Mechanics of Materials and Structures

Project Portfolio

A selection of our currently running projects

    1. Grade2XL: H2020-project, Functionally Graded Materials for Extra-Large Parts
    2. Resonam: Quality control for AM parts (with Materialise, Siemens Industry Software, MatchID, KULeuven)
    3. Filament wound composite tanks for pressurized hydrogen storage: Novel predictive simulation
      models and testing methods.

    4. North-C-Blade: gasification technology for the recycling of discarded turbine blades.( UGent, North Sea Port Flanders, ENGIE Laborelec, ArcelorMittal Belgium, INOVYN)

      Media: Article De Standaard

    5. SIM3TEX: elevate the quality of textile products and optimize production methodologies through the application of advanced mechanical simulations.
    6. Procsima: PROCess SIMulation for Additive manufacturing
    7. .Multiscale analysis of polymer blends to predict the thermomechanical response and strength of recycled plastics
    8. ....

Finished projects

  1. Projects in the framework of the SIM program MacroModelMat (M3)
      1. ICON project M3NVH - NVH in lightweight Design
        Industry-Academia collaborative research (2015-2017)
        (in collaboration with SISW, Nitto, Toyota Motor Europe, KULeuven)
      2. ICON project FATAM - Fatigue of Additive Manufactured components – Relating AM process conditions to long-term dynamic performance of metallic AM parts
        Industry-Academia collaborative research (2017-2019)
        (in collaboration with SISW, Materialise, 3D Systems Leuven, Atlas Copco, Engie Lab, LCV, BMT Aerospace, KULeuven, Flanders Make)
      3. SBO project DETECT-IV
        Strategic Basic Research project (2017-2020)
        (in collaboration with KULeuven, VUB)
      4. ICON project DETECT-ION:Industry-Academia collaborative research. In collaboration with SISW, Materialise, MatchID, Brussels Airlines, OptoMET, VUB and KULeuven
      5. SBO project MOR4MDesign: Strategic Basic Research project. In collaboration with KULeuven. 
  2. Compohex - Composite Heat Exchangers: Strategic Basic Research project (2016-2019)
  3. Alma - Additive Layer Manufacturing for Aerospace: Industry-Academia collaborative research in collaboration with Asco Industries,  Materialise, BMT Aerospace, Bodycote, Elsyca, SISW, Sirris, CRM and KULeuven (2018-2021)
  4. Interreg project 3DMed  - Development and streamlined integration of 3D printing technologies to enable advanced medical treatment and its widespread application 
  5. Dutch Polymer Institute: Physics-based fatigue design tool for matrix cracking and delamination in unidirectional and sandwich composites under multi-axial fatigue loads with arbitrary R-ratio : development, validation and finite element implementation
  6. SBO project MoCCha-CT: Model-Coupled 4D-µCT for Advanced Material Characterization 
  7. Bilateral Industrial collaboration: UGent-MMS has a wide variety of direct Industrial collaborations with companies such as Siemens Industry Software, Bekaert, Eastman-Solutia, Parker Hannifin, Arkema , etc. The details of these collaborations are not divulged due to confidentiality.
  8. Projects in the framework of the EIT Raw Materials
    1. Race-TP: Lightweight Recyclable Automotive thermoplastic CompositE structural parts for large series production
    2. LightRight: Materials for lightweight design – how to treat them right
    3. Lightbody: Network of infrastructure on the introduction of lightweight materials in mobility
    4. LightRight 2.0
    5. Relicario
  10. SBO_M3Strength: Strategic Basic Research project (2014-2017). (In collaboration with KULeuven, VUB)
  11. ICON M3Strength:  Industry-Academia collaborative research (2015-2017). (in collaboration with SISW, Honda R&D, Sabca Limburg, Lazer Sport, 3DWeaving, KULeuven, VUB)
  12. A_STREAM_AFO -  AM materials for Ankle Foot Orthosis: Industry-Academia collaborative research in collaboration with Vigo, Devan Chemicals, Materialise. 
  13. Self-Sensing Composites
    Strategic research project 2013-2016 (regional funding by IWT-SBO)
    (in collaboration with Sirris, VUB, Sirris)
  14. ICON project AMCAE - Basic mechanical properties simulation of additive manufacturing lightweight materials through CAE
  15. E-BREAK - Engine Breakthrough Components and Subsystems
