The Project
The NewFrac Network is a 36-month PhD program, where students will have intersectoral and international training around Europe in top of the line laboratories and companies in the field
NewFrac Objetive
The main research objective of the NEWFRAC network is the development of a new modeling and simulation framework for the fracture mechanics optimization of high-level technological products involving heterogeneous systems (materials and structures), employed in engineering fields of strategic societal and scientific impact, ranging from renewable energy production systems to biological hard tissues.
This main objective will be achieved through the two following specific objectives:
1
To make a significant step forward on the key issues in FFM and PF, that will allow developing general computational tools able to solve complex fracture problems described above.
2
To confront these computational tools with challenging real-world fracture problems and applications which will provide the necessary feedback to upgrade these computational tools to obtain really predictive tools, which are robust, reliable and efficient, and thus useful in strategic industrial sectors.
Individual Research Projects (IRPs)
This scientific achievement will be carried out by training future experts, who will assimilate the required capacities and competences of analysis under the guidance of reputed researchers and professionals.
To achieve these targets, NEWFRAC will support 13 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) who will be trained to conduct a breakthrough research in fracture modeling engaging interdisciplinary academic and industrial activities.
Transfer of knowledge to industrial sectors will be performed through a close cooperation (Each ESR will be exposed at least for 4 months to working in non-academic sector, industry or hospital) with two leader industrial Beneficiaries (Robert Bosch GmbH and Fundación Investigación, Desarrollo y Aplicación de Materiales Compuestos “FIDAMC”) and three industrial Partner Organisations (BOTTERO, CUBICOFF and SAFRAN).
13 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs)
1
IRP/ESR 1: Total energy minimization with stress conditions for mixed mode fracture in anisotropic heterogeneous materials and structures
2
IRP/ESR 2: Toughening composites by micro and meso structural optimization
3
IRP/ESR 3: Fracture analysis of advanced layered ceramics
4
IRP/ESR 4: Fracture of LFRP ultra-thin ply laminates in aeronautical applications
5
IRP/ESR 5: Nucleation and propagation of compressive cracks
6
IRP/ESR 6: Multiscale modeling of fracture processes in injection molded SFRPs
7
IRP/ESR 7: Debonding of the reinforcement in LFRP externally strengthened curved beams
8
IRP/ESR 8: Fracture in biological anisotropic hard tissues (human bones)
9
IRP/ESR 9: Multi-field and multi-scale modeling of fracture for renewable energy applications
10
IRP/ESR 10: PF modeling of fracture in the human femur
11
IRP/ESR 11: Analysis of the failure mechanisms associated to the unfolding failure in CFRP profiles
12
IRP/ESR 12: Fracture in fibre-reinforced thermoplastics (FRTPs) across the scales
13
IRP/ESR 13: Phase Field and Finite Fracture Mechanics for dynamic crack propagation and delamination in brittle materials and composites
