Composite forming simulation sponsored by Airbus

As the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, the development of lightweight, high performance composite materials offer a promising pathway to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emission. Simulations of the forming processes will enable the identification of potential manufacturing issues early in the product development stage. Designs and production processes of composite parts can therefore be optimised leading to reduced re-work, material waste and energy consumption. The creation of simulation tools will allow for a deeper understanding of the complex behaviour of composite materials during the forming process, enabling engineers to predict how these materials will perform in industrial conditions. This foresight can lead to innovations in manufacturing techniques, ensuring that components are not only produced more efficiently and sustainably, but also meet the stringent safety and performance standards required in aviation.

The main EngD project will:

• Develop industrially applicable forming simulation methods for composite materials
• Extend  current forming simulation methodologies for composite non crimp fabric material to prepreg material
• Take into account viscoelastic shear, ply by ply contact behaviour, ply shapes and component geometrical changes
• Characterise new materials, conduct experimental validations of the simulations and devise new testing protocols, e.g. for mode II tack
• Create a post processing tool to ensure correct interpretation of results
• Ensure scalability of the forming simulation to industrial realistic full stack laminates and large scale structural components
• Excite your interests in multiscale modelling of complex components to ensure sustainable manufacturing procedures.

Eligibility: Home/permanent UK residents subject to security clearance

To apply please submit a personal statement, outlining your experience and why you are interested in the EngD project, your CV and transcript of results to https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/. Please do not submit a project description; this is unnecessary as the project is already defined and select EngD in Composites Manufacture. Please enter Professor Janice Barton the Director of the CDT as the 2^nd supervisor (janice.barton@bristol.ac.uk) and indicate that the funding is provided by the CDT in Innovation for Sustainable Composites Engineering.