New Civil Engineering Professor Knows Tiny Particles Play a Big Role

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Michelle Bernhardt

When Michelle Bernhardt was a child, she liked to build things with Legos. Now, as an assistant professor of civil engineering, she uses computer modeling to break down materials, such as soil, into smaller parts. Using a method called discrete element method modeling, Bernhardt digitally simulates particles to study how they react to displacements and stress, such as those caused by an earthquake. Bernhardt replicates her simulations in the lab using small objects such as ball bearings.

"If you can better understand the particle to particle interactions, you can better understand the larger scale interaction," said Bernhardt, explaining that her research could shed light on the way materials in the ground react to seismic waves, contributing to better designs for buildings and dams in the future.

Bernhardt holds a doctorate, a master's degree and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She chose to come to the University of Arkansas because of the commitment to education and research she found here. "It's exciting to hear where they want to take the research program," she said.

"We are so fortunate that Michelle has chosen to build her career at the U of A," said Kevin Hall, head of the department of civil engineering. "Her research at Texas A&M was phenomenal, and we are impressed with her classroom presence. Moreover, her expertise in discrete element method modeling adds a valuable dimension to our efforts in the field of geotechnical engineering."