Department of Mechanical Engineering

James E. Bernard

Anson Marston Distinguished Professor of Engineering

1620 Howe Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
515-294-0360
e-mail: bernard@iastate.edu

Education
University of Michigan, B.S., Engineering Mechanics, 1965
University Michigan, M.S., Engineering Mechanics, 1967
University Michigan, Ph.D., Engineering Mechanics, 1971

Areas of Interest
Real time applications of computer modeling and simulation, particularly vehicle dynamics applications, and in the interactions between technology and globalization.

Links
Dr. Bernard teaches a graduate mechanical engineering course in Vehicle Dynamics and Technology, Globalization and Culture,  a course for seniors and graduate students university wide.  He is on the board of directors of two Iowa-based technology companies with roots at Iowa State University, Mechdyne, based in Marshaltown Iowa, and Demonstratives, based in Ames.

Personal Page
Virtual Reality Applications Center

Biosketch
Dr. Bernard developed vehicle simulations at the University of Michigan's Highway Safety Research Institute from 1971 until 1976 when he joined the mechanical engineering faculty at Michigan State University and directed MSU's Case Center for Computer Aided Design. He joined the mechanical engineering faculty at Iowa State University in 1983 where was chair of the mechanical engineering department until 1990, interim director of ISU’s computing center from 1995 to 1997, and director of the Virtual Reality Applications Center from 1990 to 2003.  In 2002, he led ISU’s Human Computer Interaction Initiative, and in 2003 he led a small group of faculty who laid the groundwork for the HCI graduate program. In 2000, he was named Anson Marston Distinguished Professor of Engineering. He has been active in engineering accreditation for many years, including serving on ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission from 1999 to 2004, and the EAC’s executive committee from 2004 to 2008. He was one of the founders of Engineering Animation, a computer-based communications company subsequently purchased by Unigraphics and then EDS. He is a fellow of the ASME.

Selected Publications

  • Bernard, J.E., and Rectanus, M. W., Globalizing the Engineering Curriculum, 2006 ABET Annual Meeting: The 3rd ABET International Congress on Education, Accreditation, and Practice, October 26-27, 2006
  • Balling, O., and Bernard, J.E., Development of Rollover Maneuvers Using Optimization Techniques,  SAE 2004-01-2095
  • Clover, C.L., and Bernard, J., “Longitudinal Tire Dynamics,” Vehicle System Dynamics, Volume 29, no. 4, April 1998.
  • Bernard, Gruening, and Hoffmeister, “Evaluation of Vehicle/Driver Performance Using Genetic Algorithms,” SAE 980226
  • Bernard, J.E., Shannan, J., and Vanderploeg, M., “Vehicle rollover on smooth surfaces,” SAE Paper No. 891991.