Nonlinear dynamics of shell and plate structures, multi-dimensional and multi-field applications

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The proposed research will propose a unifying approach to investigate nonlinear dynamics and fluid-structure interaction of shells for mechanical, aerospace, nuclear, nano and biomedical applications. There are similarities between the shell structures of aircraft, space rockets and those for biomedical applications. However, material properties for these applications are very different. Shells and plates made of traditional, composite and functionally graded materials can be modelled as linear elastic material, while soft biomaterials need to be modelled as hyperelastic and viscoelastic. ***The study of vibrations will be performed numerically, by developing innovative numerical codes based on reduced-order models that use natural modes for discretization and, experimentally with sophisticated measuring systems and procedures, including an advanced three-dimensional laser Doppler vibrometer to acquire displacements and velocities during vibrations. ***There are five major scientific themes linking the applicant's research over the next five years. The first goal is the numerical simulation of the nonlinear dynamics of shell structures using a new consistent nonlinear higher-order shear deformation theory that retains rotary inertia and thickness deformation with applications to sandwich structures, functionally graded and soft biological materials. The second goal is experimental testing with the aim of fully understanding the physical behaviour and validating the nonlinear structural models by performing tests on composite and soft material structures in presence of fluid-structure interaction. The third goal is the nonlinear damping identification and modelling in large-amplitude vibrations. The fourth goal is the stability and dynamic analysis of human aorta based on a new nonlinear shell theory that takes into account thickness variation, blood pulsatile flow, material and dissipation nonlinearities. The fifth goal is to address open problems of dynamics of nano-devices in 2D materials, as graphene nano-plates. In particular, nonlinear and parametric vibrations are extremely easily excited since the 2D materials are extremely thin. The effect of manufacturing imperfections, like wrinkling, is particularly important at this scale and their influence on the dynamics is an open problem. ***The impact of the proposed research will be transversal to several disciplines from cardiovascular biomechanics to nano-devices. Research findings have the potential to inspire the design of a new generation aortic prosthesis and reveal the currently missing biomechanical explanation behind the pathological process leading to aortic dissection and rupture. Providing a deep insight into the dynamics of nano-devices in 2D materials will potentially define novel design methods to guide product development of this new generation material.