The role of modeling and numerical analysis of mechanical systems has acquired, in the last decades, a considerable importance in almost all engineering sectors. This is particularly true in aerospace engineering where it is now common practice to use computational approaches to study both continuous and discrete mechanical systems both in academic research and in industry.
Correct modeling of mechanical systems is crucial in the design of aerospace systems due to the need for accurate evaluation of their behavior and at the same time requires a reduction in computational costs.
For continuous mechanical systems, the focus is on modeling materials, fluid dynamics phenomena and fluid-structure interactions, also taking into account possible scale or multi-physics phenomena.
Modelling and numerical analysis of discrete mechanical systems is instead used i) to predict the dynamic behaviour of interacting multi-domain components (also taking into account the operating environment and uncertainties) and ii) to design optimal control systems also through the use of heuristic algorithms based on the social behaviour of flocks.
The MAN Modeling and Numerical Analysis laboratory is equipped with high-performance workstations and programming and calculation software for research activities such as Matlab®, Ansys®, Comsol Multiphysics® and LabVIEW.
The numerical modeling and analysis laboratory is also used for teaching activities for students of the Aerospace Engineering degree course, in the areas of “Aerodynamics”, “Flight Mechanics”, “Aerospace Systems”, “Aerospace Constructions and Structures” and “Principles of Flight Simulation”. The activities also include the implementation and analysis of numerical models as part of internships and degree theses.
The research activities carried out at the MAN laboratory are interdisciplinary and range from mathematical modeling to computational analysis of typical problems in aerospace sciences.
Below are the projects and main research activities supported by the MAN laboratory.
SIADD “Innovative solutions for the quality and sustainability of ADDitive manufacturing processes” PON “Research and Innovation” 2014-2020, funded by the Ministry of Education, University and Research. Area of specialization: Intelligent Factory. DAVYD “Development of innovative technologies for landing gear control and actuation surfaces” PON “Research and Innovation” 2014-2020, funded by the Ministry of Education, University and Research. Area of specialization: Aerospace. CASTLE “CAbin Systems design Toward passenger welLbEing” Clean Sky II. Consulting activities for the Polytechnic University of Turin. In the field of system dynamics, the research activities carried out in the laboratory concern:The laboratory offers external services i) in the field of numerical-computational modeling and analysis of dynamic systems, both continuous and lumped parameter multiphysics; ii) in the field of heuristic optimization; iii) model-based design of control systems; iv) verification of model robustness.
Prof. Calogero Orlando calogero.orlando@unikore.it
(+39) 3337927163
The LIMA Laboratory is located within the MARTA research center in the Santa Panasia Scientific Center of the University of Enna “Kore”.