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Gary Seidel

Professor and Assistant Department Head for Academic Affairs
  • Ph.D., 2007, Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University
  • M.S., 2002, Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University
  • B.S., 1999, Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University
Dr. Gary D. Seidel
Aerospace & Ocean Engineering (MC0203)
Virginia Tech Swing Space, Room 224D
1600 Innovation Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Teaching Interests:

  • Mechanics of Materials & Strength of Materials
  • Material & Structural Dynamics
  • Continuum Mechanics & Atomistic Modeling
  • Micromechanics Analysis of Composites & Fracture Mechanics
  • Finite Element Analysis & Nonlinear Finite Elements
  • Meshless Methods in Computation Solid Mechanics
  • Viscoelasticity & Plasticity
  • Multifunctional & Active Materials and Structures
  • Multiscale Modeling of Damage Evolution and Multifunctional Composites

List of Courses:

  • AOE 2024: Thin-Walled Structures
  • AOE 2104: Introduction to Aerospace Engineering & Aircraft Performance
  • AOE 3024: Thin-Walled Structures
  • AOE 4084: Engineering Design Optimization
  • AOE 4324: Energy Methods for Structures
  • AOE 5034/ESM5304: Mechanical and Structural Dynamics/Vibrations
  • AOE 5604: Multiscale Modeling of Damage in Composites
  • AOE 5614: Multiscale Modeling of Multifunctional Composites
  • AOE 5984: Multiscale Modeling of Nanocomposites (Spring 2010)
  • AOE 5984: Meshless and Semi-Meshless Modeling Techniques for Composite Materials (Fall 2018)

My research group is focused on developing analytic and computational multiscale modeling tools based on micromechanics philosophies to capture damage evolution in composites, or more specifically, in composites which exhibit coupled mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic response due to active constituent phases, interactions between phases, or due to phase transitions. Of particular interest are addressing challenges associated with passing information between length scales spanning the nano, micro, meso and macroscales as well as the associated time scales of physical phenomena of interest which can range from femtoseconds and microseconds to years. Essential components of the multiscale model development approach are the verification and validation efforts, the latter providing impetus for our interest in multiscale characterization efforts which can be used to help generate statistically meaningful representative volume elements and to provide measurable checks for predictions at each scale.

Research Interests:

  • Structures and Materials
  • Micromechanics Analysis of Composites & Nanocomposites
  • Capturing Damage Initiation and Evolution in Composites via Cohesive Zone and Continuum Damage Models
  • Bridging Atomistic and Continuum Length and Time Scales in Nanocomposites
  • Multiscale Mdoeling of Multifunctional Composites for Sensors and Actuators
  • Micromechanics/Multiscale Modeling of Materials with Time-Varying/Evolving Effective Properties
  • Meshless Computational Tools in Solid Mechanics for Dynamic Materials and Composites

Leadership in Professional Societies:

  • Chair, AIAA Materials Technical Committee, 2013-2015
  • Vice Chair, AIAA Materials Technical Committee, 2011-2013
  • Secretary, AIAA Materials Technical Committee, 2010-2011
  • Chair, Adaptive Structures and Materials Systems Branch in the Aerospace Division of ASME, 2019-2020
  • Vice Chair, Adaptive Structures and Materials Systems Branch in the Aerospace Division of ASME, 2018-2019
  • Treasurer, Adaptive Structures and Materials Systems Branch in the Aerospace Division of ASME, 2017-2018
  • Secretary, Adaptive Structures and Materials Systems Branch in the Aerospace Division of ASME, 2016-2017
  • Chair, ASME Active and Multifunctional Materials TC, 2018-2019
  • Co-Chair, ASME Active and Multifunctional Materials TC, 2016-2018
  • Member, Adaptive Structures and Materials Systems Branch in the Aerospace Division of ASME, 2015-Present
  • Member,  ASME Active and Multifunctional Materials TC, 2013-Present
  • Member, AIAA Materials Technical Committee, 2010-Present
  • Member, ASME Composites and Heterogeneous Materials Technical Committee, 2008-2014
  • Member, ASME Materials Technical Committee, 2008-2014
  • Mentor, NASA Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology (MUST)

Journal Editorial Service

  • Applied Mechanics Reviews – Associate Editor
  • Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures – Associate Editor
  • Journal of Peridynamics and Nonlocal Modeling – Editorial Board
  • Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology – Simulation at the Nanoscale - Editorial Board
  • Smart Materials and Structures – Guest Associate Editor: Focus on Recent Advances in Adaptive and Active Materials (SMASIS) – Multifunctional Materials

Professional Society Membership:

  • Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
  • Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • Member, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
  • Member, Society of Engineering Science (SES)
  • ASME Fellow, 2020
  • AIAA Associate Fellow, 2013
  • 2021 AFRL Summer Faculty Fellow - Eglin AFB (HERD)
  • 2018 AFRL Summer Faculty Fellow - Eglin AFB (HERD)
  • 2017 AFRL Summer Faculty Fellow - Eglin AFB (HERD)
  • Oak Ridge Associated Universities Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, 2010
  • 2016 ASME/Boeing Best Paper Award for 2016 AIAA SciTech paper "A Coupled Electromechanical Peridynamics Framework for Modeling Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Polymer Composites"
  • 2016 Virginia Tech Dean's Award for Excellence in Service
  • Sandia National Laboratories/Texas A&M University Doctoral Fellowship in Engineering (2002-2006)
  • Texas A&M Association of Former Students Distinguished Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Doctoral Research, 2007-2008
  • Texas A&M University Regents Fellowship (1999-2000)
  • 2013-2014 Virginia Tech College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Advisor Award presented by the Student Engineers’ Council
  • June 2023 - Present, Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • June 2015 - June 2023, Associate Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • Aug. 2008 - June 2015, Assistant Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • 2007-2008, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Texas A&M University