Projects / Programmes
Design of porous structures
January 1, 2014
- December 31, 2016
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.11.03 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Mechanical design |
Special development know-how |
| 2.05.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Mechanics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T120 |
Technological sciences |
Systems engineering, computer technology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.03 |
Engineering and Technology |
Mechanical engineering |
Researchers (24)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Research work of the group will be in the next period focused on comprehensive investigation of porous structures. The major advantage of porous structures is an exceptional ability of their adaptation to individual needs through appropriate choice of the base material and design of its porosity. The research group will combine use of theoretical, analytical, experimental and computational research methods to investigate some selected porous structures with a purpose to advance engineering characterization of their behaviour under the influence of various operating conditions, which will lead to new design recommendations for use of porous structures in modern engineering structures. The group will in close cooperation with the manufacturers of porous structures/materials contribute to sustained development of manufacturing technologies for production of porous structures with controlled spatially variable porosity. With spatially controlled morphology and topology of the pores it would be possible to optimally adapt porous structure to individual engineering needs. Development potentials are exceptional, as we have already demonstrated in previous investigations using computer simulations.
Experimental characterization of mechanical behaviour of porous structures will be carried out with a comprehensive program of experimental tests of basic material and selected porous structures to determine parameters needed for engineering description of their design features. Due to lack of scientific evidence, we will focus primarily on development of methodologies and procedures for experimental determination of fatigue parameters of porous materials under cyclic dynamic loading. We will develop a model to estimate the reliability and service life of any porous structural component for given operating conditions. We will continue to study the behaviour of porous structures under rapid dynamic loads (impact, explosion) and we will establish appropriate testing rigs to this end.
Furthermore we will continue with development of appropriate methodologies for geometric characterization of selected open-and closed-cell porous structures from different base materials. They will be based on micro-computed tomography (microCT) of porous structures samples, their reconstruction into CAD models and statistical analysis of geometric characteristics using specially developed methodology. We will study the response of reconstructed numerical models of porous structures at different loading conditions through extensive use of parametric computer simulations. We will draw conclusions about the engineering characteristics and relationships of investigated porous structures from experimental and computational results and propose appropriate design recommendations. We will also develop intelligent support modules for analysis and development of porous structures and their use in the design process to determine the optimal properties of porous structures for individual needs.
Significance for science
The conducted research is of crucial importance for the development of science from multiple perspectives. Primarily because research was focused on investigations of advanced porous structures, which are increasingly being used in modern engineering structures. Development of capabilities to predict their response at various operating conditions and the ability to optimize their structure are fundamental for their more extensive use in the future. Comprehensive combination of research work was focused on achieving internationally comparable research results that follow European and global research trends or are even defining the research trends in some respects (controlled spatially variable porosity). The outcome of this research program contributed significantly to the advancement of science in the field of geometric and mechanical characterization of porous structures and has consequently contributed to development of new, advanced engineering porous structures. Technological advances in the production of porous structures allow for more controlled morphology and topology of pores, which contribute to design of optimal engineering and other structures. The development of new, multi-layered textiles with controlled porosity and improved functional properties is a novel research approach in the Slovenian area, which brings us on par with the world's most developed scientific institutions, which are already developing such textiles. Significant contributions to science in the area of dimensioning of machine parts and structures made of porous structures has been made through development of computational models for predictions of their loading capacity, service life and reliability. Developed general tool for automatic evaluation of geometrical parameters of porous structures constitutes a major breakthrough in the analysis of porous materials. Newly developed geometry and computer simulation models of porous structures and the implementation of large scale parametric computer simulations on the powerful HPC server system contributed to better understanding of porous structures behavior under different operating regimes, which further served for making design recommendations. With appropriate design of intelligent support environment we expect new scientific discoveries in the fields of both applications of artificial intelligence, as well as in the field of artificial intelligence itself. Following trends in the development of intelligent systems will allow for further development of application solutions in the field of engineering sciences.
Significance for the country
The outcomes of the research programme are significant for regional and general development of the profession and engineering practice, since systematic transfer of knowledge enables Slovenian companies to gain access to knowledge and modern tools for the development of new products with porous structures, which significantly increases their global competitiveness. Performed characterization of various porous structures and proposed design recommendations for their use in conjunction with the developed intelligent modular support environment enable fast and cost-effective way of goal driven design and development of high quality innovative products with high added value, particularly for the automotive industry. The research group involves also a number of young researchers, with which it contributes also to education and formation of future top experts in the field. It is envisaged that domestic manufacturers of aluminium products will become strategic suppliers of advanced aluminium products upon cooperation with the research team to support their adoption of new manufacturing technologies of porous structures with variable porosity. The same is expected in the production of various plastic products and textiles, where the number of potentially interested companies is much more extensive. Research in the field of porous textiles contributes to the preservation of jobs in those textile companies that have already restructured their operations to development and production of technical textiles. Porous materials with controlled and optimized topology and morphology of pores can also be used in medicine (e.g various implants, supporting elements, etc.) that relieve problems of the aging population and contribute to healthier life, which is essential both for the Slovenian and European society. The current experiments for instance also show that filling relevant voids in vehicles with porous structures also helps to absorb as much as two times more impact energy in a collision, thus resulting in reduced deceleration of the vehicle occupants and thereby increasing their safety. Consequently is research of advanced porous structures also of utmost potential importance for the society. The cooperation of research group with many international research partners contributes to the promotion of Slovenia in the world and the international division of research, which is in some areas also led by the research group (geometric characterization and advanced computer simulations of porous structures).
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
