Research Groups

Their research focuses on modeling and simulation of advanced materials and multiphysics phenomena at different scales, with applications including sustainable energy, hydrogen storage and electronic devices.

US will provide projects led by UPM, UC3M, MU, and UCLM with software that allows the calibration of mesoscale constitutive models of engineering materials based on fundamental atomic-scale processes and properties. The resulting constitutive models will be implemented into finite element software to simulate different problems such as structural impact, spall fracture and long-cycle fatigue which are studied in these projects.

Their main research interests are: (i) application of non-destructive techniques for the mechanical characterization of materials and structural health monitoring, (ii) flow and fracture characterization of geomaterials, and (iii) sustainable structural engineering.

The data driven mathematical formalism and optimization framework developed by the UGR will be adapted in projects led by UC3M, MU, and UCLM to analyze mechanical properties of metal-matrix composites, additive manufactured metamaterials and concrete to optimize design of energy absorption structures under extreme loadings.

The group focuses on developing technologies for personalized medicine to enhance diagnostics and treatments. The research spans several areas, including development of numerical-experimental models of the cardiovascular system to simulate tissues and devices, computational modeling of the human eye to plan refractive surgeries and specific treatments, data-intensive bioengineering and biomimetic environments through microfluidic techniques to study cell effects and test drugs.

The deep learning techniques developed by UNIZAR will be adapted to predict spall strength and fragmentation of metal composites tested in the projects led by UC3M, and to predict the influence on structural integrity of defects induced during the manufacture of fiber reinforced plastics in the project led by UPV.

Their research focus includes dynamic soil-structure and structure-soil-structure interaction, dynamic response of land-based and offshore wind turbines, and boundary element methods applied to dynamic problems.

The experimental data and computational predictions on wind turbine support structures subjected to seismic actions developed by ULPGC will be shared with MORE members. This collaboration aims to contribute to obtain better designs for the support structures of offshore wind turbines in regions with significant seismic risk, addressing dynamic foundation-soil-foundation interaction and analyzing the influence of kinematic interactions on seismic response.

They have conducted experimental investigations on flow and fracture of concrete under complex loadings, including impact and fatigue.

They have also developed computational models to simulate micro-cracking processes in brittle materials using cohesive elements and discovered eco-friendly construction materials such as fiber-reinforced self-compacting concretes, promoting sustainable construction with low carbon emissions. The multi-scale reinforcement concrete produced by UCLM will be subjected to impact testing using the Hopkinson bar and gas-gun setups used in the projects led by MU and UC3M to evaluate the energy absorption capacity of structural materials under impact loading.

The group has pioneered (i) experimental techniques for testing materials at high strain rates, (ii) microstructurally informed computational models, and (iii) analytical formulations to predict plastic localization and ductile fracture.

UC3M will offer expertise in impact testing of structures and advanced methods for simulating flow and fracture of engineering materials at high strain rates. This expertise will support projects led by IMDEA, UPM, and MU, by providing experiments to validate their numerical methods for simulating the effect of microstructure on the mechanical response of structural systems.

Their research involves developing numerical methods for nonlinear beams and shells, enhancing finite elements for solid mechanics, and devising error estimators in nonlinear dynamics.

Their focus extends to applying multiscale methods for material modeling, utilizing optimization algorithms to enhance the mechanical performance of structural systems.

Their research also includes Bayesian calibration of constitutive model parameters and the use of data-driven approaches for statistical analysis of materials performance.

UPM will provide projects led by MU and UC3M with software that allows the Bayesian calibration of fracture model parameters of printed metamaterials and metal matrix composites. The group will also provide projects led by ULPGC and UGR with advanced data-driven schemes for (1) structural design of offshore wind turbines and (2) prognostics of fatigue limit of ageing bridges.

They specialize in multiscale characterization of materials, utilizing advanced X-ray imaging techniques available at synchrotron facilities and electron microscopy methods such as 3D FIB-SEM-EDS-EBSD and 3D TEM.

Their research focuses on investigating in-situ, real-time damage mechanisms and development in a variety of engineering materials, including metal alloys, fiber-reinforced polymer composites, and biomaterials. Furthermore, they have developed innovative deep learning methodologies and AI-based image processing techniques to translate microstructural evolution data from non-destructive tests recordings into the mechanical properties of these materials.

IMDEA will provide projects led by UC3M, URJC and MU with in-situ microstructural properties / evolutions / topologies of hard and soft materials that will be used to develop microstructurally-informed / multiscale constitutive models.

URJC has created predictive wear models for composite materials, ceramic materials, and coatings. More recently, their research has focused on the mechanical characterization of materials at the micro- and nano-scales, with an emphasis on determining mechanical properties through nano-indentation.

They have also developed fracture characterization techniques and models specifically tailored for polymeric materials.

URJC will collaborate on projects led by US and UNIZAR. They will perform indentation and mechanical characterization experiments to calibrate the mechanical behavior of metals for energy storage and poroelastic materials that simulate living tissues

Their main research interests are: (i) numerical simulation of damage in structural composites; (ii) development of Phase Field procedures to simulate damage in composites and fracture; (iii) experimental techniques to predict fatigue life of damaged laminates using infrared thermography combined with damage pattern recognition using machine learning algorithms; (iv) application to bone tissue modelling and micromechanical characterization.

Research performed by the UPV will find synergies with the investigations of URJC and UNIZAR on modelling of polymers and biological tissues.

They have developed specific experimental techniques for the mechanical characterization of failure in engineering structures subjected to dynamic loads, as well as original fracture models that account for stress state, deformation rate, and load path.

They have expertise in different engineering structural materials spanning from metals to composites and ceramics.

MU will provide projects led by UC3M and UCLM with characterization experiments and calibrated models on dynamic fracture of metal matrix composites and multi-scale reinforcement concrete.