SPOTLIGHTon Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS)

1 Introduction

2 UTC success story

5-6 Materials

7-8 Structures

9-10 Working with us

11-12 Manufacturing and Design

13-14 Research partnerships and collaborations

15-16 Publications

Contents

Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS) was established in 2017, building on the expertise and 10-year track record of the Advanced Composites Collaboration for Innovation and Science. We aspire to be a world-leading institute for composites research and education, combining cutting-edge fundamental science with strong industrial links for

exploitation and technology transfer.

We are delighted to welcome Ole Thomsen as NCC Professor of Composites Design and Manufacture, a joint appointment to strengthen the links between Bristol Composites Institute and the NCC. He leads the composites manufacturing and design activities here and Bristol’s contribution to the EPSRC Future Manufacturing Research Hub. We also warmly welcome Janice Barton as Professor of Experimental Mechanics, and Deputy Director of the EPSRC Industrial Doctorate Centre in Composites Manufacture.

In September the first cohort started of the new EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Composites Science, Engineering and Manufacturing, led by Professor Steve Eichhorn. This builds on the two previous ACCIS CDTs, bringing to over 130 the number of PhD students on the programmes, a substantial contribution to the national need for highly skilled researchers in the field of composites.

This brochure highlights some of our many exciting research activities and we welcome the opportunity to discuss them with you.

Professor Michael Wisnom Director of Bristol Composites Institute

UTC success storyEvery thriving organisation will have many success stories. We asked Professor Stephen Hallett, director of the Composites University Technology Centre (UTC), to answer a few questions related to the UTC’s success story at the Bristol Composites Institute.

Q: Professor, what are you most proud of at Bristol Composites Institute?

A: What we are really proud of here in Bristol are our people. We work closely with our industrial partners to learn about their current and future needs, and then build these into our research and teaching to prepare the next generation of engineers for their work-related challenges. We also invest in soft skills that will help them build a successful and balanced career.

Q: Could you highlight one particular example?

A: Matthew Thomas’ case is a fantastic example of collaboration with industry, personal development and knowledge transfer. Matt was a PhD student in the ACCIS Centre for Doctoral Training, supported by Rolls-Royce who did his project on Variable Angled Tow Laminates for Fan Blade Elastic Tailoring. This focused on advanced numerical optimisation techniques for novel curved fibre path composite plies, to take advantage of the mechanical performance benefits that this could bring. After finishing his PhD, Matt continued developing his numerical optimisation techniques as a Research Associate in ACCIS, funded by an EPSRC Impact Acceleration Award. The software tools that Matt’s IAA project developed aimed to close the gap between fan blade design and manufacturing constraints. This work was done in close collaboration with Rolls-Royce where his talent was recognised, helping Matt land a job in Rolls-Royce.

Q: What are the industrial partners gaining from such a collaboration?

A: Supporting a PhD student within ACCIS means that they can be closely involved in setting up a project and have access to both cutting edge research and the brightest minds. The University

liaises with the company’s legal teams to set up the right framework for the collaboration and the PhD student focuses on that particular project. A PhD project such as Matt’s can bring new ideas and technology to a product or process, or help scale up early stage technology to show how it can be applied in new areas.

Q: This all sounds great for the industry and Matt but how does ACCIS benefit from this knowledge transfer?

A: Our goal is generation of new knowledge and impact for the academic, industrial and wider communities. We are also preparing our talented graduates for starting their own career and we have to let them go. So by these measures of success, there has already been great benefit to ACCIS from Matt’s project. Also, the work that Matt started has many aspects that need further exploration, this will feed into new projects that other researchers will carry forward. Another benefit is that we have closer contacts with the companies we work with, both through the project work and now in Matt’s case, as a new, but familiar face at Rolls-Royce. Having our alumni out in our partner companies means they can act as ambassadors and points of contact, knowing what our strengths and capabilities are, thus facilitating even stronger collaborations in the future.

