Research overview and objectives

This research line focuses on the design of mechanical components for structural strength, manufacturability and durability. The main focus is on computer aided design and engineering techniques, ranging from technical documentation and drawing over CAD-techniques up to the application of modern CAE tools for integrated design and analysis. Specific research topics in this context are focusing on the application of CAE tools to assess design reliability and robustness of mechanical structures starting from an early design stage.

This strong focus on CAE is also present in the academic curricula of our education programs, and forms a solid basis for consultancy for industry and several regional and international projects concerning the use and implementation of CAE in higher education and companies.

Next to the CAD and CAE activities, the reliability of dynamically loaded mechanical structures is also investigated from a more experimental point of view, aiming at a reliable prediction of the lifetime of mechanical components.

This research line is partly integrated in the Noise and Vibration research group of the department of Mechanical Engineering of the K.U.Leuven.

Research topics

• numerical simulation for structural analysis – This research concentrates on the application of modern CAE techniques in typical design and analysis procedures carried out in a virtual prototyping environment. It is mainly conducted in the framework of consulting contracts with industry, focusing on specific design and modeling problems.
• numerical simulation under uncertainty and variability - Specific techniques are being developed that enable an assessment of design reliability and robustness from a very early design stage. This research concentrates on the actual non-deterministic modeling techniques, as well as on the application of these techniques in typical design and analysis procedures carried out in a virtual prototyping environment. It covers typical aspects involved in uncertainty identification, quantification, processing and interpretation.
• lifetime prediction of mechanical components under dynamic loading - In this research, the durability of specific mechanical components (e.g. bearings) as well as products based on recent manufacturing processes (e.g. additive techniques) is under investigation. The research concentrates on component failure in complex dynamic loading conditions, and on multi-axial fatigue properties of the component material.

Ongoing projects

• IWT SBO-project no. 100031
  Prognostics for optimal Maintenance - part 2
  1 July 2011 – 31 December 2013
• IWT SBO-project no. 090045
  Prognostics for optimal Maintenance
  November 2009 – 30 June 2011
• KUL/BOF CREA-project no. CREA/07/015
  Vibro-acoustic mid-frequency modelling: a fuzzy numerical approach
  1 October 2007 – 30 September 2010
• European TEMPUS CRIST-project: “Curriculum Reform in Space Technology in Russia, Ukraine and Kazachstan”. (2009-2011) Development of new curricula for the design (methods) for small satellites.
• European TEMPUS PROMENG-project: “Practice oriented master Programmes in Engineering in Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan”. (2011-2013) Development of new curricula for the design of machinery and applications in the field of electro-techniques.
• European TEMPUS NCR-project: “Neues Curriculum in Raumfahrttechnik in Uzbekistan”. (2008-2009). Development of new curricula for the design (methods) for aerospace applications.

Researchers

• David Moens
• Peter Arras
• Jasper Cerneels
• Brecht Van Hooreweder (K.U.Leuven)
• William Jacobs (K.U.Leuven)
• Wim Verhaeghe (K.U.Leuven)
• Wim De Mulder (K.U.Leuven)
• Laszlo Farkas (LMS International)