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Personal Website
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Laboratory
Laboratory of Applied Mechanics and Vibrations
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Laboratory Website
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Research Activity
Applied Mechanics & Vibrations Laboratory (AML/UoP) deals mainly with the general field of MATERIALS & STRUCTURES giving emphasis on the science, technology and applications of composite materials (organic, ceramic and metal matrix), monolithic ceramics and plastics. Research is conducted in a variety of areas including:
– Smart Materials and Structures
– Design, analysis and optimization of Composite Structures
Non-Destructive Inspection and Evaluation of Aeronautical Structures, Structural Health Monitoring.– Composite Materials (Analytical and Numerical Modeling, Non – Destructive Techniques, Thermo and mechanical Characterization, Fracture and Fatigue of Composites, Experimental Techniques).
– Anisotropic Elasticity. Anisotropic Damage Theory.
– Fluid-Structure Interaction. Blast behavior of Structures. Blast shielding & Hardening.
– Fracture Mechanics.
– Wave Propagation and Scattering in Continuous Media.
– Inverse Problems and Inversion of Scattering Data.
– Non-Linear Acoustics.
– Biomechanics.
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Facilities
Software:
* Nastran, Nike, Patran, ANSYS and LS-DYNA3D Finite element codes, Franc 2-D and 3-D for fracture analysis.
* Warp3D analysis code for advanced plastic and viscoplastic analysis.
* CATIA V5, Solid Edge, Rhinocerosand and Autocad design codes.Equipment:
# 3 Hydraulic Universal Testing Machines MDG (25, 100 and 250 kN capacity respectively, Maximum frequency for fatigue testing 100 Hz), equipped with an oven for working from sub ambient temperature to 500o C.
# Electromechanical Universal Testing Machines Scheunk, (Maximum capacity 100kN and 25 kN), equipped with an induction heating oven for high temperature testing in air. Both may perform low cycle fatigue tests.
# Ultrasonic Systems, A, C and D-Scan (Bath Size 1200×1000 mm).
# Two Quasi-Static Universal Testing Frames, maximum capacity 25 kN .
# 6-Channel SPARTAN 2000 System by PAC for NDT Acoustic Emission Analysis.
# 4-Channel MYSTRAS System by PAC for transient Acoustic Emission Analysis.
# Ultrasonic System dedicated to the characterisation of the stiffness matrix of anisotropic materials and the anisotropic damage developed under thermomechanical fatigue conditions, equipped with the necessary software developed in house.
# Thermo-Camera System by Nikon
# Thermal Analysis DuPont 2000 System with 9900 Programmer comprising the following units :* Thermal Mechanical Analyzer(TMA) 943
* Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) 983
* Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) 910
* Liquid Nitrogen Cooling Accessory (LNCA 11)# Dynamic Mechanical Analysis System by Bruel & Kjaer for resonance and forced vibrations. Complete set of 1-D, 2-D and 3-D accelerometers and the necessary amplifiers, 2 base excitation shakers, excitation hammers, data logger and data acquisition systems.
# Low velocity impact machine.
# Ballistic-Impact testing equipment
# Impact Pendulum (Sharpy & Izold Impact).
# Nikon-Optiphot 66 Microscope (Fractography),equipped with CCD and video recorder
# Viscoelastic Characterisation Systems (creep, relaxation) equipped with a controlled temperature furnace (Max temperature: 550o C).
# Conditioning – chamber for humidity and temperature control and UV radiation.
# Conditioning – chamber for bellow zero temperatures.
# Special frame for testing of safety helmets according to EC regulation 22.
# Laboratory platens press 300×300 mm, hydraulic force 300 kN, max. temperature 400o C.
# Hand Lay up and Spray up systems with Vacuum bagging for the manufacturing of composite components.
# Autoclave system for the manufacturing of composite components
# Vacuum casting device for the manufacturing of working prototype components.
# Vacuum forming system.
# Full access to a Rapid Prototyping set-up consisting of Z-Print systems
# Glove Box
# 2 Dissolver Devices (Torus Mill) for Preparation of Epoxy Mixtures with various micro- and nano-fillers.
# Digital Multimeter Device (8 dig. Resolution) for mapping the electrical resistance (both under quasi-static and dynamic mode) of materials.
