My research can be summarised as the development and validation of analytical and numerical models for predicting the strength performance of materials and components. My work has focussed on the areas of safety and security.
Research group membership
I am the Lead for the Simulation, Modelling and Systems Integration (SMSI) research theme. This research theme focusses on using modelling and simulation to provide solutions to real life problems. Electrical Impedance Tomography, damage detection in aircraft, design and manufacture of fire extinguishant systems, economic prediction and secure electrical networks are just some of the applications of the work being carried out.
Research grants and awards
Knowledge Base Supervisor/Lead Academic
Development of gas fire suppressant systems for motorsport industry (KTP EOI 2866)
Development of ground source heat pump collector systems (KTP PN 6548)
Principal Investigator
Determination of the mechanical properties of superconducting wires (EPSRC CASE)
Strain distribution in composite structures at cryogenic temperatures (EPSRC GR/R97344/01)
Investigator
Low NVH Multi Material Automotive Vehicle Structures (EPSRC GR/S27245/01)
LIVEMAN project 3 (EPSRC GR/L03811)
Research projects
Fracture failure prediction in carbon fuel rods
Metal Matrix Composite material characterisation
Development of shape optimization for wind turbine blade
Modelling Noise and Vibration of an Axial Flux Electrical Motor
Combustion process in Gasoline Direct Injection Engines for cleaner and Optimum Fuel economy
Research impact
The highlights of my research can be summarised as below:
Development of a two stage light gas gun facility (velocities up to 3.5km/s) and verified models of high velocity impact of alumina armour.
Development of a photographic technique to measure shear patterns, enabling high strain rate torsional modelling of REMCO Iron and copper.
Determination of the effect of adhesive modulus on the torsional stiffness and strength of automotive structures enabling the overall vehicle torsional stiffness to be determined.
Investigation of NVH in a single composite van roof leading to a new adhesive joint which was easier to implement and had considerable strength and fatigue benefits over existing designs.
Development of an experimental method to validate models of failure strength in metal to composite aircraft joints, to give a higher confidence in aircraft design practise.
Development of predictive tools to compensate for springback within forming processes to reduce material waste and time consuming iterative manufacture.
Validation of simple tests to show their applicability for determining Bauschinger’s effect in metals, reducing the cost of determining this important material parameter.
Determination of the mechanical properties and residual stresses of superconducting wires and coils (during the heat treatment process and at low temperatures), enabling coil design to be optimised for greater performance.
Application of an optical method to resolve the controversy about whether crack closure is the main fatigue crack growth mechanism.
Development of numerical models for designing compact heat pump collectors, enabling smaller plots of land to be used which opens up a larger share of the market for manufacturers.
Development of analytical models, using neural networks and ultrasound, to carry out quicker and more reliable safety inspection of components.