbance, anisotropy, and strain rate; strength and compression of granular soils; consolidation theory and settlement analysis; and critical state soil mechanics. Not offered 2021-22.
ME/CE/Ge 174

Mechanics of Rocks

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second term
Prerequisites: Ae/Ge/ME 160a.
Basic principles of deformation, strength, and stressing of rocks. Elastic behavior, plasticity, viscoelasticity, viscoplasticity, creep, damage, friction, failure mechanisms, shear localization, and interaction of deformation processes with fluids. Engineering and geological applications. Not offered 2021-2022.
ESE/ME/EST/Ec/ChE/EE 179

Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation

3 units (3-0-0)   |  second term
Climate change has already begun to impact life on the planet, and will continue in the coming decades. This class will explore particular causes and impacts of climate change, technologies to mitigate or adapt to those impacts, and the economic and social costs associated with them - particular focus will be paid to distributional issues, environmental and racial justice and equity intersections. The course will consist of 3-4 topical modules, each focused on a specific impact or sector (e.g. the electricity or transportation sector, climate impacts of food and agriculture, increasing fires and floods). Each module will contain lectures/content on the associated climate science background, engineering/technological developments to combat the issue, and an exploration of the economics and the inequities that exacerbate the situation, followed by group discussion and synthesis of the different perspectives.
Instructors: Wennberg, Staff
ME 200

Advanced Work in Mechanical Engineering

A faculty mentor will oversee a student proposed, independent research or study project to meet the needs of graduate students. Graded pass/fail. The consent of a faculty mentor and a written report is required for each term of work.
ME 201

Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second, third terms
The faculty will prepare courses on advanced topics to meet the needs of graduate students.
Instructors: Minnich, Andrade
ME 202 abc

Engineering Two-Phase Flows

9 units (3-0-6)
Prerequisites: ACM 95/100 ab, Ae/APh/CE/ME 101 abc, or equivalents.
Selected topics in engineering two-phase flows with emphasis on practical problems in modern hydro-systems. Fundamental fluid mechanics and heat, mass, and energy transport in multiphase flows. Liquid/vapor/gas (LVG) flows, nucleation, bubble dynamics, cavitating and boiling flows, models of LVG flows; instabilities, dynamics, and wave propagation; fluid/structure interactions. Discussion of two-phase flow problems in conventional, nuclear, and geothermal power plants, marine hydrofoils, and other hydraulic systems. Not offered 2021-22.
Ae/AM/MS/ME 213

Mechanics and Materials Aspects of Fracture

9 units (3-0-6)   |  first term
Prerequisites: Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc (concurrently) or equivalent and instructor's permission.
Analytical and experimental techniques in the study of fracture in metallic and nonmetallic solids. Mechanics of brittle and ductile fracture; connections between the continuum descriptions of fracture and micromechanisms. Discussion of elastic-plastic fracture analysis and fracture criteria. Special topics include fracture by cleavage, void growth, rate sensitivity, crack deflection and toughening mechanisms, as well as fracture of nontraditional materials. Fatigue crack growth and life prediction techniques will also be discussed. In addition, "dynamic" stress wave dominated, failure initiation growth and arrest phenomena will be covered. This will include traditional dynamic fracture considerations as well as discussions of failure by adiabatic shear localization. Not offered 2021-2022.
Ae/AM/CE/ME 214

Computational Solid Mechanics

9 units (3-5-1)   |  second term
Prerequisites: ACM 100 ab or equivalent; CE/AM/Ae 108 ab or equivalent or instructor's permission; Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc or instructor's permission.
This course focuses on the analysis of elastic thin shell structures in the large deformation regime. Problems of interest include softening behavior, bifurcations, loss of stability and localization. Introduction to the use of numerical methods in the solution of solid mechanics and multiscale mechanics problems. Variational principles. Finite element and isogeometric formulations for thin shells. Time integration, initial boundary value problems. Error estimation. Accuracy, stability and convergence. Iterative solution methods. Adaptive strategies.
Instructor: Pellegrino
Ae/AM/ME 215

