James R. Rice
Encyclopedia
James Robert Rice is a mechanician
who has made fundamental contributions to various aspects of solid mechanics
. Two of his early contributions are the concept of the J-integral
and an explanation of how plastic
deformations localize in a narrow band. In recent years, Rice has focused on the mechanical processes involved in earthquakes.
Rice received his B.S. in Engineering Mechanics from Lehigh University
in 1962. He went on to receive his M.S. and Ph.D in Applied Mechanics from Lehigh in 1963 and 1964, respectively. He taught at Brown University
from 1964 until 1981, when he accepted a position at Harvard University
. In 1994, he received the Timoshenko Medal
"for seminal contributions to the understanding of plasticity and fracture of engineering materials and applications in the development in the computational and experimental methods of broad significance in mechanical engineering practice". He was also awarded The Franklin Institute's Francis J. Clamer Medal in 1996. Since 2001, he has served as the Mallinckrodt Professor of Engineering Sciences and Geophysics in the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
. In 2008, he was awarded the Panetti-Ferrari International Prize for Applied Mechanics.
He was elected as a Foreign member of the Royal Society
in March, 1996
Mechanician
A mechanician is an engineer or a scientist working in the field of mechanics, or in a related or sub-field: engineering or computational mechanics, applied mechanics, geomechanics, biomechanics, and mechanics of materials...
who has made fundamental contributions to various aspects of solid mechanics
Solid mechanics
Solid mechanics is the branch of mechanics, physics, and mathematics that concerns the behavior of solid matter under external actions . It is part of a broader study known as continuum mechanics. One of the most common practical applications of solid mechanics is the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation...
. Two of his early contributions are the concept of the J-integral
J integral
The J-integral represents a way to calculate the strain energy release rate, or work per unit fracture surface area, in a material. The theoretical concept of J-integral was developed in 1967 by Cherepanov and in 1968 by Jim Rice independently, who showed that an energetic contour path integral ...
and an explanation of how plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
deformations localize in a narrow band. In recent years, Rice has focused on the mechanical processes involved in earthquakes.
Rice received his B.S. in Engineering Mechanics from Lehigh University
Lehigh University
Lehigh University is a private, co-educational university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of the United States. It was established in 1865 by Asa Packer as a four-year technical school, but has grown to include studies in a wide variety of disciplines...
in 1962. He went on to receive his M.S. and Ph.D in Applied Mechanics from Lehigh in 1963 and 1964, respectively. He taught at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
from 1964 until 1981, when he accepted a position at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. In 1994, he received the Timoshenko Medal
Timoshenko Medal
The Timoshenko Medal is an award given annually by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to an individual"in recognition of distinguished contributions to the field of applied mechanics."...
"for seminal contributions to the understanding of plasticity and fracture of engineering materials and applications in the development in the computational and experimental methods of broad significance in mechanical engineering practice". He was also awarded The Franklin Institute's Francis J. Clamer Medal in 1996. Since 2001, he has served as the Mallinckrodt Professor of Engineering Sciences and Geophysics in the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
The Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Science , a school within Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences , serves as the connector and integrator of Harvard's teaching and research efforts in engineering, applied sciences, and technology.Engineering and applied sciences at Harvard...
. In 2008, he was awarded the Panetti-Ferrari International Prize for Applied Mechanics.
He was elected as a Foreign member of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in March, 1996