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Research
– Department of Engineering Design and Materials (IPM)
The department conducts research within the four areas of expertise Product Development, Polymers and Composites, Manufacture of Metals, and Structural Integrity. The research activities span from large national programmes to PhD dissertations. the research is closely connected to the department's laboratories.
Materials technology has been selected as one of five Strategic Areas at NTNU, and aluminum is a main focus of the Structural Impact Laboratory (SIMLAB) , awarded status as a Centre for Research-based Innovation.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT research acivities:
Produktivity 2005: Productivity 2005 (P2005) is a Research Council initiative to strengthen the competitiveness of the Norwegian manufacturing industry. The Productivity 2005 programme is based at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and has the following philosophy: "Developing competence in the Norwegian manufacturing industry to recognized international standards will be one of the most important competitive advantages for the Norwegian industrial community in the future. NTNU will work closely with partners in research institutes and industry in setting the pace for these developments in Norway". The Norwegian manufacturing industry is characterized by its use of high technology and its focus on exports. At the same time, much of this sector is composed of SMEs where there still is a considerable potential to adopt holistic approaches to manufacturing and organization. This weakens the international competitiveness of the sector. » Programme manager at IPM: Detlef.Blankenburg@ntnu.no
NUTS: NUTS Design & Production is a part of NorLight's project portfolio on conversion and downstream application of Light Metals. NUTS aims to become an internationally leading competence centre for light metal-based automotive product and process development. This competence centre will integrate research, international network, education and learning. NUTS will focus on lean high volume manufacturing of light metal products. In connection with NUTS, an automotive laboratory is established at the Department of Machine Design and Materials Technology. See NRK TV news report from the opening. » Programme manager at IPM: Detlef.Blankenburg@ntnu.no
ARENA: The main goal of the Learning Arenas (LA) is diffusion of experience and development of competance. The intention is - to the greatest possible extent - to integrate the implementation of the so-called quality reform with the day-to-day teaching by connecting the activity to initiatives in specific subjects. At NTNU, several projects are launched where different academic diciplines are testing new methods of teaching and evaluation. The Learning Arenas are intended to become meeting poins for lecturers who work with related approaches in their projects and courses. The idea is that the lecturers by means of such an arena can benefit from each other's experiences, and thus contribute to the development of a common competance "across" different projects and academic diciplines at NTNU. The aim is that this experience shall be turned into joint property for all academic diciplines at NTNU by means of a "cook book" with tips on methodology and good advice on pitfalls. » Programme manager IPM: Detlef.Blankenburg@ntnu.no
Action Learning : Learning, methodology and research meet in the term action learning. Each of the three aspects include the other two in such a way as to make it impossible to consider one without the others. The trio constitute a unity. But let us try to describe it from each of the three wiewpoints: Seen as a research project, we aim through action learning to develop knowledge on learning and methodology which are suitable to the digital era. Seen as a methodology, action learning is a way of including learing in the new methodology. Seen as a way of learning, we aim through action learning to develop pedagigics which unite institutional education with the need for life long learning. The learning methods consist of solving actual tasks. The integration of the three elements is emphasized in that research, which in a way makes up the project's own learning method, is an integrated part of both pedagogics and methodology.
Computer Aided Design of Sculpted Shapes (PhD project) Computer Aided Design (CAD) has an important role in product development. Todays CAD systems enable us to model complex sculpted shapes with high accuracy. But the modelling task can be lengthy and tedious, and in general the shape has to be known in advance i a rather high detail. As a consequence, the act of designing is still performed outside of the CAD environment. In addition, it is often both difficult and expensive to make changes in existing models. Our research focusses on methods for modification of existing models of sculpted geometry, so CAD may become a /designers/' tool, and so products may be developed with a higher optimized geometry. We collaborate with SARC i Nederland. » Participants: Bastiaan Veelo , Sven Fjeldaas .
POLYMERS AND COMPOSITES research activities:
Bio-nanocomposites: Processing and relationship between the structure and properties: The fairly new idea of bionanocomposites - in which the reinforcing material has nanometer dimensions - is emerging to create the next generation of novel eco-friendly materials with superior performance and extensive applications in medicine, coatings, packaging, automotive applications etc. Biodegradable nanocomposites which have superior thermal, barrier and mechanical properties compared to today’s biomaterials can be synthesis from biopolymer and nano sized reinforcements. Raw materials for these new nanostructured composites will be natural biopolymers (polylactic acid and cellulose esters). Nano whiskers of chitin- and cellulose will be used as reinforcements. The processing of nanocomposites will be studied with the aim of achieving a deeper understanding of compatibility between different phases and dispersion of nanoreinforcements in the biopolymer matrix. Moreover, the development- and optimization of the existent and new manufacturing techniques will be established. Characterizations methods, as TEM and AFM, which are important characterisation techniques in nano scale, are usually used for metallic materials and one challenge in this project is the use these techniques for biomaterials. Other characterization methods will include spectroscopy methods, testing the materials micro mechanical behaviour, dynamical mechanical thermal properties and durability. The project is financed by NFR, NANOMAT program. » Contact person: Kristiina.Oksman@ntnu.no
METAL MANUFACTURING research activities
CompForm: Project challenges: To understand the origin of dimensional variations in selected forming processes (extrusion, profile bending, and forging) in order to secure improved production robustness for high volume applications. To establish basic knowledge of parameters controlling variations in mechanical properties of extrusions, aiming to reduce the spread in properties. To develop fundamental mathematical models for more accurate simulation of mechanisms controlling quality of formed components. To develop accurate models for prediction of dimensional tolerance capability of components and assemblies. To create an interdisciplinary working environment that attracts the best students and researchers. To serve as a recruitment base for the light metal industry. » Program contact at IPM: Torgeir.Welo@ntnu.no
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY research activities
The area covers conditions affecting strength and wear life of mechanical constructions. This includes calculation of mechanical, thermical and chemical stress which affect structures, and dimentioning for all kinds of constructional failure (fracture, wear, fatigue, corrosion, etc.)
