Simulating Composite Fracture by the Extended Finite Element Method

About the Project

In this project, three-dimensional analyses of fracture in composite laminates will be conducted. The aim is to investigate if the XFEM is capable to reproduce fracture in composites with a sufficient degree of accurateness in terms of energy release rates and stress intensity factors. ABAQUS and XFEM MATLAB programs are available for the analyses.

Extension of such program could be done in case of it was necessary. For instance, for the linkage of new material models or certain numerical features such as a new finite element.

This research will benefit from excellent computing facilities, expertise in computer-aided engineering (CA2M lab), the available experimental facilities including mechanical testing and links with industry and with our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) through our collaborative work.

Funding Notes

1st or 2:1 degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics, or other Relevant Discipline.

This project is available only for Self funded students.