The research project focuses on the development of computationally-efficient numerical methodologies able to accurately predict fatigue-induced damage in large-scale composite structures. The project is part of the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie “LEaDing Fellows” Programme.

Development of numerical methodologies based on Finite Element Analysis (FEM), oriented to the damage management in aerospace composite structures in the frame of the Research Project CERVIA (Virtual Certification Methods applied to Innovative Solutions), funded by Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR).

The main research activities, in the frame of the PhD work, have been focused on the study of numerical/experimental methods for the monitoring of damage in composite structures.- A novel numerical Finite Element approach, based on Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), has been developed able to simulate inter-laminar and intra-laminar damage growth in composite structures without mesh size and time step dependencies. - Experimental activities have been performed on the monitoring of… Show more The main research activities, in the frame of the PhD work, have been focused on the study of numerical/experimental methods for the monitoring of damage in composite structures.- A novel numerical Finite Element approach, based on Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), has been developed able to simulate inter-laminar and intra-laminar damage growth in composite structures without mesh size and time step dependencies. - Experimental activities have been performed on the monitoring of skin delamination buckling and growth phenomena, by means of embedded optical fibers, in a stiffened composite panel under compression loading in the frame of project MACMES (Damage Management of Aircraft Composite Structure Monitored by Embedded Sensors) funded by founded by Italian Ministry of Defense.- Teaching and tutoring activities during the Aerospace composite structures course. Show less

The research activities in collaboration with the Structural Mechanics and Concepts Branch were focused on the development of a Continuum Damage Model (CDM) for the simulation of the initiation and growth of kink-band in fiber composites.

The main activity was the development of a 2D model using the Ansys Design Parametric Language (APDL) able to correctly predict the distribution of Energy Release Rate (ERR) along crack front for a circular delamination.