Dynamic Behavior of Materials

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second term
Prerequisites: ACM 100 abc or AM 125 abc; Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc.
Fundamentals of theory of wave propagation; plane waves, wave guides, dispersion relations; dynamic plasticity, adiabatic shear banding; dynamic fracture; shock waves, equation of state. Ravichandran.
Ae/ME/APh 218

Statistical Mechanics

9 units (3-0-6)   |  third term
Prerequisites: Ae/ME 118, or equivalent.
Overview of probability and statistics, and the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Overview and elements of Quantum Mechanics, degenerate energy states, particles in a box, and energy-state phase space. Statistics of indistinguishable elementary particles, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics, partition functions, connections with classical thermodynamics, and the Law of Equipartition. Examples from equilibrium in fluids, solid-state physics, and others. Not offered 2021-2022.
CE/Ge/ME 222

Earthquake Source Processes, Debris Flows, and Soil Liquefaction: Physics-based Modeling of Failure in Granular Media

6 units (2-0-4)   |  third term
A seminar-style course focusing on granular dynamics and instabilities as they relate to geophysical hazards such as fault mechanics, debris flows, and liquefaction. The course will consist of student-led presentations of active research at Caltech and discussions of recent literature. Not offered 2021-22.
Ae/AM/ME 223

Plasticity

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second term
Prerequisites: Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc or instructor's permission.
Theory of dislocations in crystalline media. Characteristics of dislocations and their influence on the mechanical behavior in various crystal structures. Application of dislocation theory to single and polycrystal plasticity. Theory of the inelastic behavior of materials with negligible time effects. Experimental background for metals and fundamental postulates for plastic stress-strain relations. Variational principles for incremental elastic-plastic problems, uniqueness. Upper and lower bound theorems of limit analysis and shakedown. Slip line theory and applications. Additional topics may include soils, creep and rate-sensitive effects in metals, the thermodynamics of plastic deformation, and experimental methods in plasticity. Not offered 2021-2022.
ME/MS/Ae/AM 224

Multifunctional Materials

9 units (3-0-6)   |  third term
Prerequisites: MS 115 or equivalent, Ae/AM/CE/ME 102abc or APh105abc (may be waived with instructor's permission).
Multiscale view of materials and different approaches of introducing functionality; Electronic aspects and multiferroic materials; Symmetry breaking phase transformations, microstructure: shape-memory alloys, ferroelectrics, liquid crystal elastomers; Composite materials and metamaterials: multifunctional structures. Not offered 2021-2022.
Ae/AM/ME/Ge 225

Special Topics in Solid Mechanics

Units to be arranged   |  first, second, third terms
Subject matter changes depending on staff and student interest.
Ae/ACM/ME 232 ab

Computational Fluid Dynamics

9 units (3-0-6)   |  first, second terms
Prerequisites: Ae/APh/CE/ME 101 abc or equivalent; ACM 100 abc or equivalent.
Development and analysis of algorithms used in the solution of fluid mechanics problems. Numerical analysis of discretization schemes for partial differential equations including interpolation, integration, spatial discretization, systems of ordinary differential equations; stability, accuracy, aliasing, Gibbs and Runge phenomena, numerical dissipation and dispersion; boundary conditions. Survey of finite difference, finite element, finite volume and spectral approximations for the numerical solution of the incompressible and compressible Euler and Navier-Stokes equations, including shock-capturing methods.
Instructors: Bae, Meiron
ME/CDS/EE 234 ab

Advanced Robotics

9 units (3-3-3)   |  second, third terms
Prerequisites: ME/CS/EE 133(a,b), or equivalent.
The first quarter focuses on advanced robot kinematics and mechanisms. Topics include a Lie Algebraic viewpoint on kinematics and robot dynamics, a review of robotic mechanisms, and topics in robotic grasping and manipulation. The second quarter focuses on advanced topics in robotic motion planning and navigation, including planning with POMDPs, robotic coverage planning, and multi-robot coordination. Course work will consist of homeworks, programming projects, and labs.
Instructor: Burdick
Ae/CDS/ME 251 ab

