Dr. Shudong Yu

If you’ve ever flown on an airplane, you’ve likely felt the vibrations from the engine and the force of the wind on the wings. Shudong Yu is fascinated by these types of vibrations. 

Yu and his colleagues in fluid-structure interaction study the mechanics of vibration in systems like aircraft, engines and bridges. They test for and resolve the impact of structural vibrations, which can create noise, fluctuating stresses and material losses. “I want systems to perform properly,” says Yu. “I want a bridge not to sway in the wind, or a condo building not to howl on a blustery day, or a car not to lose control on the highway.”

Through theoretical analyses, computer simulations and experimentation, Yu helps industry understand the long-term behaviour of systems. “A small event can trigger a series of outcomes with a significant impact over time,” he says. “I always keep that in mind when I design systems.”