His major accomplishment and current research fields are as followed:
- Adaptive finite element method including automatic mesh generation and remeshing schemes for nonlinear problems in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics, especially the r (node relocation) method was developed (OPTIMESH)
- Development of micomechanical models for unilateral contact friction for analysis and simulation of metal and sheet-metal forming processes,
- Shape optimization of elastic structures, for topology and generalized layout optimization using the homogenization design method that is regarded as a break through method in mechanical design (OPTISHAPE),
- Topology optimization for material microstructures including piezoceramics, MEMS, and compliant mechanisms,
- Homogenization method in mechanics of composites including various bio-mechanical materials such as bones and tissues (PRE/POSTMAT, VOXELCON),
- Simulation of liquid molding processes such as RTM and SRIM for forming composite materials,
- Simulation of Thermo-Moding (Stamping, Drawing) Processes of Composite Laminates,
- Development of image based CAE(computer aided engineering) methodology
- Development of the First Order Analysis Method for CAE : Automotive Body Structures
He currently teaches analytical and differential equation methods in mechanics ( MEAM501 and 502), and the finite element method both in undergraduate and graduate programs ( MEAM305, 505, and 605 ), while he is also lecturing computer methods for engineering management in seminar series organized by industry. He has also started a new course : Automotive Body Structures from 1996.
- Group Members
- Publications : ( Last Three Yeas, Selected )
- Resume ( Short Version : 10/10/97 )
- Ph.D. Students Graduated
- Direction & Map to My Office
Current Research Areas
The following specific areas are interested in making research by our research laboratory. Especially, NK is interested in application of the homogenization method to mechanics, design, and manufacturing study in mechanical engineering, while NK is working very closely with Civil, Material Science, and Aerospace Engineering.
- Project Maxwell
- Homogenization Methods for Composites
- Homogenization Design Method for Topology of Elastic Structures
- Homogenization Design Method for Material Microstructure
- Homogenization Design Method for Compliant Mechanisms
- Homogenization Design Method for Piezoceramic Materials
- Material Process Simulation for RTM and SRIM
- Material Process Simulation for Thermoforming of Composite Laminates
- Foam Materials in Crashworthiness
- Computational Methods
Noboru Kikuchi is also closely working with Quint Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, Mr. Keizo Ishii ( ishii@quint.co.jp ) is the President, in order to transfer his academic research into more industrial applications. More precisely, Mr. Keizo Ishii and his coworkers in Quint Corporation has developed general purpose commercially available engineering software
- OPTIMEH : for Adaptive Finite Element Analysis
- OPTISHAPE : for Topology and Shape Optimization of elastic structures
- PRE/POSTMAT : for Global-Local Analysis of Composite Mechanics with emphasis of integration of micro-mechanics to the macroscopic global mechanics
- VOXELCON : for Image Based Modeling and Analysis
With help of Professor Alejandro Diaz, Michigan State University, and Professor Scott Hollister, Bio-Engineering Program, University of Michigan. Details can be found at the web homepage of Quint Corporation.
Teaching Courses
- MEAM305 Finite Element Methods Undergraduate course for introduction of the finite element method in which MSC/NASTRAN for analysis and HYPERMESH from Altair Computing for pre/post processing are emphasized. Two to five mini-project type homework assignments are provided to make exercise of use of MSC/NASTRAN and HYPERMESH.
- MEAM505 Finite Element Methods Graduate course for introduction of the finite element method in which more mathematical and mechanics theories are emphasized, while MSC/NASTRAN and ABAQUS are extensively utilized in this MS degree terminated course of CAE. Professors G. Hulbert and R. Scott are normally teaching this every semester.
- MEAM605 Finite Element Methods Advanced graduate course of the finite element method for nonlinear problems both in solid structures and fluids. Normally Professor G. Hulbert teaches this every other semester. MEAM505 is pre-requisited.
- MEAM501 Analytical Methods Graduate course to teach introduction of engineering analysis for mechanical engineering and applied mechanics. Applied and computational linear algebra, vector analysis with curves and surfaces, interpolation and approximation of functions, numerical integration, variational method together with Ritz' and Galerkin's methods, and boundary and initial valued problems, are taught for mechanical engineering and applied mechanics graduate study. Here, MATLAB and MATHEMATICA are fully utilized so that every student will be able to use MATLAB and MATHEMATICA for their study and research. This is offered every Fall semester, and NK is normally teaching.
- MEAM502 Differential Equation Methods Second applied mathematics course in Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program in which Fourier Analysis, Wavelet Analysis, Advanced Function Approximations are emphasized for signal, image, and other processing. Asymptotic expansion methods including the homogenization method for composite mechanics, is also introduced together with advanced variational methods to deal with various initial boundary value problems. Elliptic, Parabolic, and Hyperbolic Differential Equations are studied for their applications in mechanics and mechanical engineering.
