Projects
Machine Learning Enhancement of Micro-CT Based Micromechanics of Composite Materials KU Leuven
1) Prediction of effective mechanical properties of random composite materials based on structure tensor analysis of high-resolution micro-CT images. 2) Construction of high-quality micro-CT images of the microstructure of composite materials using machine learning methods to make scanned volume representative: a) by reconstructing a high-resolution image from several images of lower quality, b) by expanding and predicting possible patterns ...
Structural supercapacitors; composite materials for high-density energy storage. KU Leuven
The main goal of this PhD research is to develop and optimize composite materials to be used as structural supercapacitors. Furthermore, those structural composites possess the additional functionality of very high capacitance. The resulting materials will thus be multifunctional components to be applied in diverse engineering structures.
The use of a capacitor for energy storage offers numerous advantages. The (dis)charging of a ...
A Novel Anisotropic Composite Foam Concept for Improved Head Protection in Oblique Impacts KU Leuven
Oblique impact is the most common accident situation that occupants in traffic accidents or athletes in professional sports experience. During oblique impact, the human head is subjected to a combination of linear and rotational (angular) accelerations. Rotational (angular) acceleration and also velocity of the head are known to be responsible for traumatic brain injuries and must be minimised.
Cyclists are amongst the most vulnerable ...
Integration of the bond behaviour into the numerical modelling and the design of mixed cement composite – concrete structures. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
concrete structures. The non-corroding reinforcement can solve the often occurring durability
issues in aggressive environments. This rising technology can also avoid the demolition and
new construction of existing concrete structures by strengthening and/or protecting them, or
even lead to the design of new lightweight concrete ...
Delaying off-axis cracking in composite plies with a conventional thickness KU Leuven
Off-axis cracks are often the first damage in fibre-reinforced polymer composites. They trigger other damage, and strongly decrease mechanical performance. Unfortunately, our understanding is too limited to accurately predict or delay off-axis cracks, due to: 1) difficulties in reliably characterising the fibre, matrix, and interface properties 2) a lack of reliable, validated models 3) challenges in experimental identification of the crack ...
Exploration of the use of biomaterials for heat storage and comfort applications in buildings. Bio-based PCMs and composite materials. KU Leuven
Europe finds itself a major player in the largest flow, in terms of quantity, of special construction and demolition (C&D) waste. The management of waste from the construction sector affects atmospheric emissions, which is why the global climate challenge and the goal of moving ever closer to the ecological transition extends to the European level. In addition, global warming is leading to increasing energy consumption for cooling our ...
A physics-based computationally efficient multi-scale model for prediction of damage mechanisms in composite laminates under multi-axial fatigue loads considering the effects of thermal residual stresses and manufacturing defects Ghent University
Multidirectional laminates made of unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) composite materials have been widely used in primary fatigue load bearing structures of different industrial sectors. To reduce the time-to-market for new products and the costs associated with experimental testing, developing modeling tools with acceptable run time for prediction of fatigue behavior of FRP laminates is a crucial technological demand. Developing ...
Characterization of the fatigue behaviour of fibre-reinforced plastics through accelerated fatigue tests of composite beams and plates with electromagnetic shakers Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Toughness assessment and micro-to-macro correlation of fracture processes in composite materials using a versatile embedded multiscale-model Ghent University
In many applications metals are substituted by fibre-reinforced polymer composite laminates that are composed by layers. Type and sequence of fracture modes between and inside layers are neither well understood nor correlated to fracture toughness due to experimental difficulties associated with testing in multidirectional laminates. A combined computational-experimental framework linking directly microscale fracture to toughness measurements ...