Research

Coupled multi-field problems and (multi-)ferroic functional materials. In particular, interactions of mechanical, electrical, magnetic and caloric quantities are considered. Among other things, the constitutive behavior is investigated, in particular taking into account physically nonlinear processes. On the materials side, the focus is on ferroelectrics, ferromagnets and multiferroic composites. For modeling and simulation, in particular the Condensed Method (CM), developed and continuously extended within the group, is applied. The CM forms the basis of an efficient scale-bridging multiphysical modeling of irreversible processes. In addition, the finite element method enables the calculation of intelligent, so-called smart structures such as stack actuators or multifunctional composite materials. Experimental investigations on ferroelectrics serve to explore different coupling phenomena and to validate computational models. Application-oriented questions address, among other things, actuators and sensors, the storage of digital data or the direct conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy (energy harvesting).

Analytical and numerical fundamentals and approaches of fracture mechanics. Aims include the prediction of crack paths in planar and spatial structures and the investigation of related influencing factors such as anisotropies, residual stresses or heterogeneities. The focus is on achieving the highest possible accuracy and efficiency in numerical simulations. Besides structural metallic, crystalline and quasicrystalline, as well as non-metallic organic and inorganic materials, also multifunctional materials, in particular piezo- and ferroelectrics as well as ferromagnets are considered. In addition to theoretical work, experimental work is also performed to validate the models. Technical applications focus on evaluating the reliability and lifetime of structures. In addition to prediction methods, concepts for parameter identification or structural monitoring of cracked engineering structures are developed theoretically and experimentally by means of inverse solution strategies based on semi-analytical approaches of the theory of linear elasticity.

Damage of structural and multifunctional materials. Here, the focus is on micromechanically or microphysically motivated continuum damage models. The aim is to investigate the influencing factors of the damage induced by microcrack growth at the material level and the formation of macroscopic incipient cracks at the structural level. Against this background, mainly brittle failures are investigated, e.g., in refractory structural ceramics as well as in ferroelectric functional ceramics. In this context, questions of coupling and mutual influence of mechanical, caloric or electrical quantities are relevant. In addition to theoretical modeling and simulation, experiments are carried out in the field of ferroelectrics.

Details on the research can be found in the Publications section.