Faculty and Staff

R. Mark French
Assistant Professor
Purdue University
College of Technology 
Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology 
Knoy Hall, Room 138
401 N. Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2021 
Phone: 765.494.7521
Fax: 765.494.6219 
Email: rmfrench@purdue.edu

MARK'S PERSONAL PAGE

Biography

Areas of expertise include:  optical test methods, structural dynamics, acoustics, signal processing

Degree(s)

• Bachelor of Science, Aerospace and Ocean Engineering/1985 - Virginia Tech
• Masters of Science, Aerospace Engineering/1988 - University of Dayton
• Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering/1993 - University of Dayton

Industrial & Business Experience

• Senior Engineer, Robert Bosch Corporation, 1999-2004
• Manager, Lear Corporation, 1995-1999
• Research Engineer, Wright-Patterson AFB, 1985-1995  

Refereed Publications 

French, M., Nowland, M., Hedges, D. and Greeley, D. ; “Reducing Noise From Gas Engine Injectors”;  International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration, Vol. 1, Nos. 1/2, 2004, pp83-96. 

French, M; "Instrument Body Description Using Polar Coordinates";  CAS Journal, Vol. 4, No. 5 (Series II), May 2002. 

Cherng, J.G., Goktan, A., French, M.,  Gu, Y. and Jacob, A.; “Improving Drive Files For Vehicle Road Simulations”; Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing; Vol. 15, No. 5, September 2001, pp. 1007-1022. 

French, M.; “What Makes a Good Impact Function?”; Experimental Techniques, November/December 1999, Vol. 23, No. 6, pp33-35. 

French, R.M.; “Time-Frequency Error Measures for Dynamic Signal Reproduction”; Experimental Mechanics; Vol. 38, No. 4, December 1998, pp303-305. 

Jones, D.I.G, French, R.M. and Bagley, R.L.; “A Renewal Theory of Small Strain Thermo-Mechanical Response”; Mechanics of Materials, 23 (1996), pp 155-164. 

French, R.M.;”Piezo-Film Sensors for Luthiers”; CAS Journal, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Series II), May 1996. 

French, R.M.; “Calculating Bridge Correction”;  CAS Journal, Vol. 2, No. 8 (Series II), November 1995. 

French, R.M. and Eastep, F.E; “Aeroelastic Model Design Using Parametric Identification”; Journal of Aircraft., Vol 33, No.1, January-February 1996, pp198-202. 

French, R.M.;“Modal Response of a Beam With Imperfect Boundary Conditions”; Experimental Techniques; November/December 1994. 

French, R.M. and Kolonay, R.M.; "A Demonstration of Structural Optimization Applied to Wind Tunnel Model Design"; Journal of Aircraft; Volume 29, No 5, Sept-Oct 1992; pp 966-968. 

French, R.M., Noll, T.,Cooley, D.E., Moore, R. and Zapata, F.; "Flutter Prediction Involving Trailing Edge Control Surfaces"; Journal of Aircraft, May 1988, Vol 25, No 6. 

Feature Series Articles 

French, M. and Hosler, D.; "The Mechanics of Guitars"; Experimental Techniques; Vol. 25, No. 3, pp45-48, May/June 201. 

French, M. and Bissinger, G.; “Mechanics of Stringed Instruments”; Experimental Techniques; Vol. 25, No. 2, March/April 2001. 

French, M. and Bissinger, G.; “Testing of Acoustic Stringed Musical Instruments - An Introduction”; Experimental Techniques; Vol. 25, No. 1, January/February 2001. 

French, M.; "Shaker Tables and Four Posters"; Experimental Techniques, Vol. 24, No. 5, September/October 2000, pp41-42. 

French, M. and Stark, A.; “Road Simulation: Chassis Dynamometers”; Experimental Techniques, Vol. 24, No. 4, July/August 2000, pp45-46 

French, M.; “An Introduction to Road Simulation Testing – Article 1 in a Series”,  Experimental Techniques”, May/June 2000, Vol. 24, No. 3, p 37-38. 

French, Mark; “Commissioning: Part 4 in a Series”; Experimental Techniques, Vol. 23, No. 5, September/October 1999, pp 46-47 

French, Mark; “Equipment Purchase and Installation: Part 3 in a Series”; Experimental Techniques, Vol. 23, No. 4, July/August 1999, pp39-41. 

French, Mark; “Laboratory Layout and Design: Part 2 in a Series”; Experimental Techniques, Vol. 23, No. 3, May/June 1999, pp35-37. 

French. Mark; “An Introduction to Lab Development”; Experimental Techniques, Vol. 23, No. 2, March/April 1999, pp39-41. 

French, M. and Jay, M.; “Automotive NVH Testing – Lab Operations”, Part IVof a Four Part Series; Experimental Techniques, Vol. 23, Vol. 1, January/February 1999, pp38-40. 

