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Structural Mechanics

From the phenomenon via modelling to simulation!

In order to fully exploit the high potentials of composite materials, efficient and qualified structural mechanical methods and tools are increasingly demanded. To cope with this we develop, verify and validate computational and experimental methods integrated in robust development processes from the preliminary design up to the detailed design phase. Within the scope of aerospace, aeronautical, automotive and railway transportation applications our focus is laid upon:

• fast and accurate design, simulation methods and tools
• virtual testing for the entire life cycle
• innovative experimental methods and test facility concepts

Competences

Supported by a highly qualified staff of scientific and technical employees, we bring structural mechanical methods and tools to application for our customers within concurrent/integrated engineering concepts in the following areas:

• strength analysis (e.g. 3D reinforced composites, extended 2D methods)
• structural stability (e.g. postbuckling, imperfection, dynamic buckling, robust design)
• damage tolerance (e.g. failure criteria, impact, residual strength, degradation)
• "Effects of Defects" (EoD) (e.g. fibre waviness and porosity)
• "As Build/Manufactured"-analysis (e.g. AFP feedback loop to account for manufacturing deviations)
• thermo-mechanics (e.g. extended 2D methods, models for fibre metal laminates)
• multi-scale analysis (e.g. global-local or submodelling concepts)
• multidisciplinary simulation (e.g. resin curing, spring-in, piezo-electric-thermal coupling)
• tool integration (e.g. fast, seamless and robust tool-chains for structural analysis and life cycle assessment)
• methods and tools for global aircraft analyis
• test facilities (e.g. strength, thermo-mechanics, structural stability)

An example is our contribution to the European large scale project MAAXIMUS (More Affordable Aircraft structure through eXtended, Integrated, and Mature nUmerical Sizing), where we hold the lead for the sub-project "Design" and give scientific contributions on the topics Effects of Defects (EoD), postbuckling and "As Build"-analysis of advanced fibre placement methods development.