01 · RESEARCH

Research

Computational and experimental methods for understanding damage, fracture and structural response.

Phase-field distribution around fibres in a micromechanical simulation of a composite material

Advanced computational methods

We develop computational methods to analyse structural behaviour, failure mechanisms and material response under complex service conditions.

Computational mechanics
Simulation
Materials

Plastic strain fields in phase-field simulations of the Prandtl problem

Finite element formulations

We investigate advanced finite element formulations and simulation techniques for fracture, damage, interfaces and nonlinear response.

FEM
Nonlinearity
Phase field

Time sequence of experimental strain fields during crack growth along a curved interface

Advanced experimentation

We design experimental methods to observe failure mechanisms, characterise material response and assess the predictive ability of our models.

Testing
Characterisation
Validation

$Phase-field fracture evolution in a cylindrical structure with a hole$

Static and dynamic analysis

We study rods, plates and shells using models that capture both static response and the dynamic effects relevant to their design and assessment.

Structures
Dynamics
Shells

Fractographs of 3D-printed Onyx specimens with different stacking directions and deposition angles

Integrity under complex loading

We integrate modelling, experimentation and engineering experience to assess structures subjected to different loading histories and support sound technical decisions.

Fracture
Fatigue
Assessment