Management Structure

The project involves an extensive work load on experimental and numerical analysis on different multidisciplinary subjects. Therefore, taking in account the project length of 36 months, tasks must be achieved in parallel and each task will have a senior researcher responsible for project progress review, technical and financial issues and decisions on project results exploitation.

The responsible for each task is indicated as follows (as well indicated in the timeline):

1. Development of a robust and accurate numerical methodology for thermomechanical parameter identification using temperature and strain full-field measurements [26 months]: A. Andrade-Campos (PI);

2. Design of a heterogeneous temperature and strain full-field test for material characterization using integrated topology and shape optimization. Perform experimental test with high strength steels [24 months]: J. Oliveira;

3. Analysis of constraints and search universe in parameter identification of thermelastic-viscoplastic and elastoplastic constitutive models [13 months]: M.C. Oliveira (co-PI);

4. Development of an OpenAcess database with input data for FEA simulation software concerning the material behaviour charaterization (models and their parameters). Introduction of data for high strength steels through the methodology developed [12 months]: A. Gil Andrade-Campos (PI).

Task 1 will be supported by the external consultor Fabrice Pierron, from the University of Southampton – UK, that has a large experience in the VFM method.

Task 2 will be assisted by the external consultor Sandrine Thuillier, from the iDRL, France.

Task 1 is concerning the numerical development while task 2 is concerning the design for experimental tests. Although both contributes to the overall procedure of material characterization and parameter identification, these tasks can be performed in parallel. Nevertheless, the last two months of task 1 will use the information achieved in task 2, i.e. the experimental test designed.

Task 3 produces the constraints required for the final procedure. However, it is a more analytical work and can be developed also in parallel.

Task 4, the last task, will group all the previous task results in a single methodology for achieving the material characterization database. Last task will have a large number of researchers in order to achieve it in a single year.

The PI will assume the routine administrative task for the project and guarantee efficient communication among the project team as well as managing all the information change between tasks. He will consolidate the project planning, progress reports, milestone reports, cost statements and budget overviews using the information from other partners. To facilitate the discussion, concise reports concerning partial results will be elaborated and disseminated between the research team participants. The reports will be discussed in team research meetings, which will be organized with the following structure:

(I)

Presentation and discussion of the research results attained;

(II)

Definition of the scientific publications that should be produced to guarantee the attained results dissemination. The priority will be given to scientific publications, either in international conferences or in high impact scientific journals. Due to the relevance and impact of the expected results, the participation in international seminars and conferences by team researchers for results diffusion will be carefully planned. The versatile team research fields should also be explored, particularly the connection to the industry in order to promote the transfer of results. The Principal Investigator will have the responsibility to promote the dissemination, covering the different research fields, with the consequent distribution of the funds allocated for this task;

(III)

Discussion of corrections to the project timeline and an updated workload distribution to guarantee the project development. The Principal Investigator will be in charge of the continuous follow-up in order to identify risks and evaluate its potential impact on the project objectives.