Roger Owen conducted research into solid and structural mechanics by applying computational methods. Roger’s pioneering work produced strategies for approaching plastic deformation problems, which involve the irreversible change in shape or size of a material placed under strain. His significant findings improved our understanding of the behaviour of materials when exposed to explosion or impact.
He also developed discrete element methods for modelling and simulating particulate or multi-fracturing materials. These results have relevance for both basic materials studies and civil and mechanical engineering applications. Examples include the simulation of explosions and seismic loading — shaking experienced by structures such as buildings during an earthquake.
Roger received numerous honours for his contributions to theoretical and computational solid mechanics, including the Gauss–Newton Medal of the International Association for Computational Mechanics. He was a Foreign Member of the US National Academy of Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.He was also the founder and Chairman of Rockfield Software, which provides the engineering community with computational solutions based on discrete and finite element analysis.
Professor Roger Owen FREng FRS died on 13 January 2020.
Professional position
- Research Professor, Civil and Computational Engineering Centre, Swansea University
- Honorary Professor, Chinese Agricultural University
Subject groups
- Engineering
Engineering, general, Engineering, civil, Engineering, structural, Engineering, mechanical
