R&D

OPTICS AND EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS LABORATORY

> Optics and NDT> Experimental Mechanics and New Technologies> Structural Health Monitoring> Biomechanics

INSTITUTE OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT

The Optics and Experimental Mechanics Laboratory (LOME) is an operational division

of the research institute INEGI focused on research activities for design, validation

and inspection of structures and mechanical components. It is composed by an inter-

disciplinary group of researchers with expertise in multiple sensing technologies for

structures monitoring, advanced manufacturing processes for metallic structures,

structural integrity, multiphysics modelling, optics and laser metrology, experimental

mechanics, biomechanics, among others.

It is our mission to contribute for the improvement of the reliability of mechanical sys-

tems, through focused R&D in applied mechanics. Active policies related with knowl-

edge and technology transfer and advanced training with the industries other R&D

entities have been promoting the excellence of this laboratory.

ABOUT LOME

MAIN EQUIPMENTMAIN RESEARCH FIELDS

• Development of full field methods for characterization of displacement, strain,

stress and residual stress fields;

• Development of non-contact NDT techniques;

• Study transient loading in metallic and composite parts and characterization of

their dynamic behavior;

• Investigate the dynamic behavior of adaptive components integrating sensors

and actuators, with optical fibers and PZTs and structural monitoring of large

scale structures;

• Development of laser pulsed techniques based on laser illumination and double

and multiple high speed video image recordings;

• Optimization and characterization of emerging joining technologies;

• Development of intelligent mechanical joints for on line damage detection and repair

• Development of hybrid numerical/experimental techniques for SIF determination,

crack growth rate and structural integrity assessment;

• Structural Health Monitoring and inspection in both static and dynamical situations

• Development of Software for 3D vision and shape characterization for medical

applications.

• Shear interferometric system;

• ESPI system;

• Mach-Zender and Michelson interferometers;

• Verdi 1W Solid-State diode pumped laser;

• Double exposure Ruby laser based ESPI system;

• Ar Ion 1W laser;

• ND:YAG twin cavity laser system;

• Sensors data acquisition (strain gages, LVDT, Thermocouples, accelerometer);

• FBG interrogator unit;

• Materials test machine for tensile and fatigue loading;

• Hopkinson Split bar;

• High speed cameras;

• Digital image correlation equipment;

• Thermographic and thermal stress analysis equipment.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) represents a wide range of techniques used to evaluate

the properties and structural integrity of components without inducing damage.

Optical techniques have gained increasing importance in NDT because they allow

noncontact and high resolution measurements over the inspection area. Modern

optical NDT techniques include fibre optics, electronic speckle, infrared thermography,

ultrasounds and image methods. Among them, fibre optics features easy integration

and embedding, electronic speckle methods focus on whole-field high precision

detection, infrared thermography and ultrasounds have unique advantages for

combined materials testing and internal defects detection. NDT techniques provide

the basis for more efficient maintenance plans and increase safety in the use of

components built with heterogeneous materials such as composites.

LOME fosters the core NDT techniques and our researchers have an extensive

experience in its use. Some NDT devices have been developed in LOME and can be

used for NDT in both laboratory premises or at the field.

OPTICS AND NDTR&D SERVICES

• Optical systems employed in multiple situations for geometrical and mechanical

characterization of structures, mechanical systems and biomechanics.

• Development of software for 3D vision, image segmentation, identification and

following of deformed geometries.

• Development of laser pulsed techniques based on Nd:YAG and Ruby lasers illumi-

nation with double and multiple high speed video image recordings.

• Techniques for non-destructive inspection of components and structures mainly

composites, namely: IR detection, DIC, Moiré, interferometric laser techniques.

• Implementation of new set-ups to investigate the dynamic behaviour of adaptive

components integrating sensors and actuators, with optical fibres and PZTs and

development of structural monitoring.

LOME has a large experience in metrology and experimental mechanics testing,

namely in strain gauge based measurements and signal processing, Fibre Bragg

sensors, and optical full-field sensing technologies such as Electronic Speckle

Pattern Interferometry (ESPI), Shearography and 2D/3D Digital Image Correlation.

Recent advances in thermography measurement facilities with Thermo-elastic Stress

Analysis and lock-in thermography, and an extensive track record on fatigue testing,

place LOME / INEGI amongst some of the research centres that can adequately

respond to the aeronautics requirements.

The Technological Tests Laboratory facilities include servo-hydraulic test equipment

(max load of up to 250kN), and a modular system capable of multi-axial loading,

equipped with four hydraulic actuators (max load of 250 kN). LOME is also engaged

in the study and development of Solid-state Multi-material Joining Technologies

such as Friction Stir Welding, with a tight focus on the aeronautics market, having

published several papers in the area and working in close cooperation with other R&D

Centres in Europe.

EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS AND NEW TECHNOLOGIESR&D SERVICES

• Design and optimization of metallic and hybrid structures for new manufacturing

technologies;

• Extensive work related to the characterization of friction stir welded in structures

for multiple applications, including reinforced panels for aeronautical structures.

