Test methods and physical models used to characterize the mechanical response of linear and nonlinear viscoelastic materials. Use of correspondence principles to solve simple boundary value problems for linear viscoelastic materials. Introductory topics on modeling damage and nonlinear response of viscoelastic materials. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Civil Engineering 392W and 397 (Topic: Characterization of Viscoelastic Materials) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.