    European 7th Framework Programme (FP7) project 2012-2016
    (in collaboration with Turbomeca, Rolls-Royce, Snecma, Techspace Aero, Volvo Aero Corporation, Alstom,...)
  16. eSHM - Effective structural health monitoring with additive manufacturing
    Strategic research project 2012-2015 (regional funding by IWT-SBO)
    (in collaboration with KULeuven, VUB, Sirris, VITO, Cenaero)
  17. Integrated analysis and experimental verification of Kinematic Form Active Structures (KFAS) for architectural applications
    Fundamental research project 2012-2015 (regional funding by FWO)
    (in collaboration with VUB)
  18. Flansea - Flanders electricity from the sea
    Industrial research project 2010-2012 (regional funding by IWT-O&O)
    (in collaboration with UGent partners, DEME, Kloostermans, Spiromatic,...)
  19. Localized stiffness identification method for layered composite materials based on inverse modeling of a coupled acoustic-structural three-dimensional finite element model and high resolution ultrasound optical measurements
    Postdoctoral research grant 2011-2014 (funding by Ghent University)
  20. A roadmap to adhesive bonding
    Collective research project 2010-2012 (regional funding by IWT)
    (in collaboration with Flanders Drive, VUB, OCAS,...)
  21. Investigation into the technical characteristics and industrial applications of steel fibre-reinforced composites
    Industrial research project 2011-2014 (regional funding by IWT-O&O)
    (in collaboration with Bekaert and KULeuven)
  22. Mechanical characterization of steel fibre-reinforced composites
    Bilateral research project 2011-2012
    (in collaboration with Bekaert)
  23. Fatigue life prediction of random fiber composites using hybrid multiscale modeling methods (COMPFAT)
    Research grant 2011-2015 (regional funding by IWT-Baekeland)
    (in collaboration with LMS and KULeuven)
  24. Experimental and numerical study of the mechanical response of large glass facades subject to blast loading
    Fundamental research project 2011-2015 (funding by Ghent University)
    (in collaboration with Royal Military Academy)
  25. SMARTFIBER - Miniaturised Structural Monitoring System with Autonomous Readout Micro-Technology and Fiber sensor network
    European 7th Framework Programme (FP7) project 2010-2013
    (in collaboration with IMEC, FBGS Technologies, Airborne Technology Centre, Xenics,...)
  26. 3DLightTrans - Large scale manufacturing technology for high performance lightweight 3D multifunctional composites
    European 7th Framework Programme (FP7) project 2010-2013
    (in collaboration with AIT, Fiat, Federal Mogul, TU Dresden, Van de Wiele, Onera, Bentley,...)
  27. NANOFORCE - Next generation nano-engineered Polymer-Steel/CNT Hybrids
    SIM project - Strategic Initiative Materials 2010-2014 (regional funding)
    (in collaboration with KULeuven, VUB, Bekaert,...)
  28. SHE - Engineered Self-Healing Materials
    SIM project - Strategic Initiative Materials 2010-2014 (regional funding)
    (in collaboration with VUB, Recticel,...)
  29. Small Wind Turbine Field Laboratory
    Hercules medium sized research infrastructure Type 1 (regional funding)
    (in collaboration with UGent and HoGent research groups)
  30. A new principle of wave energy converter
    IOF StarTT development project for strengthening IP portfolio (university funding)
    (in collaboration with UGent research groups)
  31. Experimental measurement of the mechanical behaviour of composite materials and hybrid materials subject to different types of impact loading
    Fundamental research grant 2010 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
  32. Characterization of the fatigue behaviour of fibre-reinforced plastics through accelerated fatigue tests of composite beams and plates with electromagnetic shakers
    Fundamental research project 2010-2013 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
    (in collaboration with the Department Mechanics of Materials and Constructions (MeMC) (Free University of Brussels))
  33. Development of a composite bicycle racing frame with a increased confort by optimal use of flax fibre reinforcement
    Industrial research project 2009-2011 (regional funding by IWT)
    (in collaboration with the company Museeuw Bikes)