Closed Loop Flow Control

9 units (3-0-6 a, 1-6-1 b)   |  second, third term
Prerequisites: ACM 100abc, Ae/APh/CE/ME 101abc or equivalent.
This course seeks to introduce students to recent developments in theoretical and practical aspects of applying control to flow phenomena and fluid systems. Lecture topics in the second term drawn from: the objectives of flow control; a review of relevant concepts from classical and modern control theory; high-fidelity and reduced-order modeling; principles and design of actuators and sensors. Third term: laboratory work in open- and closed-loop control of boundary layers, turbulence, aerodynamic forces, bluff body drag, combustion oscillations and flow-acoustic oscillations. Not offered 2021-2022.
AM/CE/ME 252

Linear and Nonlinear Waves in Structured Media

9 units (2-1-6)   |  third term
The course will cover the basic principles of wave propagation in solid media. It will discuss the fundamental principles used to describe linear and nonlinear wave propagation in continuum and discrete media. Selected recent scientific advancements in the dynamics of periodic media will also be discussed. Students learn the basic principles governing the propagation of waves in discrete and continuum solid media. These methods can be used to engineer materials with predefined properties and to design dynamical systems for a variety of engineering applications (e.g., vibration mitigation, impact absorption and sound insulation). The course will include an experimental component, to test wave phenomena in structured media.
Instructor: Daraio
ME/MS 260

Micromechanics

9 units (3-0-6)   |  third term
Prerequisites: ACM 95/100 or equivalent, and Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc or Ae/Ge/ME 160 ab or instructor's permission.
The course gives a broad overview of micromechanics, emphasizing the microstructure of materials, its connection to molecular structure, and its consequences on macroscopic properties. Topics include phase transformations in crystalline solids, including martensitic, ferroelectric, and diffusional phase transformations, twinning and domain patterns, active materials; effective properties of composites and polycrystals, linear and nonlinear homogenization; defects, including dislocations, surface steps, and domain walls; thin films, asymptotic methods, morphological instabilities, self-organization; selected applications to microactuation, thin-film processing, composite materials, mechanical properties, and materials design. Open to undergraduates with instructor's permission. Not offered 2021-22.
Ae/AM/CE/ME/Ge 265 ab

Static and Dynamic Failure of Brittle Solids and Interfaces, from the Micro to the Mega

9 units (3-0-6)   |  first term
Prerequisites: Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc (concurrently) or equivalent and/or instructor's permission.
Linear elastic fracture mechanics of homogeneous brittle solids (e.g. geo-materials, ceramics, metallic glasses); small scale yielding concepts; experimental methods in fracture, fracture of bi-material interfaces with applications to composites as well as bonded and layered engineering and geological structures; thin-film and micro-electronic components and systems; dynamic fracture mechanics of homogeneous engineering materials; dynamic shear dominated failure of coherent and incoherent interfaces at all length scales; dynamic rupture of frictional interfaces with application to earthquake source mechanics; allowable rupture speeds regimes and connections to earthquake seismology and the generation of Tsunamis. Not offered 2021-2022.
ME/Ge/Ae 266 ab

Dynamic Fracture and Frictional Faulting

9 units (3-0-6)   |  third term
Prerequisites: Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc or Ae/Ge/ME 160 ab or instructor's permission.
Introduction to elastodynamics and waves in solids. Dynamic fracture theory, energy concepts, cohesive zone models. Friction laws, nucleation of frictional instabilities, dynamic rupture of frictional interfaces. Radiation from moving cracks. Thermal effects during dynamic fracture and faulting. Crack branching and faulting along nonplanar interfaces. Related dynamic phenomena, such as adiabatic shear localization. Applications to engineering phenomena and physics and mechanics of earthquakes.
Instructor: Lapusta
ME 300

Research in Mechanical Engineering

Hours and units by arrangement
Research in the field of mechanical engineering. By arrangement with members of the faculty, properly qualified graduate students are directed in research.
Published Date: July 28, 2022