PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Research Title: Development and applications of a

virtual hybrid platform for multiscale analysis of
advanced structures of aircraft

DIMEAS
Funded by MIUR under PRIN2017 research programme (project no. 2017ZX9X4K)

Erasmo Carrera, erasmo.carrera@polito.it

Supervisor Alfonso Pagani, alfonso.pagani@polito.it
Marco Petrolo, marco.petrolo@polito.it

Contact www.mul2.com

Damage tolerance in design of metallic structures and

aeroelastic control of aircraft are among the most
significant accomplishments in the aerospace technology.
These two fundamental achievements were due mostly to
the work of eminent scientists and engineers whose work
has led to the development of multidisciplinary tools and
knowledge to control failure of structures (i.e., fatigue
behaviour, progressive crack growth, non-destructive
Context of the research
testing, residual stress evaluation, etc.), and to optimize
activity flying conditions of aircraft (aeroelasticity, loading
evaluation/alleviation, and active controls, among the
others). Today, we are in a comparable paradigm for a few
other and new problems as demonstrated by current trends
in research and resource drivers; Italian aircraft
manufacturers are constantly working on the development
of regional/executive aircraft and convertible tilt-rotor
vehicles. These innovative airplanes are mostly made in
composite materials. Safety, comfort and cost-effectiveness
are the critical success factors of these airplanes.
 The project “DEvelopment and applications of a VIrtual
hybrid platform for multiscale analysis of advanced
StructUres of aircraft” (DEVISU) deals with failure of
composite structures and noise/vibration reduction, along
with investigation of new materials for aerospace
applications. DEVISU will results into an integrated multi-
disciplinary (structure mechanics, acoustics, control), multi-
fidelity (classical and nonlocal mechanics, advanced theories
of structures), multi-scale (from micro-mechanics to
global/local analysis of complex structural assemblies) and
Objectives hybrid approach together with its software tool
implementation for the reliable, efficient and
computationally effective simulation of aircraft structures.
The focal point of DEVISU will be the development of a
hybrid surrogate platform based on advanced theories.
Surrogate models can substitute classical deterministic
methodologies and alleviate the burden of complex
analyses and simulations. These models will mimic the
behaviour of the simulation analysis as closely as possible,
while being computationally convenient. Metamodels are
constructed using a data-driven, bottom-up approach and
will be based on metadata extrapolated from DEVISU sub-
tools and ad-hoc experiments.

Ideal candidate will have the following competences:

• Excellent academic background in Mechanical/Aerospace
Skills and competencies for Engineering.
the development of the • Excellent mathematical skills and engineering attitude.
activity • Appropriate competencies in English speaking and writing.
• Appropriate experience with structural analysis and design
of composite laminates.
• Programming skills.