Mechanics Journal Celebrates Kachanov’s Research

For four decades, Professor Mark Kachanov has been a leader in the mechanics of materials. In recognition of his key contributions to the field, the journal Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics published a special edition in honor of his 80th birthday. The issue features contributions from researchers inspired by his extensive body of work.

Kachanov's research focuses on micromechanics of materials and how it impacts various systems. Scientists have a solid understanding of how homogenous materials behave, but the natural world and the built environment are both largely made up of composite and heterogenous materials. Because of this, the properties of rocks, bone, manufactured materials, and other things are often less clear-cut than pure substances. Micromechanics of materials investigates these materials to better understand and predict their unique mechanical and physical properties.

His work on microstructure-property connections examines the internal infrastructure of materials to understand how their microscopic properties will behave on a macro scale. This work can help manufacturers decide which material to use for their product or help builders understand the long-range impact of building on a certain type of rock.

Although Kachanov’s work is typically at the micro- or nano-level, it has big implications. His research has informed how manufacturers use coatings, how we understand bone, and how geo-materials can impact industrial development. His work in piezoelectrics (which are composite materials that can generate electric charge under mechanical stress) and nano-electromechanics has applications in improved efficiency for material manufacturing.

With approximately 200 publications and thousands of citations, Kachanov is widely regarded as a top researcher in his field. His H-index, which measures the impact of one’s work, is 60—the highest in the mechanical engineering department. On top of his own research, he served as editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Engineering Sciences for 18 years and Letters in Fracture and Micromechanics for 11 years. Much of his work involves industry collaboration and his findings continue to have an impact on newly developing theories of mechanics.

Articles in the special edition make clear the impact of his work, as the papers cover everything from surface damage due to multiple edge cracks to a new weather modeling approach that takes Earth’s vibrations into account. His peers have also recognized his work with accolades like a von Humboldt Research Award for Senior Scientists and naming Kachanov a Distinguished Fulbright Chair. 

Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics explores interdisciplinary ideas in continuum and quasi-continuum modeling of systems that have a large number of degrees of freedom and sufficient complexity to require thermodynamic closure. The journal emphasizes papers that bridge the gap between discrete and continuum approaches as well as micro and macro scales, by means of homogenization, statistical averaging, and other mathematical tools aimed at the judicial elimination of small time and length scales.

Mark Kachanov earned his Ph.D. from Brown University in 1981. He joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Tufts in 1982 and became a full professor in 1988. He holds a secondary appointment in the department of civil and environmental engineering. Kachanov remains active in the research world and continues to have a substantial impact on his colleagues, the field of mechanics, and real-world applications of micromechanics.  

Learn more about Professor Mark Kachanov.