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School of Engineering and Computing Sciences (ECS)

Computational mechanics

Computational mechanics research at Durham addresses a range of topics related to the deformation of solids and wave propagation through fluids, and involves the development of new algorithms and software in both areas. We are funded both by EPSRC grants and directly from industry. Links to staff involved in these areas are given by their initials. Ideas for PhD and MRes projects are in the list here.

Our work in solid mechanics has four major strands:

  1. rapid computations in stress analysis and reanalysis. We develop adaptive boundary element based software tools for rapid solution and display of stress information. The Concept Analyst software that has been developed out of this research is currently used at BAE Systems for the rapid assessment of stress concentrations in aircraft structures. We are also investigating shape and topology optimisation by using this reanalysis to update the evolving geometry in an evolutionary optimisation algorithm. JT
  2. iterative solution of equations from FEM/BEM. The BEM work involves preconditioned GMRES solvers for dense unsymmetric systems when a good first approximation is available. This overlaps with the FEM work which is considering much larger, sparse systems particularly those arising in geomechanics. Here we are concerned with the design of preconditioners which are particularly well suited to the properties of the matrix that result from the use of non-linear soils models. A major element of this work is the solution of these systems in a parallel environment. JT  CEA
  3. coupled Lattice-Boltzmann finite element analysis of fluid transport through elasto-plastically deforming porous solids. This work is linked to our studies on the structural integrity of nuclear reactor pressure vessels under transient pressure and temperature excursions. A significant part of this investigation has focused on the development of generalised plasticity models and the associated integration of the stress rates over a finite strain increments. RSC
  4. development of hybrid methods using scaled boundary (SB) and meshless/meshfree (MF) techniques for solid mechanics. We have coupled SB and MF methods to enable simulation of non-linear material behaviour with infinite boundaries avoiding any overhead of meshing. We are also active in the improvement of meshless methods, looking at accuracy and convergence and the use of Max-Ent shape functions CEA  RSC

Our work in wave diffraction modelling has been funded by four EPSRC grants. We develop Partition of Unity type elements for the simulation of Helmholtz problems (such as acoustics, water waves in constant depth), elastodynamics and electromagnetics. We have done this in boundary element, finite element and infinite element implementations. This work is continuing in collaboration with the University of Wales, Swansea, and BAE Systems Sowerby Research Centre. Recent work is concentrating on improving the numerical integration schemes using semianalytical schemes or by understanding some features of the highly oscillatory functions we integrate. This work is also extending into parallel computations. JT

In the area of computational geomechanics our research involves the development of new computational algorithms for the analysis of coupled hydromechanical problems in unsaturated soils. Current studies focus on the development of Finite Element codes implementing advanced elastoplastic constitutive models for application to practical engineering problems in unsaturated soils. Researchers at Durham are also working on the development of innovative algorithms for the numerical integration of complex stress-strain relationships for soils and on the improvement of the efficiency of such routines by increasing the robustness, speed and accuracy of computations. CEA  ASO RSC

For computational research we make use of the Durham high performance computing facility Hamilton as well as national HPC resources. The majority of our work uses software written in house (however, we do use certain commercial packages such as ABAQUS, Plaxis, OASYS GEO and Strand7). JT CEA RSC

Two posters as pdfs covering some aspects of our work in Computational Mechanics can be downloaded here. These were displayed at the recent Celebrating Excellence event at Durham (02.03.2011)

Enriched simulation of fracture mechanics and fatigue - JT

Computational meshless methods for engineering - CEA