Brian Mace

Biography

Professor Brian Mace is Visiting Professor of Structural Dynamics within Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton. Brian Mace joined ISVR as Reader in Structural Dynamics in 2000. He graduated in Engineering Science (1st Class honours, 1974) and then D.Phil. (1977) from Oxford University, and was then research fellow at ISVR for 3 years. This was followed by lecturing positions in the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University College, Cardiff, for 3 years and, for 17 years, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Auckland, New Zealand. His interests in general concern vibrations, dynamics, control and mechatronics. He has taught and developed courses in these areas and has acted as a consultant to industry many times in New Zealand, UK and elsewhere. Away from work, his interests include fishing (usually unsuccessfully), walking and playing bridge.

Research Interest

Recently, Brian's main area of research activity has concerned theoretical, numerical and experimental modelling methods for higher frequency structural vibrations. Under these circumstances there is significant uncertainty and variability in the properties of the structure, individual substructures or the joints that connect them. Activities include SEA and other energy flow approaches, combining FEA and SEA methods, component modal modelling methods with uncertainty and developing new techniques for the so-called 'mid-frequency' range. Wave, modal and component modal approaches are adopted as appropriate. A second area concerns active control and smart structures. The emphasis is often on higher frequency applications and the control of energy flow through structures using wave-based and hybrid methods. Smart structures activities centre on vibration control using adaptive-passive and semi-active systems. Work on structural interrogation using wave methods is also underway. The dynamic modelling of systems is one further area of interest. Specific projects have included thermoacoustic refrigeration, automotive wheels and tyres, bioengineering applications, robotic manipulators, washing machines and MRI scanners.