Oct 01, 2005

Representatives of ASTM International will visit the campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, on the evening of Nov. 9, 2005, for an hour-long presentation to university students interested in the field of fatigue and fracture. The session will focus on the technical standards currently in use by this discipline as well as the ability of students and professionals to be involved in the establishment of these documents.

ASTM International is a leading provider of high-quality, global standards for fatigue and fracture that are used around the world. Session attendees will learn about their potential role in the direct development of these influential standards.

Titled "Setting Standards for Fatigue and Fracture," the session is the first of its kind and it reinforces a renewed effort by ASTM International to convey the strategic importance of standards to the future careers of university-level students. With the ASTM standards development meetings taking place in Dallas during the same week in November, the ASTM visit offers SMU students the opportunity to connect face-to-face with technical experts who are currently involved in drafting ASTM standards.

ASTM members, seasoned in the field of fatigue and fracture, as well as several ASTM staff members, are included in the evening’s line-up. Guest speakers will represent industry and academia.

Markus B. Heinimann, Ph.D., is a technical specialist in Alcoa’s Aerospace Product Design, with degrees in aeronautics and astronautics. Prior to Alcoa, Dr. Heinimann worked for Cessna Aircraft Company, where he was responsible for all durability and damage tolerance activity, and he was an adjunct professor at the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at Wichita State University. An active member of ASTM Committee E08 on Fatigue and Fracture, Dr. Heinimann received the Best Student Paper Award from Committee E08 in 1977.

Michael R. Mitchell, Ph.D. is the Chairman of the ASTM Fatigue and Fracture Committee and holds degrees in mechanical engineering, metallurgical engineering, and theoretical/applied mechanics. Dr. Mitchell works as a consultant and adjunct professor for Northern Arizona University in the Mechanical Engineering Dept. Prior to his current position, this 37-year member of ASTM International worked as a senior research scientist for W.L. Gore Associates in Flagstaff, Arizona, and for more than 25 years he worked for Rockwell International Science Center as a research scientist.

"Setting Standards for Fatigue and Fracture" begins at 6:30 p.m. at Southern Methodist University and the program ends at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be offered. The session is free of charge.

For more information, please contact the ASTM staff manager for Committee E08, Jeffrey Adkins (phone: 610/832-9738; jadkins@astm.org). Student membership in ASTM International is free of charge to students by visiting the ASTM website at www.astm.org.

Release #7233