explorebristol.ac.uk/

composites

1 21© Rolls-Royce

Professor Fabrizio ScarpaProfessor of Smart Materials and Structures,

Head of MaterialsAuxetics, smart materials, honeycombs, vibration damping,

vibroacoustics, foams and multifunctional applications

Professor Ian Bond Professor of Aerospace Materials and

Dean of Faculty of EngineeringSelf-healing, multifunctional materials, surface chemistry, particle dispersion,

particle-polymer interfaces

Professor Ian Hamerton

Professor in Polymers and Composite MaterialsPreparation and characterisation of monomers, engineering

thermoplastics, multifunctional nanocomposites, high performance polymers (resin chemistry)

Professor Steve EichhornProfessor in Materials Science and Engineering,

Director of CDT in Composites Science, Engineering and Manufacturing

Interfacial properties of natural fibre composites, mechanical and physical properties of nanofibres,

nanocomposites, biomimetic materials

Dr James KratzLecturer in Materials Engineering

In-process sensing, curing, voids, out-of-autoclave processing

Our TeamWe develop novel

generations of composites with a broad

range of multiscale reinforcements, from

nanostructures to carbon and natural

fibres, involving design, modelling, manufacturing

and testing.

Materials

The Materials team brings together academics with interdisciplinary backgrounds enabling us to approach challenges from different angles and come up with extraordinary solutions. We research advanced composites for extreme engineering environments and various multifunctional smart materials.

Our research areas• High performance polymers

• Multifunctional smart materials

• Nanoporous materials

• Energy materials

• Innovative multi-materials manufacturing

• Materials variability in processing

• Lignocellulosic materials and

natural fibres

• Cellulose nanomaterials

• Auxetics

• Self-healing materials

Porous metal-organic framework nanocomposites used for energy storage on-board hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

Micro-CT scan of ‘metal rubber’

1 43

Professor Richard TraskProfessor of Advanced Materials,

EPSRC Research FellowMultifunctional materials, innovative composite manufacturing,

3D and 4D polymer composite additive manufacturing, bioinspired adaptive, morphing and self-healing materials

Professor Valeska TingProfessor of Smart Nanomaterials,

EPSRC Research FellowFunctional nanoporous materials,

alternative energy generation and storage, lightweight and smart composites

Structures

The ACCIS Structures team combines data-rich experimentation with novel numerical methods development and application to study the mechanical performance of composite structures. An understanding of the driving physical phenomena helps us build and validate models to predict the characteristics of composite structures. This research is deployed in a range of activities from blue sky projects to industrial applications.

Our research areas • Numerical and multi-scale

modelling

• Textile composites

• Structural optimisation

• Elastic tailoring

• Effects of defects and features

• Through-thickness reinforcement

• Fatigue

• Ductility in composites

• Morphing and nonlinear

structures

Our TeamOur research into the

mechanical performance of composites encompasses

novel numerical methods, novel structural configurations, advanced

analysis techniques, multi-functionality and

data rich experimentation.

Professor Stephen Hallett Professor in Composite Structures, Head of Structures,

Deputy Director of Bristol Composites InstituteFailure mechanisms, numerical modelling, textile reinforcement, manufacturing

and process simulation, impact and high rate, fatigue, defects and features

Professor Michael WisnomProfessor of Aerospace Structures,

Director of Bristol Composites InstituteFailure mechanisms and prediction, residual stresses, finite element

analysis, high performance ductile composites

Dr Ben WoodsLecturer in Aerospace Structures

Novel structural solutions, morphing and adaptive structures, low cost ultra-efficient wound composite truss

structures, novel energy storage and actuation methods

Dr Mark SchenkLecturer in Aerospace Engineering

Engineering origami, deployable structures, experimental methods for nonlinear structures

Professor Paul WeaverProfessor in Lightweight Structures

Lightweight structures, bicycle frame design, morphing and adaptive structures, anisotropic materials, buckling,

aircraft wing design, wind turbine structural design

Dr Giuliano AllegriReader in Composite Structures

Multi-functional through-thickness reinforcement, fatigue, failure mechanisms, uncertainty quantification