- MEAM599-B Automotive Body Structure A specialized graduate course that can be taken also by senior undergraduates who are interested in more practical application of Advanced Strength of Materials for Automotive Engineering. Strength of Materials are applied to understand mechanical behavior of automotive body structures so that students can have basic knowledge on body structure for their practice in automotive related industry.
- MEAM599-6 Homogenization Design Method for Structures, Materials, and Mechanisms This course is designed to teach advanced computational methods for design optimization of structures, material microstructures, and compliant mechanisms, by using the homogenization method and the finite element method. Starting from reviewing recent development of structural optimization and various finite element formulations, we shall develop an appropriate stress/strain assumed finite elements which are appropriate for design optimization of structures and material microstructures. Then we shall develop the homogenization theory to deal with material heterogeneity using the asymptotic expansion method based on the Wu-Washizu variational principle. These are then applied to design optimization. This course is specially designed for the students who are interested in advanced computational methods for design and mechanics of composite materials.
Recent Presentation at Conferences and Lectures Given ( Adobe Acrobat pdf Files )
- Emerging Technology in Optimization Methods for Structures, Materials, and MEMS : Presented at OPTICON'98 : Optimization Software : Methods and Applications, held at Sheraton-Newport Beach, Newport Beach, CA, October 8-9, 1998 ; Introduction of our recent research activity on CAE. Image Based CAE, VOXELCON, and OPTISHAPE are specially introduced. ( Posted 10/10/98, Size of the file is 3.8 MB )
- Global-Local Analysis for Composite Laminate Molding & Forming by using the Homogenization Method, Presented at NATO Advanced Study Institute held at Troia, Portugal, July 12 - 26, 1998
- Lectures on OPTISHAPE
Introduction to OPTISHAPE : A Structural Optimization Software for Topology, Shape, and Sizing Optimization, Series of Lectures at Institute of Advanced Engineering (IAE), Daewoo Group, Korea, October 12-17, 1997
OPTISHAPE - Topology Optimization : A Structural Optimization Software for Topology, Shape, and Sizing Optimization, Series of Lectures at Institute of Advanced Engineering (IAE), Daewoo Group, Korea, October 12-17, 1997
Rapid Prototype & OPTISHAPE : A Structural Optimization Software for Topology, Shape, and Sizing Optimization, Series of Lectures at Institute of Advanced Engineering (IAE), Daewoo Group, Korea, October 12-17, 1997
CLM (Computational Mechanics Lab) Lectures for Fundamental Computational Mechanics in 2000
- Least Squares and Moving Least Squares Method for SPH and Element Free Galerkin's Method (by Noboru Kikuchi) February 1 and 7, 2000
- A Stabilized Mixed Quadrilateral Plate Bending Element for Reissner-Mindlin Type (by Keizo Ishii, Quint Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) February 15, 2000
- Responce Surfce Method and its Application to Suspension Design (by Tatsuyuki Amago, Toyota Central Research Laboratories, Nagoya, Japan) February 22, 2000
- Real Asymmetric Matrix Eigenvalue Analysis (by Heewook Lee, CML, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Michigan) March 14, 2000
- High Performance Computing in Computational Mechanics, (by Professor Kazuo Kashiyama, Department of Civil Engineering, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan) March 21, 2000
- Primer on Homogenization (by Bing-Chung Chen, CML, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Michigan) April 4, 2000
- Digital Engineering System for Nonlinear Design and Analysis, (by Professor Hirohisa Noguchi, Keio University), June 15, 2000
Other Links
- Professor Katsuyuki Suzuki's Link to Sites for Computational Mechanics, Dept. of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo
Personal
- Pianist ATAMIAN homepage : A very impressive Piano Performer staying in Ann Arbor. Kikuchi strongly recommend to visit his site to find out his wonderful art in music.
- Pictures of Ann Arbor and Michigan : Huron River Drive from Ann Arbor to Dexter, October 1998. You can find scenery of autumn in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- Picture Archive of Lisbon and Portugal : Kikuchi's most favorite collaborating place in the world, where Professors Jose Miranda Gudes, Helder Rodoriges, Carlos Mota Soares, Luice Campos Bermucho, Edward Piris, Joa Martins, and others are working.
- Communication with the CML alumni : This is a special folder to make easy communication with ex-students of CML and visiting scholars to CML as well as CML friends
The University of Michigan
2250 GGBrown Laboratory
2350 Hayward
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125
mailto : kikuchi@engin.umich.edu
02/15/00