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Description:

The research group of Mechanical Design works at the Engineering Department of the University of Palermo. The group carries out research and teaching/training activities within the scopes declared in the manifesto of the Mechanical Design Italian sector. Such activities refer to several aspects of machine design, machine building, mechanical and mechatronic structures and systems.

Some scientific fields of special interest comprise: definition of machines requirements and specifics, conceptual definitions, synthesis from morphological, typological, functional, aesthetical, ergonomic studies, human machine interface studies, the selection, development and control of materials, the adoption of advanced materials (nano-structured, functional, composites, ceramics, etc…), studies concerning safety, reliability and functionality, analysis of accident induced damages and failures. The group is also interested in developing topics related with standardisation, technical documentation and certification, acceptance and working tests, maintenance.

Other attitudes that characterise the sector are the search for innovation of processes, products and methods and the attention to related tendencies in research and development.

The methodologies involve the use of the most advanced theoretical, numerical and experimental approaches, with an attitude towards the identification of methods and techniques able to shorten development times.

Some industrial sectors of referenceare mechanical, transport vehicles and systems, plants engineering, biomedical and energy.

Current research topics are the following:

• Development and application of numerical and theoretical methods for engineering: computational mechanics, methods for predicting random and multiaxial fatigue life on mechanical materials and components, vehicle mechanics and road accident safety, mechanical design with polymer matrix composite materials and non-conventional materials, metal-composite junctions based on GSIFs.
• Analysis of the mechanical behavior of traditional and innovative materials, of metal-composite bonded joints, of bolted-glued and riveted-glued hybrid joints, innovative high performance biocomposites reinforced with fibers.
• Development of experimental techniques for the analysis of structures and mechanical behavior of materials: full-field optical methods (photoelasticity, DIC, holography), non-destructive evaluation techniques and detection of defects (infrared thermography, laser and ultrasound laser), strain gauge techniques.
• Application of experimental techniques to complex problems: analysis of residual stresses on traditional materials and on composite materials; characterization of mechanical, fatigue and fracture behavior of structural materials and mechanical components; detection of defects in laminates, components made with additive manufacturing and railway wheels; biomedical applications.

Main research projects:

• Produzione Eolica con Ridotto IMpatto Ambientale (P.E.R.IM.A.), POR FESR € 2.619.760
• Ecodens: ecostabilizzazione delle sanse mediante densificazione, POR FESR €880.000
• Pegaso: sviluppo di pattini ferroviari innovativi, PON € 1.200.000
• Sviluppo turbina eolica innovativa, Bando Smart e bando Start di Invitalia €91.000

Keywords: machine designe, experimentalmechanics, mechanics of materials