October, 2023 Presentation
Speaker: Ghadir Haikal, PhD
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023
Topic: Computational Modeling of Interfaces in Complex Infrastructure Systems
Presentation: Video
Summary: The field of computational mechanics has witnessed significant advancements that have greatly improved our ability to model complex phenomena, ranging from large-scale structures to nanoscale systems, under conditions that cannot be replicated in a laboratory, and often at reduced cost compared to experimental testing. However, many challenges remain in the development of numerical models for complex infrastructure systems and composite materials where multiple components interact through an interface. Interfaces are critical pathways for load-carrying mechanisms that contribute to lifelong performance and structural resilience. Thus, it is crucial for the computational model to accurately capture the interface kinematics and force transfer processes, particularly in the presence of geometric and material nonlinearities, damage, friction and dynamics.
This presentation details the challenges and applications of interface modeling for coupled problems in engineering. I will introduce a new class of formulations that can efficiently handle complex interface interactions in structures and materials. I will discuss a physics-based model for accurate prediction of bond behavior in reinforced concrete (validated by experiments) that quantifies bond resistance from the material properties of steel and concrete constituents, as well as the mechanics of contact between them in the anchorage area. These new and robust interface formulations enable the modeling of complex structures for purposes of health monitoring and life-cycle management that also support the development of emerging materials and novel techniques for enhanced structural resilience.
Bio: Ghadir Haikal is an Associate Professor in Structural Engineering and Mechanics in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Tishreen University, Syria and M.S. and Ph.D degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, also in Civil Engineering. Prior to her current position, Dr. Haikal led the Computational Materials Integrity group in the Department of Materials Engineering at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), and was an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at Purdue University. Dr. Haikal’s research focuses on developing advanced computational models for structural integrity and lifetime prediction in complex structures and materials. She is a Fulbright Fellow and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Engineering Science and the United States Association for Computational Mechanics.