To serve the engineering community through the development and application of engineering mechanics by anticipating and adapting to new challenges that will face tomorrow's engineers;
To create an environment that facilitates professional growth to ensure that these future challenges will be met;
To establish a presence at the forefront of new thrusts of mechanics by promoting the most innovative developments in the field, regardless of the discipline of the ultimate user;
To provide a home not only for those involved in the traditional disciplines, but also for those involved with emerging areas of mechanics; and
To promote the interdependence of engineering mechanics and other disciplines by providing an interdisciplinary forum for researchers, practicing engineers, industry representatives, citizen groups, public officials and others.
To be a premier organization representing engineering mechanics by effectively serving the needs of the worldwide engineering community and promoting both research and application of scientific and mathematical principles to address a broad spectrum of existing and emerging engineering and societal problems.
The objective of this Institute shall be to serve the needs of the engineering community by advancing the knowledge and improving the application of engineering mechanics and related sciences, and by contributing across a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary areas to address the needs of the 21st century.
Arif Masud, President of EMI
Dear Members of the Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI):
I am delighted to welcome you all to the Engineering Mechanics Institute that stands as a premier organization of ASCE, dedicated to advancing research and innovation in the dynamic and ever-evolving interdisciplinary field of engineering mechanics.
EMI fosters to bring together engineers, scientists, theoreticians, and practitioners to push the boundaries of civil engineering and contribute to building our shared future. The grand challenge problems related to sustainable habitat, the growing demand for energy, and the health of our planet, make mechanics a fundamental discipline poised to play a pivotal role in driving forward-thinking approaches that transcend traditional boundaries in engineering and science. I look forward to another year of collaboration, discovery, and growth as we work to shape the next generation of engineering breakthroughs.
On behalf of the institute, I would like to thank Professor Paolo Gardoni (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) and Professor Antonina Pirrotta (University of Palermo, Italy), our outgoing Board members, for their participation and thoughtful stewardship of the EMI Board over the past three years. Following our recent Board of Governors election, it is my great pleasure to welcome Professor Chloe Arson (Cornell University) and Dr. Megan Hart (Aon Corp) to the EMI Board of Governors. In 2024, EMI had a very successful annual conference that was hosted by the University of Illinois and held at the Palmer House in Chicago under the organizational leadership of Professor Paolo Gardoni, and it attracted over 1,000 registered participants from around the world. The year 2024 also had the Engineering Mechanics Institute International Conference (EMI 2024-IC) that was held at the Technological University of Vienna (TU Wien), Austria, and successfully led by Professors Christian Hellmich, Bernhard Pichler and Stefan Scheiner. On behalf of the institute, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers of both the conferences for their leadership and their efforts in promoting the cause of EMI. It is also my pleasure to recognize Verna Jameson and Tisha Kramer for their outstanding service to EMI.
Going forward, EMI will continue to uphold its tradition of fundamental research, applying engineering mechanics principles to tackle emerging scientific and technical problems of contemporary significance. We will advance engineering mechanics education, research, and practice, while fostering new collaborations within our multi- and cross-disciplinary community.
I am deeply honored to serve as President of EMI and to work alongside all of you in creating an environment that strengthens both our Institute and our community in new, effective, engaging, and enjoyable ways. Please feel free to reach out to me with any issues, topics, or initiatives you believe EMI should prioritize. Your input is invaluable as we move forward together to create new opportunities for our engineering mechanics community.
Warm Regards,
Arif Masud
PhD, F. EMI, M. ASCE
President of EMI
John and Eileen Blumenschein Professor
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA
"Being an EMI member and participating in its technical committees is integral to my career growth. It enables me to extend my collaborative efforts in sharing groundbreaking technologies, fostering connections with peers, and actively contributing to the development of the next generation of mechanicians."
Ketson dos Santos, Ph.D. A.M.ASCE, University of Minnesota
"At EMI 23 IC, I was fascinated by the sessions that delved into data-driven modeling and the remarkable applications emerging from the realm of artificial intelligence. The conference was a remarkable experience that not only provided valuable insights into current trends but also facilitated meaningful connections within the global engineering community. "
Michael Heredia Perez, P.E., S.M.ASCE, National University of Colombia
"I have been working in industry for more than five years now. EMI 23 IC provided the opportunity to immerse myself in new technologies and research topics. Some research findings were very attractive and could directly help solve practical problems. I enjoyed the EMI International Conference and look forward to being more involved."
Zhi Zhang, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, Senior Project Director
