Thanasis D. Papathanasiou
Associate Professor
Research Area
I. Structure-oriented Computational Modeling with Applications to Composites
Synopsis:
The overall aim of this project is to develop predictive models that
link the internal structure of composite materials to their methods of
fabrication and to their final properties. The project uses high
performance computing to conduct real-microstructure-based simulations
under the framework of continuum mechanics. The results of these
simulations provide a basis for developing hierarchical,
structure-based computational approaches as well as for an evaluation
of analytical approaches or variational bounding methods for composite
properties. A direct result of this research is the development of
quantitative structure-property correlations for the permeability of
fibrous media.
See: Image Gallery
II. Microstructure Characterization and Image Analysis of Composite Structures
Synopsis: The
aim of this project is to identify as well as to quantify the
meso-scale structures that are characteristic of various classes of
manufactured composites. Specific interest is in the areas of liquid
molding and pultrusion. This research features the use of large area
automated microscopy to capture a large-scale picture (O(cm2)) of the
topology of a polished composite surface. Such information provides the
necessary basis for multi-scale, real-structure-based computational
modeling and can also be linked to experimental property measurements
to provide a connection between materials, method of fabrication and
the final properties of a manufactured component.
See: Image Gallery
