DOCTORAL POSITION – Failure prediction in thin walled structures by means of finite element models
Research Field: |
Engineering |
Sub Research Field: |
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Job Summary
A PhD position in failure prediction of thin walled structures by means of finite element (FE) models is offered by the Structural Mechanics and Design (DME) research group at the University of Mondragon.
Job Description
In recent times, consumers have modified their shopping habits, preferences and expectations. This change has led to a significant increase in the use of storage racking systems by the manufacturers of goods and products. In this sense, the DME research group is collaborating with a leading company AR-Racking since 2017 and an experimental laboratory has already developed to test different structures (ARLab [1]).
The experience gained in this period, where several master thesis and a PhD thesis have been completed, has shown the need of investigating the failure beam-to-upright connections by advanced FE models. Different failure modes have been identified, such as upright perforation tearing, connector flange bending, connector flange tearing, beam denting or beam welding tearing.
Therefore, it is expected that the PhD student will work in the development of new damage criteria and implement in the already developed finite element models. These new models must be first validated in simplified geometries (at specimen level) before moving on to the component models. Once these new models have been experimentally validated in various configurations, a parametric analysis will be carried out to study the deviation observed in the experimental tests, which is suspected to be due to the effect of the manufacturing tolerances of the components. A parametrized and automated finite element model generation tool will be available, as well as the component measurement procedures in the coordinate measuring machine (CMM), experimental bending tests on beam to upright joints, and calculation and analysis of the mechanical properties of stiffness and resistance according to standards.
[1] Inside the AR Lab - Research and Testing Laboratory for industrial racking, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fajNfqMnTSA (retrieved 2022/04/25).
Benefits
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