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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/K78560/01
Title: STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF HYBRID MATERIAL CONCEPTS FOR LIGHTWEIGHT VEHICLES (PROJECT 4 OF SALVO)
Principal Investigator: Smith, Professor G
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Arup Group Ltd Pre Nexus Migration Rover Ltd
Sun Microsystems
Department: Sch of Engineering
Organisation: University of Warwick
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 June 1996 Ends: 31 May 1999 Value (£): 719,256
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Eng. Dynamics & Tribology Manufact. Enterprise Ops& Mgmt
Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
This project is an integral part of the SALVO programme which focuses on the design and manufacture of lightweight vehicles. To satisfy future environmental and market requirements it is predicted by the automotive industry that the next generation of passenger transport vehicles will be based on modular lightweight structures which will include composite materials. Some of the analysis techniques used for these materials and combinations of materials are not currently understood and validated such that they can be used with confidence by industry. The aim of this project is to investigate methods of undertaking structural analysis and testing of individual components and also vehicle assemblies made from lightweight materials from the initial concept through to the detailed design. More specifically the project will develop methodologies for the analysis of components and assemblies manufactured from hybrid materials so that these methodologies can be readily used by the automotive industry. The types of components and assemblies analysed will have to meet design requirements for both static and impact loading conditions, and thus the analysis methodologies and failure criteria developed will consider all relevant forms of loading. If these components and assemblies are able to be analysed with confidence then this will enable the adoption of these materials to be made with confidence hence hastening the time to market of the lightweight vehicle concept. The initial beneficiaries of this project will be the industrial end users of the methodologies developed here, however, it is envisaged that the methodologies will ultimately have a wider use.
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Organisation Website: http://www.warwick.ac.uk