Twenty-first student symposium on engineering mechanics

Undergraduates in the Engineering Mechanics curriculum at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign currently take a two-semester course entitled "Research and Design Project" during the senior year of study. In the first semester (TAM 293), each student formulates a suitable mechanics project in consultation with a UIUC faculty member; wide latitude is allowed in selecting a project, as long as it involves aspects of both research and design. In the second semester (TAM 294), the students carry out their projects with guidance from their faculty advisors, and prepare final written reports. Authors of outstanding reports or exceptionally interesting projects are invited to present their findings at an annual Student Symposium, which is attended by both faculty and students. The papers in this volume were presented in May 1984, and were selected from reports submitted by 14 students