The Metal Plasticity & Additive Manufacturing Group in the School of Engineering of the University of Limerick conducts basic, applied research and consultancy in the thematic of metals and structures

Metal Plasticity Modelling

  • Development, validation and calibration of novel constitutive models for the prediction of the complex cyclic elastoplastic behaviour of metals

  • Implementation of cyclic plasticity models in finite element analyses packages

  • Tailoring of cyclic plasticity models for additively manufactured (AM) metals

Metal Additive Manufacturing

  • Understanding and characterisation of the elastic and inelastic performance of metals fabricated via AM

  • Mapping-prediction of AM metals’ anisotropy under various build orientations, manufacturing parameters and post-processing methods

  • Optimisation of mechanical properties of parts and structures by manipulating inherent characteristics of AM metals

  • Development of guidelines for effective fabrication and heat treatment of AM parts

Remaining Useful Life Prediction

  • Development and calibration of accurate cyclic plasticity models for the prediction of remaining useful life of in-service metallic structures

  • Development and implementation of strain-life fatigue methodologies in fatigue life estimation codes

  • Identification and understanding of inelastic phenomena detrimental to fatigue life of metallic parts and structures


The group is leading the metal additive manufacturing activity within the School of Engineering, utilising the GE (Concept Laser) Mlab cusing R system awarded by the GE Additive Education programme.

News & Announcements

A preview from the construction of honeycomb test coupons, on our GE Mlab, for a compression testing campaign in one of our current research projects

An example from an on-plane compression testing of honeycomb coupons