French, M. and Jay, M.; “Instrumentation and Data Processing for Automotive NVH Testing”, Part III of a Four Part Series; Experimental Techniques, Vol. 22, Vol. 6, November/December 1998, pp43-44. 

French, R.M. and Jay, Mark; “Automotive Test Methods”, Part II of a Four Part Series; Experimental Techniques, Vol. 22, No. 4, September/October 1998, pp39-42. 

French, R.M. and Jay, Mark; “Introduction to Automotive NVH Testing”, Part I of a Four Part Series; Experimental Techniques; Vol. 22, No. 4, July-August 1998, pp32-33. 

Conference Publications 

French, M.; “On Structural Modification of Stringed Instruments”, Proceedings, 22^nd International Modal Analysis Conference, Dearborn, Michigan, January 2004. 

French, M.; “Real Signal Synthesis Using an Inverse Time-Frequency Method”, Proceedings, 22^nd International Modal Analysis Conference, Dearborn, Michigan, January 2004. 

French, M., Nowland, M., Hedges, D. and Greeley, D. ; “Noise From Gas Engine Injectors”; Proceedings, 21^st International Modal Analysis Conference, Orlando, Feb 2003. 

French, M.; “Dynamics of an Archtop Jazz Guitar”; Proceedings, 21^st International Modal Analysis Conference, Orlando, Feb 2003. 

Cherng, J., Gang, Y., Bonhard, B. and French, M.; "Characterization and Validation of Acoustic Cavities of Automotive Vehicles"; Proceedings, 20^th International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC XX), Los Angeles, Feb 2002. 

French, M., Loughlin, P. and Cohen, L.; "Cross Time Frequency Spectra Applied to Automotive Brake Noise"; Proceedings,  20^th International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC XX), Los Angeles, Feb 2002. 

Dong, Jianrong, McConnell, Kenneth G. and French, M.; “Various Errors in Substructure Testing”; SAE Paper 01NVC-252, 2001 NVH Conference, Traverse City, MI. 

French, Mark and Rogers, Jon; “A Survey of Fractional Calculus For Structural Dynamics Applications”; Proceedings, Society for Experimental Mechanics 19^th International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC19),  Kissimmee, FL, Feb 2001. 

French, Mark and Cherng, John; “An Objective Method For Determining Soundboard Material Quality”; Proceedings, Society for Experimental Mechanics 19^th International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC19),  Kissimmee, FL, Feb 2001. 

Jay, Mark and French, Mark; “Data Acquisition Using Multimedia PC Functions”; Procedings, Society For Experimental Mechanics 18^th International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC 18), San Antonio, Feb 2000 

French, M., Cohen, L. and Loughlin, P.;”Application of Time-Frequency Methods to Sound Quality Analysis in Automobiles”; Proceedings, 1999 SPIE Conference. 

French, M., Loughlin, P. and Cohen, L.; “Time-Frequency Analysis of Automobile Road Data”, Proceedings,  Society of Experimental Mechanics, IMAC XVII, Kissimmee, FL, Feb 1999, pp 391-396. 

French, R.M. and Maninno, Vito; “Alternative Accuracy Measurements for Road Simulation”; Proceedings, 1998 SAE Congress, Detroit, February 1998. 

French, R.M.; “Contact Problems in Modal Analysis”, Proceedings,  IMAC 15, Kissimmee, FL, Feb 1997, pp 169-174. 

French, R.M., Knittel, J.D. and Wyszynski, A.; “Applications of Laser Methods to Automotive Seat Modal Testing”; Proceedings, Vibration Measurements by Laser Techniques (sponsored by SPIE), Ancona, Italy, September 1996. 

Bagley, R.L., Jones, D.I.G. and French, R.M.; “A Renewal Theory of High Temperature Creep and Inelasticity”; Procedings - 6th International Conference on Creep and Fatigue, London, April 1996. 

French, R.M.; “Changes in String Modal Reponse Due to Extended Use”; Procedings, 14th International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC), Society for Experimental Mechanics, Dearborn, Michigan, February, 1996. 

Anselmo, E.R., Jones, D.I.G. and French, R.M.;“Inelastic Behavior of Some High Temperature Alloys”; ASM Second International Conference on Heat Resistant Materials, Gatlinburg, TN, September 1995. 

Schoeppner, G.A. and French, R.M.; “Inelastic Behavior of b-21 SES-6 Composite Matrix Material”; ASM Second International Conference on Heat Resistant Materials, Gatlinburg, TN, September 1995. 

Jones, D.I.G., French, R.M. and Bagley, R.L.;“Renewal Inelasticity Theory With a Damage Function”; ASM Second International Conference on Heat Resistant Materials, Gatlinburg, TN, September 1995. 

French, R.M., Freed, A.D. and Bagley, R.L.;“On the Numerical Implementation of Renewal Inelasticity Theory”; International Symposium on Recent Advances in Constitutive Laws for Engineering Materials, Hawaii, August 1995. 

