Mechanical Engineering Engineer

Philip Brune ******@*****.***

**** ****** ***. *** *****, CA 92122 858-***-****

Summary

Well-rounded, adaptable, and highly motivated engineer who enjoys the challenge of solving difficult problems.

•

Expert knowledge in theoretical and applied linear and nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (FEA).

•

Laboratory experience designing and executing experiments to measure mechanical and fracture properties.

•

6 years experience as an international researcher; awards include Fulbright Scholarship and Outstanding Dissertation.

•

Excellent technical writer with experience creating and teaching a University technical writing course.

•

Education

University of Rochester – School of Arts, Engineering, and Applied Sciences Rochester, NY

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, April 2011:

The Mechanics of Imperial Roman Concrete and the Structural Design of Vaulted Monuments. Combined advanced

FEA, Fracture Mechanics, and physical experimentation to structurally analyze Ancient Roman monuments and

understand their design and survival as engineering structures.

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, May 2006, GPA 3.7:

Selected Coursework: Robust Design & Quality Engineering, Mechanics of Structures, Technical Entrepreneurship,

Applied FEA, Microelectromagnetic Systems (MEMS), Applied Boundary-Values Problems.

Projects: design of a MEMS mechanical subsystem, boundary-value description of the acoustics for a concert hall,

and the design and business plan for piezoelectric active-noise-cancellation mufflers.

B.A. in History Cum Laude, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with High Distinction, Minor in Spanish, May 2004, GPA 3.6.

Research Experience

University of Rochester – Rochester, NY:

Topology optimization and factor of safety in concrete structures; April 2011 – Present.

Results: progressing towards a structural-scale geometric factor of safety for large concrete structures.

Methods: topology optimization, fracture mechanics, load-path distribution networks.

Advanced structural analysis of Diocletian’s and Caracalla’s Baths; May 2009 – February 2011.

Results: led research team in all phases of the structural analysis of two ancient Roman monuments.

Methods: instructed and supervised undergraduate students in the usage of CAD and FEA modeling software;

surveyed on-site with laser disto.

Material model and computational implementation of Roman concrete fracture behavior; July 2008 – August 2010.

Results: derived and validated structural-scale failure criterion to determine the factor of safety for large-scale

concrete spanning structures.

Methods: nonlinear FEA, continuum damaged-plasticity model, structural-scale energetic failure criterion.

Advanced structural investigations into the Great Hall of Trajan’s Markets; October 2007 – July 2009.

Results: created and structurally analyzed a three-dimensional FEA model in from total-station laser scanning data.

Methods: modal analysis, nonlinear contact analysis, AutoCAD, Patran, Pro/Engineer, on-site measurements.

Cornell University – Ithaca, NY:

Inverse analysis of fracture test results of ancient Roman mortar fracture tests; August 2010 – January 2011.

Results: used nonlinear FEA to simulate a physical experiment and determine fracture and mechanical properties.

Methods: cohesive zone model, nonlinear optimization, inverse analysis, Design of Experiments.

Laboratory re-fabrication and experimental fracture testing of ancient Roman mortar; May 2009 – July 2010.

Results: designed and executed all stages of a fracture mechanics laboratory experimental program.

Methods: designed and refined a new fracture mechanics experimental test, determined and acquired all necessary

input materials, created and maintained the complete project schedule while coordinating multiple resources to

successfully meet all project deadlines.

City of Rome Superintendent’s Office and University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’ – Rome, Italy :

Investigating the structural validity of a proposed reconstruction of the Basilica Ulpia; December 2007– May 2008.

Results: created and analyzed a three-dimensional mutliple-solid FEA model of a collapsed Roman monument.

Methods: multiple CAD packages, nonlinear contact analysis, archaological and historical interpretation.

Archaeological interpretation of computational structural analysis results; May 2006– August 2006.

Results: created protocol for the visualization and publication of FEA structural analysis results.

Methods: statistical analysis, technical writing, report compilation, presentation preparation and delivery.

Graz Technical University – Graz, Austria:

Nonlinear mechanics in Roman concrete; May 2007– July 2007.

Results: Derived continuum damage model and worked on its numerical implementation.

Methods: nonlinear solid mechanics and continuum damage formulations, computational implementation,

hyperelastic biological materials and dissipative material fracture models.

Teaching Experience

Adjunct Instructor, May 2009-April 2010, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester:

Developed and taught course in Mechanical Engineering: Mechanics of Structures.

Taught graduate students Elastic and Plastic structural analysis techniques. Emphasis on variational methods and

their application within the Finite Element Method.

Instructor, May 2008-May2009, College Writing Program, University of Rochester:

Created and taught undergraduate course in technical writing.

Emphasized preparation and presentation of data, when and how to use technical language, and writing with clarity

and concision.

Teaching Assistant, January 2003-May2008, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester:

Led workshops and helped students with projects for ten semester-long courses in Mechanical Engineering .

Courses included Applied Finite Element Analysis (Graduate-level), Advanced Mechanical Design, Strength of

Materials, Finite Element Analysis (Graduate-level), Heat & Power Applications, Materials Science, Heat Transfer,

and Statics.

Skills

Commercial FEA platforms: Abaqus Standard and Explicit, Patran, Nastran, Marc (Nastran nonlinear)

CAD platforms: Pro/Engineer, Rhinoceros 3d, AutoCAD, Abaqus CAE.

Computational Mathematics: Mathematica, Matlab, Maple.

Miscellaneous software: Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite.

Human Languages: English (native), Italian (fluent), Spanish (advanced).

Computer languages: Matlab, FORTRAN (77/90), Python (intermediate).

Honors & Awards

2010-2011 Outstanding Dissertation Award – Engineering and Applied Sciences at University of Rochester

2009-2011 Pandeli Durbetaki Research Scholarship from the Department of Mechanical Engineering

2008-2009 Breadth Teaching Fellowship from University of Rochester

2007-2008 Fulbright Scholar in Italy

2007 NSF Central European Summer Research Fellow in Austria

High distinction conferred for B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Cum Laude conferred for B.A. in History

References and a list of scientific journal and conference publications and are available upon request.

Contact this candidate