Mechanical Engineering

Sarah C. Baxter

Associate Professor

	E-mail:	baxter@cec.sc.edu
	Phone:	803.777.0239
	Fax:	803.777.0106
	Office:	300 Main Street Room A124 Columbia, SC 29208
	Links:	Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Baxter's research interests are in computational and mathematical modeling. Applications include the mechanics of heterogeneous and composite materials; probabilistic mechanics and uncertainly in modeling, nanoscale micromechanics, models in nanoscale manufacturing processes and the modeling multi-functional materials.

One focus is on polymer nanocomposites. While polymer nanocomposites offer extraordinary promise, a key challenge limiting the realization of their full potential is the inability to spatially engineer, design, and fabricates ‘nano’ microstructures. We are developing models that reflect the influence of scale, for example the more significant influence of an interface region between particles and matrix which can produce mechanical percolation effects. These models will be used to model multi-functionality of designed composites.

A second focus is on developing methods to assess the inherent uncertainty of using one model rather than another, to characterize measured data in dynamic structural systems.

Education

• Ph.D., University of Virginia, 1995
• M.S., University of Minnesota, 1991

Selected Publications

• Bourn, R. Fralick, B.S. and Baxter, S.C. (2012) "Probability distribution of elastic moduli in heterogeneous media due to random phase configuration", submitted to Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, submitted.
• Fralick, Bethany S. Gatzke, Edward P. and Baxter, Sarah C. (2012) "Three-dimensional evolution of mechanical percolation in nanocomposites with random microstructures", Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 30, 1–8
• Baxter, S.C. and Robinson, C.T. (2011) "Pseudo-percolation: Critical volume fractions and mechanical percolation in polymer nanocomposites", Composites Science and Technology, 1(10), 1273-1279.
• Snipes, J.S., Robinson, C.T., and Baxter, Sarah C. (2010) "Effect of scale and interface on the effective viscoelastic properties of polymer nanocomposites", Journal of Composite Materials, 45(24) 2537–2546
• Williams, T.O., Baxter, S.C. (2006) "A Framework for Stochastic Mechanics" Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics 21 (2006) 247–255.
• Baxter S.C., Hossain, M. I. and Graham L.L (2001) "Micromechanics Based Random Material Property Fields for Particulate Reinforced Composites" International Journal of Solids and Structures, 38.50: 9209-9220.
• Graham L.L. and Baxter S.C. (2001) "Simulation of Local Material Properties based on Moving Window GMC" Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 16: 295-305.
• Baxter S.C and Graham L.L. (2000) "Characterization of Random Composite Materials using the Moving Window-Generalized Method of Cells" Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 126(4): 389-397.