On the development of a material point method compatible arc length solver for large deformation solid mechanics (2023)
Conference Proceeding
Gavin, N., Coombs, W., Brigham, J., & Augarde, C. (2023). On the development of a material point method compatible arc length solver for large deformation solid mechanics.

The Material Point Method is a versatile technique, however, it may be unable to provide a valid solution if there is a snap-through or snap-back response in the equilibrium path. One approach of overcoming this issue is the use of path following tec... Read More about On the development of a material point method compatible arc length solver for large deformation solid mechanics.

Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs) in layered soils: a Material Point approach (2023)
Conference Proceeding
Bird, R., Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Brown, M., Sharif, Y., Carter, G., …Macdonald, C. (2023). Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs) in layered soils: a Material Point approach. In L. Zdravkovic, S. Kontoe, D. . M. . G. Taborda, & A. Tsiampousi (Eds.), . https://doi.org/10.53243/numge2023-743

Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs) can be used to determine in-situ soil properties and represent a practical choice for site investigation offshore, especially for linear infrastructure, such as offshore wind export cables. Information gained from CPTs i... Read More about Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs) in layered soils: a Material Point approach.

An open-source Julia code for geotechnical MPM (2023)
Conference Proceeding
Gavin, N., Bird, R. E., Coombs, W. M., & Augarde, C. E. (2023). An open-source Julia code for geotechnical MPM. In L. Zdravkovic, S. Kontoe, D. M. G. Taborda, & A. Tsiampousi (Eds.), . https://doi.org/10.53243/numge2023-35

There is considerable interest in the Material Point Method (MPM) in the computational geotechnics community since it can model problems involving large deformations, e.g. landslides, collapses etc. without being too far from the standard finite elem... Read More about An open-source Julia code for geotechnical MPM.

Towards a predictive model of the shear strength behaviour of fibre reinforced clay (2023)
Journal Article
Wang, J., Hughes, P. N., & Augarde, C. E. (2023). Towards a predictive model of the shear strength behaviour of fibre reinforced clay. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2023.2214596

Randomly distributed fibres can be a potential reinforcement material to improve the shear strength of soils. However, gaps remain in experimental research and predictive modelling of the shear strength of fibre reinforced high plasticity clays. In l... Read More about Towards a predictive model of the shear strength behaviour of fibre reinforced clay.

A geometrically-exact Finite Element Method for micropolar continua with finite deformations (2023)
Presentation / Conference
O'Hare, T. J., Gourgiotis, P. A., Coombs, W. M., & Augarde, C. E. (2023, April). A geometrically-exact Finite Element Method for micropolar continua with finite deformations. Paper presented at UKACM 2023, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

Micropolar theory is a weakly non-local higher-order continuum theory based on the inclusion of independent (micro-)rotational degrees of freedom. Subsequent introduction of couple-stresses and an internal length scale mean the micropolar continuum i... Read More about A geometrically-exact Finite Element Method for micropolar continua with finite deformations.

A conservation law consistent updated Lagrangian material point method for dynamic analysis (2023)
Journal Article
Pretti, G., Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Sims, B., Puigvert, M., & Gutierrez, J. (2023). A conservation law consistent updated Lagrangian material point method for dynamic analysis. Journal of Computational Physics, 485, Article 112075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcp.2023.112075

The Material Point Method (MPM) is well suited to modelling dynamic solid mechanics problems undergoing large deformations with non-linear, history dependent material behaviour. However, the vast majority of existing material point method implementat... Read More about A conservation law consistent updated Lagrangian material point method for dynamic analysis.

Fine‐Tuning the Photophysics of Donor‐Acceptor (D‐A 3 ) Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters Using Isomerisation (2022)
Journal Article
L. dos Santos, P., de Sa Pereira, D., Eng, J., Ward, J. S., Bryce, M. R., Penfold, T. J., & Monkman, A. P. (2023). Fine‐Tuning the Photophysics of Donor‐Acceptor (D‐A 3 ) Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters Using Isomerisation. ChemPhotoChem, 7(2), Article e202200248. https://doi.org/10.1002/cptc.202200248

Here two D–A3 regioisomers, comprising three dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide acceptor units attached to a central triazatruxene core, are studied. Both molecules show thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), however, the efficiency of the TADF m... Read More about Fine‐Tuning the Photophysics of Donor‐Acceptor (D‐A 3 ) Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters Using Isomerisation.

