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101-0617-02L 4 Credits DR , MSC D-MATL , D-BAUG

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Computational Science Investigation for Material Mechanics

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Falk Wittel, Prof. Dr. David Kammer

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:16:29

Abstract

Introduction to computational sciences with focus on numerical modeling of the mechanics of materials. Simulation of material damage, fracture and failure with various material models.

Objective

Learning from mistakes and failures is as old as the engineering discipline. Understanding why things went wrong is essential for improvement, but often impossible without the help of numerical modelling. Real world problems are often highly nonlinear, dependent on multiple physical fields, involve fundamental material behavior far from equilibrium and reversibility, and can often only be understood by addressing different relevant scales. In this course, we will use real-life cases to learn how to deal with such problems. Starting from the problem description with governing equations, you will learn how to tackle non-linear and multi-field problems using numerical simulations. A particular focus will be on fracture. We will investigate the conditions and mechanisms that lead to material failure and analyze the contributions of plastic behavior, size effects, randomness in the underlying material micro-structure, and various other non-linear material behavior. You will learn various approaches to model the mechanics of complex heterogeneous materials and to implement your model in Python code to run numerical simulations.

Content

1 Introduction to (numeric) forensic engineering 2 The nature of engineering problems (governing equations) 3 Numerical recipes for dealing with non-linear problems 4 Multi-field problems (HTM) 5 On the nature of failure - Physics of damage and fracture 6 Cracks and growth in structures (LEFM and beyond) 7 Introduction to metal plasticity 8 Damage and fracture in heterogeneous materials 9 Mechanics of fatigue 10 Visco-elastic failure 11 Student μ-Project presentation

Resources

Lecture Notes

Will be provided during the lecture via moodle.

Literature

Will be provided during the lecture.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: DR , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: oral 30 minutes

The compulsory continuous performance assessment task (consisting of micro projects) need not to be passed on its own; it is awarded a grade which counts proportionally towards the total course unit grade (i.e. 40%). The micro projects may be performed in groups of two.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
seminar	Computational Science Investigation for Material Mechanics	Wed 08:00-09:35 (HIL E 7)	2 h weekly