- Jia-Liang Le, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. email: jle@umn.edu
- Gianni Royer-Carfagni, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. email: gianni.royer@unipr.it
The Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations Relating to Two New Sciences by Galileo Galilei (Discorsi e Dimostrazioni Matematiche intorno à due nuove Scienze, appresso gli Elsevirii, Leida, 1638) is structured as a dialogue in four days among eminent personalities. The title of this mini-symposium is that of the first day, in which Galileo argues on fundamental topics that were treated in Aristotle's Physics. Galileo is the founder of the “Galilean method” and this opera represents perhaps the oldest treatise on the first of the two new sciences, which we now call “mechanics of solids”.
In the spirit of Galileo, this mini-symposium invites contributions in the vast field of the mechanics of solids, descending from the world of mathematical manipulation of quantities to that of physical perception. Experimental works, especially those obtained from the design of innovative experimental instruments, are welcome. Multiscale and multiphysics analysis of the responses of solids to general loading (static, dynamic, thermal, chemical, etc.) is of interest. Probabilistic mechanics and stochastic analysis of engineering structures are encouraged. Applications for innovative materials or metamaterials fall within the specific scope. Engineering interventions on modern and historical structures, possibly making use of innovative methods of analysis, are also welcome.
We would like to honor, with this mini-symposium, the scientific personality of our dear friend and colleague Roberto Ballarini, Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Houston. Roberto has developed fundamental works in the mechanics of ancient and modern structures, history of mechanics, fracture mechanics, multi-scale and multi-physics theories, bio-mechanics, atomistic modelling, and probabilistic mechanics. Roberto is also a licensed professional engineer who has contributed to some challenging issues in structural designs, knowing how to combine a solid theoretical background with the taste and practical sensitivity of the structural engineer.
