Overview and General Information:

Problems of interest in science and engineering are often multi-physics, with complexities stemming from the interactions of various mechanisms, and inherent uncertainties and variabilities. In an industrial setting, we frequently aim to conduct optimization tasks in such complex and high-dimensional domains. For example, the 3D printing of thermoplastics involves heat and mass transfers, where the material undergoes thermo-chemical and thermo-mechanical changes along with several phase transformations. Evaluating the performance of the material under such conditions is challenging due to the complexities of the underlying multi-physics problem, as well as noise/errors in measurements, process uncertainties, and material variabilities. To evaluate or conduct optimization tasks, current practices often rely on methods such as Design of Experiments (DoE), and/or numerical methods.

In the recent decade, the application of data-driven and machine learning (ML) methods has also been explored with varying degrees of success. However, ML methods have been shown to suffer from a variety of shortcomings, including brittleness outside of their training zones. More recently, different families of data-driven methods have evolved to address the complexities of such multi-physics problems, including theory-guided machine learning (TGML), also referred to as scientific AI or physics-informed ML. TGML represents a merger between science-based methods, including finite element (FE) analysis, and ML techniques to overcome the challenges associated with theory-agnostic ML methods in physical domains.

Learning Objectives:

This course aims to introduce participants to TGML and its applications. First, a short overview of theory-agnostic ML methods, including Neural Networks (NN) for large datasets and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) for small datasets, will be given. Simple engineering applications including heat transfer will be demonstrated. Next, TGML and its notable techniques will be introduced, with examples provided. A combination of experimental data and numerical data will be used to train ML models. Python programming with built-in libraries will be employed to develop ML codes during the course. Participants can follow the instructor to develop codes using Python on their own machines. Python codes and example datasets will be provided as well.

> Download Course Brochure

Participation

You need to buy one of the package list available here and use the Order ID assigned to you after purchase.
You need to Login for registration.

The aim of this webinar is to deal with the main criticisms related to acoustic simulation and noisesuppression in the aerospace sector. This objective is achieved by initially introducing and discussing the state-of-the-art methods and technologies that are relevant to this field.Subsequently, the fundamentals of analytical (Transfer Matrix Method) and numerical (Wave Finite Element Method) approaches are illustrated, which constitute powerful and efficient techniques to estimate the absorption and transmission properties of a sound package. Lastly, some innovative acoustic meta-material configurations are presented, based on a periodic pattern of porous unit cells, whose main homogenization models are defined and discussed too. These topics address different applications not only in the aerospace industry, but more generally in transportation(automotive, railway), energy and civil engineering sectors, where both weight and space, as well as vibroacoustic comfort, still remain as critical issues.

> Download Course Brochure

Participation

You need to buy one of the package list available here and use the Order ID assigned to you after purchase.
You need to Login for registration.

Overview and General Information:

Modern combat aircraft design is governed by signature reduction requirements, both in the electromagnetic and infrared spectra. At present it is commonly accepted to sacrifice other aspects of the design, such as aerodynamic and propulsion performance, to achieve low observability. Still, the final mission requirements might require a minimum trade-off according to the airframe mission (air dominance, surveillance, strike). In this webinar, the concept of signature reduction/control applied to combat aircraft will be discussed. Attendees will learn to quantify the performance characteristics attainable from different solutions. The basics of radar and infrared signature requirements (applied to aircraft), and their effect on final airframe shape will be analysed, considering the relative importance in current and future designs. The course will end with a trade-off analysis of some current designs.

Learning Objectives:

• Definition of survivability.
• Basic of Radar Cross Section and Infrared signature.
• Design requirements and major challenges in stealth airframe design.
• Trade-off considerations.

Target audience

Doctoral and post-graduate students, aerospace and defence industry professionals, and military officers.

> Download Course Brochure

Participation

You need to buy one of the package list available here and use the Order ID assigned to you after purchase.
You need to Login for registration.

Fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) composites are high-performance materials used in the aerospace industry due to their excellent fatigue resistance, durability, and high stiffness- and strength- to weight ratios. Composites allow the design of lightweight structures with tailorable properties that minimize energy usage and contaminant emissions. These materials are currently utilized in fuselages, wings, tails, doors, and interiors of modern aerospace structures.

Despite the excellent mechanical properties, adoption and certification of composite aerospace structures is a challenge primarily due to (1) the current knowledge gap in the technology, manufacturing, process-induced defects, maintenance and repair methods for aerospace-grade FRP composites, and (2) the complex and highly varying behavior and damage formation/evolution of these materials.

This course discusses some of the main challenges for the use of composite materials in aerospace applications, emphasizing four main aspects: manufacturing defects and signatures, identification of defects via non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods, effect of defects on the mechanical performance, and NDE for assessment of structural integrity.

The current manufacturing techniques for fabricating aerospace-grade FRP composite structures are discussed. The common defects associated with these methods (e.g., fiber and ply waviness, voids/porosity, inclusions, resin-rich regions) are reviewed, and the effect of these manufacturing defects on the strength and life of composite structures is analyzed. The state-of-the art techniques for identifying and characterizing defects in aerospace structural components using NDE methods are discussed, giving particular attention to ultrasonic testing, guided waves, infrared thermography and X-Ray computed tomography. Finally, the current challenges for assessing structural integrity of aerospace composite structures via NDE techniques are presented and the main areas of opportunity in this field are highlighted.

MODULE 1 – Manufacturing Defects and Signatures (90 minutes)

1. Overview of composite materials systems used in the aerospace industry.
2. Manufacturing processes for aerospace composite materials.
3. Defects developed during the manufacturing processes.

MODULE 2 – Non-destructive Evaluation Methods (90 minutes)

4. Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques for the detection and characterization of defects in the aerospace industry.

MODULE 3 – Effect of Defects (90 minutes)

5. Experimental and modeling approaches for predicting the effect of defects on the damage modes and mechanical performance of composites.

MODULE 4 – Structural Integrity Assessment using NDE Methods (90 minutes)

6. Damage developed in composites during operational life.
7. NDE methods for assessment of structural integrity of composite structures.

Learning objectives

At the end of this course, the attendees should be able to:

1. Explain the difference between thermoplastic and thermoset polymer systems, in terms of the microstructure and mechanical properties.
2. List the main applications of carbon fiber reinforced polymeric (CFRP) composites in aerospace structural components.
3. Explain the different manufacturing methods for fabricating aerospace-grade composite materials, and identify the advantages and disadvantages of each of these techniques.
4. Describe the common defects in CFRP composites developed during the manufacturing.
5. Describe the needs, constraints and outcomes of NDE inspections in the aerospace field.
6. Understand the physical principles and basic implementation of the presented NDE techniques (i.e., ultrasonic testing, ultrasonic guided waves, infrared thermography, X-ray computed tomography).
7. Assess the effect of manufacturing defects on the mechanical properties, strength and life of composite structures.
8. Describe damage formation and/or evolution in CFRP due to fatigue, impacts and environmental conditions.
9. Assess advantages and limitations of NDE techniques with respect to specific defects and damages in the aerospace field.

Target audience: undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, academic and non-academic professionals. CTNA-Cluster Exploore Marche members.

> Download Course Brochure

Participation

You need to buy one of the package list available here and use the Order ID assigned to you after purchase.
You need to Login for registration.