FiBreMoD

FiBreMoD is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie European Training Network project which aims to train multi-talented and interdisciplinary researchers in the field of composites. It is an initiative of twelve academic and industrial institutions. The main focus of the project is on modelling tensile failure of fibre-reinforced composites.

Limiting the climate change-induced temperature increase to less than 2°C will require strong reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Lightweight materials and fibre-reinforced composites in particular, are a key enabling technology to achieve this goal. Current composite applications are however strongly overdesigned due to a lack of reliable design tools and models for their mechanical properties. Using and applying these models requires interdisciplinary researchers with a strong background in both modelling and experiments, but such researchers are scarce.

FiBreMoD aims to train such researchers to become multi-talented and interdisciplinary researchers that are highly coveted in the composite industry. Simultaneously, the researchers will advance state-of-the-art strength models to reach the required levels of accuracy and develop advanced and industry-friendly characterisation techniques for measuring the required input data. The goal will be to enable blind predictions, which means that parameter fitting or tuning of the models are no longer required.

These new and unprecedented levels of understanding coupled with improved prediction accuracy will be exploited to (1) increase the usefulness of models in practical composite applications, (2) design novel microstructures for hybrid, hierarchical and discontinuous fibre composites and (3) extend the models towards multidirectional composites, including weaves and non-crimp fabrics. The developed models will be used and validated on composite cylinders and automotive parts.