Last updated: 23 March, 2013
The research activities of the Mechanics of Materials and Structures
group are situated in the following domains:
- impact (bird strike, drop weight, wave impact, blast, pneumatic launcher)
- fatigue (tension, compression, shear, 3- and 4-point bending)
- NDT/NDE (optical fibre sensors, ultrasound, moire, electrical resistance)
- general mechanics of composite materials (damage, durability, self-healing,...)
Below you can find our current research topics on composites
in a single, quick glance. They are grouped in three categories:
Much more information can be found in our
research brochure.
[1]
|
E-BREAK - Engine Breakthrough Components and Subsystems
European 7th Framework Programme (FP7) project 2012-2016
(in collaboration with Turbomeca, Rolls-Royce, Snecma, Techspace Aero, Volvo Aero Corporation, Alstom,...) |
[2]
|
eSHM - Effective structural health monitoring with additive manufacturing
Strategic research project 2012-2015 (regional funding by IWT-SBO)
(in collaboration with KULeuven, VUB, Sirris, VITO, Cenaero) |
[3]
|
Integrated analysis and experimental verification of Kinematic Form Active Structures
(KFAS) for architectural applications
Fundamental research project 2012-2015 (regional funding by FWO)
(in collaboration with VUB) |
[4]
|
Flansea - Flanders electricity from the sea
Industrial research project 2010-2012 (regional funding by IWT-O&O)
(in collaboration with UGent partners, DEME, Kloostermans, Spiromatic,...) |
[5]
|
Localized stiffness identification method for layered composite materials based on inverse modeling of a coupled acoustic-structural three-dimensional finite element model and high resolution ultrasound optical measurements
Postdoctoral research grant 2011-2014 (funding by Ghent University)
|
[6]
|
A roadmap to adhesive bonding
Collective research project 2010-2012 (regional funding by IWT)
(in collaboration with Flanders Drive, VUB, OCAS,...) |
[7]
|
Investigation into the technical characteristics and industrial applications of steel fibre-reinforced composites
Industrial research project 2011-2014 (regional funding by IWT-O&O)
(in collaboration with Bekaert and KULeuven) |
[8]
|
Mechanical characterization of steel fibre-reinforced composites
Bilateral research project 2011-2012
(in collaboration with Bekaert) |
[9]
|
Fatigue life prediction of random fiber composites using hybrid multiscale modeling methods (COMPFAT)
Research grant 2011-2015 (regional funding by IWT-Baekeland)
(in collaboration with LMS and KULeuven) |
[10]
|
Experimental and numerical study of the mechanical response of large glass facades subject to blast loading
Fundamental research project 2011-2015 (funding by Ghent University)
(in collaboration with Royal Military Academy) |
[11]
|
SMARTFIBER - Miniaturised Structural Monitoring System with Autonomous Readout Micro-Technology
and Fiber sensor network
European 7th Framework Programme (FP7) project 2010-2013
(in collaboration with IMEC, FBGS Technologies, Airborne Technology Centre, Xenics,...) |
[12]
|
3DLightTrans - Large scale manufacturing technology for high performance lightweight 3D multifunctional composites
European 7th Framework Programme (FP7) project 2010-2013
(in collaboration with AIT, Fiat, Federal Mogul, TU Dresden, Van de Wiele, Onera, Bentley,...) |
[13]
|
NANOFORCE - Next generation nano-engineered Polymer-Steel/CNT Hybrids
SIM project - Strategic Initiative Materials 2010-2014 (regional funding)
(in collaboration with KULeuven, VUB, Bekaert,...) |
[14]
|
SHE - Engineered Self-Healing Materials
SIM project - Strategic Initiative Materials 2010-2014 (regional funding)
(in collaboration with VUB, Recticel,...) |
[15]
|
Small Wind Turbine Field Laboratory
Hercules medium sized research infrastructure Type 1 (regional funding)
(in collaboration with UGent and HoGent research groups) |
[16]
|
A new principle of wave energy converter
IOF StarTT development project for strengthening IP portfolio (university funding)
(in collaboration with UGent research groups) |
[17]
|
Experimental measurement of the mechanical behaviour of composite
materials and hybrid materials subject to different types of impact
loading
Fundamental research grant 2010 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
|
[18]
|
Characterization of the fatigue behaviour of fibre-reinforced plastics
through accelerated fatigue tests of composite beams and plates with
electromagnetic shakers
Fundamental research project 2010-2013 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
(in collaboration with the Department Mechanics of Materials
and Constructions (MeMC) (Free University of Brussels)) |
[19]
|
Development of a composite bicycle racing frame with a increased confort by
optimal use of flax fibre reinforcement
Industrial research project 2009-2011 (regional funding by IWT)
(in collaboration with the company Museeuw Bikes) |
[20]
|
Experimental and numerical study of the slamming wave impact on
deformable composite structures
Fundamental research project 2009-2012 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
(in collaboration with the Department of Heat, Combustion and Fluid Mechanics (Ghent University)
