Two PhD positions in Computational Mechanics. Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany

The International Research Training Group IRTG 1627/1 “Virtual Materials and Structures and their Validation” at the Leibniz Universität Hannover (Germany)  invites applications for 2 PhD positions in virtual testing of materials and structures (Salary Scale TV-L E13).

The positions are funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and are available from October 2013 on. The funding period is 3 years.

The research will be condicted in the Institute of Structural Analysis (ISD, http://www.isd.uni-hannover.de) at Leibniz Universität Hannover. 

The descriptions of the projects offered by ISD are:

IRTG 1627 - C.3: MDFEM for Fracture Simulations in Polycrystalline Materials
The overall understanding of material response needs the development of computational techniques that allow connecting the interacting phenomena at different material and time scales. One of the existing approaches to accomplish this task is denoted as the Molecular-Dynamic Finite Element Method (MDFEM). Embedding classical Molecular Dynamics (MD) into the Finite Element Method (FEM) provides a new focus in the analysis of materials across the scales. MDFEM combines both atomistic and continuum modeling with the aim of providing different physics-based models that can appropriately represent basic mechanisms at each scale. In the context of polycrystalline materials, atomistic effects play a crucial role in the inter-granular failure scenarios. The target of this investigation is the development of simulation models based on MDFEM, in order to analyze fracture mechanisms along the grain boundaries of the polycrystalline structures. For this purpose, further improvements and enhancements of the existing models at ISD for an efficient and a reliable characterization of inter-granular damage features will be required.

http://www.irtg1627.uni-hannover.de/157.html

 IRTG 1627 - A.4: Multi-stable Morphing Structures

Morphing structures are structures that can change their shape during operation. The use of multi-stable structures is one of the ways in which morphing of a structure can be realized.  Important contexts in which the concept of multi-stability is essential are firstly thermo-mechanical processes of laminates, and secondly the application of adaptive structures using e.g. piezo-electrical elements. The combination of multi-physics (mechanical, thermal, piezo-electrical elements) and nonlinear aspects (geometrical nonlinearity due to large displacements, bifurcation and branching behavior, in specific cases also material nonlinearity) makes the design and analysis of multi-stable morphing structures a demanding task. Engineering applications require the development and application of a combination of semi-analytical methods, finite element tools and reduced-order models in order to be able to model and capture the behavior of the morphing structure. The methodologies and tools that will be developed in this project are specifically aimed at relevant engineering applications, such as morphing aircraft wings and morphing rotor blades of wind energy turbines.  Previous work at the ISD on the geometrically and materially nonlinear behavior of composite materials and structures, and on the bi-stable behavior of solar cell structures, is the basis of these investigations. 

http://www.irtg1627.uni-hannover.de/151.html

Requirements

Applicants should have a diploma or masters degree in engineering or applied mathematics. A strong background in nonlinear continuum mechanics and the finite element method is an advantage. Due to the fact that the International Research Training Group is a joint project with the LMT of ENS Cachan (http://www.lmt.ens-cachan.fr) applicants will have to stay at LMT in Cachan for a period of 6 months during their PhD work.

A good knowledge of the German language is an strong asset. 

Application procedure 

Please send your application by using the application form (http://www.music.unihannover.

de/202.html) and with the usual documents and papers by 10. August 2013 to

apply@music.uni-hannover.de and r.rolfes@isd.uni-hannover.de

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. R. Rolfes (+49 511 762-3867, r.rolfes@isd.uni-hannover.de). 

Leibniz Universität Hannover

Institut für Statik und Dynamik

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. R. Rolfes

Appelstr. 9 A

30167 Hannover

Germany