Mechanics of Materials
Short description
Mechanics of micro-structurally heterogeneous materials is investigated in this group. We develop micro-mechanical and coupled multi-scale models to predict complex behaviour of multi-phase materials, with an emphasis on (bio-)composites. To increase the predictive capability and to enhance the computational efficiency of the models, we use machine learning techniques, in particular artificial neural networks.
We also employ physics-based models (using continuum mechanics and finite element method) and machine learning techniques to develop real-time applications to predict deformation behavior of an organ during surgery, particularly when large deformations are involved. These tools provide connections between pre-operative anatomical models and intraoperative data.
News
Special issue in the journal “Polymers”
Topic: Mechanics of 3D-Printed Polymers and Polymer Composites.
Guest editors: Mohsen Mirkhalaf and Mohammad Heidari-Rarani.
Deadline for manuscript submissions: March 20, 2022.
Master thesis presentation
Mehrdad Saaedi, “Predicting cancer tumor position in a liver using finite element analysis and artificial neural networks”, July 16, 2021 (online) at 10:00.
Master thesis defense
Johan Friemann, “Predicting the elasto-plastic response of short fiber composites using deep neural networks trained on micro-mechanical simulations”, February 11, 2021 (online) at 10:00.
Master thesis defense
Noah Mentges, “Micro-mechanical modelling of the effects of fibre length distributions on short fibre reinforced composites using orientation averaging”, December 16, 2020 (online) at 14:00.
Selected publications
- S.M. Mirkhalaf, T.J.H. van Beurden, M. Ekh, F. Larsson, M. Fagerström (2022).
An FE-based orientation averaging model for elasto-plastic behavior of short fiber composites.
International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 219, 107097. - N. Mentges, B. Dashtbozorg, S.M. Mirkhalaf, (2021).
A micromechanics-based artificial neural networks model for elastic properties of short fiber composites.
Composites Part B: Engineering, 108736. - S.M. Mirkhalaf, E.H. Eggels, T.J.H. van Beurden, F. Larsson, M. Fagerström, (2020).
A finite element based orientation averaging method for predicting elastic properties of short fiber reinforced composites.
Composites, Part B: Engineering 202, 108388.
Projects and Collaborations
Ehsan Ghane, PhD student, 12/2020 – Present
Thesis title: Deep learning enhanced multi-scale modelling of woven composites
Supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf, Co-supervisor: Martin Fagerström (Chalmers), Examiner: Mattias Marklund
Mohammad Javad Badiee, PhD student, 12/2021 – Present
Thesis title: Deep learning enhanced modelling and analysis of damage in composite laminates
Supervisors: Mohammad Heidari-Rarani and Alireza Aryaei (University of Isfahan), Co-supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf
Anita Ullrich, Master thesis (Fraunhofer, Chalmers), 11/2021 - Present
Thesis title: Development of a DEM-FEM framework for infrastructure simulations
Supervisor: Elin Solberg, Co-supervisors: Klas Jareteg, Christoffer Cromvik, Examiner: Mohsen Mirkhalaf
Mehrdad Saaedi, Master thesis, 11/2020 – 06/2021
Thesis title: Predicting cancer tumor position in a liver using finite element analysis and artificial neural networks
Supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf, Co-supervisor: Behdad Dashtbozorg (Netherlands Cancer institute/Eindhoven University of Technology), Examiner: Hirpa Gelgele Lemu (University of Stavanger)
Johan Friemann, Master thesis, 06/2020 – 02/2021
Thesis title: Predicting path dependent elasto-plastic behaviour of short fiber composites using micromechanics-based deep learning
Supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf, Co-supervisor: Behdad Dashtbozorg (Netherlands Cancer institute/Eindhoven University of Technology), Examiner: Martin Fagerström (Chalmers)
Noah Mentges, Master thesis (Chalmers), 07/2020 – 12/2020
Thesis title: Micro-mechanical modelling of the effects of fibre length distributions and fibre matrix debondingon short fibre reinforced composites using orientation averaging
Supervisor and Examiner: Martin Fagerström (Chalmers), Co-supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf
Abhijith Anantharanga, Master thesis (Chalmers), 01/2019 – 09/2019
Thesis title: A comparative study on micro-mechanical models for short fiber composites
Supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf, Examiner: Martin Fagerström (Chalmers)
Chris Verhoeven, Master internship project, 03/2022 – Present
Project title: Generative adversarial networks for path dependent elastoplastic behavior of short fiber reinforced composites
Supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf
Seyed Ali Riazi, Master internship project, 02/2022 – Present
Project title: FE-based meso-structural modelling of woven composites
Supervisors: Mohsen Mirkhalaf and Ehsan Ghane
Hélène Latty, Master internship project (Chalmers), 08/2021 – 01/2022
Project title: Short fiber bio-composites: manufacturing, testing and modelling
Supervisor: Giada Lo Re (Chalmers), Co-supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf
Noah Mentges, Master internship project, 04/2020 – 06/2020
Project title: A micromechanics-based artificial neural network model for elastic properties of short fiber reinforced composites
Supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf, Co-supervisor: Behdad Dashtbozorg (Netherlands Cancer institute/Eindhoven University of Technology)
Brian Castricum, Master internship project (Chalmers), 09/2019 – 01/2020
Project title: A hierarchical coupled multi-scale model for short fiber reinforced composites
Supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf, Co-supervisors: Fredrik Larsson and Martin Fagerström (Chalmers)
Tom van Beurden, Master internship project (Chalmers), 02/2019 – 06/2019
Project title: Multi-scale modelling of short fiber composites via orientation averaging and using self-consistent interaction
Supervisor: Martin Fagerström (Chalmers), Co-supervisors: Mohsen Mirkhalaf and Fredrik Larsson (Chalmers)
Eva Eggels, Master internship project (Chalmers), 09/2018 – 12/2018
Project title: Modelling the mechanical behavior of short fiber composites via orientation averaging
Supervisor: Martin Fagerström (Chalmers), Co-supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf
Elsa Massé, Bachelor internship project, 02/2022 – Present
Project title: Micromechanics-based modelling of elastic and elastoplastic short fiber composites
Supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf
Arshia Nikbakht, Bachelor thesis (University of Isfahan), 02/2022 – Present
Thesis title: Delamination detection in composite laminates using deep learning
Supervisor: Mohammad Heidari-Rarani (University of Isfahan), Co-supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf
Emilio Haumahu, Bachelor thesis (Eindhoven University of Technology), 09/2021 – 02/2022
Thesis title: Investigating in-situ properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites
Supervisors: Johan Hoefnagels and Marc van Maris (Eindhoven University of Technology)
Pouya Shahbazian, Bachelor thesis (University of Isfahan), 02/2020 – 10/2020
Thesis title: Experimental investigation and micro-mechanical modelling of the stiffness of short fiber composites
Supervisor: Mohammad Heidari-Rarani (University of Isfahan), Co-supervisor: Mohsen Mirkhalaf
Project: Optimal design and 3D printing of a bicycle helmet, 12/2021 - Present
Collaborators: Mohammad Heidari-Rarani (University of Isfahan), and Mohsen Mirkhalaf
Project: Using a Multiphysics model and artificial neural networks for modelling atherosclerosis, 08/2021 - Present
Collaborators: Meisam Soleimani (Leibniz University Hannover), Behdad Dashtbozorg (Netherlands Cancer Institute), Mohammad Mirkhalaf (Queensland University of Technology), and Mohsen Mirkhalaf
Robert Auenhammer, PhD student (Chalmers), 02/2021 – Present
Project: Carbon-fibre composite: Three-dimensional structure determination as input for micro-mechanical modelling