On the failure of composite panels under hyper-velocity

This project will combine aspects of materials science and high strain-rate / impact research to investigate composite material response to hypervelocity impacts. This field is becoming ever more relevant as both vehicles (including aircraft and space platforms) and weapon systems move into the hypervelocity regime.

This study will investigate the core assumption that composite damage in the hypervelocity regime continues to follow a velocity / strain-rate like progression - something which is currently known to occur in the ballistic regime only.

This project will primarily be undertaken at Cranfield University's Shrivenham Campus (the School of Defence and Security), with additional research being undertaken on a campaign basis at the partner institution (Birmingham University) as well as with the industrial sponsor (QinetiQ).

This project is linked to a wider collaboration between Cranfield and Birmingham exploring material systems under extreme conditions (the Consortium for Organotypic Research on Ageing and Microgravity: www.birmingham.ac.uk/extreme-environments.

This PhD will provide a unique grounding in the high strain-rate and impact fields, as well as links into both high profile Universities and a defence prime. Skills and knowledge will have applications in areas including materials science, aerospace and defence.