French, R.M.;“Aeroelastic Model Design Using Parameter Identification”; Proceedings, AGARD-SMP Specialists’ Meeting on Advanced Aeroservoelastic Testing and Data Analysis, May 1995, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 

French, R.M. and Lewis, K.; “Why Old Guitar Strings Sound So Bad - A Modal Analysis Perspective”; Proceedings, 13th International Modal Analysis Conference, February 1995, Nashville TN. 

French, R.M and Lewis, K.; “Modal Response of an Acoustic Guitar”; Proceedings, 13th International Modal Analysis Conference, February 1995, Nashville TN. 

French, R.M. and Gordon, R.;“Short Time Period Excitation of Structures”; Proceedings, 13th International Modal Analysis Conference, February 1995, Nashville TN. 

French, R.M. and Eastep, F.E.; "Aeroelastic Model Design Using Parametric Identification"; Proceedings, 1994 SDM Conference, 18-20 April 1994, Hilton Head SC 

French, R.M. and Maddux, G.E.; "Modal Investigations of a Rectangular Plate With a Variable Depth Cavity"; Proceedings, 12th SEM International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC), Honolulu, HI, February 1994. 

French, R.M. and Maddux,G.E.; "Modal Response of a Beam With Imperfect Boundary Conditions"; Proceedings, 11th SEM International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC), Kissimmee, FL, February 1993. 

French, R.M. and Eastep, F.E.; "Aeroelastic Model Design Using Structural Optimization"; AIAA 92-4730; Presented at 4th AIAA/Air Force/NASA/OAI Symposium on Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization; Sept 1992. 

McGee, O.G., Maddux, G.E. and French, R.M.; "Analytically and Experimentally Determined Cyclic Frequencies of Cantilevered Skewed Plates"; Presented at UFEM conference; Worchester, MA; July 1991. 

French, R.M. and Eastep, F.E.; "Design of a Minimum Weight Wing Enhancing Roll Beyond Reversal"; Presented at OPTI '91 - Computer Aided Optimum Design of Structures; Boston, MA; June 1991. 

French, R.M. and Kolonay, R.M.; "An Application of Compound Scaling to Aeroelastic Model Design"; Presented at Third Air Force/NASA Symposium on Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization;  San Fransisco, CA; Sept 1990. 

French, R.M.; AIAA 90-0956; "An Application of Structural Optimization in Wind Tunnel Model Design"; Presented at 1990 SDM conference, Long Beach, CA; April 1990. 

Maddux, G.E. and French, R.M.; "Modal Analysis of Swept Plate Flutter Models"; Presented at SEM International Modal Analysis Conference, Las Vegas Jan 1989. 

French, R.M.; "Evaluation of a New Supersonic Flutter Prediction Tool"; AIAA-88-4376. 

Pendleton, E.W., French, R.M. and Noll, T.; "A Comparison of Flutter Analyses for a 45 Deg Swept Model"; AIAA-87-2886. 

French, R.M., Noll, T.,Cooley, D.E., Moore, R. and Zapata, F.; "Flutter Investigations Involving a Free Floating Aileron"; AIAA-87-0909. 

Marchman, J.F. and French, R.M.; "Effects of Covering Configurations on Ultralight Wing Aerodynamics"; AIAA-85-0277 . 

Magazine Articles 

Jay, Mark and French, Mark; “Data Acquisition Using Multimedia PC Functions”; Sound and Vibration; February 2000. 

French, R.M.; “Contact Problems in Modal Analysis”, Sound and Vibration, Jan 1998, pp 26-30. 

Other Publications 

Jones, D.I.G, French, R.M. and Bagley, R.L.; “A Renewal Theory of Inelastic Thermo-Mechanical Behavior of Metal Alloys”; ASME AD-Vol. 50, Fatigue and Fracture at Elevated Temperatures, A. Nagar and S. Mall, ed.; Book No. H01013-1995.. 

French, R.M.; "Aeroelastic Model Design Using Sensitivity Based Parametric Identification"; PhD Dissertation; University of Dayton, August 1993. 

Garner, G.J. and French, R.M.; "A Comparison of Supersonic Flutter Predictions for a Straight Wing"; AFWAL-TM-88-176-FIBR. 

French, R.M. and Canfield, R.A.; "Flutter Analysis With ASTROS Using Measured Modal Data"; AFWAL-TM-88-173-FIBR. 

French, R.M.; "Aerodynamic Investigations of Crescent Planforms", AFWAL-TM-88-166-FIBR. 

French, R.M.; "Incompressible Subsonic Flutter Prediction and Suppression Using a Typical Section"; AFWAL-TM-86-212-FIBR. 

Blair, M., Noll, T. and French, R.M.; "A Procedure for Aeroelastic Analyses Involving Aircraft With Analog or Digital Control Systems"; AFWAL-TR-86-3040.