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MERCEDES
REAVES
NASA Langley Research Center
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Research Engineer
I am a Research Engineer assigned
to the Structural Dynamics Branch in the Structures and Materials
Competency. I conduct analytical and experimental research
on vibration and dynamics of complex aerospace structures
both individually and as a team member. This work requires
application of state of the art advanced analytical methods
to predict the dynamic response of complex aircraft and spacecraft
configurations and validation of improved methodologies by
correlating predicted results with experimental data from
laboratory investigations.
In my current assignment, I
am responsible for the design of a viable full-scale solar
sail and the development and testing of a scale model solar
sail. I must select and apply tools to analyze complex thin
film structures characterized by wrinkling, geometric and
material nonlinear behavior. I am also responsible for planning
experimental studies to validate analytical techniques and
study solar sails dynamics.
Past assignments involved: research
on modeling and validation of smart structures, the implementation
of probabilistic analysis tools for dynamic model updates,
simulation of ground-induced vibration of the HSCT (High Speed
Civil Transport) as it traversed a typical runway and experiments
to determine static and dynamic properties of advanced aircraft
tires.
I have earned a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University
of Puerto Rico and have had graduate level training from Old
Dominion University.
May 2005
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