# Sensory voltage, dynamic acceleration, force, strain and temperature measurement
# Various 8- and 4-channel high-speed dynamic data acquisition & spectral analyzer systems
# Real-time data acquisition and active controller implementation
# Various types of excitations: Impact force excitation through a range of impact hammers (miniature to heavy, Continuous force excitation (6lb and 50lb electromagnetic shakers, Piezoelectric actuator strain
# Experimental Modal Analysis: Modal frequency, Modal damping, Mode shapes
# High-voltage dynamic excitation of piezoceramic actuators (±700Volts)
# Additional facilities for NDT and SHMonitoring
# Custom made equipment for wear, friction and Fretting Fatigue measurements# SGI 8-processors system, Sun UltraSparc, HP/C180 WorkStations and network of PCs.
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Selected Research Projects
– NSF Research Program, “Probabilistic Life Prediction for Composite Laminates Subjected to Fatigue Loading”, 2001-2002
– GROWTH: “Ceramic and Carbon Fibres: Validation of Test Methods”, 2002-2004.
– GROWTH: “Virtual Lab. for Composite Materials” (ERIC), 2002-2005.
– EKVAV: “Seismic Assessment and Rehabilitation of Concrete Structures”, 2003-2006.
– FP 6, EU-IP: “Advanced Sensor Development for Attention, Stress, Vigilance & Sleep/Wakefulness Monitoring”, SENSATION, 2003-2007.
– FP 6, EU-STREP: “Aerospace Nanotube Hybrid Composite Structures with Sensing and Actuating Capabilities”, NOESIS, 2004-2008.
– FP 6, EU-STREP: “Cost Effective and Environmentally Sound Dismantling of Obsolete Vessels”, ShipDismantl, 2004-2008.
– FP 6, EU-STREP: ‘Vulnerability Analysis for Near Future Composite/Hybrid Aerostructures: Hardening Via New Materials and Design Approaches against Fire and Blast Due to Accidents or Terrorist Attacks’, VULCAN, 2006-2009.
– FP 6, EU-STREP: ‘Advanced Modelling And Self-Learning Mechanisms To Enhance Rotating Engine Diagnosis And Prognosis Systems’, ADHER, 2006-2008.
– ESA Call for Ideas 2006: ‘Detailed characterisation of Nano-modified fiber reinforced polymers in terms of mechanical, electrical and thermal properties towards the development of new materials for space applications’.
– FP 6, EU-STREP: ‘Double Inverted Funnel for the Intervention on Ship Wrecks’ DIFIS, 2006-2009.
– FP 7, EU-L1: ‘Multifunctional Layers For Safer Aircraft Composite Structures’, LAYSA, 2008-2010.
– FP 7, EU-L1: ‘Dismantling of Vessels with Enhanced Safety and Technology’ DIVEST, 2008-2010.
– FP 7, EU-L1: ‘Autonomous Surveillance in Public Transport Infrastructure Systems’, ASPIS, 2008-2010.
– FP 7, EU-L1: ‘Innovative Repair of Aerospace Structures with Curing Optimization & Life Cycle Monitoring Abilities’, IAPETUS, 2008-20012.
– ESA, NPI projects: Methodology for Innovative Health Monitoring of Aerospace structures using Dynamic Response Measurements and advanced signal process (MINERVA).
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Selected Publications
J42. V. Kostopoulos, T. Loutas, A. Kontsos, G. Sotiriadis and Y. Pappas, On the Identification of the Failure Mechanisms in Oxide/Oxide Composites Using Acoustic Emission, NDT & E International, Vol. 36, Issue 8, 2003, pp. 571-580.
J43. Y.P. Markopoulos and V. Kostopoulos, On the Low Velocity Impact Response of Laminated Composite Plates Utilising the p-Version Ritz Method, Advanced Composite Letters, Vol. 12, Issue 5, 2003, pp.177-190.
J44. C. Dassios, V. Kostopoulos and M. Steen, Intrinsic Parameters in the Fracture of Carbon/Carbon Composites, Composite Science & Technology, Vol. 65, Issue 6 , 2005, pp. 883-897.
J45. Y.Z. Pappas, A. Kontsos, T. Loutas & V. Kostopoulos, A Critical Study for the Determination of Elastic Waves Characteristics of Continuous Fibers, NDT & E International, Vol. 37, Issue 5, 2004, pp.389-401.
J46. Vougiouklakis I., Hähner P., De Haan F., Kostopoulos V., Peteves S. D., Damage mode analysis of MCrAlY overlay coatings, Journal of Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials and Structures, Vol. 27, 2004, pp. 319-330.
J47. C. Dassios, V. Kostopoulos, C. Galiotis and M. Steen, Direct In Situ Measurements of Bridging Stresses in CFCCs, ACTA Metal., Vol . 51, Issue 18, 2003, pp. 5359-5373.
