Mini-symposium S2

S2: Mechanics of Composite Materials

Co-chairs: 

Zahur Ullah (Durham University)* 

Sathiskumar A. Ponnusami (University of London) 

Jose L. Curiel-Sosa (University of Sheffield) 

Wei Tan (Queen Mary University of London)

Keywords: Composite materials; Damage and failure modelling; Multi-scale mechanics; Fracture and fatigue; Computational and experimental methods

ABSTRACT

This mini-symposium will focus on the mechanics of composite materials, covering advances in their modelling, characterisation, and structural applications. Composite materials, including fibre-reinforced polymers, ceramic matrix composites, and emerging hybrid systems, are now widely used across aerospace, automotive, energy, civil, and marine engineering. Their complex microstructures, heterogeneous behaviour, and multi-scale nature continue to pose challenges in both experimental investigation and predictive modelling.

Key areas of interest include the development of robust theoretical frameworks, high-fidelity computational methods, advanced experimental characterisation techniques, and the design of novel composite systems with enhanced performance. Contributions addressing static and dynamic loading, damage initiation and progression, fracture, fatigue, ageing, and multi-physics coupling are particularly welcome. The symposium also seeks to highlight recent advances in manufacturing-informed modelling, thin-ply and thermoplastic composites, as well as data-driven and machine-learning-assisted approaches to composite mechanics.

Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

• Failure criteria and damage evolution in composites

• Continuum, discrete, and phase-field modelling approaches

• Cohesive zone and fracture mechanics methods

• Advanced experimental testing 

• Thin-ply and next-generation composites

• Thermoplastic and hybrid composites

• Micromechanical and multi-scale modelling 

• Fatigue, durability, and ageing

• Data-driven and machine learning approaches in composite mechanics