Dr Matthew O’DonnellLecturer in Composite Structures

Optimisation and design of composite structures

Dr Terence MacquartLecturer in Aeroelastics

Optimisation, lightweight structures, wind turbine structural design, advanced numerical modelling

Stress analysis of a sheared textile composite

65

Professor Janice BartonProfessor of Experimental Mechanics

Full-field imaging techniques for strain measurement, infra-red thermography, assessment and performance of lightweight and composite structures, assessment of bonding joints,

large composite structures, defect identification, classification and analysis

Dr Alberto PirreraSenior Lecturer in Composite Structures,

EPSRC Research FellowWell-behaved nonlinear structures, morphing and adaptive structures, buckling and post-

buckling, wind turbine structural design, mechanics of lightweight structures, stiffness tailoring

Dr Luiz Kawashita Senior Lecturer in Composite Mechanics

Bonded and structural joints, advanced numerical modelling, fatigue, effects of defects and features

Fund a PhD student working on your

dedicated project

Engage with our Doctoral

training centres

Propose Masters and

undergraduate student projects

Summer internships

Patenting/ licensing

Extend your R&D

Use our lab facilities

Collaborative research –

new funding opportunities

Impact acceration projects

Spin-outs

Knowledge Transfer

Partnerships

Secondments and

placements

Tap into the academic expertise

Work with uswork-with-accis@bristol.ac.uk

+44(0)117 331 5311www.bristol.ac.uk/composites/workwithus

87

Manufacturing & Design

Our research areas • Process automation – automated

fibre placement

• Robotics and cobotics

• Continuous tow shearing

• Graded multi-matrix composites

• Defects in composites manufacturing

• Understanding lay-up processes

• Design for manufacture

• Supporting manufacturing via Virtual

and Augmented Reality tools

• Composites recycling

• Numerical modelling of manufacturing

processes

• Manufacturing of functional composites

• Closed-loop process control

Our TeamOur research centres

around Design for Manufacture, from

novel material forms that facilitate forming,

through detailed process understanding and novel

machines to factory operations.

The Manufacturing and Design team focusses on developing the means to turn ideas into hardware through efficient design and manufacturing practices. We build an in-depth understanding of current processes and develop novel and innovative manufacturing approaches, to deliver improvements in cost, quality and functionality across a range of industries.

Forming simulation of a modified preform

Stabilisation of net-shaped preforms

Professor Ole ThomsenNCC Professor of Composites Design and Manufacture,

Head of Manufacturing and DesignModelling and design of lightweight composite structures, experimental

characterisation and validation of composite materials and structures

Professor Ivana PartridgeProfessor of Composites Processing,

Director of Industrial Doctorate Centre in Composite Manufacture Polymer composites, processing for high performance

Dr Ian FarrowSenior Lecturer in Compsites Structural DesignAcoustic emission monitoring, damage thresholds,

fatigue damage accumulation process

Dr Dmitry IvanovSenior Lecturer in Composites Manufacturing

Multi-scale analysis, damage mechanics, textile composites, mechanics of prepregs, liquid moulding, additive manufacturing, innovative manufacturing

Dr Paul HarperTeaching Fellow

Design and analysis of composite structures, renewable energy systems

Dr B.C. Eric KimLecturer in Composites Design, Processing & Manufacture

Design & manufacturing, automated processes, axiomatic design, computer aided design, bonded joints, tribology

Dr Carwyn WardLecturer in Composites Design, Processing & Manufacture

Manufacturing technology, automated processes, factory processes/operations, process optimisation,

costs, recycling, assembly and repair

109

Composites University Technology CentreThe Composites University Technology Centre (UTC) at the University of Bristol was established in 2007, supported by Rolls-Royce to advance composite materials technology and to support their insertion into components, structures and systems. The centre conducts research in a wide range of composites related areas such as through-thickness reinforcement, defects and features, vibration and fatigue, novel structures and materials, woven textiles and composites manufacturing. www.bristol.ac.uk/composites/ collaboration/utc