J48. A.P. Fortis, V. Kostopoulos, E. Panagiotopoulos, S. Tsantzalis and A. Kokkinos, Viscoelastic Properties of Cartilage-Subchondral Bone Complex in Osteoarthritis, Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology, Vol. 28, Number 5 / September-October 2004, pp. 223-226.
J49. V. Kostopoulos, S. Tsatzalis, A.P. Fortis, E. Panagiotopoulos, Impact energy absorption by specimens from the upper end of the human femur , Injury, International Journal of the Care of the Injured, Vol. 36, 5, 2005, pp. 613-617.
J50. V. Kostopoulos, T. H. Loutas and G. Sotiriadis, On the Young´s Modulus Measurements of Ceramic and Carbon Fibres using Elastic Wave Propagation Technique. Comparison against quasi-static tensile tests, Advanced Composite Letters, Vol. 13, 2, 2004, pp. 131-137.
J51. D. Katerelos, A. Paipetis and V. Kostopoulos, Prediction of Fatigue Behavior of Low-Velocity Impacted Composite Plates, Fatigue Fract. Eng. Mat. Struct., 2004, Vol. 27, pp. 911-922.
J52. V. Kostopoulos, E. E. Douzinas, E. M. Kypriades and Y. Z. Pappas, A New Method for the Early Diagnosis of Brain Oedema/Brain Swelling. An Experimental Study in Rabbits, Journal of Biomechanics, 2006, Vol. 39, Issue 16, pp. 2958-2965.
J53. V. Kostopoulos, Y.P. Markopoulos, D. E. Vlachos, D. Katerelos, C. Galiotis, T. Tsiknias, D. Zacharopoulos, D. Karalekas, Design and construction of a Vehicular Bridge made of Glass/Polyester Pultruded Box Beams, Plastic, Rubber & Composites, Vol. 34, Nr 4, May 2005, pp. 201-207(7).
J54. V. Kostopoulos, T. Loutas and C. Dassios, Fracture Behavior and Damage mechanisms Identification of SiC/Glass ceramic composites using AE monitoring, Comp. Science & Tech., Vol. 67, Nr. 7-8, 2007, pp. 1740-1746.
J55. A. Paipetis, Y. Z. Pappas, D.E. Vlachos and V. Kostopoulos, Damage Modelling and Simulation of Composite Materials Using Ultrasonic Measurement, Adv. Composite Letters, Vol. 14, 3, 2005, pp. 145-152.
J56. V. Kostopoulos, D. Vlachos, A. Paipetis and G. Sotiriadis, Long term Behaviour of Continuous Oxide/Oxide Composites under Isothermal Exposure, Comp. Science & Techn., Vol 66, Issue 16, pp. 3221-3229.
J57. V. Kostopoulos, C. Derdas, and D.E. Vlachos, On the Numerical Simulation of Drop Tests applied on Polycarbonate Safety Helmets, CMES, (accepted for publication).
J58. S. Tsantzalis, P. Karapappas, A. Vavouliotis, P. Tsotra, V. Kostopoulos, K. Friedrich, Enhancement of the Mechanical Performance of an Epoxy Resin and Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin Composites by the Introduction of CNF and PZT Particles at the Microscal, Composites Part A, Vol. 38, Issue 4, pp 1149-1158.
J59. S. Tsantzalis, P. Karapappas, A. Vavouliotis, P. Tsotra, V. Kostopoulos, T. Tanimoto, K. Friedrich, On the Improvement of Toughness of CFRPs with Resin Doped with CNF and PZT Particles, Composites Part A, Vol. 38, Issue 4, pp 1076-1081.
J60. T.H. Loutas, V. Kostopoulos, C. Ramirez-Jimenez, M. Pharaoh, Damage evolution in center-holed Glass/Polyester composites under quasi-static loading using time/frequency analysis of acoustic emission monitored waveforms, Comp. Sc. Tech., Vol 66, 2006, pp. 1366-1375.
J61. V. Kostopoulos, T.H. Loutas, C. Derdas, E. Douzinas, Wavelet Analysis Of Head Acceleration Response Under Dirac Excitation For Early Oedema Detection, Journal of Biomechanical engineering, vol. 130, No2, April 2008.
J62. V. Kostopoulos, P. Tsotra, A. Vavouliotis, P. Karappapas, S. Tsantzalis, K. Friedrich, T. Tanimoto and A. Paipetis, Mode I interlaminar fracture of CNF or/and PZT doped CFRPs via acoustic emission monitoring, Composite Science and Technology, Vol 67, 5 , pp 822-828.
J63. T.H. Loutas and V. Kostopoulos, Wavelet-based methodologies for the analysis of vibration recordings for fault diagnosis in gears, Nondestructive Evaluation, June 2008, (submitted for publication).
