Virtual Testing of Integrally Woven Spread Tow Fabrics (Advert Reference: RDF18/MCE/BLACKLOCK)

The fundamental challenge of modelling complex and heterogeneous fracture in structural composites is beginning to yield to conceptual and computational advances in damage simulations. Breakthrough hierarchical formulations offer a virtual test model the required fidelity to replace prohibitively expensive experimental tests required for safety certification and extend the currently limited design space to include application-tailored, complex material configurations. The underlying innovation behind a virtual test model is the ability to simulate complex, nonlinear processes acting from the micro-scale (e.g. individual fibre failure, debonding and microcracking) through the millimetre scale (e.g. fibre tow rupture and delamination) up to the scale of the structure (e.g. large cracking and buckling).

Spread tow fabrics are an emerging transformational composite material that offer increased mechanical performance, weight savings and improved draping ability over traditional fibre-reinforced composites. The novel process of spreading fibre tows provides unparalleled flexibility and yields a woven material with a near absence of crimp, consequently minimising waste material. Material performance is analogous with that of quasi-isotropic unidirectional tape laminates but offers superior delamination resistance and improved draping, cutting and handling. To date, simulation of spread tow fabrics has proved impractical. New meshing techniques and high-speed GPU-based models, present a new opportunity for fundamental research.

The project builds on an established relationship with the recently concluded world-leading National Hypersonic Science Center (NHSC) funded by the US Air Force and NASA. The NHSC (Materials and Structures) involved collaboration between 15 prominent academic institutions and companies with the specific aim of advancing research in materials and structures for hypersonic flight. Research within the NHSC led to over fifty high-impact publications in journals such as Science and Nature Materials. Through our research, we recently demonstrated the ability to image, characterise and regenerate the stochastic microstructure of traditional fibre-reinforced textile composites using advanced experiments and computational analyses.

The overall aim of this project is to develop a virtual test model for integrally woven spread tow fabric structures that (i) considers the link between the stochastic microstructure and fracture mechanisms of the underlying material over length-scales of several orders of magnitude and (ii) utilises leading-edge computational techniques and algorithms to rapidly generate and analyse large multi-scale damage models.

The project is relevant to the Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and Materials Science disciplines and will provide the PhD candidate with a breadth of knowledge and experience. The research requires a strong background in solid mechanics and an interest in computational modelling is essential.

Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see:
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDF18/…) will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: 28 January 2018

Start Date: 1 October 2018

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers.