Mechanics and Dynamics

Our research in Mechanics and Dynamics aims to achieve safe and reliable design for aerospace, automotive and other applications. Find out more below.

Mechanics and Dynamics focuses on developing fundamental theory, using analytical modelling, simulation and other computational techniques, and conducting physical testing, to solve engineering research problems in solid mechanics and structural dynamics.

This research area encompasses both the Solid Mechanics research group and the Structural Dynamics and Acoustics research group.

Solid mechanics, which considers how solid material deforms under load, covers subject areas ranging from computational mechanics, fatigue and fracture mechanics, and impact and shock mechanics to lightweight structures and composite materials.

Research activities in solid mechanics aim to understand or accurately model the underlying physics of a problem, which could allow, for example, a component's operational lifetime to be accurately predicted or prolonged, a component's performance, efficiency or reliability to be improved, or the key material properties to be appropriately measured.

Other research activities in solid mechanics aim to develop advanced techniques for manufacturing and characterising lightweight structures and composite materials, enhancing their performance and reliability in different applications.

Structural dynamics and acoustics, which considers the vibration behaviour of structures and the resulting sound radiation, focuses on understanding and mitigating noise and vibration in aircraft and road vehicles.

Our research activities

Research activities include but not limited to:

  1. Advanced composite material structures (monolithic, sandwich structures, 3D woven)
  2. Interface fracture in layered materials, considering the mechanics of mixed-mode fracture, fracture toughness assessment, and prediction of fracture initiation and propagation
  3. Spallation and lifetime assessment of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs)
  4. Mechanical characterisation (tension, compression, in-plane and interlaminar shear and flexure)
  5. Out-of-autoclave manufacture
  6. Finite-element method
  7. Phase-field fracture modelling
  8. Digital image correlation for non-contact strain measurement
  9. Thermal stress analysis
  10. Pulse-phase thermography
  11. Quasi-static testing
  12. Dynamic and impact testing
  13. Fatigue testing
  14. Smart structures and structural health monitoring
  15. Buckling, post-buckling and vibration of composite panels and beams
  16. Damage characterisation (destructive and non-destructive methods, including C-scanning and X-ray)
  17. Theory of dynamic fracture, considering the role of vibration in driving fracture in structures under high rates of loading
  18. High-velocity ballistic impact of body armour to engineer material systems and interfaces to deliver enhanced performance

Research activities include but not limited to:

  1. Structure-borne vehicle interior noise
  2. Duct acoustics
  3. Localised waves and vibrations
  4. Vehicle NVH
  5. Vibration transmission through structural joints
  6. Tyre noise and vibration
  7. Tyre dynamics and terra-mechanics
  8. Aeroacoustics
Meet our experts