J64. K. G. Dassios, V. Kostopoulos and M. Steen, A micromechanical bridging law model for CFCCs, Acta Materialia, Vol. 55, Issue 1 , January 2007, pp 83-92.
J65. P. Tsotra, V. Kostopoulos, A. Vavouliotis, P. Karapappas, A. Miaris, N. Nikolaou, On the Use of Carbon Nanofibers for the Preparation of Antistatic Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites, Journal of Nanostructured Polymers and Nanocomposites, Vol. 2 (2006), pp. 61-65.
J66. T.H. Loutas, J. Kalaitzoglou, G. Sotiriades and V. Kostopoulos, A Novel Approach for Continuous Acoustic Emission Monitoring on Rotating Machinery Without the Use of Slip-ring, Journal of vibration and acoustics, Vol 130, 6, December 2008.
J67. V. Kostopoulos, G. Giannopoulos and Y.P. Markopoulos, Analysis of Head Injury produced under non-penetrating Oblique Impact Loading Conditions, Medical Engineering and Technology, (submitted for publication).
J68. V. Kostopoulos, P. Tsotra, A. Vavouliotis, P. Karappapas, S. Tsantzalis and T. Loutas, Damage Detection during Fatigue Loading of CNF Doped CFRPs via Resistance Measurements and AE, Solid State Phenomena Vols 121-123 (2007) pp. 1399-1402, online at http://www.scientific.net.
J69. S. Tsantzalis, P. Tsotra, P. Karapappas, A. Vavouliotis, N. Fanis, V. Kostopoulos, K. Friedrich, Influence of Carbon Nanofibers and Piezoelectric Particles on the Thermomechanical Behaviour of Epoxy Mixtures, Solid State Phenomena Vols. 121-123 (2007) pp. 1419-1422, online at http://www.scientific.net
J70. V. Kostopoulos, P. Karapappas, S. Tsantzalis, A. Vavouliotis, P. Tsotra, A. Paipetis, T.H. Loutas, K. Friedrich, Investigation of the Effect of CNF and PZT Particles on the Interlaminar Fracture Behaviour of CFRP Laminates, STRAIN, (accepted for publication).
J71. A. Kokkinos, V. Kostopoulos, D. Aslanidis, E. Panagiotopoulos, The effect of thermal ageing on the transformation temperatures of superelastic nitinol tubing, Journal of Thermal & Calorimetric Analysis, (accepted for publication).
J72. Kostopoulos, V. Karapappas, P. Tsotra, P. Paipetis, A. Vavouliotis, A., Enhanced fracture properties of carbon reinforced composites by the addition of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes, Journal of Composite Materials, (accepted for publication).
J73. T.H. Loutas, V. Kostopoulos, Health monitoring of carbon/carbon, woven reinforced composites. Damage assessment by using advanced signal processing techniques. Part I: Acoustic emission monitoring and damage mechanisms evolution, Composites Science and Technology Vol 69 (2009), pp. 265-272.
J74. T.H. Loutas, V. Kostopoulos, Health monitoring of carbon/carbon, woven reinforced composites. Damage assessment by using advanced signal processing techniques. Part II: Acousto-ultrasonics monitoring of damage development, Composites Science and Technology Vol 69 (2009), pp. 273-283.
J76. V. Kostopoulos, A. Vavouliotis, P. Karapappas, P. Tsotra, A. Paipetis, Damage Monitoring of CFRP Laminates Using Resistance Measurements. Improving Sensitivity Using Carbon Nanotube Doped Epoxy Matrix System, Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, (accepted for publication).
J77. P. Karapappas, S. Tsantzalis, E. Fiamegou, A. Vavouliotis, K. Dassios, V. Kostopoulos, Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Chemically Grafted on Reinforcing Carbon Fibres, Advanced Composite letters, (accepted for publication).
J78. Loutas, T.H., Kalaitzoglou, J., Sotiriades, G., Kayias, E., Kostopoulos, V., Diagnosis of artificial gear defects on single stage gearbox using acoustic emission, Advanced Materials Research Vol 13-14, pp. 427-432, 2007.J79. Loutas, T.H., Kostopoulos, V., Damage monitoring in cyclic loaded C/C woven composites using the acousto-ultrasonics approach, Advanced Materials Research Vol 13-14, pp. 421-426, 2007.
J80. A. Vavouliotis, P. Karapappas, T. Loutas, T. Voyatzi, A. Paipetis and V. Kostopoulos, Multi-Stage Fatigue Life Monitoring on Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers Enhanced with Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes, Plastics, Rubber and Composites, (accepted for publication).
J81. J. Lucas-Lekatsas and V. Kostopoulos, Scalar scattering by two small non-coeccentric penetrable spheres, Mechanics of Advance Materials and Structures, (accepted for publication).
J82. J. Lucas-Lekatsas and V. Kostopoulos, Low-Frequency scattering by a penetrable body with an eccentric soft or hard core, Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences, (accepted for publication).
J83. V. Kostopoulos, A. Baltopoulos, P. Karapappas, A. Vavouliotis and A. Paipetis, Impact and after-Impact properties of Fiber Reinforced Composites enhanced with CNTs, Comp. Sc. & Tech. (accepted for publication).
J84. A. Vavouliotis, E. Fiamegou,P. Karapappas, G. Psaras and V. Kostopoulos, Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) doped Epoxy Resin composites: Effect of MWCNT inclusion on AC and DC conductivity response, Composites Part A, (submitted for publication).
J85. T.H. Loutas, A. Vavouliotis, P. Karapappas and V. Kostopoulos , Fatigue damage monitoring in carbon fibre reinforced polymers using the acousto-ultrasonics method, NDT & E, (submitted for publication).
J87. T.H. Loutas, Sotiriades G., Kalaitzoglou I. and Kostopoulos V., Condition monitoring of a single-stage gearbox utilizing on-line vibration and acoustic emission measurements, Applied Acoustics, 2008, (accepted for publication).
J88. Kostopoulos V. and C. Derdas, On the Early Detection of Diffused Brain Oedema. A Numerical Study on a Realistic Head FE-Model. Eigenfrequency-Analysis, Diagnostic Measures and Decision Process, J. Biomechanics, (submitted for publication).
J89. N. M. Barkoula, A. Paipetis, T. Matikas, A. Vavouliotis, P. Karapappas and V. Kostopoulos, Environmental Degradation of Carbon Nanotube Modified Composite Laminates: An Electrical Resistivity Study, Mechanics of Composite Materials, (accepted for publication, No.6, 2008 – No 1 for 2009).
J90. A. Lambrakis, A. Fortis, C. Vlachos and V. Kostopoulos, Biomechanical Testing of a Shape Memory Alloy Suture in a Meniscal Suture Model, Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, (accepted for publication, November 2008).
J91. T.Η. Loutas, G. Sotiriadis, A. Paipetis, D.G. Katerelos, V. Kostopoulos and S.L. Ogin, In-situ damage monitoring of cross-ply laminates using acoustic emission, Plastics Rubbers and Composites, November 2008, (accepted for publication).
J92. T.H. Loutas, J. Kalaitzoglou, G. Sotiriades and V. Kostopoulos, On the application of non-destructive testing techniques on rotating machinery, International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, June 2008, (accepted for publication).
J93. T.H. Loutas, V. Kostopoulos, G. Sotiriades, A. Kalaitzoglou, J.P. Derrain, The combined use of vibration, acoustic emission and oil debris monitoring towards a more effective condition monitoring of rotating machinery, Journal of Acoustical Society of America, November 2008, (submitted for publication).
Cooperations with other Organizations and Institutes:
Applied Mechanics Laboratory is internationally recognised for its contribution in the respective fields through books, lectures, research papers, conferences, professional society activities and research co-operation within the frame of financially supported projects, both by national and international Institutions, mainly by the EU.– EU FP6 Aerospace Program Committee, 2002-2006.
– Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal ‘Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures’
– Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal ‘Composite Science and Technology’
– Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal ‘Research & Reviews in Polymers’
– Associate Editor of the ‘International Journal of Aerospace Engineering’
– CEN (European Standardization Committee), TC 184, SC 1, Advanced Technical Ceramics and Ceramic Matrix Composites
– Elected Member of the Executive Board of the Council of the European Society for Composite Materials (ESCM)
– AIAA (American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics)
– ESIS (European Structural Integrity Society)
– Engineering Foundation of Greece
– ICTA (International Confederation for Thermal Analysis)
– HSCM (Hellenic Society of Composite Materials member of FEMS)
– HSNDT (Hellenic Society for Non-Destructive Testing)
– Foundation of Research and Technology CYPRUS, R & D Projects
– PEBE Program for basic research, NTUA
– ANEC, Standardization Committee for child safety.
– General Secretariat for Research and Technology, Ministry of Development, Project for the support of Greek Industry, and INCO Projects.
– State Scholarships Foundation (Socrates program)
– European Standardization Committee for CMCs, TC 184, SC 1.
– European Space Agency, European Space Research & Technology Center -
Cooperations With Other Organizations And Institutes