| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/K005375/1 |
| Title: |
Dynamic Design Tools For Understanding and Exploiting Nonlinearity in Structures |
| Principal Investigator: |
Neild, Professor SA |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Mechanical Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Bristol |
| Scheme: |
EPSRC Fellowship |
| Starts: |
01 February 2013 |
Ends: |
31 July 2018 |
Value (£): |
749,267
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Eng. Dynamics & Tribology |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
The dynamic behaviour of mechanical systems and structures is often critical to their performance. Examples where unpredicted dynamic behaviour has resulted in poor performance include the London Millennium Footbridge prior to retrofitting with dampers and wheel shimmy experienced in aircraft landing gear and motorbikes.
When structures remain in their linear operating region, where the response is proportional to the size of the force causing it, there are well-established modelling and experimental validation tools for analysing their dynamic behaviour. If the structure exceeds the linear operating region and starts to exhibit nonlinear behaviour, for example due to large deflections, the effectiveness of these tools rapidly reduces leading to high degrees of design uncertainty. This uncertainty leads to multiple design iterations and increased costly experimental validation and even the discovery of undesirable behaviour late in the design process resulting in significant delay and additional expense.
This presents a problem when trying to innovate to improve performance, for example by reducing weight or using new materials, as this tends to add nonlinear effects. Currently the consequence of the limitations in existing tools is that the resulting uncertainty is compensated for by conservative design. What are urgently needed are design tools that can cope with complex nonlinear behaviour. The new nonlinear design tools this research will provide will greatly reduced the costs associated with designing new high performance products. Such step changes to the UK's capability for advanced design will assist high-end manufacturing industry to maintain its competitive edge.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.bris.ac.uk |