ESR 6: Multiscale modeling of fracture processes in injection molded SFRPs

Objectives

Components made of Short Fiber Reinforced Plastics (SFRP) are typically manufactured via injection molding. Hereby, the resulting local microstructural configuration of the composite, i.e. the spatial arrangement of the fibers, highly influences the deformation and failure behavior of the macroscopic component.

Later in the application, products made of these composites are exposed to harsh environments and severe operational loads. Aiming at the development of products with high reliability requirements in a time- and cost-efficient manner, simulation methods with high accuracy predictions and efficient adaption routines are becoming increasingly important.

To achieve this, robust multiscaling techniques must be established that contain elements of virtual material testing where a large portion of the required experiments are transferred from the lab to the computer. This requires an explicit modeling of all relevant deformation and failure mechanisms on the microscopic scale using Representative Volume Elements (RVEs) in combination with numerically efficient Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) solvers. Aiming at a data-driven multiscaling approach, the results of these microstructural simulations are transferred to a database which is the basis for a precise anisotropic virtual analysis of plastic components on the macroscopic scale. With a view to fracture mechanical processes in SFRP components, this ESR project is addressing the extension of existing data-driven multiscaling approaches for SFRPs towards anisotropic fracture using the phase field (PF) approach.

The first objective of this ESR project is the theoretical formulation and numerical implementation of this PF-model into a commercial FEM package. The second objective is the calibration and validation of the developed model with experimental results based on macroscopic boundary value problems with different complexity ranging from plain samples to product-like demonstrator components.

Doctoral program

ESR-6 will be enrolled as doctoral student in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zürich, Switzerland.

Secondments

6 months at ETH Zürich (Switzerland) and 4 months at Sorbonne Université Paris (France).

Benefits

A full-time fixed-term contract is offered. Marie Curie ITNs provide competitive financial support to the ESR including: a competitive monthly living and mobility allowance and salary, coverage of the expenses related to the participation of the ESR in research and training activities (contribution to research-related costs, meetings, conference attendance, training actions, etc.). The recruited researchers will have a regular contract with the same rights and obligations as any other staff member of the institution.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must at the time of recruitment:

1. Be in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. The four years start to count from the date when a researcher obtained the degree (e.g. Master’s degree) which would formally entitle him/her to embark on a doctorate.
2. Candidates could be of any nationality but have not resided in the host country for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.
3. Have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

Selection process

Applicants are evaluated by a selection committee on the basis of past academic performance (grades) and background, scientific relevance and aptitude to research, and any other additional pertinent data submitted in the application (such as scientific publications, if any).

The candidates that pass the initial assessment of the applications will be invited for an interview with the selection committee, either in person at the campus, or via standard internet videoconference. Equal opportunities are ensured to all candidates throughout the evaluation process.

EURAXESS offer ID: 668704