M2i’s Multi Scale Modelling of Mechanical Behaviour Cluster focuses on the fundamental understanding of various problems in materials engineering at different length scales, which emerge from the physics and the mechanics of the underlying material or multi-material microstructure.
The main challenge within this program is the accurate prediction of mechanical properties of materials (i.e. structural materials) or small-scale components with complex microstructures, in view of their application in microsystems (i.e. functional materials).
Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue in Cast Iron: Multi-Scale Physical Modeling of Failure
The goal of this project is to develop a predictive multi-scale physical model for the Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue (TMF) failure of a cast iron material, which is a typical case of a microstructurally complex material subjected to complex loading conditions. The model will allow unraveling of the critical conditions triggering microstructural damage initiation, propagation, and ultimate failure as a function of microstructural and loading variables.
From Damage to Fracture in Dual-Phase Steels: A Focused Experimental–Numerical Approach
In the automotive industry the trend is to use more and increasingly stronger high-strength steel (HSS) and advanced high-strength steel (AHSS). The main driver for this trend is to improve crash safety without making the car heavier, as fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are directly influenced by the weight of a vehicle. The disadvantage of using materials with higher strength is that the ductility is reduced, resulting in an increased fracture risk. This project develops a methodology to statistically characterize damage-prone microstructural features in multiphase microstructures.
The final aim is to develop models that can correctly predict failure, enabling new and important applications.
More information about Multi Scale Modelling of Mechanical Behaviour
For more information about M2i’s Multi Scale Modelling of Mechanical Behaviour Cluster, please contact Jeroen van Beeck.