Faculty Directory

Fourney, William

Fourney, William

Keystone Professor
Professor Emeritus
Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
1131 Glenn L. Martin Hall
Website(s):

EDUCATION

 

B.S., Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University
M.S., Theoretical & Applied Mechanics, West Virginia University
Ph.D., Theoretical & Applied Mechanics, Univ. of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana

 

BACKGROUND

 

W. L. (Bill) Fourney is currently Keystone Professor and Associate Dean of Engineering at the University of Maryland. He holds a joint appointment in the Mechanical Engineering Department and the Aerospace Engineering Department. He received his BS in Aerospace Engineering and his MS in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from West Virginia University. His PhD in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics was received from the University of Illinois in 1966.

His areas of research interest are in experimental mechanics and fracture mechanics - primarily from a dynamic aspect. He has published approximately 220 articles describing the results of his research in dynamic fracture and crack arrest including approximately 50 reports to the sponsors of his research. His research has been sponsored by NSF, AFOSR, ONR, NRC, DOE, NSWC, ARL, Oak Ridge National Labs, Los Alamos National Labs, and the US Bureau of Mines.

He has served as a consultant for Gillett Research Labs, Versar, Allegheny Ballistics Lab, Harry Diamond Labs, Los Alamos National Labs, and SAIC. He is active in the Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM) and the International Society for Explosives Engineering (ISEE). In SEM he has been elected to fellow grade membership. Within ASTM he served as Chairman of the Crack Arrest Technical Committee. Within ISRM he was President of the Commission of Fragmentation by Blasting and is North American Editor of FRAGBLAST (International Journal on Fragmentation and Blasting). Recently the group that he chairs has switched affiliations from ISRM to ISEE. The name of that group is the Committee of Fragmentation by Blasting and is a Section within ISEE. He is also a member of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), the American Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA), and the American Helicopter Society (AHS).

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

 

  • Clifford L. Sayre Teaching Award – 1995
  • Pi Tau Sigma Teaching Award – 1995
  • Outstanding Teaching Award UMCP – 1996
  • Outstanding Contributions to Seniors UMCP – 1995
  • Outstanding Educator Award Nominee Md. Assoc. for Higher Education – 1996
  • Outstanding Service Award – A. James Clark School – 1997
  • SEM 2000 Tatnall Award “Long & Dedicated Service to SEM”.
  • Outstanding Service Award – A. James Clark School -2004
  • Rainmaker - 2004
  • Mentor of the Year Award – Aerospace Engineering Department - 2004
  • Rainmaker - 2005
  • Mentor of the Year Award – Aerospace Engineering Department – 2006
  • Rainmaker - 2006
  • Named as one of six Keystone Professors within A. James Clark School of Engineering - 2006- 2009 and Lead Keystone Professor
  • Recipient of University of Maryland President’s Medal – 2006
  • Rainmaker – 2007
  • Outstanding Mentor Award – Aerospace Engineering Department – 2008
  • Selected for Distinguished Alumni Award–MechSE Department Univ.Illinois-CU 2008

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • Member ASTM, SEM, ASME, AIAA, AHS, ISEE, ASEE, AAM
  • Former Member of International Society of Rock Mechanics
  • West Virginia University, Member Advisory Committee - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department.
  • Member Advisory Committee-Aerospace Engineering Department, US Naval Academy, Aerospace & Ocean Engineering Department, Virginia Polytechnic Institution (VPI)
  • Member: Pi Tau Sigma, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Gamma Tau, Sigma Xi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Delta Phi
  • Fellow of SEM
  • Charter Member, Academy of Distinguished Alumni-WVU Aerospace Engineering

 

 

