Representing the U.S. at the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (IUTAM) while Advancing the Field in our Nation: The Unique Role of the USNC for IUTAM

美国国家理论和应用力学委员会是国内外广泛力学领域的研究中心。该委员会涉及工程和应用科学领域的15个不同技术学会，并提供了一个论坛，它们的代表可以在此讨论各自在机械领域的目标和优先事项，并共同规划将在这些领域进一步研究的报告和活动。具体地说，该委员会赞助全国理论和应用力学大会，并组织美国机械技术研讨会、暑期学校和关于力学最近趋势的报告。所有这些都集中在美国力学方面的最新趋势、方向和成就，并有助于为研究人员和政策制定者提供信息。该委员会还通过加入国际科学联盟，作为与国际机械界联系的桥梁。在国际一级，委员会领导和协助组织关于机械学发挥关键作用的专题的专题讨论会。该委员会的主要目标是代表美国参加国际理论和应用力学联合会，并促进和推进美国力学的各个方面。该委员会在国际联盟的国家成员国家科学院的主持下运作，在联盟的领导以及联盟科学计划的发展和组织方面都发挥着积极和明显的作用。委员会及其代表在国际联盟中的作用包括：参与战略计划的讨论；章程修改；委员会、委员会和任务组的活动；工会倡议和合作活动；计划优先事项和暂定预算分配；选举官员；选择工会研讨会候选人；以及关于工会参与国际科学理事会(ICSU)组织的跨学科计划的讨论。该委员会每年开会讨论国家和国际优先事项并计划适当的行动，并每两年派一个代表团参加该联盟的大会。该项目的主要学术价值在于委员会和工会组织和支持的活动。

The U.S. National Committee for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics acts as a focal point for research in the broad field of mechanics, both domestically and internationally. The Committee involves fifteen different technical societies in engineering and applied science, and provides a forum where their representatives can discuss their respective goals and priorities in the field of mechanics, as well as plan together reports and events that will further research in those areas. Specifically, the Committee sponsors the National Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, and organizes the AmeriMech Symposia, summer schools, and the reports on Recent Trends in Mechanics. All of these focus on the latest trends, directions, and accomplishments in mechanics in the United States, and help inform both researchers and policymakers. The Committee also acts as a bridge with the international mechanics community through its membership in international scientific union. At the international level, the Committee provides leadership and assists in the organization of the specialized symposia on subjects in which mechanics plays a pivotal role. The primary objectives of the Committee are to represent the United States in the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, and to promote and advance all aspects of mechanics in the United States. Operating under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences, the national member of the international union, the Committee plays an active and visible role both in the leadership of the union and in the development and organization of the union's scientific programs. The roles of the Committee and its representatives in the international union include participation in discussions of the strategic plan; statute changes; activities of committees, commissions, and task groups; union initiatives and co-operative activities; program priorities and tentative budget allocations; election of officers; and selection of the union Symposia slate; as well as in discussions regarding union involvement in interdisciplinary programs organized by the International Council for Science (ICSU). The Committee meets annually to discuss national and international priorities and plan appropriate action, and sends a delegation to the union's General Assembly every two years. The main intellectual merits of the project lie in the activities organized and supported by the Committee and the union.