Research
The Academy of Finland evaluated the scientific quality of the research of TUT in Finland during 2000–2007. The conclusions of this evaluation were that the research work of our unit is of high quality and there is a good balance between the experimental and theoretical work. The close co-operation and the amount of connections with industry were also positive. However, the collaboration with industry should be conducted more in such a manner that the research results can be published in journals and at conferences. Also one of the recommendations was that we should achieve better integration of machine design, engineering mechanics and process engineering.
According to our strategy our two larger future areas of focus are intelligent machines and energy efficient and ecological machines. This can be described in more detail as follows:
- Development of modern virtual design methods for machine systems using real-time simulation and virtual reality tools. Such tools enable the design and testing of a man-machine-interface already at an early design stage.
- Development of energy efficiency of machines and machine systems with reliability and maintainability analysis, optimization and better control of the tribology phenomena. The analysis methods can be both theoretical and experimental.
- Development of probabilistic methods for advanced life-cycle engineering and risk assessment.
Publications
Department’s all publications are available since 1998.
Research groups
The power transmission and tribology group focuses on tribology-related research which gives the basis for the design and analysis of mechanical power transmission components and systems. The theoretical research concentrates on numerical modeling and simulation of dry and lubricated contacts targeted at various applications such as joints (fretting fatigue), gears and sliding bearings. The experimental work is carried out for the verification of the models as well as for the testing of real applications. Special interest is given on determining the micro-scale contact effects on macro-scale designs. The research topics are derived from real industrial problems.
Probabilistic modeling and stochastic simulation have been the main tools in the area of reliability and maintenance service engineering. Research themes are among other things pricing of warranty and maintenance service contracts, and related risk assessment. The problems have arisen from numerous industrial research projects, and the provided solutions have usually been mathematical models, methods, as well as large computer-aided calculation and simulation schemes.
The virtual design group focuses on the development of design methods based on virtual reality and real-time simulation. These methods are especially targeted to support the conceptual design phase, and the methods are typically applied to the design of cockpits and control systems of mobile work machines. These research topics are derived from real industrial problems.
The work in the energy efficiency of buildings concentrates on the analysis of energy consumption using models on two levels: first on simulation on hourly time steps, and secondly on energy balance methods on a monthly basis. Special attention has been paid on the evaluation of the accuracy of calculations and development of energy saving solutions.
The research group of applied mechanics and optimization is devoted to structural optimization as well as multibody and damage mechanics. For example, optimization of cross-sections as well as shape and topology optimization is considered. Different load supporting structures like trusses, frames, plates, shells have been treated both for static and dynamic loadings. Nonlinear analysis associated with flexible multibody mechanics is another field of the research group. The aim of this research is to develop theoretical and computational tools to solve highly non-linear multibody problems using the finite element method for the discretization of the field equations. Damage mechanics has become a new research branch in the group.
Research in fluid flow is specialised round the application of the physical fundamentals of fluid flow to industrial problems. Detailed knowledge of fluid flow is a prerequisite for the development of industrial processes.