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  4. Computational Materials Science and Mechanics (CMSM) Group

Computational Materials Science and Mechanics (CMSM) Group

Principal Investigator: Iman Salehinia, Ph.D., Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Research in CMSM group is focused on two main areas:

  • Application of computational materials science in materials design and physical/mechanical behavior of nanomaterials and nanostructures.

    Advances in energy- and defense-related technologies and aerospace engineering entail developing new classes of materials that can perform efficiently without premature failure under extreme loading and harsh environmental conditions. Research is focused on the mechanical and physical properties of nano-materials, and the design of advanced materials with targeted functionalities driven by predictive computational/theoretical multiscale methods. Multiscale computer modeling provides a strong basis for understanding the deformation mechanisms and behavior of materials across length scales. Models in smaller size-scales can be used to predict the behavior in larger size-scales. Experimental data are used to calibrate these computer models through extensive verifications of the simulation results and to guide them in a way that leads to tangible applications. The materials and structures of interest include metals, graphene, ceramics, carbon nanotubes, nano-fibers, nano-foams, and nano-wires.

  • Application of computational mechanics in conventional and advanced manufacturing methods.

    Research is centered on the application of finite element method to explore the effects of the design parameters on the thermal/mechanical characteristics of the conventional manufacturing processes such as stamping, rolling, forging, and extrusion; and advanced manufacturing processes such as laser assisted machining, and in general, additive manufacturing. Durability of the tools with high tribological loads is also of interest in this research area. High pressures, high temperatures, and high relative slip between the contact surfaces of the tools and the deformed materials are common in manufacturing processes resulting in wear and change in shape.

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Metal Coated CNT Under Tensile Loading

Nickel coated carbon nano-tube under tensile loading. This single ligament is a representative of ligaments in cnt/metal foam. The CNT (red) is failed under the loading, however the nickel layer blue) prevents the catastrophic failure of the entire structure.

Dislocations Inside Niobium Layer in NbC/Nb Multilayer

Misfit and lattice dislocations in niobium layer in NbC/Nb (ceramic/metal) multilayer. The multilayer is under compression. Dislocations start to nucleate from the misfit dislocations. During dislocation propagation, other defects such as isolated vacancies are formed (Ref: I. Salehinia et al., Acta Materialia, 2015, 86, 331-340.).

Von-Mises Stress for a Sheet in a Deep Drawing Process

Distribution of Von-Mises (equivalent) stress on an anisotropic sheet in deep drawing (stamping) process. Rolling direction is indicated in the figure. Stress distribution affects the normal forces being applied to the die and consequently impacts wear of the die profile (Ref: I. Salehinia, A.R. Shahani, International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 2009, 51, 856-868.).