Stiffness in Design
Eugene I. Rivin, Wayne State University

While strength is often the most important criterion in designing general purpose engineering devices, stiffness is one of the most important criteria in designing precision engineering devices. However, while vast technical literature is available on various aspects of strength, the basic concepts of designing for stiffness are inadequately described in available textbooks and handbooks.

The tutorial will address the issues of stiffness in design; stiffness of components and structures; nonlinear/variable stiffness systems; contact stiffness; role of foundations; stiffness in torsional systems, and ways of stiffness enhancement and management. A special attention will be given to interrelations between stiffness and damping in mechanical systems.