Evidence Based Characterisation of Dynamic Sensitivity for Multiblock Structures – Computational Simulation and Experimental Validation

Computational and experimental characterisation of dynamic performance attributes, sensitivities and limiting critical conditions of multi block structures is considered, in order to support the integrity assessment of many safety critical discontinuous, blocky structural assemblies. Comprehensive series of single and multi block benchmarks, with increasing complexity and varying interface conditions will be developed and experimentally validated on a novel bespoke experimental platform, and using the newly acquired state of the art non contact optical measurement system, with image processing for control points displacement time histories. Experimental results will provide a comprehensive set of well controlled, novel generic benchmarks to computationally validate various modelling aspects of the non smooth contact dynamics implicit simulation paradigm and contribute towards its improved predictive power for the industry relevant analysis of multi body structural assemblies. The proposal aims to create a distinct longer term research niche for the Computational and Experimental Dynamics Laboratory at the University of Rijeka, through collaboration with two centres of excellence in the UK, building on the existing long standing expertise in simulation (experimental and computational) in impact engineering (Prof. Petrinić, University of Oxford), as well as with the state of the art developments in computational non smooth contact dynamics software (Dr. Koziara, University of Durham).

Project is founded by UKF (Unity Through Knowledge Foundation), October 2013 till October 2015.

Research team:
Nenad Bićanić, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka (Website)
Nikica Petrinić, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford (Website)
Tomasz Koziara, School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, University of Durham (Website)
Gordan Jelenić, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka (Website)
Jean-François Camenen, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka (Website)
Nina Čeh, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka (Website)

Institutions:
Unity Through Knowledge Foundation, Zagreb
Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka
Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford
School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, University of Durham