Directory
Michael P. Bouchard
Division Head, Applied Mechanics
University of Dayton Research Institute: Applied Mechanics
Profile
Michael Bouchard has over 40 years of experience in conducting and managing R&D research, development, and test programs for government and industry. As Division Head for the Applied Mechanics Division, Mike manages the research activities of over 85 engineers, scientists, and technicians conducting experimental and analytical research, development, and testing related to aerospace and ground vehicle systems. He is responsible for ongoing successful execution of over 20 government and 100 industrial R&D programs, with combined annual customer funding of $15-20M.
Research
Research programs within the Applied Mechanics Division include:
- Basic research programs in computational mechanics (FEA, CFD), constitutive and damage modeling of advanced materials, and air and space vehicle conceptual design (aero-thermal-structural-control-mission)
- Applied research programs to develop new high speed / high temperature, multifunctional, morphing, and other advanced structural capabilities for aerospace vehicles, plus operations research trade studies of mission and vehicle alternatives, and sustainment analyses (fail safe, safe life, and damage tolerance) for various classes of air vehicles
- Testing programs for full-scale component and system structural and mechanical durability and performance, wind tunnel aerodynamic and aerothermal performance, impact physics, automotive powertrain component durability, and combined environmental exposure and vibration
- Problem solution programs (a division specialty) that utilize troubleshooting, root cause, FMECA and other techniques to characterize the problem, then leverage extensive resources in component and subsystem design and fabrication to develop and implement solutions. Resources include a full-featured machine shop and other laboratories which provide mechanical, structural, hydraulic, optical, electrical, electronic, computer, controls, and instrumentation design, fabrication and integration.
- The Applied Mechanics Division has marshalled these talents to solve problems and design, qualify, and supply flight hardware solutions for over 20 different DoD air vehicle platforms.
- The Division also has developed a wide variety of specialized test systems such as static and dynamic test rigs for large subsystems such as wings, landing gear, and helicopter drive systems; several factory-floor automated apparatus for optical acceptance tests of windshields and canopies; a Mach 6 Ludwieg Tube hypersonic wind tunnel; automated pressure-thermal cycling systems for torque converter clutches; and a three-stage gun for hypervelocity impact testing of space vehicle components at speeds over 10 km/sec.
Education
- M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Dayton, 1986
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Dayton, 1981
Affiliations
- Registered Professional Engineer, State of Ohio
- American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
- Tau Beta Pi, The Engineering Honor Society
- Pi Tau Sigma, The Mechanical Engineering Honor Society