Structural Mechanics and Design

STRUCTURAL MECHANICS AND DESIGN

The DME group was created in the 2009/2010 academic year as a result of the merger of the Mechanical Design and Structural Mechanics groups, combining technical office skills and applied mechanics. Over the years, the DME group has successfully combined applied fundamental research with challenging industrial projects, training engineering students, doctorates and corporate technical staff in the process.

The main objective of the group is to generate knowledge to optimise the mechanical behaviour of any type of component (from cast parts to glass), supported by advanced simulation techniques and experimental tests that exceed the current state of the art. In response to this ambitious objective, the DME group is structured around six areas of research:

 

 

 

Mechanical structures

Analysis of the behaviour of structures and joints, both static (rigidity and resistance) and dynamic (fatigue, shock...) supported by advanced modelling and experimental testing. In particular, knowledge is concentrated on:

• Mechanically welded structures.
• Cold-formed thin-walled structures.
• Cast structures.

Machine elements

Development of technical solutions "beyond the standards" to extend the life, efficiency and NVH behaviour of mechanical components by studying and optimising their geometry, kinematics and load distribution, as well as their lubrication and EHL contact conditions.

• Connection elements: screwed and welded.
• Rolling elements: bearings, rotary joints, ball screws.
• Transmission elements: gearboxes and gear couplings.

Mechanisms and machines

Conception and analysis using multibody dynamics of mechanisms in sectors such as the motor industry (brakes and suspensions), industry (robotics and packaging machines). In addition, we also develop customised prototypes and test benches for a variety of sectors such as the automotive, aeronautics, machine tools and even the biomedical sector.

 

Advanced modeling

Development of models that allow complex problems to be solved by means of numerical analysis across the whole range of scales (from microscopic to macroscopic) as dictated by the nature of the problem. A part of the system (e.g. contact or crack initiation) or the entire system is analysed in detail as a virtual prototype. Mainly specialised in:

• Solving multiphysical problems, resulting from the coupling of various phenomena. Especially systems that involve a fluid-structure interaction.
• Detailed models of mechanical elements and dynamic behaviour of mechanisms and machines.
• Fatigue, wear and tear, and crack propagation phenomena.
• Behaviour resulting from thermal or mechanical treatments (welding, shot-peening, rolling/machining).

Experimental characterisation

The main objective is to generate knowledge through experimental testing. In the same way as in advanced modelling, several scales can be identified in the tests for experimental characterisation:

• Material/laboratory testing: microstructure and fatigue tests (from -115ºC to 1400ºC), tribology, non-destructive tests.
• Component testing: we have a laboratory where we can test a variety of components from vehicle brakes and suspensions to complete lifting gearboxes.

 

Design automation

Design automation: tool automation for the transfer and implementation of the knowledge developed in a productive way in the company. The group has experience in both the development of customised tools and the automation of commercial CAD/CAE/CAM programmes (SolidWorks, NX, ABAQUS, ANSYS, etc.).

 

 Group file