Eric B. Becker
Professor Emeritus
Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
William J. Murray, Jr. Fellowship in Engineering No. 4
Phone: (512) 471-4193
Fax: (512) 471-3788
Email: becker@mail.ae.utexas.edu
Dr.
Becker’s Web site
Dr. Eric B. Becker earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. He joined the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin in 1966.
Dr. Becker develops and applies finite element methods in solid mechanics. Engineers use the finite element method to numerically model physical systems to solve complex elasticity and structural analysis problems. Becker uses the method to study how solid matter behaves under external forces. For example, he has studied fracture mechanics of metals, modeled and analyzed damaging materials such as concrete, and studied the interaction of fluids and solids in ocean-towed flexible cables. In current projects, Becker is studying failures that develop in the material of radial tires due to repeated stresses, and researching the migration and reaction of chemicals in solid propellant rocket motors.
Research interests:
- Finite element methods in solid mechanics
- Prediction of belt-edge delamination in radial tires
- Migration and reaction of chemical species in solid propellant rocket motors
- Meshless methods for large strain problems