Smart passive adaptive control of laminated composite plates (through optimisation of fibre orientation)

In the classical laminate plate theory for composite materials, it is assumed that the laminate is thin compared to its lateral dimensions and straight lines normal to the middle surface remain straight and normal to the surface after deformation. As a result, the induced twist which is due to the transverse shear stresses and strains are neglected. Also, this induced twist was considered as an unwanted displacement and hence was ignored. However, in certain cases this induced twist would not be redundant and can be a useful displacement to control the behaviour of the composite structure passively. In order to use this induced twist, there is a need for a modified model to predict the behaviour of laminated composites. A composite normally consists of two materials; matrix and fibres. Fibres can be embedded in different orientations in composite lay-ups. In this research, laminated composite models subject to transfer shear effect are studied. A semi analytical model based on Newton-Kantorovich-Quadrature Method is proposed. The presented model can estimate the induced twist displacement accurately. Unlike other semi analytical model, the new model is able to solve out of plane loads as well as in plane loads. It is important to mention that the constitutive equations of the composite materials (and as a result the induced twist) are determined by the orientation of fibres in laminae. The orientation of composite fibres can be optimised for specific load cases, such as longitudinal and in-plane loading. However, the methodologies utilised in these studies cannot be used for general analysis such as out of plane loading problems. This research presents a model whereby the thickness of laminated composite plates is minimised (for a desirable twist angle) by optimising the fibre orientations for different load cases. In the proposed model, the effect of transverse shear is considered. Simulated annealing (SA), which is a type of stochastic optimisation method, is used to search for the optimal design. This optimisation algorithm is not based on the starting point and it can escape from the local optimum points. In accordance with the annealing process where temperature decreases gradually, this algorithm converges to the global minimum. In this research, the Tsai-Wu failure criterion for composite laminate is chosen which is operationally simple and readily amenable to computational procedures. In addition, this criterion shows the difference between tensile and compressive strengths, through its linear terms. The numerical results are obtained and compared to the experimental data to validate the methodology. It is shown that there is a good agreement between finite element and experimental results. Also, results of the proposed simulated annealing optimisation model are compared to the outcomes from previous research with specific loading where the validity of the model is investigated

Design and Development of a Professional Skills Coaching Framework for Engineering and Computing Degree Apprenticeship (DA) Programmes at Aston University

Aston University has provided Work-Based Learning (WBL) courses since the 1960’s. The introduction of Degree Apprenticeship (DA) levy funding in 2015 has led to a change of focus at Aston University from delivery of traditional WBL programmes to development of more than ten level 6 and 7 Engineering and Computing programmes in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS). These programmes were designed and developed organically over the years leading to different student support mechanisms and practice across the varying DA programmes. The growth of these programmes led to the establishment of the Aston Professional Engineering Centre (APEC) as a department in late 2020, overseeing all Engineering and Computing DA and non-DA programmes in the College. This, together with the regulatory aspects of DA programmes, in turn, led to investigating the historic role of the Professional Supervisor. This investigation combined with the prospective Ofsted New Provider Monitoring Visit (NPMV) in 2022 instigated a need for a shift from solely utilising professional supervisory roles for WBL activities to a consistent framework for skills-based, systems level thinking approaches, conducive to the corporate environment, via Professional Skills Coach adoption. This concept paper presents our innovative approach in supporting Engineering and Computing DA learners at Aston University by designing and developing a Professional Skills Coaching framework in 2022, underpinned by the pedagogical coaching approaches, as well as the way in which the model concept could be adopted by other STEM educators to support learners

The Effect of Teaching–Learning Environments on Student’s Engagement with Lean Mindset

Lean thinking is a methodology employed initially by manufacturing organizations such as Toyota and New Balance that aims to increase customer value whilst also maintaining a low level of waste. The Lean thinking tools and techniques employed in the manufacturing sector can also be transferred to other sectors and significantly improve the service or product, such as public sector organizations or Higher Education Institutions (HEI). In the current education climate, due to the pandemic (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19), the majority of HEIs have moved to an online or hy-brid teaching and learning environment. This has developed the principle that Lean thinking can be deployed in educational methods and techniques to greatly increase the level of student en-gagement and the efficiency of learning. The following study outlines the key waste sources found in three types of teaching–learning environments (face to face, online and hybrid) and provides practical implications to counter the non-value-added issues. The data for this study were gathered through a questionnaire from final year undergraduate engineering students. The results indicate that online teaching had the greatest effect on student engagement, based on the identification and weighted values of non-value-added issues. The study highlights the key Lean wastes within online, hybrid and face to face teaching, and provides key examples within the stated Lean waste to provide solutions to improve student engagement

Enhancing 3D Printing Copper-PLA Composite Fabrication via Fused Deposition Modeling through Statistical Process Parameter Study