and the Acoustics and Vibration Research Group (Free University of Brussels)) |
[21]
|
Sensing and morphing of composite laminates with piezoelectric transducers
Fundamental research project 2007-2009 (funding by China Scholarship Council)
|
[22]
|
Monitoring deformation and degradation in thermoplastic composite materials
with draw tower Bragg grating optical fibre sensors
Applied research project 2007-2010 (industrial funding)
|
[23]
|
Speckle metrology techniques for contactless full-field measurement
of in-plane and out-of-plane deformations of composite plates under static
and dynamic loading conditions
Collaborative research project 2006-2008 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
(in collaboration with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences)
|
[24]
|
Development of a "stacked" solid-like shell element for the simulation
of damage in large composite structures under dynamic loading conditions
Fundamental research project 2007-2010 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
(in collaboration with the research group Mechanics of Materials, Fluids
and Structures (MS2F) (Universite de Liege)) |
[25]
|
The energy absorption assessment of composite structures for
protection of civil engineering structures against blast loading
Fundamental research project 2007-2010 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
(in collaboration with the research group Mechanics of Materials
and Constructions (MeMC) (Free University of Brussels) and the
Royal Military Academy) |
[26]
|
Experimental and numerical study of impact on window glass
(retro)fitted with safety film
Applied research project 2006-2010 (industrial funding)
|
[27]
|
High speed digital camera with high framerate and resolution
for digital registration of highly dynamic phenomena
Research infrastructure 2006 (funding by Ghent University)
|
[28]
|
Experimental testing and numerical simulation of wear and
damage in filament wound composite bearings
Fundamental research project 2007-2010 (funding by Ghent University)
(in collaboration with the research group Tribology and
Fatigue (Ghent University))
|
[29]
|
Micro-meso-macro homogenization of the fatigue degradation
of textile reinforced composites
Fundamental research project 2006-2009 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
(in collaboration with the department of Metallurgy and
Materials Engineering (KULeuven)) |
[30]
|
Experimental and theoretical study of the damage behaviour of
fibre-reinforced composite systems under biaxial fatigue loading
Fundamental research project 2006-2009 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
(in collaboration with the research group Mechanics of Materials
and Constructions (MeMC) (Free University of Brussels) |
[31]
|
Modelling the fatigue behaviour of impact-damaged composites
Fundamental research project 2006-2008 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
|
[32]
|
Sustainable Economically Efficient Wave Energy Converter (SEEWEC)
Applied research project 2006-2008 (European funding by FP6)
|
[33]
|
Multi-Axial Stress and Strain sensing of thermo hardened
composite elements using Fibre Optic Sensors (MASSFOS)
Applied research project 2006-2008 (funding by European Space Agency (ESA))
|
[34]
|
OPTIcal MEasurement techniques for Structures and Systems (OPTIMESS)
Scientific research network 2009-2013 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
|
[35]
|
Mechanical and tribochemical energy dissipation process in structural
composites applied for complex rolling-sliding contact conditions:
on-line analysis by means of computer vision and material response on
meso-scale
Fundamental research project 2008-2011 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
(in collaboration with the research group Tribology and Fatigue (Ghent University),
the research group Image Processing and Interpretation (Ghent University)
and the department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (KULeuven)) |
Postdoctoral and doctoral researchers
|
top
|
[1]
|
Localized stiffness identification method for layered composite materials based on inverse modeling of a coupled acoustic-structural three-dimensional finite element model and high resolution ultrasound optical measurements
Lamkanfi, E. (postdoctoral fellow, 2011-...)
|
[2]
|
Nano-micro simulation of the mechanical behaviour of nano-engineered steel fibre-reinforced composites
Rezaei, A. (postdoctoral fellow, 2011-...)
|
[3]
|
Integration of optical fibre sensors in composite structures for in-service monitoring
Luyckx, G. (postdoctoral fellow, 2009-...)
|
[4]
|
Experimental and numerical study of the dynamic behaviour of fusion bonded joints in fibre-reinforced thermoplastics
De Baere, I. (postdoctoral fellow, 2009-...)
|
[5]
|
Numerical simulation of the post-failure response of large glass
facades under blast loading
Pelfrene, J. (2012-...)
|
[6]
|
Fatigue crack growth simulation of aerospace metals produced with additive manufacturing techniques
Vafadari, R. (2012-...)
|
[7]
|
Mechanical characterization of steel fibre-reinforced composites
Allaer, K. (2011-...)
|
[8]
|
Experimental and numerical study of the fatigue behaviour of steel fibre-reinforced composites
Haldar, A. (2011-...)
