Prof. Gerhard Venter
Head of the Mechanics Division of the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.
Fields of Research/Interest:
- Computational structural mechanics (FEA linear and non-linear)
- Numerical design optimisation: General-purpose, structural and multidisciplinary optimisation
- Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO)
- High performance (parallel) computing
- Piecewise approximations
- Design of Experiments (DoE)
- Metamodelling / Machine learning
- Minimising manufacturing cost
Studies:
- BEng (Mechanical), University of Pretoria, 1992
- Honors (Mechanical), University of Pretoria, 1993
- MSc (Mechanical), Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 1995
- PhD (Engineering Mechanics), University of Florida, 1998
Professional Experience:
| January 2008 – current: | Stellenbosch University, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering Head: Mechanics Division |
| June 2011 – Jan. 2016 | Stellenbosch University, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering Chairman: Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering |
| 1 Oct. 2000 – Oct. 2006: | Vanderplaats Research & Development, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado VisualDOC Project Manager / Lead Developer Senior Research & Development Engineer / Developer |
| Oct. 1998–Oct. 2000 | Vanderplaats Research & Development, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado Senior Research & Development Engineer / Developer |
| May 1995-Aug. 1998: | Department of Aerospace Engineering, Mechanics and Engineering Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida Graduate Research Assistant |
| May 1996-Aug. 1996 | Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan Summer Intern |
E-mail: gventer@sun.ac.za
Publications: Please see https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gerhard_Venter
On Department Website: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/eng/mechanical-mechatronic/Pages/Gerhard-Venter-.aspx
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Dr. Martin P. Venter
Lecturer and researcher at the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.
Areas of interest:
- Generally: Computational Mechanics
- Specifically:
- Structural analysis (FEA)
- Inflatable structures (inflatable aerofoil, dunnage bags, etc.)
- Soft robotics (materials, design, testing, formalizing design procedures/generative methods, etc.)
- Material characterisation
- Textile composites
Studies:
- BEng (Mechatronic), Stellenbosch University
- MScEng (Mechanical), Stellenbosch University
- PhD Mechanical Engineering, Stellenbosch University, 2015
Email: mpventer@sun.ac.za
Publications:
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309884634_Modeling_PVC-coated_Polyester_as_a_Hypoelastic_Non-linear_Orthotropic_Material
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307875478_Simple_implementation_of_plain_woven_polypropylene_fabric
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303181485_Obtaining_a_hyperelastic_non-linear_orthotropic_material_model_via_inverse_bubble_inflation_analysis
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264603592_Overview_of_the_Development_of_a_Numerical_Model_for_an_Inflatable_Paper_Dunnage_Bag
For the most up-to-date publication information see: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Martin_Venter
On Department Website: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/eng/mechanical-mechatronic/about-us/academic/dr-martin-venter
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