| Abstract |
The research project aims at exploring and applying the theoretical, algorithmic, methodological and practical aspects of the new particle finite element method (PFEM) to the simulation of material failure, considered in a wide sense, in problems of mechanical and civil engineering. More specifically, it is intended to explore and apply the contributions that the aforementioned methodology can make to the numerical modeling of:
¿ Problems of static or dynamic fracture in structures of brittle or quasi brittle materials, i.e.: ceramics or plain or reinforced concrete.
¿ Simulation of manufacturing processes of automotive mechanical parts by means of powder metallurgy techniques, where, in the pressing stage prior to sintering, there is a large rejection index due to the appearance of cracks and breakages in the green compact.
¿ Fragmentation processes due to impact or explosion.
¿ Soil instabilities involving soil slides and avalanches of granular or quasi-granular materials (snow or debris).
The project also intends to develop the core of a numerical tool (a computer simulation code) devised to be applied to specific material failure problems in several branches of civil and mechanical engineering. It is expected that this code can be further developed, in the future, to give rise to specific simulations tools, amenable to be commercialized and applied in different branches of civil and mechanical engineering. |
