The last 25 years have seen significant advances in the modeling and mathematical analysis of fracture. However, the strongest mathematical results have been restricted to variational models that have limitations, including combining nucleation with propagation, and incompatibility with applied forces. Prof. Chris Larsen, Professor of Mathematical Sciences, was recently awarded a 3-year grant from the National Science Foundation to develop and analyze models for fracture that isolate propagation and that are compatible with all applied forces. This work will focus on a new local variational principle that does not force nucleation and has the desired compatibility with loads.
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Christopher Larsen
Professor, Mathematical Sciences
The evolution of defects in materials present very interesting mathematical challenges. My research focuses on improving mathematical models for material defects and advancing mathematical methods for studying them. Of particular interest are the growing lower-dimensional s
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