Wind Blade Research HubThe Wind Blade Research Hub is a five-year research partnership between the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and the University of Bristol looking into developing larger and more powerful wind turbines than ever before. The Hub is investigating blade materials and manufacturing technology, blade integrity, blade design and performance.

www.ore.catapult.org.uk/work-with-us/our-collaborations/wind-blade-research-hub

National Composites CentreThe National Composites Centre opened in 2011 and is hosted by the University of Bristol. It is an

independent, open-access national centre translating world-renowned innovation into manufacturing

excellence. The centre brings together dynamic companies and world-class academics to develop

new technologies for the design and rapid manufacture of high-quality composite products.

www.nccuk.com

Future Composites Manufacturing Hub

The Future Composites Manufacturing Hub is an EPSRC-funded collaboration

led by the Universities of Nottingham and Bristol and also involves a number

of other universities as spokes. The Hub aims to increase the potential of composite

materials manufacturing within the UK by revolutionising performance and expanding

applications into new markets. The Hub also provides training for the next generation of

engineers in composites manufacturing.

www.cimcomp.ac.uk

1211

MaterialsProfessor Fabrizio ScarpaZhang, Q., Zhang, D., Dobah, Y., Scarpa, F., Fraternali, F., & Skelton, R. (2018). Tensegrity cell mechanical metamaterial with metal rubber. Applied Physics Letters, 113(3).

Zhang, W., Neville, R., Zhang, D., Scarpa, F., Wang, L., & Lakes, R. (2018). The two-dimensional elasticity of a chiral hinge lattice metamaterial. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 141-142, 254-263.

Professor Ian BondCohades, A., Branfoot, C., Rae, S., Bond, I., & Michaud, V. (2018). Progress in Self-Healing Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 5(17). Luterbacher, R., Coope, T., Trask, R., & Bond, I. (2016). Vascular self-healing within carbon fibre reinforced polymer stringer run-out configurations. Composites Science and Technology, 136, 67-75.

Professor Steve EichhornMorgan, J., Craciun, M., & Eichhorn, S. (2019). Quantification of stress transfer in a model cellulose nanocrystal/graphene bilayer using Raman spectroscopy. Composites Science and Technology, 177, 34-40.

Wang, J., Pozegic, T., Xu, Z., Nigmatullin, R., Harniman, R, & Eichhorn, S. (2019). Cellulose nanocrystal-polyetherimide hybrid nanofibrous interleaves for enhanced interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fibre/epoxy composites. Composites Science and Technology, 182.

Professor Ian HamertonTsiamis, A., Iredale, R., Backhouse, R., Hallett, S., & Hamerton, I. (2019). Liquid Processable, Thermally Stable, Hydrophobic Phenolic Triazine Resins for Advanced Composite Applications. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 1(6), 1458-1465.

Longana, M., Yu, H., Lee, J., Pozegic, T., Huntley, S., Rendall, T., Potter, K., & Hamerton, I. (2019). Quasi-Isotropic and Pseudo-Ductile Highly Aligned Discontinuous Fibre Composites Manufactured with the HiPerDiF (High Performance Discontinuous Fibre) Technology. Materials (Basel), 12(11).

Professor Valeska TingDoan, H., Amer Hamzah, H., Karikkethu Prabhakaran, P., Petrillo, C., & Ting, V. (2019). Hierarchical Metal–Organic Frameworks with Macroporosity: Synthesis, Achievements, and Challenges. Nano-Micro Letters, 11(1).

Lincoln, R. L., Trask, R. S., Ting, V. P., & Scarpa, F. (2019). Multifunctional composites: a metamaterial perspective. Multifunctional Materials.

Professor Richard TraskRobson Brown, K., Bacheva, D., & Trask, R. (2019). The structural efficiency of the sea sponge Euplectella aspergillum skeleton: bio-inspiration for 3D printed architectures. J R Soc Interface, 16(154), 20180965.

