Benjamin Reedlunn
Education
- Ph.D. candidate, Mechanical Engineering,
- M.S. Materials Sci. & Eng. (2011)
- B.S., Mechanical Eng. 2004 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Research interests
My research concerns the mechanics of cables (wire rope) made from shape memory alloy (SMA) wires. Some of the potential applications of SMA cables are actuators, vibration dampeners, and biomedical devices.
To understand and predict the behavior of different cable designs, an in-depth understanding of the 3-dimensional mechanics of SMA wires under multi-axial loading is required. Strain localization and thermomechanical coupling have been observed in 1-dimensional tension tests on single SMA wires, but little is known about how these phenomena impact the 3-dimensional behavior.
My current research project under the supervision of Profs Sam Daly and John Shaw involves conducting experiments using digital image correlation and infrared thermal imaging to capture this behavior, as well as building a micromechanical material model. Further experiments on strands made of multiple wires, and cables made of multiple strands, will provide a robust validation of this model.
In the end, this research aims to provide the connection between the constitutive response of SMA wires and the structural response of an SMA cable, so that engineers can investigate new cable designs.
Experience
- Research and Development Engineer, Medtronic Vascular, 2003-2005, (designed NiTi stents)
Teaching
- Volunteer TA 10th grade geometry, Ypsilanti High School
Recent Publications and Presentations
- Benjamin Reedlunn & John Shaw. Shape memory alloy cables. Marcelo J. Dapino and ZoubeidaOunaies, editors, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional and Composite Materials 2008, Vol. 6929, Page 69291G. SPIE, April 2008.