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The [MAC] group advances the understanding and design of fibre-reinforced polymers through experimental mechanics, multiscale modelling, and optimisation. We integrate continuum damage mechanics, advanced composite manufacturing, and digital twins with X-ray CT to explore performance, reliability, and sustainability. Our work bridges fundamental science and industrial applications, shaping next-generation lightweight and sustainable composite materials and structures.
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Head of the research group
Humberto Almeida Jr
Assistant Professor (Tenure Track)
Mechanical Engineering
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Research areas
- Experimental and computational mechanics of fibre-reinforced composites
- X-ray computed tomography
- Multiscale modelling
- Reliability-based and optimisation-driven composite design
- Robust optimisation methods
- Advanced manufacturing of composites
- Hybrid structures
- Uncertainty quantification
- Digital twins
- Sustainable composites
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Infrastructure
- Universal testing machine (Shimadzu) with a load cell of 50 kN
- Mechanical testing fixtures for composites: tension, compression platens, combined loading compression (CLC), v-notched in-plane shear, compression of plates, 3-point bending (with deflectometer), digital image correlation
- Fused filament fabrication 3D printers of polymers and composites (discontinuous and continuous)
- Precision Composites Curing Oven with temperature sensor input and an automated vacuum pump control connection
- Resin infusion system
- Filament winder with 4 axes
- Digital microscope
- Filament spool maker for 3D printing
- 5-nozzle 3D printer
Group members
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Collaborators
- Philip Withers (University of Manchester, UK)
- Volnei Tita (University of São Paulo, Brazil)
- Sandro Amico (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil)
- Brian Falzon (Western Sydney University, Australia)
- Saullo G P Castro (TU Delft, The Netherlands)
- Luc St-Pierre (Aalto University, Finland)
- John Holmes (The Australian National University, Australia)
- Marcelo L Ribeiro (University of São Paulo, Brazil)
- Axel Spickenheuer (Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Germany)
- Sandris Rucevskis from (Riga Technical University, Latvia)
- Antonios Stamopoulus (University of L'Aquila, Italy)
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- Rui Guedes (University of Porto, Portugal)
- Pasquale Gallo (University of Trento, Italy)
- António Joaquim Mendes Ferreira (University of Porto, Portugal)
- Pawel Stabla (Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland)
- Guilherme F Gomes (Federal University of Itajubá, Brazil)
- Zafer Kazanci (Queen's University Belfast, UK)
- Dan Sun (Queen's University Belfast, UK)
- Jia Ge (University College Dublin, Ireland)
- Arttu Miettinen (Univeristy of Jyväskylä, Finland)
- Bruno Christoff (INEGI, Portugal)
- Eelco Jansen (Radboud University, The Netherlands)
- Zhonglai Wang (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China)