The rapid advancement of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies has provided new avenues for creating three-dimensional (3D) parts with intricate geometries. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a prominent technology in this domain, involving the layer-by-layer fabrication of objects by extruding a filament comprising a blend of polymer and metal powder. This study focuses on the FDM process using a filament of Copper–Polylactic Acid (Cu-PLA) composite, which capitalizes on the advantageous properties of copper (high electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance) combined with the easily processable thermoplastic PLA material. The research delves into the impact of FDM process parameters, specifically, infill percentage (IP), infill pattern (P), and layer thickness (LT) on the maximum failure load (N), percentage of elongation at break, and weight of Cu-PLA composite filament-based parts. The study employs the response surface method (RSM) with Design-Expert V11 software. The selected parameters include infill percentage at five levels (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%), fill patterns at five levels (Grid, Triangle, Tri-Hexagonal, Cubic-Subdivision, and Lines), and layer thickness at five levels (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mm). Also, the optimal factor values were obtained. The findings highlight that layer thickness and infill percentage significantly influence the weight of the samples, with an observed increase as these parameters are raised. Additionally, an increase in layer thickness and infill percentage corresponds to a higher maximum failure load in the specimens. The peak maximum failure load (230 N) is achieved at a 0.5 mm layer thickness and Tri-Hexagonal pattern. As the infill percentage changes from 10% to 50%, the percentage of elongation at break decreases. The maximum percentage of elongation at break is attained with a 20% infill percentage, 0.2 mm layer thickness, and 0.5 Cubic-Subdivision pattern. Using a multi-objective response optimization, the layer thickness of 0.152 mm, an infill percentage of 32.909%, and a Grid infill pattern was found to be the best configuration

The investigation of efficacy and fire resistance characteristics of fire barrier in the Lift Industry applications

Although it would be preferable for the lift well to be located in the fire-protected area of the building, it is not always possible. Therefore, most newly installed lifts are required to have adequate fire resistance for the length of time corresponding to the fire rating of the building in which they are fitted. The national and international regulations specify such fire rating requirements. However, the regulations fail to address the scenarios that involve lift service or installation periods. In most cases, the lift shaft is then fully or partially open with an exposed area of the entrance creating a significant hazard in time of a fire. In this paper, a novel solution is presented to this problem by considering the design standards, regulations and fire resistance testing procedures. The flow simulation and computational fluid dynamics software are used to simulate and validate the suitability of the proposed solution. It is shown that the development of a temporary fire barrier covering the lift well is feasible. However, further testing and full certification are needed to produce a final, commercially viable product

The investigation of efficacy and fire resistance characteristics of fire barrier in the Lift Industry applications

Although it would be preferable for the lift well to be located in the fire-protected area of the building, it is not always possible. Therefore, most newly installed lifts are required to have adequate fire resistance for the length of time corresponding to the fire rating of the building in which they are fitted. The national and international regulations specify such fire rating requirements. However, the regulations fail to address the scenarios that involve lift service or installation periods. In most cases, the lift shaft is then fully or partially open with an exposed area of the entrance creating a significant hazard in time of a fire. In this paper, a novel solution is presented to this problem by considering the design standards, regulations and fire resistance testing procedures. The flow simulation and computational fluid dynamics software are used to simulate and validate the suitability of the proposed solution. It is shown that the development of a temporary fire barrier covering the lift well is feasible. However, further testing and full certification are needed to produce a final, commercially viable product

The investigation of efficacy and fire resistance characteristics of fire barrier in the Lift Industry applications

Although it would be preferable for the lift well to be located in the fire-protected area of the building, it is not always possible. Therefore, most newly installed lifts are required to have adequate fire resistance for the length of time corresponding to the fire rating of the building in which they are fitted. The national and international regulations specify such fire rating requirements. However, the regulations fail to address the scenarios that involve lift service or installation periods. In most cases, the lift shaft is then fully or partially open with an exposed area of the entrance creating a significant hazard in time of a fire. In this paper, a novel solution is presented to this problem by considering the design standards, regulations and fire resistance testing procedures. The flow simulation and computational fluid dynamics software are used to simulate and validate the suitability of the proposed solution. It is shown that the development of a temporary fire barrier covering the lift well is feasible. However, further testing and full certification are needed to produce a final, commercially viable product

Optimum Design of Fibre Orientation in Composite Laminate Plates for Out-Plane Stresses

Previous studies have shown that composite fibre orientations can be optimised for specific load cases such as longitudinal or in-plane loading. However, the methodologies utilised in these studies cannot be used for general analysis of such problems. In this research, an extra term is added to the optimisation penalty function in order to consider the transverse shear effect. This modified penalty function leads to a new methodology whereby the thickness of laminated composite plate is minimized by optimising the fibre orientations for different load cases. Therefore, the effect of transverse shear forces is considered in this study. Simulated annealing (SA) is used to search for the optimal design. This optimisation algorithm has been shown to be reliable as it is not based on the starting point, and it can escape from the local optimum points. In this research, the Tsai-Wu failure and maximum stress criteria for composite laminate are chosen. By applying two failure criteria at the same time the results are more reliable. Experimentally generated results show a very good agreement with the numerical results, validating the simulated model used. Finally, to validate the methodology the numerical results are compared to the results of previous research with specific loading

A Critical Overview of Food Supply Chain Risk Management

Due to the increasing occurrence of disruptive events caused by both human and also natural disasters, supply chain risk management has become an emerging research field in recent years, aiming to protect supply chains from various disruptions and deliver sustainable and long-term benefits to stakeholders across the value chain. Implementing optimum designed risk-oriented supply chain management can provide a privileged position for various businesses to extend their global reach. In addition, using a proactive supply chain risk management system, enterprises can predict their potential risk factors in their supply chains, and achieve the best early warning time, which leads to higher firms’ performance. However, relatively little is known about sustainable risks in food supply chains. In order to manage the ever-growing challenges of food supply chains effectively, a deeper insight regarding the complex food systems is required. Supply chain risk management embraces broad strategies to address, identify, evaluate, monitor, and control unpredictable risks or events with direct and indirect effect, mostly negative, on food supply chain processes. To fill this gap, in this paper we have critically discussed the related supply chain risk management literature. Finally, we propose a number of significant directions for future research