|
[9]
|
Structural behaviour of steel fibre-reinforced composites
Mortier, F. (2011-...)
|
[10]
|
Experimental and numerical investigation of the blast response of large glass facades
Van Dam, S. (2011-...)
|
[11]
|
Meso-macro modelling of the mechanical behaviour of steel fibre-reinforced composites
Faes, J. (2011-...)
|
[12]
|
Numerical modelling of self-healing of polymers and cementitious materials
Agrawal, A. (2011-...)
|
[13]
|
Accelerated fatigue testing of fibre-reinforced composites with electromagnetic shakers
Kersemans, M. (2010-...)
|
[14]
|
Effect of flax fibre reinforcement on the dynamic and damping behaviour of composite racing
bicycle frames
Vanwalleghem, J. (2010-...)
|
[15]
|
Development of a Miniaturised Structural Monitoring System with Autonomous Readout Micro-Technology and Fiber sensor network
Lammens, N. (2010-...)
|
[16]
|
Development of finite element strategies for global-local analysis of damage in large composite
structures
Jacques, S. (2009-...)
|
[17]
|
Experimental investigation of slamming wave impact on deformable composite structures
Van Nuffel, D. (2009-...)
|
[18]
|
Numerical simulation of slamming wave impact on deformable composite structures based on fluid-structure
interaction
Vepa, K.S. (2009-...)
|
[19]
|
Development of advanced image correlation techniques and image processing
algorithms for the measurement of displacement and strain fields in composites
under static and (high)dynamic loading
Cofaru, C. (2007-2012)
|
[20]
|
Damage modelling in large laminated composite structures
Rah, K. (2007-2012)
|
[21]
|
Micro-meso-macro homogenization of the fatigue degradation of textile reinforced composites
Daggumati, S. (2007-2011)
|
[22]
|
The energy absorption assessment of composite structures for protection
of civil engineering structures against blast loading
Palanivelu, S. (2007-2011)
|
[23]
|
Experimental testing and numerical simulation of wear in filament wound composite bearings
Rezaei, A. (2007-2011)
|
[24]
|
Monitoring deformation and degradation in thermoplastic composite materials
with draw tower Bragg grating optical fibre sensors
Voet, E. (2006-2011)
|
[25]
|
Experimental and numerical study of impact on window glass (retro)fitted with safety film
De Pauw, S. (2006-2010)
|
[26]
|
Study of damage behaviour of composite systems under biaxial fatigue loading
Lamkanfi, E. (2006-2010)
|
[27]
|
Design of composite point absorbers for a Sustainable Economically Efficient
Wave Energy Converter (SEEWEC)
Blommaert, C. (2005-2009)
|
[28]
|
Integration of optical fibre sensors in engineering
constructions for in-service monitoring
Luyckx, G. (2003-2009)
|
[29]
|
Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Mechanical Behaviour of
Fibre-reinforced Thermoplastics under Fatigue Loading Conditions
De Baere, I. (2004-2008)
|
Beside the researchers on composite materials, there are currently 7 other
PhD students working in the field of dynamics of high-strength steels,
bio-scaffolds, advanced materials for nuclear
fusion reactors (ITER),...
Master theses (2012-2013)
|
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The list below shows the master theses for the academic
year 2012-2013. Every company is invited to suggest master thesis topics
for the engineering students (timing: before February 2013 for academic
year 2013-2014) (contact person
Wim VAN PAEPEGEM).
[1]
|
Evaluation of the dynamic behaviour of composite racing bicycle frames by means
of vibration tests and outdoor field testing
De Witte, T. and Mortier, F.
|
[2]
|
Infrared welding of fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites
Allaer, K.
|
[3]
|
Characterization of the static mechanical behaviour of a composite racing
bicycle frame
Ghyssels, K. and Mulier, S.
|
[4]
|
Experimental determination of the fatigue life of composite racing bicycle frames
Styns, S.
|
[5]
|
Experimental comparison of the repeated wave impact on rigid and deformable composite structures
Geldof, J.
|
[6]
|
New concepts of composite floating point absorbers for wave energy conversion
Jolie, M. and Vanderheggen, K.
|
[7]
|
Investigation of the interlaminar behaviour of fibre-reinforced plastics with the mixed
mode bending test
Opgenhaffen, H. and Thijs, L.
|
[8]
|
Study of the fatigue behaviour of carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastics for aerospace
and automotive applications
Van Biesen, S.
|
[9]
|
Feasibility study of numerical models for simulation of the mechanical behaviour of wood on the cell-level
Faes, J.
|
[10]
|
Simulation of impact of breaking waves on (deformable) composite structures
Pelfrene, J.
|
[11]
|
Accelerated fatigue testing of fibre-reinforced composites with electromagnetic shakers
Chiesura, G.
|
|