Micromechanics and Materials Modelling research in the Solid Mechanics and Materials research group, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford.

Understanding the macroscopic behaviour of complex engineering materials requires advanced modelling and simulation tools at the relevant length scales. At the continuum level, we develop constitutive models to capture the nonlinear, inelastic behaviour of materials up to large strains. These include multiphysics approaches to consider for example thermo-, electro- and chemo-mechanical phenomena. We also develop models at microstructural scale for composites and polycrystalline materials, using techniques such as crystal plasticity, discrete dislocation dynamics and homogenisation theory. Representative examples of our activities include the modelling of hydrogen embrittlement in metals, adiabatic shear bands in polymers, piezoelectric composites, and chemo-mechanical couplings in energy storage materials and soft materials.