Baker, A., Bates, S., Llewellyn-Jones, T., Valori, L., Dicker, M., & Trask, R. (2019). 4D printing with robust thermoplastic polyurethane hydrogel-elastomer trilayers. Materials & Design, 163.

Dr James KratzMesogitis, T., Kratz, J., & Skordos, A. (2018). Heat transfer simulation of the cure of thermoplastic particle interleaf carbon fibre epoxy prepregs. Journal of Composite Materials, 53(15), 2053-2064.

Kratz, J., Low, Y., & Fox, (2017). Resource-friendly carbon fiber composites: combining production waste with virgin feedstock. Advanced Manufacturing: Polymer & Composites Science, 3(4), 121-129.

StructuresProfessor Stephen HallettMukhopadhyay, S., & Hallett, S. (2019). A directed continuum damage mechanics method for modelling composite matrix cracks. Composites Science and Technology, 176, 1-8.

Bender, J., Hallett, S., & Lindgaard, E. (2019). Investigation of the effect of wrinkle features on wind turbine blade sub-structure strength. Composite Structures, 218, 39-49.

Professor Michael WisnomXu, X., Wisnom, M., & Hallett, S. (2019). Deducing the R-curve for trans-laminar fracture from a virtual Over-height Compact Tension (OCT) test. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 118, 162-170.

Fotouhi, M., Jalalvand, M., & Wisnom, M. (2018). Notch insensitive orientation-dispersed pseudo-ductile thin-ply carbon/glass hybrid laminates. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 110, 29-44.

Professor Janice BartonÓlafsson, G., Tighe, R., & Dulieu-Barton, J. (2019). Improving the probing depth of thermographic inspections of polymer composite materials. Measurement Science and Technology, 30(2).

Gan, K., Laux, T., Taher, S., Dulieu-Barton, J., & Thomsen, O. (2018). A novel fixture for determining the tension/compression-shear failure envelope of multidirectional composite laminates. Composite Structures, 184, 662-673.

Professor Paul WeaverKordolemis, A., & Weaver, P. (2017). Geometric–material analogy for multiscale modelling of twisted plates. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 110-111, 24-35.

Wu, Z., Raju, G., & Weaver, P. (2018). Optimization of postbuckling behaviour of variable thickness composite panels with variable angle tows: Towards “Buckle-Free” design concept. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 132-133, 66-79.

Dr Giuliano AllegriAllegri, G. (2018). Modelling fatigue delamination growth in fibre-reinforced composites: Power-law equations or artificial neural networks? Materials & Design, 155, 59-70.

Mohamed, G., Allegri, G., Yasaee, M., & Hallett, S. (2018). Cohesive element formulation for z-pin delamination bridging in fibre reinforced laminates. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 132-133, 232-244.

Dr Luiz KawashitaSun, X., Kawashita, L., Wollmann, T., Spitzer, S., Langkamp, A., & Gude, M. (2018). Experimental and numerical studies on the braiding of carbon fibres over structured end-fittings for the design and manufacture of high performance hybrid shafts. Production Engineering, 12(2), 215-228.

Tao, C., Mukhopadhyay, S., Zhang, B., Kawashita, L., Qiu, J., & Hallett, S. (2018). An improved delamination fatigue cohesive interface model for complex three-dimensional multi-interface cases. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 107, 633-646.

Dr Terence MacquartIrisarri, F., Macquart, T., Julien, C., & Espinassou, D. (2019). A novel design method for the fast and cost-effective manufacture of composite parts employing the Quilted Stratum Process. Composites Part B: Engineering, 158, 364-372.

Scott, S., Macquart, T., Rodriguez, C., Greaves, P., McKeever, P., Weaver, P., & Pirrera, A. (2019). Preliminary validation of ATOM: an aero-servo-elastic design tool for next generation wind turbines. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1222.

Dr Matthew O’DonnellO’Donnell, M., Stacey, J., Chenchiah, I., & Pirrera, A. (2019). Multiscale tailoring of helical lattice systems for bespoke thermoelasticity. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 133.

