Objectives
The
main objective of the Unit is the development of numerical methods applied to
simulation and optimization of systems on Mechanical and Structural Engineering.
The
research activity and scientific objectives of the Unit for Numerical Methods in
Mechanics and Structural Engineering are divided on three research fields:
1.
Analysis, Reliability and Optimal Design of Structures in Mechanical Engineering
1.
Finite element methods for structural analysis with static and dynamic loading
conditions, considering
geometric and material non linear behavior.
1.2
Models for the analysis of the integrity and reliability of structures.
Development of a formulation based on the stochastic finite element method. Damage models for structural systems.
1.3
Development of algorithms and methods for structural optimization, including
sizing, shape and topology,
based on deterministic or probabilistic concepts.
1.4
Methods for sensitivity analysis namely for non-linear geometric and material
behaviors and dynamic
response.
1.5
Development of models for steel
structures behavior under fire conditions.
1.6
Analysis of non linear geometric and material behavior under thermal
conditions. 2.
Numerical Simulation and Optimization of Industrial
Forming and Machining Processes
2.1
Development of mathematical models for the analysis of industrial processes in
which the thermal and/or
mechanical part of the phenomenon is relevant (forming, casting, forging and
machining).
2.2
Algorithms for optimization of process parameters based on direct and inverse
techniques.
2.3
Development of sensitivity analysis for forming processes.
2.4
Algorithms for data transfer and pre and post processing.
2.5
Development of mixed numerical and experimental models for optimization of
machining parameters.
3.
Development of
other Numerical Methods
3.1
Parallelization of algorithms.
3.2
Models for stochastic analysis.
3.3
Evolutionary search algorithms and hybridization of
optimization
techniques.
The developed
numerical models and techniques have the following objectives:
-
To
contribute for the technical and scientific development;
-
To
obtain improvements on structural design and on manufacturing processes in
Mechanical Engineering.
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