• Research work in the area of intelligent mechanical joints for on-line damage

detection and repair, increasing the reliability of safety critical components.

• Virtual testing for improving design solutions and support the analysis of the

structures health;

• Experimental measurements with analytical and numerical simulations,

including: fatigue crack growth, thermo-mechanical models for welding process,

crash simulations, on-site stress analysis and biomechanical models among

others.

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems use a number of different techniques

for measuring displacement and strain based on distinct physical phenomena such

as optical, electrical, acoustics and thermal. Image methods are well suitable for

the non-contact full-field methods that can measure both in-plane and out-of-

plane deformations and, at the same time, they are relatively insensitive to the

environment conditions and highly accurate, and the image sensors are becoming

increasingly inexpensive.

Modern structural design based on damage tolerance principles requires tight

inspection and maintenance plans which are too costly and therefore add up to

the total cost of ownership of those structures. The possibility to loosen inspection

frequencies without compromising structures safety is therefore highly desirable

to keep operational costs at amenable levels throughout service life. In order to

do so, part inspection must rely on highly accurate sensor technology and proven

engineering methodologies for assessing damage and ascertaining part behaviour.

LOME has been involved in SHM for the past years, performing laboratorial and field

work in this area and providing the industry with the required support.

STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORINGR&D SERVICES

• Structural integrity is part of the activities of this laboratory, focused on the con-

ceptualization, development, simulation and testing of lightweight structures for

aerospace and general transportation structures in metallic alloys.

• Development of hybrid numerical/experimental techniques for crack growth rate

assessment in these structures for complex stress states that can include re-

sidual stress and crack bifurcation.

• Identification of damages and global health of structures with the multiple tech-

niques available for NDT.

• Design of structural monitoring systems for safety improvement of structures

and equipment, under static and dynamic loading.

Biomechanics is devoted to further the knowledge about the behaviour of living struc-

tures, with a tight focus on the human body. This is an interdisciplinary branch of

Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering as it applies the concepts of classical

mechanics to the study of biological and physiological systems. LOME was one of the

founders of the Biomechanics Laboratory of Porto University – LABIOMEP - recent-

ly launched. The techniques available in LOME support research in different areas

where Engineering contributes to improve the interaction between the human body

and the environment to achieve better performance or safety in areas such as sports,

orthopaedics, rehabilitation, occupational arts, and equipment for mobility aid. One

area of concern is the development of innovative sports equipment where the use

of new materials can lead to higher performance or safer use. The same principle

applies to the development of new orthopaedic prosthesis or the improvement of

mechanical systems for dental rehabilitation.

BIOMECHANICSR&D SERVICES

• Internal biomechanics with characterization of stresses and strains in live tissues.

• Development of equipment for 3D shape characterization and control.

• Design of equipment for sports evaluation and training assistance.

• Study of the human movement for applications like, sports, post-surgery evalua-

tion, dental and orthopaedics rehabilitation.

• Design of sensors and devices for dental and orthopaedic clinics and surgery.

• Occupation biomechanics.

• Multibody dynamics.

SOME INEGI’s CLIENTS & PARTNERS

ABOUT INEGIIt is our mission to contribute for improving the competitiveness of the economy

and the social welfare, through technology-based innovation applied to processes,

products and business models, as well as the development of R&D, technology

transfer and innovation management best-practices.

Our core competences are in the fields of mechanical engineering, engineering

design, materials, industrial processes, renewable energies and environment,

and industrial engineering and management.

Our action is focused on providing added-value services to our clients and

partners. Our capability to add value to our clients is grounded on our large

experience of working with companies, our permanent drive to understand their

needs and our innovation projects implementation practices, always with a result

oriented mind set.

NONPROFIT INSTITUTION OF PUBLIC INTEREST

MISSION

Contribute to the increase of the competitiveness of the national industry, through

Research and Development, Technology Transfer and Training, in the fields of

engineering design, materials, production technology, energy and environment

and industrial management.

WORKFORCE AND TOTAL TURNOVER

INEGI has a workforce of more than 150 people and a total turnover of about 6

million Euros.

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION OFFER

RESEARCH INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL CONSULTING & SERVICES ▪Research Projects (national and european) ▪Research Under Contract for Companies

▪Product Design and Development ▪Composite Structures ▪Composite Materials Production Processes ▪New Materials ▪Equipments Development ▪Ceramic Materials Production Processes ▪Energy Systems ▪Rapid Prototyping and Pre-series Production

CONSULTING ▪Renewable Energies ▪Engineering and Industrial Management ▪Tailor Made Training Programmes ▪Energy Efficiency and Management ▪Technology Audits

▪SERVICES ▪Rapid Prototyping ▪Materials and Structures Characterisation ▪Noise and Vibration Analysis ▪Environmental Consulting ▪Lubricant Analysis ▪Clean Room (10K – ISO7) ▪Testing of Behavior of Materials and Products to Smoke and Fire

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www.inegi.up.pt

INSTITUTE OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT

RUA DR. ROBERTO FRIAS, 400 | 4200-465 PORTO+351 229578710 | inegi@inegi.up.pt