PhD scholarship in Micro Mechanical Damage Tolerance Improvements of Composites

A PhD scholarship is available at DTU Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark in the field of micro mechanical modelling of composite materials for wind turbine blades. The department has well-established research activities within material modelling and composite mechanics. The present scholarship is partly funded by the Danish Centre for Composite Structures and Materials for Wind Turbines (www.DCCSM.dk) supported by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation. Project descriptionAs the size of wind turbine blades increases the strength requirements on all length scales become increasingly demanding. DCCSM aims at bridging from nano to structural scale, and to connect the individual scale levels using optimization, making it possible to optimize a composite component on the nano scale using structural performance criteria. In this PhD project focus is on the micro mechanical damage modeling of composites. Often failure initiation occurs as delamination cracks propagating between two adjacent plies, making the concept of cohesive zone modeling a powerful and well suited approach to model through-thickness reinforcements in terms of stitching or Z-pins to mitigate delamination. These are promising methods often applied in composite laminates to suppress delamination, and micro mechanical modeling and improvements of such reinforcements are also the focus of this PhD scholarship.Specifically, the aim of this project is to develop an efficient numerical analysis approach using cohesive zone techniques to realistically study failure of composites. The developed analysis approach has to be validated against experiments. The following topics have been identified as the most important:

• Finite element modeling
• Cohesive zone modeling
• Material anisotropy
• Plasticity
• Experimental techniques

The project should result in a numerical micro mechanical tool capable for implementation into analysis models on larger length scales. The expected start date is 1st November 2010. Qualifications
Candidates should have a master's degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering. Strong skills in solid mechanics, finite element modelling, programming in Fortran/Matlab and a keen interest in experimental techniques and commercial FE-software packages, e.g. ANSYS and/or ABAQUS are needed. Also, fluency in speaking, reading and writing English is important. Approval and EnrolmentThe scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.  Salary and appointment termsThe salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years. Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Brian Nyvang Legarth, tel: +45 45 25 42 57 or Associate Professor Christian Berggreen, tel: +45 4525 13 73. You can read more about DTU Mechanical Engineering on www.mek.dtu.dk Application
We must have your online application by 1st August 2010. Please apply online at www.dtu.dk/vacancy. Open the link "apply for this job online" and fill in the application form and attach your application, CV and information about academic grades.  All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. DTU Mechanical Engineering covers the fundamental engineering disciplines within Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering, Energetics, Solid Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Control and Engineering Design, Hydrodynamics, Structural Engineering and Materials. It has a scientific staff of about 100 persons, 50 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of 50 persons.