The group’s activities are divided into fundamental research on materials, behaviour of structures and failure mechanisms and criteria. The materials research focusses on power metal (mainly titanium and its alloys) processing and products, continuous fibre-reinforced thermoset composites for aviation components and structures, material property extraction using digital image and volume correlation, characterisation of granular materials and qualification of additive manufactured parts for biomedical and aerospace components. The structures research looks for fundamental understanding of the behaviour of structures under static and dynamic conditions and, in the case of vehicles, aircraft or ships, their impact on humans. The research into failure mechanisms and criteria is focussed on composite material failure phenomena, fracture and creep deformation of steels.
Materials Engineering Group
The Materials Engineering group, situated in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch, is working with many of the leading national and international institutions in the area of materials engineering. The level of contact varies from fully funded research projects, through to partial funding of projects or studentships, to general collaboration and interchange of knowledge and expertise.
Sound and Vibration Research Group
The Sound and Vibration Research Group (SVRG) is situated in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch. The SVRG has established expertise, equipment and laboratory facilities to conduct research and investigations into noise and vibration problems for industry as well as the public sector. Our research is primarily focused on human response to vibration and dynamic structural loading in the marine, automotive and mining industries.
