Main Research Areas
Continuum Mechanics and Computational Mechanics
- Continuum and structural mechanics
- Finite Elements (Development and application)
- Adaptive methods
- Geometrical and physical non-linearity
- Algorithms for progressive failure
- Non-linear material models, plasticity, composite materials
- Contact problems
Vibrations and Stability of Elastic and Plastic Structures
- Numerical investigation of transient problems concerning large deformations
- Vibrations and dynamics of non-smooth systems
- Friction and contact
- Chaos
- Numerical time integration
- Sensitivity analyses
Fracture and Damage Mechanics
- Simulation of dynamic fracture processes
- Boundary element methods
- Cohesive zone models
Micromechanics of Heterogeneous Solid Polymers
- Constitutive models
- deformation and damage micromechanisms
- Micro-Macro-Transitions
Research Group Biomechanics (detailed information)
- Metal-ceramic crowns and bridges, under thermal and functional loading
- Dental implantology
- Dental prothetics, bone modeling and remodeling
Experimental Mechanics
- Electric measurement of mechanical quantities, especially of dynamics
- Experimental deformation analysis
- Identification of non-linear vibrations
Concepts of Research
At the Institute of Mechanics fundamental and application-oriented research is performed. One of the central points is the numerical simulation of non-linear static and dynamic problems in structural mechanics. In this connection the development of solid elements and of shell elements, adaptive methods, fast solution for parallel computers, algorithms for large deformations, solution to problems of discontinuity with help of numerical time integration as well as the investigations of more complex applications are being accomplished. To the last one belongs the investigations of stability of steel silo shells in case of different bulk material and different loads, pile-drive vibrations, friction and contact, metal-ceramic crowns loaded by the induced temperature during fabrication and implants in human jaws. The central point of the activities is the connection between the mathematical analysis and carefully chosen experiments, which can be mostly carried out in the laboratories of the Institute.
Facilities
Computer laboratory
- Local network, consisting of numerous personal computers
- Finite elements programs for the analysis of progressive failure
- Numerical investigations of non-linear static and dynamic problems
Experimental mechanics laboratory
- Electric measurement of mechanical quantities, especially of dynamics
- Experimental deformation analysis
- Identification of non-linear vibrations
- Signal analysis
Service and Cooperation Offers
- Analytical, numerical and experimental investigations of statically and dynamically loaded buildings, structures and structural members
- Expertise on dynamically loaded structures and structural members
Contact
Prof. Dr.-Ing. P. Betsch, Tel: +49 (0) 721 608 42072
Prof. Dr.-Ing. T. Seelig, Tel: +49 (0) 721 608 43714
Fax: +49 (0) 721 608 47990