Corina Sandu

Corina Sandu is the Robert E. Hord Jr. Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. She leads the Terramechanics, Multibody, and Vehicle Systems Laboratory, focusing on advanced modeling of multibody dynamics, vehicle-terrain interaction, and tire performance optimization. Her research integrates computational methods, experimental validation, and interdisciplinary approaches to address challenges in off-road mobility, autonomous systems, and vehicle dynamics.

Dr. Sandu holds a Ph.D. (2000) and M.S. (1995) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa, complemented by an Engineering Diploma in Mechanics from the Bucharest Polytechnic Institute (1991). She serves as the President of the International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems and chairs the SAE Fellow Committee, underscoring her leadership in automotive and mechanical engineering fields.

Her research interests span:

• Uncertainty quantification in multibody systems
• Optimization of vehicle dynamics and tire performance
• Terramechanics and terrain-vehicle interaction modeling
• Sensitivity analysis and adjoint methods for complex systems

Recent publications highlight innovations in tire-ice interface models, hydroplaning risk estimation, and advanced multibody system simulation frameworks. She has pioneered experimental methodologies for tire performance evaluation on ice and soft soils, linking material science with mechanical engineering principles.

Her work impacts automotive safety, off-road vehicle design, and autonomous systems, with applications in both industry and academia. Awards include recognition for her contributions to terrain-vehicle systems research and leadership in professional societies.