Stacey, J., O’Donnell, M., & Schenk, M. (2019). Thermal Prestress in Composite Compliant Shell Mechanisms. Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics, 11(2).

Dr Alberto PirreraGroh, R., & Pirrera, A. (2019). On the role of localizations in buckling of axially compressed cylinders. Proc Math Phys Eng Sci, 475(2224), 20190006.

Champneys, A., Dodwell, T., Groh, R., Hunt, G., Neville, R., Pirrera, A., Sakhaei, A., Schenk, M., & Wadee, M. (2019). Happy Catastrophe: Recent Progress in Analysis and Exploitation of Elastic Instability. Frontiers in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, 5.

Dr Mark SchenkGrey, S., Scarpa, F., & Schenk, M. (2019). Strain Reversal in Actuated Origami Structures. Phys Rev Lett, 123(2), 025501.

Neville, R., Groh, R., Pirrera, A., & Schenk, M. (2018). Shape Control for Experimental Continuation. Phys Rev Lett, 120(25), 254101.

Dr Ben WoodsHunt, C., Wisnom, M., & Woods, B. (2019). WrapToR composite truss structures: Improved process and structural efficiency. Composite Structures, 230.

Blok, L., Longana, M., Yu, H., & Woods, B. (2018). An investigation into 3D printing of fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites. Additive Manufacturing, 22, 176-186.

Manufacturing & DesignProfessor Ole ThomsenLaux, T., Gan, K., Dulieu-Barton, J., & Thomsen, O. (2019). A simple nonlinear constitutive model based on non-associative plasticity for UD composites: Development and calibration using a Modified Arcan Fixture. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 162, 135-147.

Martakos, G., Andreasen, J., Berggreen, C., & Thomsen, O. (2017). Experimental investigation of interfacial crack arrest in sandwich beams subjected to fatigue loading using a novel crack arresting device. Journal of Sandwich Structures & Materials, 21(2), 401-421.

Professor Ivana PartridgeM’Membe, B., Yasaee, M., Hallett, S., & Partridge, I. (2019). Effective use of metallic Z-pins for composites’ through-thickness reinforcement. Composites Science and Technology, 175, 77-84.

Cui, H., Mahadik, Y., Hallett, S., Partridge, I., Allegri, G., Ponnusami, S., & Petrinic, N. (2019). Coupon scale Z-pinned IM7/8552 delamination tests under dynamic loading. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 125.

Dr Dmitry IvanovStanier, D., Radhakrishnan, A., Gent, I., Roy, S., Hamerton, I., Potluri, P., Scarpa F., Shaffer M., & Ivanov, D. (2019). Matrix-graded and fibre-steered composites to tackle stress concentrations. Composite Structures, 207, 72-80.

Turk, M. A., Vermes, B., Thompson, A. J., Belnoue, J. P. H., Hallett, S. R., & Ivanov, D. S. (2019). Mitigating forming defects by local modification of dry preforms. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, in print.

Dr B.C. Eric KimKim, B., Weaver, P., & Potter, K. (2015). Computer aided modelling of variable angle tow composites manufactured by continuous tow shearing. Composite Structures, 129, 256-267.

Kim, B., Weaver, P., & Potter, K. (2014). Manufacturing characteristics of the continuous tow shearing method for manufacturing of variable angle tow composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 61, 141-151.

Dr Carwyn WardHerring, R., Dyer, K., Martin, F., & Ward, C. (2019). The increasing importance of leading edge erosion and a review of existing protection solutions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 115.

Russell, B., Takeda, S., Ward, C., & Hamerton, I. (2019). Examining the influence of carboxylic anhydride structures on the reaction kinetics and processing characteristics of an epoxy resin for wind turbine applications. Reactive and Functional Polymers, 144.

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Bristol Composites

Institute (ACCIS)

University of Bristol

Queen’s Building

University Walk

Bristol BS8 1TR

For further information:

Email: work-with-accis@bristol.ac.uk

Tel: +44(0117) 331 5311

@BristolUniACCIS

Date of publication: November 2019