Ivan Filippovich Obraztsov

Scientist, Teacher, Organizer

(28.07.1920-28.02.2005)

Yu.I.Vinogradov, V.V.Zelentsov

Moscow N.E.Bauman State Technical University

2-nd Baumanskaya St., 5, 105005, Moscow, Russia

Ivan F. Obraztsov (born on July 28, 1920) is a prominent Russian scientist in the field of structural mechanics and aircraft strength, Doctor of Science, professor, Academician of Russian Academy of Sciences for aviation. He became the degree of science candidate in 1949 and in 1957 he received a doctor degree. In 1966 he was elected as a Corresponding Member and in 1974 he became a Full Member (Academician) of Soviet Union Academy of Sciences. His authorship numbers more than 300 scientific studies including 20 monographs. He has 2 discoveries and 18 inventions.

His scientific studies are still important today, they cover a wide range of problems in the field of strength, rigidity, vibration, thermoelasticity and robustness of aircraft. Ivan F. Obraztsov and his disciples made an important contribution to the Theory of Shells by developing the general technical theory of mechanics during a thin-shelled skewed spatial construction deformation. He also developed methods for solving new type of complicated tasks. In future decades Ivan F. Obraztsovљ made a research in the field of strength of aircraft made of composite materials and optimal design of rotational shells. During the development and implementation of automated control systems for experimental mechanical investigations he obtained important results for practical applications.

In 1976 he was awarded with USSR National Prize for his monograph "Structural mechanics of skewed thin-shelled systems". In 1983 Ivan F. Obraztsov was awarded with USSR Council of Ministers Prize in the field of science and technology "For the development and implementation of scientific fundamentals for calculating and increasing the strength of energy equipment regarding fracturing". In 1988 Ivan F. Obraztsov founded a school of thought for mechanics and was awarded with Lenin Prize for the development in the field of physicochemical mechanics. His discovery was also registered this year.

From 1959 and till the last days of his life Ivan F. Obraztsov headed the Department for structural mechanics and aircraft strength of Moscow Aviation Institute. From 1958 till 1972 he was Rector of Moscow Aviation Institute. From 1972 till 1990 he headed the Ministry for Higher and Special Education of Russian Soviet Federative Socialistic Republic. From 1990 Ivan F. Obraztsov was the Director of the Institute for Applied Mechanics of Russian Academy of Sciences; where in last years he was as a Research Supervisor. Novel Project of Spaceplane is very perspective proposal of Academician I.F.Obraztsov team.

Ivan F. Obraztsov is awarded with three orders of Lenin, the order of October Revolution, the order of Patriotic War and Labour Red Banner, with the Honor Sign and 17 medals.

Ivan F. Obraztsov was cheerful, easy and kind person. He delighted everybody with his energy, his aspiration for serving his Motherland and with his sincere respect to people. His enthusiasm and patriotism were generating the idea about organizing of Academy of Aviation and Aeronautics Sciences (AAAS).

Ivan F. Obraztsov passed away on February 28, 2005.

Russia lost her faithful son and we - his colleagues lost our leader, our reliable friend and teacher. But his rich scientific legacy and kind memory about him is staying with us.