Mechanics of Advanced Materials Research Group

The Mechanics of Advanced Materials Research Group carries out multi-disciplinary research into the response of advanced engineering materials to various types of external loading and environmental conditions, using a combination of analytical, numerical and experimental techniques.   Analysis of deformation and flow processes, damage evolution as well as failure initiation and development allows us to predict and optimise the properties, performance, reliability and structural integrity of modern materials and the components and structures made from them.  Among the materials we are currently working with are aerospace alloys, composites and nanocomposites, polymers and adhesives, materials for microelectronics, steels and alloys, biomaterials, sports materials, ceramics and ceramic coatings, polymeric foams, particulates, metallic glasses and non-woven fabrics.

Different types of loading are analysed: quasi-static and dynamic loading, fatigue, creep, impact fatigue, thermal cycling and conditions of ultrasonically-assisted machining.  We also have a particular interest in the effects of in-service environmental conditions on the mechanical performance and integrity of engineered parts and structures.

The Group is a part of various national and international research networks and has strong collaboration with many research and industrial partners in the UK and abroad.

Main research areas: (i) Computational mechanics and micromechanics of microstructured materials; (ii) Multi-scale analysis of damage and failure evolution in advanced engineering materials; (iii) Effect of in-service loading and environmental conditions on performance of components and structures; (iv) Effect of microstructure on effective properties and performance of advanced engineering materials; (v) Mechanics of advanced materials under vibro-impact loading; (vi) Experimental analysis of microstructure and damage in advanced materials.

More information about this group can be found at;

http://www.lboro.ac.uk//moam/

Current research

• Professor Ian Ashcroft: Adhesive joints.  Polymer composites.  Stress analysis.  Finite element analysis.  Environmental degradation.  Fatigue.  Indentation.

• Dr Emrah Demirci: Computational solid mechanics.  Mechanics and micromechanics of materials.  Finite element analysis.  Mechanics and numerical modelling of nonwoven fabrics.  Finite element modelling of metal forming processes.  Numerical modelling of ultrasonically assisted bone cutting.  Material characterisation.  Digital image processing.

• Dr Anish Roy: Mesoscale dislocation mechanics in metallic materials.  Computational mechanics of machining.  Applications of Ultrasonically Assisted Machining.

• Professor Vadim Silberschmidt: Mechanics and micromechanics of materials.  Fracture and damage in advanced materials.  Reliability of electronic packages and failure analysis.  Computational mechanics of materials.  Finite elements analysis.  Dynamic aspects of deformation and fracture processes.  Impact fatigue.  Advanced machining processes.  Mechanics of composites and nanocomposites, bone tissues, and sports materials.

• Professor Ricky Wildman: Stress analysis.  Granular materials.  Speckle metrology.