By materials testing and numerical calculations we aim to identify mechanisms of damage, fracture and collapse in materials components and joined structures. In particular, we study welded joints. Use of FEM coupled with mechanical and micromechanical models form the basis for more accurate and cost-effective procedures for evaluation of design, performance characteristics and the safety level of load-carrying structures.
SMASH project - learning environment for materials technology in the new millennium: In 5 years, the Materials Technology Educational Programme shall become as popular as Product Design. This is to be achieved by making the programme so exciting that the students themselves make sure "everybody" gets the word. Focus: Materials technology has a substantial image problem. The name is considered a thing of the past. The plan is to create a completely new learning environment for materials technology, where moths and mould and all that resembles the post-war era is washed away (like a white tornado) and replaced with new content, new attitudes, new environment.Materials technology is a national strategic area. Industry and society expect of NTNU good and excellent candidates who are motivated for making an effort to create the society of the future. This applies to both the established and the non-established industry, and unites existing methodology with all the new knowledge to come. » Participants Christian Thaulow et.al.
LINKftr project: The founding idea of the firm LINKftr is a result of a long-standing integrated collaboration between SINTEF and NTNU on the area of Fracture Mechanics and Materials Testing. The goal of establishing this firm is to create a new actor in the borderland between materials technology expertise and the engineers/designers of the industry. With the new firm, we have established a more precise definition of roles between commercialisation/software development (LINKftr), connected research tasks (SINTEF), and Master/PhD education (NTNU). This will enable an increased attention to complete solutions, which the parties can contribute to and benefit from. » Participants Christian Thaulow et.al.
§ Mechanical Integrity
The subject area covers methods for the analysis of stress and strain in mechanical components and their assessment with regard to the strength and lifetime of the components, in particular under fatigue loading. Structural and material mechanics and mechanical metallurgy form the scientific basis. Mechanical integrity offers methods of analysis and design rules for the development and design of machinery and other mechanical equipment. The area focuses on the development of methods and rules for the finite element analysis of mechanical components and the associated prediction of the strength and lifetime of these. Such methods and rules are prerequisites for the optimisation of components, i.e. their reliable and economical operation during the intended lifetime using the right quality and amount of materials.
Mechanical integrity of hydraulic turbines: The project deals with the fatigue design of hydraulic turbines, especially Francis turbine runners. The stress distribution at the transition between blade and boss is computed and optimised by means of the finite element method. This method is also used to characterise a semi-elliptical surface crack in an arbitrary stress field. By combining the results from both analyses, the growth of a fatigue crack at the transition between blade and boss can be simulated. Predictions are compared with results from fatigue testing of realistic specimens. Thus, a full-scale model of the trailing edge of a Francis blade has been investigated in a 100-tonne fatigue test rig. »Participants: Hans-Jörg Huth , Gunnar Härkegård
Life assessment and design criteria for welded light-alloy components The project is part of the NUTS program and deals with the fatigue design of welded light alloy automotive components. Besides conventional methods (nominal stress, structural stress) and standards (Eurocode 9), probabilistic methods (Weibull analysis) and crack growth analysis are being used for the lifetime prediction of representative welded joints between (extruded) box beams. Participants: Torsten Mann , Gunnar Härkegård
Probabilistic fatigue design This project deals with the prediction of the probability of fatigue failure of a machine component based on the probability of failure of a small volume element described by the Weibull distribution function (“weakest-link theory”). An existing computer code for the post-processing of a finite element stress field has been used for this purpose. Predictions for fatigue test specimens are compared with experimental data. Participants: Arne Fjeldstad , Gunnar Härkegård
Non-linear analysis of crack in notched component This work is aimed at the computation of the path-independent integral J for a crack in a notched component. This is of importance to the analysis of the growth of a fatigue crack under elastic-plastic conditions. While earlier work has been focused on components under force control, the present work specifically deals with components under displacement control, a situation representative of thermally loaded components, e.g. thermal power plant or process plant. Participants: Anders Wormsen , Gunnar Härkegård
