Please find below a list of current semester project and master thesis opportunities. We are also open to suggestions of project topics. Interested students should directly contact Prof. Karapiperis at [email protected].
Segregation in granular flows is an important phenomenon influencing various natural and industrial processes, from landslides to pharmaceutical manufacturing. This project investigates the role of particle shape in segregation dynamics within granular flows. Using numerical simulations, the student will analyze how particles of varying shapes and sizes segregate under shear and gravity-driven flows, by analyzing the forces developed between particles. The final goal is to provide insight into the continuum modeling of segregation phenomena in different scenarios.
More details can be found here.
Granular materials form complex networks of force chains arising from frictional interactions between particles. Under applied shear, this network of contacts can undergo complex topological and geometrical rearrangements. The connection between these grain-scale patterns and the macroscopic behavior of the material is still a field of active research. In this project we will employ Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) to shed light on these processes, focusing on the regime where granular materials approach unjamming and failure. The models will be trained on data from high fidelity discrete
element simulations as well as experimental measurements with grain-scale resolution.
More details can be found here.
Recently, physics-informed neural operators (PINOs) have been introduced as a new approach for solving complex problems in engineering, by combining data with knowledge of the underlying governing equations. The concept is an extension of previously successful purely data-driven deep neural operators. In this project, the student will explore the application of PINOs on solid mechanics problems, with the goal of simulating the behavior of materials under various loading conditions. Applications will be considered in the context of geotechnical or structural engineering. The generalization capabilities of the method will be evaluated, and its accuracy will be compared to conventional numerical solutions. The findings aim to advance computational tools for engineering design and analysis, bridging the gap between traditional numerical methods and scientific machine learning.
More details can be found here.
Topologically interlocked structures (TIS) represent a new class of innovative designs inspired by the mechanics of puzzles [1]. Constructed from individual building blocks that interlock without the use of adhesives, these structures exhibit remarkable mechanical properties, relying solely on contact and frictional forces for their integrity. Experimental observations have revealed sudden failures and sharp load drops in TIS, indicating that frictional slip instabilities play a significant role in their structural response. This project aims to explore the influence of stick-slip frictional instabilities and interfacial heterogeneity on the failure mechanisms of TIS. Using the level-set discrete element modeling framework, the student will investigate the dynamic behavior of these systems under various conditions. The project offers an opportunity to delve into the unique mechanical behavior of TIS and gain experience with modern computational tools in structural engineering.
More details can be found here.
The fault gouge, a layer of cohesionless material formed by fragmentation of parent rock, plays a key role in the macroscopic frictional behavior of faults, including their stability and energy release. This material exhibits complex behavior influenced by mechanical deformation, thermal effects and pore fluid flow. In this project, we utilize a combination of discrete and continuum simulations to investigate gouge rheology. In particular, the student will explore the effect of material heterogeneity and grain-scale characteristics on the macroscopic behavior, including the influence of particle fracture. Additionally, phenomena arising from hydromechanical and thermomechanical coupling will be studied. The findings from the project aim to provide new insight into earthquake mechanics.
More details can be found here.
