PHD STUDIES (RESEARCH ASSISTANT):  FATIGUE MODELLING IN TEXTILE COMPOSITES
KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN

Position opens: 01.01.2006. Project duration 4 years.

Project description: Micro-meso-macro homogenization of the fatigue degradation of textile reinforced composites

Damage model for fatigue of textile reinforced composites is developed at the micro-level. By integration of these micromechanical fatigue damage models into the finite element simulations of the unit cell of the textile composite, it is possible to calculate the degradation of the homogenized elastic properties of this unit cell. By comparison of these results with the predictions of phenomenological fatigue damage models at the meso-level, the material constants of these latter models can be determined in a physically more correct and more generic manner. The models will be implemented in software tools.

Position description

PhD studies at K.U.Leuven, combined with Research Assistant position at Department MTM, K.U.Leuven, in the Composite Materials Group http://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/Research/C2/poly/index.htm.
The project offers full funding of a 4-year PhD program. 
Note for non-EU applicants: the work can start with a delay of few months due to Belgian residence formalities.
NB: the funds do NOT allow hiring a post-doc.

Supervisors at K.U.Leuven

Prof Ignaas Verpoest, Prof Stepan Lomov

Collaboration

University of Gent, Prof Joris Degriek, Prof Wim Paepegem

Requirements

1. Master degree (in order of preference) in
* Composites materials
* Mechanics of solids
* Applied mathematics
* Mechanical engineering (including courses on composite materials)

In any case the educational background should include

* Advanced course(s) on mechanics of solids
* Course(s) on composite materials
* Numerical methods
* Programming

2. Research experience

* Master thesis work involving modeling of material behaviour
* Candidate having publications (also submitted) and/or conference papers, will have an advantage

3. Programming and software skills

* C++ with experience in practical programming
* Finite element packages

4.  Communication skills, ability to work in a team

5. Language: English, Dutch-speaking candidates are welcome

Job contents

* Development of mathematical models of fatigue of textile composites on meso-level (unit cell of the composite structure)
* Validation of the models: fatigue testing
* Implementation of the models in software tools
* Integration of the meso-models with macro-scale criteria and FE simulations, developed in UGent

CHECK-LIST FOR THE APPLICANTS

(information to accompany your CV)
	I have a Master degree in one of the fields mentioned above - Provide details
	I have done research work in modelling of mechanical properties of composite materials...  - Provide details, give a synopsis of the research
... and have published/submitted for publication the results - Provide bibliographic details
	I am familiar with C++ ... - How did you study it?
... moreover, I have practical experience with programming in C++ - Provide details: brief descriptions on the codes
	I am familiar with FE packages ... - How did you study them? Specify the packages
... and have practical experience in using FE - Provide details: brief description of the solved problems
	I understand the project description and it interests me- Write one-page comment on the project, relating it to your own experience and education 
	I speak and write good English or Dutch - Use it in your application!

CONTACT

Prof. Stepan Lomov
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
Kasteelpark Arenberg, 44, 3001 Heverlee , Belgium
tel +32-16-32-13-00 (secretary)
fax +32-16-32-19-90
Stepan.Lomov@mtm.kuleuven.ac.be