Research in Experimental Mechanics, Dynamic Fracture

Journals Articles

  • “The response of small scale rigid targets to shallow buried explosive detonations”, D. M. Fox, X. Huang, W. L. Fourney, U. Leiste, and J. S. Lee, Accepted by International Journal of Impact Engineering
  • “Target Loading from a Submerged Explosion”, Andrew Wardlaw, William Fourney and Ulrich Leiste, Shock & Vibration 17, 3, 2010, pp317-328
  • “Distribution of Specific Impulse on Vehicles Subjected to IED’s”.  W. L. Fourney, Uli Leiste, Alexander Hauch & Dimitri Jung, Blasting and Fragmentation, 2010, Vol. 4, Num 2,  pp 117-136
  • “Pressures on Targets From Buried Explosions”,  L. C. Taylor, W. L. Fourney, & H. U. Leiste, Blasting and Fragmentation, Vol 4, #3, December 2010, pp 163-192
  • “Full-Field Deformation Measurements Under Explosive Loading Conditions Using Multi-Image Pattern Analysis”, Michael A. Sutton, Vikrant Tiwari, Xing Zhao, Xiaomin Deng, William L. Fourney, Uli Leiste & Damien Bretall, Blasting and Fragmentation, Vol 4, #3, December 2010, pp 193-05
  • “Yield Surfaces for Granular Flows Applied Explosively”, W. G. Szymezak, U. Leiste, & W. L. Fourney, Blasting and Fragmentation, 2009, Vol. 3., Num. 1, pp 43-72
  • “Application of 3D Image Correlation for full field transient plate deformation measurements during blast loading”, Vikrant Tiwari, Michael Sutton, S. R. McNiell, Shaowen Xu, Xiaomin Deng, William L. Fourney, & Damien Bretall, International Journal of Impact Engineering, Vol. 36,  2009, pp. 862-874
  • “Inverse Hybrid Method for Determining Pressure Loading on Plates due to Buried Mines”,  Damien  Bretall & W. L. Fourney, Blasting and Fragmentation, 2009, Vol. 3, Num. 2, pp 89-114
  • “Surface Instabilities from Buried Explosions”, Leslie C. Taylor, W. L. Fourney, & Daniel P. Lathrop, Blasting and Fragmentation, 2009, Vol. 3, Num. 3, pp 241-268
  • “Small Scale Testing to investigate Air Blast Loading on Plates”,W. L. Fourney, H. Ulrich Leiste, and Leslie Taylor, Blasting and Fragmentation, 2009, Vol. 3, Num. 3, pp 187-206
  • “An inverse approach for pressure load identification” Shaowen Xu, Xiaomin Deng, Vikrant Tiwari, Michael A. Sutton, William L. Fourney, Damien Bretall, International Journal of  Impact Engineering 2009, pp 1–13
  • “The Effect of Angled Bottoms on the Impulse Delivered to Armored Vehicles”, by Kevin Genson, W. L. Fourney, & Leslie Taylor, International Journal on Blasting and Fragmentation, 2008, Vol. 2, Num 1,  pp 54-69
  • “Pressures Acting on Targets Subjected to Explosive Loading”, by W. L. Fourney, Uli Leiste, and Leslie Taylor, Blasting and Fragmentation, 2008, Vol. 2, Num 2, pp 167-188
  • “Target Loading From A Submerged Explosion”, Wardlaw, Andrew, Fourney, W. L., Leiste, U.,  Blasting and Fragmentation, 2008, Vol. 2., Num. 3, pp 211-226
  • “Borehole Pressures in an Air Decked Situation”, by W. L. Fourney, Stefan Bihr, & Uli Leiste
    FRAGBLAST International Journal on Fragmentation and Blasting, 2006, Vol. 3, pp 1-18

Submitted Journals Articles

  • “The response of small scale rigid targets to shallow buried explosive detonations”, D. M. Fox, X. Huang, W. L. Fourney, U. Leiste, and J. S. Lee, Accepted by International Journal of Impact Engineering

Maryland Engineering Recognizes Undergraduate Excellence

This year, Maryland Engineering honors 69 undergraduates who exemplify the college’s commitment to excellence; five are recognized with Dean’s Awards.

Celebrating Black Aerospace Engineers: Jarred Young ('09, M.S. '13, Ph.D. '17)

Inspired at an early age to become a propulsion engineer, Young is helping a new generation of engineers achieve their dreams.

Legacy through Impact: Dr. Darryll J. Pines

UMD President-Designate Darryll Pines inspires a culture of excellence at the Clark School, where everyone plays a part.

2017 Honors & Awards Ceremony

Sixty-nine Clark School students were acknowledged for their contributions and accomplishments.

New Class Inducted into Order of the Engineer

Clark School students make a commitment to integrity and responsibility in the engineering profession.

Fourney Receives SEM 2016 C.E. (Chuck) Taylor Award

Keystone Professor William Fourney Receives SEM C.E. (Chuck) Taylor Award.

Fourney Named ASME Fellow

Aerospace Engineering faculty member William Fourney named American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Fellow.

Five Aerospace Engineering Faculty Promoted to AIAA Associate Fellows

Akin, Bowden, Fourney, Humbert and Kothera promoted to American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Associate Fellows

Aerospace Engineering Faculty Honored at University Celebration of Scholarship and Research

15 Aerospace Engineering faculty were recognized for their research and scholarly achievements.

Aerospace Faculty Recognized at 15th Annual Research Leaders Luncheon

15 Department of Aerospace Engineering's faculty honored for successful research funding efforts.

Fourney Selected to Receive 2014 Frocht Award

Associate dean and Keystone professor to be honored with Society for Experimental Mechanics award.

Dr. Fourney to Head New Undergraduate Retention Office

Dr. William Fourney Appointed to Head Newly Formed Office

Keystone Program Featured in ASEE Prism Magazine

Article on student retention programs cites successes of Clark School's Keystone program.

Clark School Donors Exceed $100M Milestone

Dean cites need for "10,000 gifts" to reach $185M Great Expectations goal.

Aerospace's New Chairperson - Dr. Darryll J. Pines

Dr. Darryll J. Pines is Aerospace's new Chair

Fourney receives 2006 President's Medal

Congratulations to Dr. William Fourney for receiving the 2006 President's Medal.

$11 Million for Hubbard "Sky Walker" UAV

DARPA to fund James Hubbard's unmanned aeronautical vehicle (UAV).

Other professional society fellows

  • Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM)

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

  • Associate Fellow

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