GRK 2423:  Fracture across Scales: Integrating Mechanics, Materials Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics

• Subject Area: Mechanics and Constructive Mechanical Engineering ; Materials Science ; Mathematics ; Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: since 2019
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 377472739

The Research Training Group 2423 FRASCAL aims to improve understanding of fracture with focus on brittle heterogeneous materials by developing modelling and simulation methods able to capture the multiscale nature of failure. With i) its rooting in different scientific disciplines, ii) its focus on the influence of heterogeneities on fracture at different length and time scales as well as iii) its integration of highly specialised approaches into a “holistic” concept, FRASCAL addresses a truly challenging cross-sectional topic in mechanics of materials. Although various modelling and simulation approaches describing fracture exist for particular types of materials and specific time and length scales, an integrated and overarching approach that is able to capture fracture processes in different – and in particular heterogeneous – materials at various length and time resolutions is still lacking. Thus, we apply for the extension of the successful Research Training Group 2423 FRASCAL consisting of interdisciplinary experts from mechanics, materials science, mathematics, chemistry, and physics that will develop the necessary methodology to investigate the mechanisms underlying brittle fracture and how they are influenced by heterogeneities in various materials. The insights obtained together with the methodological framework will specifically allow tailoring and optimising materials against fracture. FRASCAL covers a representative spectrum of brittle materials and their composites, together with granular and porous materials. We study these at length and time scales relevant to science and engineering, ranging from sub-atomic via atomic and molecular over mesoscale to macroscopic dimensions. Our modelling approaches and simulation tools are based on concepts from quantum mechanics, molecular and particle mechanics, mesoscopic approaches, and continuum mechanics. These are integrated into an overall framework which represents an important step towards a virtual laboratory eventually complementing and minimising extensive and expensive experimental testing of materials and components. Within FRASCAL, highly qualified and motivated young researchers under the supervision of experienced PAs perform cutting-edge research on challenging scientific aspects of fracture. FRASCAL fosters synergies in research and advanced education and is thus a key element in FAU‘s interdisciplinary key research area “New Materials and Processes”.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr.-Ing. Paul Steinmann
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Manuel Friedrich; Professor Dr. Daniel Koehn; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Sigrid Leyendecker; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Julia Mergheim; Professor Dr. Bernd Meyer; Privatdozent Paolo Moretti, Ph.D.; Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Pfaller; Dr. Lukas Pflug; Professor Dr. Thorsten Pöschel; Professorin Dr. Ana-Suncana Smith; Professor Dr. Michael Stingl; Dr. Christian Wick; Professor Dr. Dirk Zahn; Professor Dr. Michael Zaiser