University of Michigan — Dearborn

Engineering reliability into complex mechanical systems

We develop computational frameworks that predict how structures behave under real-world uncertainty — from metamaterials and energy harvesters to aerospace components.

Work With Us Our Research
30+Peer-Reviewed Publications
1,500+Lecture Hours
3Research Pillars
10+Years in UQ Research
Research Focus
Three pillars, one mission
Building predictive models that account for real-world uncertainty — across materials, structures, and dynamic systems.
Pillar 01

Dynamics, Vibration & Metamaterials

Designing structures that control vibration — not just tolerate it. From mechanical metamaterials with tunable band gaps to interlocking assemblies for full-scale applications.

Pillar 02

Degradation & Fracture Mechanics

Predicting how microscopic defects evolve into macroscopic failure in composite ceramics, piezoelectric devices, and advanced manufacturing structures.

Pillar 03

Predictive Modeling & Machine Learning

Multi-fidelity computational platforms that fuse reduced-order models with high-fidelity data using Bayesian inference. Built for fracture mechanics, nonlinear dynamics, and multiphysics problems.

Recent Publications
Latest from the lab
Vibration Attenuation Performance Prediction in Metamaterials: An Efficient Computational Approach Addressing Parametric Uncertainties
Journal of Sound and Vibration Pereira J., Romero J., Ruiz R. — 2025
Multi-objective Functions for the Optimization of Piezoelectric Metamaterials Under Pre-Established Bandwidth Excitations
Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing Pereira J., Ruiz R. — 2025
Uncertainty Quantification in Mechanical Properties for Cu-based SMA Wires and Strands Based on Bayesian Inference
Engineering Structures Medina C.D., Ruiz R.O. — 2024 · Featured Article

View All Publications
About
Rafael O. Ruiz, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan–Dearborn. PhD from the University of Notre Dame. Former professor at Universidad de Chile and former head of the Machine Dynamics Laboratory at Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela.

Meet the Team
For Industry

Your structures behave differently in the real world.
We help you predict how.

We bring academic-grade computational methods to engineering problems that matter — vibration control, structural reliability, material degradation, and uncertainty-aware design.

Start a Conversation
We work with Aerospace & Defense
Automotive & Mobility
Civil & Structural Engineering
Energy & Power Systems
Biomedical Devices
Advanced Manufacturing
What We Offer
Technical services
Whether you need a one-time analysis or an ongoing research partnership, we work with industry at multiple levels.

Uncertainty Quantification

Quantify variability in material properties, loads, and geometry. Get confidence bounds on your design performance — not just a single deterministic answer.

Vibration & Dynamics Analysis

Modal analysis, frequency response, vibration isolation design. From rotating machinery to structural assemblies — we identify the dynamics before they become problems.

Predictive Degradation Modeling

Multi-scale models that predict how microscopic damage (cracks, voids, delamination) evolves into structural failure. Critical for ceramics, composites, and harsh-environment components.

Metamaterial & Structural Design

Design of periodic structures and mechanical metamaterials with tailored dynamic behavior — vibration attenuation, wave filtering, energy harvesting.

Surrogate & Reduced-Order Models

Replace expensive simulations with fast, accurate surrogate models built on ML and Bayesian methods. Dramatically reduce computational cost in design optimization loops.

Sponsored Research

Formal university-industry partnerships through sponsored research agreements. Access to students, facilities (3D Scanning Laser Vibrometer), and publishable results.

How It Works
Three ways to engage
01

Technical Consulting

Short-term engagement for a specific problem. We analyze your system, run simulations, and deliver a report with findings and recommendations.

02

Sponsored Research

Longer-term collaboration through a formal university agreement. You fund the research, we bring expertise and students. Results can be IP-protected or published.

03

Grant Collaboration

Joint applications to NSF, DOD, or SBIR programs. Industry partners strengthen federal grant proposals while sharing in the research outcomes.

Ready to talk about your problem?

No commitment — just a conversation about whether we can help.

rafaruiz@umich.edu
Research

Uncertainty is not an obstacle — it's a design parameter

Our work integrates computational mechanics, machine learning, and experimental validation to build predictive models that work in the real world, not just on paper.

01

Dynamics, Vibration & Metamaterials

In Development

Designing structures that control vibration

Mechanical metamaterials are periodic structures with dynamic properties that no conventional material possesses — they can block specific frequency bands, redirect waves, or harvest energy from vibration. We explore how to design these structures under parametric uncertainty and scale them toward real-world applications.

A parallel track investigates interlocking interfaces in assembled structures — exploring how modular joints can be engineered for vibration attenuation in full-scale civil and mechanical systems.

