Numerical Simulation of New Cementitious Composite Materials

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The project will focus on the numerical simulation of a new cementitious construction material system (or new material for short). The numerical tools to be developed in the project will enhance the understanding of the new material, be used to guide future material developments and ultimately be employed in designing structures formed from the new material. The finite element models to be developed will make use of a new micro-mechanical material-healing theory developed by the Cardiff supervisors. The models developed will be implemented in the commercial finite element program LUSASThe new composite material comprises a cementitious matrix with embedded -locally reinforced- mini-vascular units. The behaviour of this material system is complex and encompasses micro-cracking, macro-cracking, healing and crack bridging. The project is relevant to the following EPSRC Research areas:Grow: Continuum Mechanics , Maintain: Engineering Design, Infrastructure and Urban Systems, Materials Engineering-Composites, Numerical Analysis and structural Engineering In Cardiff, the case-student will join a dynamic team of Post-Doc and PhD researchers in the M4L Group investigating different aspects of self-healing materials. Importantly, she/he will work with experimentalists as well as other numerical researchers. The M4L Group is currently leading an EPSRC Programme grant and is part of a European training network. This means that M4L has strong links with research groups in other countries and provides a great opportunity for the student to interact with researchers at leading overseas universities. The case-student will benefit from an extensive range of courses available to PhD students in Cardiff that help develop research, technical and professional skills.