  34. Experimental and numerical study of the slamming wave impact on deformable composite structures
    Fundamental research project 2009-2012 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
    (in collaboration with the Department of Heat, Combustion and Fluid Mechanics (Ghent University) and the Acoustics and Vibration Research Group (Free University of Brussels))
  35. Sensing and morphing of composite laminates with piezoelectric transducers
    Fundamental research project 2007-2009 (funding by China Scholarship Council)
  36. Monitoring deformation and degradation in thermoplastic composite materials with draw tower Bragg grating optical fibre sensors
    Applied research project 2007-2010 (industrial funding)
  37. Speckle metrology techniques for contactless full-field measurement of in-plane and out-of-plane deformations of composite plates under static and dynamic loading conditions
    Collaborative research project 2006-2008 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
    (in collaboration with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences)
  38. Development of a "stacked" solid-like shell element for the simulation of damage in large composite structures under dynamic loading conditions
    Fundamental research project 2007-2010 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
    (in collaboration with the research group Mechanics of Materials, Fluids and Structures (MS2F) (Université de Liege))
  39. The energy absorption assessment of composite structures for protection of civil engineering structures against blast loading
    Fundamental research project 2007-2010 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
    (in collaboration with the research group Mechanics of Materials and Constructions (MeMC) (Free University of Brussels) and the Royal Military Academy)
  40. Experimental and numerical study of impact on window glass (retro)fitted with safety film
    Applied research project 2006-2010 (industrial funding)
  41. High speed digital camera with high framerate and resolution for digital registration of highly dynamic phenomena
    Research infrastructure 2006 (funding by Ghent University)
  42. Experimental testing and numerical simulation of wear and damage in filament wound composite bearings
    Fundamental research project 2007-2010 (funding by Ghent University)
    (in collaboration with the research group Tribology and Fatigue (Ghent University))
  43. Micro-meso-macro homogenization of the fatigue degradation of textile reinforced composites
    Fundamental research project 2006-2009 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
    (in collaboration with the department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (KULeuven))
  44. Experimental and theoretical study of the damage behaviour of fibre-reinforced composite systems under biaxial fatigue loading
    Fundamental research project 2006-2009 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
    (in collaboration with the research group Mechanics of Materials and Constructions (MeMC) (Free University of Brussels)
  45. Modelling the fatigue behaviour of impact-damaged composites
    Fundamental research project 2006-2008 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
  46. Sustainable Economically Efficient Wave Energy Converter (SEEWEC)
    Applied research project 2006-2008 (European funding by FP6)
  47. Multi-Axial Stress and Strain sensing of thermo hardened composite elements using Fibre Optic Sensors (MASSFOS)
    Applied research project 2006-2008 (funding by European Space Agency (ESA))
  48. OPTIcal MEasurement techniques for Structures and Systems (OPTIMESS)
    Scientific research network 2009-2013 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
  49. Mechanical and tribochemical energy dissipation process in structural composites applied for complex rolling-sliding contact conditions: on-line analysis by means of computer vision and material response on meso-scale
    Fundamental research project 2008-2011 (regional funding by FWO-Vlaanderen)
    (in collaboration with the research group Tribology and Fatigue (Ghent University), the research group Image Processing and Interpretation (Ghent University) and the department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (KULeuven))