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“Professor Driver is like a partner in the project. We develop ideas and apply them together. He gives me suggestions or directions to head in, but leaves a lot of the work up to me,” says Jonathan Memmel, a senior civil and environmental engineering major from Cheyenne, Wyo., and a graduate of East High School. “I have spoken to graduates of Lafayette’s engineering program who are in industry or in graduate school, and they say they are often complimented for their knowledge. That makes me feel good, because I know that I am getting an excellent education here and that Lafayette has a good reputation in industry.”
Jonathan Memmel is using computer modeling to examine the effects of torsion on steel beams.
Memmel is participating in Lafayette College’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars Program, in which students collaborate closely with faculty members on research projects while earning a stipend. He is working with Robert G. Driver, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering.
Torsion is the stress or deformation caused when one end of an object is twisted in one direction and the other end is held motionless or twisted in the opposite direction.
Driver explains, “When loads are applied that do not pass through the shear center of the steel beam, a torque, or twisting force, often results. Although this is a very common design situation, design standards generally do not provide against torsion.
“The objective of our research is to develop a comprehensive design approach for wide-flange beams under torsional loads that is suitable for use in design standards and has been validated both theoretically and experimentally,” Driver continues.
Memmel says, “I have learned two finite-element analysis programs, ANSYS and ABAQUS, which allow me to model a steel beam. I can then modify the model to try to recreate actual test results performed in a lab. My goal is to duplicate the actual test results. If I accomplish that, we will know that other beams could be modeled on the computer in the future.”
“Essentially, we’re conducting virtual experiments, so we don’t have to incur the cost of conventional testing,” Driver says.
Memmel is thrilled to be conducting innovative research with a highly qualified professor. He views the EXCEL work as challenging and rewarding – an essential step toward graduate school and a career in structural engineering.
“Professor Driver is like a partner in the project. We develop ideas and apply them together. He gives me suggestions or directions to head in, but leaves a lot of the work up to me,” Memmel says.
“This work has never been done before and, other than Professor Driver, there is nobody to go to for help. That forces you to spend a lot of time on your own figuring out what is wrong. It feels great when you get a model to work out and you get good results. I know that I have done something that other people have not, and it feels really good,” he continues.
“I have spoken to graduates of Lafayette’s engineering program who are in industry or in graduate school, and they say they are often complimented for their knowledge,” Memmel says. “That makes me feel good, because I know that I am getting an excellent education here and that Lafayette has a good reputation in industry. I am glad I made the 2,000 mile trek from Wyoming to attend school here.”
Another Side of Jonathan
The president of the Lafayette chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, he is a resident adviser in the Watson Courts residential complex. He’s a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, an enthusiastic participant in intramural sports, and an Eagle Scout.