Metamaterial design: unit cell, frequency response, and interlocking assembly
Industry relevance: If you have a vibration problem in rotating machinery, aerospace structures, or civil infrastructure — metamaterial-inspired solutions can be tuned to your specific frequency range.
02

Degradation & Fracture Mechanics

In Development

Predicting failure before it happens

Multilayered composite ceramics power both thermal protection systems for hypersonic vehicles and high-performance piezoelectric devices. Predicting their failure under cyclic loads is challenging because of stochastic microstructural defects — voids, micro-cracks, manufacturing variability.

We study multiscale UQ frameworks that integrate Digital Image Correlation (DIC) data with damage mechanics models to derive macroscale degradation laws from microscopic observations.

DIC fracture mechanics analysis
Industry relevance: Know when your components will fail — not after they do. Our models give you probabilistic life estimates, not just safety factors.
03

Multi-Fidelity Modeling & Machine Learning

In Development

The core enabling technology

We investigate open-source computational frameworks that fuse reduced-order models with high-fidelity data streams using Hierarchical Bayesian Inference. The approach integrates component mode synthesis, Kriging, and Principal Component Analysis to handle heterogeneous data from simulations and experiments.

Target applications include fracture mechanics in architected materials, multiphysics problems in piezoelectric systems, and nonlinear dynamic analysis of assembled structures.

Multi-fidelity modeling framework
Industry relevance: When your simulation takes days to run, surrogate models let you explore thousands of design variants in minutes — without sacrificing accuracy.
Publications

30+ peer-reviewed papers

Journal articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters in dynamics, uncertainty quantification, metamaterials, and advanced materials.

Journal Articles
Selected publications
Vibration Attenuation Performance Prediction in Metamaterials: An Efficient Computational Approach Addressing Parametric Uncertainties
Journal of Sound and Vibration, 618 · 2025 Pereira J., Romero J., Ruiz R., Beltran J.
Multi-objective Functions for the Optimization of Piezoelectric Metamaterials Under Pre-Established Bandwidth Excitations
Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 235 · 2025 Pereira J., Ruiz R.
Uncertainty Quantification in Mechanical Properties for Cu-based SMA Wires and Strands Based on Bayesian Inference
Engineering Structures, 318 · 2024 Medina C.D., Ruiz R.O. et al. — Featured Article
Bayesian Model Class Selection of Nonlinear Constitutive Relationships for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters
Energy · 2024 Poblete A., Ruiz RO, Jia G.
Optimal Design of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters for Bridge Infrastructure
Applied Energy, 355 · 2024 Yao S., Peralta-Braz P., Makki M., Ruiz RO.
Shape Optimization of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters of Variable Thickness
Journal of Sound and Vibration, 517 · 2022 Calderon A., Peralta P., Ruiz RO.
Electromechanical Properties Identification for Groups of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters Based on Bayesian Inference
Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 162 · 2022 Ruiz RO., Peralta P., Rappel H., Bordas SPA.
Risk-Informed Optimization of the Tuned Mass-Damper-Inerter (TMDI) for the Seismic Protection of Multi-Storey Building Structures
Engineering Structures, 177 · 2018 Ruiz RO, Giaralis A., Taflanidis AA, Lopez-Garcia D.

Full list available on Google Scholar · ORCID: 0000-0002-5721-9674

Team

The people behind the research

We're looking for motivated students interested in computational mechanics, uncertainty quantification, and metamaterial design. Get in touch.

Principal Investigator
Rafael O. Ruiz

Rafael O. Ruiz, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan–Dearborn. PhD from the University of Notre Dame. Former professor at Universidad de Chile.

Graduate Students
Jesus Pereira

Jesus Pereira

PhD Student

Efficient Reduced Order Models and Data-Driven Techniques for Modeling Mechanical Metamaterials. Expected completion 2027.

+

Open Position

PhD Student

Interested in computational mechanics and UQ? We're recruiting.

Blog & Insights

Thoughts on mechanics, uncertainty, and engineering practice

Long-form pieces on research, teaching, and the intersection of computation and physical intuition.

How not to write emails asking for potential PhD Advisors
October 30, 2024 · 3 min read · Rafael Ruiz
As an assistant professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, I receive numerous emails from prospective students eager to join my......
Improve your presentations before the first slide
February 19, 2024 · 2 min read · Rafael Ruiz
- Talk with the person who is inviting you to give the presentation. You need to know the purpose of your presentation, what they expect,......
Fear that your technical skills are not competitive?
February 19, 2024 · 1 min read · Rafael Ruiz
Yes, you will not get that job or promotion because of it... unless... 1- Ask yourself what is more valuable than Money. Are you having......
Developing personal identities in courses like Design of Machine Elements
February 19, 2024 · 1 min read · Rafael Ruiz
Are you a student? Do the following... are you a professor? Put this as an assignment. - Make a list of things you love the most (dogs,......
Three tips to decrease the tension of teaching the first class of any course
February 19, 2024 · 1 min read · Rafael Ruiz
Intriguing? Keep reading... Yes, the first class is maybe the most exciting one, it is like a first date, and you don’t want to mess it......