A review of drag anchor penetration models to inform cable burial risk assessment (2022)
Presentation / Conference
Pretti, G., Coombs, W., Augarde, C., Puigvert, M., Gutierrez, J., & Cross, L. (2022, August). A review of drag anchor penetration models to inform cable burial risk assessment. Paper presented at 4th International Symposium on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics (ISFOG), Austin, Texas

Delayed Fluorescence by Triplet–Triplet Annihilation from Columnar Liquid Crystal Films (2022)
Journal Article
Gomes Franca, L., dos Santos, P. L., Pander, P., Cabral, M. G., Cristiano, R., Cazati, T., …Eccher, J. (2022). Delayed Fluorescence by Triplet–Triplet Annihilation from Columnar Liquid Crystal Films. ACS Applied Electronic Materials, 4(7), https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaelm.2c00432

Delayed fluorescence (DF) by triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA) is observed in solutions of a benzoperylene-imidoester mesogen that shows a hexagonal columnar mesophase at room temperature in the neat state. A similar benzoperylene-imide with a sligh... Read More about Delayed Fluorescence by Triplet–Triplet Annihilation from Columnar Liquid Crystal Films.

A review of current construction guidelines to inform the design of rammed earth houses in seismically active zones (2022)
Journal Article
Thompson, D., Augarde, C., & Osorioa, J. P. (2022). A review of current construction guidelines to inform the design of rammed earth houses in seismically active zones. Journal of Building Engineering, 54, Article 104666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104666

Sustainability in the materials we use for construction is a prime concern, focusing on reducing the embodied energy and carbon footprints of the materials used. The cement used in concrete products is responsible for a significant proportion of Man'... Read More about A review of current construction guidelines to inform the design of rammed earth houses in seismically active zones.

A comparison of approaches for modelling poro-mechanics in the Material Point Method (2022)
Presentation / Conference
Pretti, G., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2022, April). A comparison of approaches for modelling poro-mechanics in the Material Point Method. Paper presented at UKACM 2022, Nottingham, UK

When it comes to the analysis of fully saturated porous materials, a plethora of formulations [1] are available in the literature. Among them, the so-called u − p formulation constitutes a well-established approach when low-frequency problems are con... Read More about A comparison of approaches for modelling poro-mechanics in the Material Point Method.

The Virtual Element Method for Engineers (2022)
Presentation / Conference
O'Hare, T., & Augarde, C. (2022, April). The Virtual Element Method for Engineers. Paper presented at UKACM 2022, Nottingham, England

The virtual element method (VEM) is a relatively new technique, similar to the finite element method (FEM), but having no restriction on the number of element sides. This has numerous advantages, particularly regarding greater meshing flexibility, ho... Read More about The Virtual Element Method for Engineers.

MRI to MPM: Developing a Patient-specific Material Point Method Model of the Human Heart (2022)
Presentation / Conference
Gavin, N., Coombs, W., Brigham, J., & Augarde, C. (2022, April). MRI to MPM: Developing a Patient-specific Material Point Method Model of the Human Heart. Paper presented at UKACM 2022, Nottingham, UK

The heart is an important organ in the human body and has been widely studied using Finite Element Analysis techniques which often require extremely fine meshes in order to obtain accurate results. Also, large deformations are typically seen in heart... Read More about MRI to MPM: Developing a Patient-specific Material Point Method Model of the Human Heart.

A serviceability investigation of dowel-type timber connections featuring single softwood dowels (2022)
Journal Article
Wilkinson, G., & Augarde, C. (2022). A serviceability investigation of dowel-type timber connections featuring single softwood dowels. Engineering Structures, 260, Article 114210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.114210

Dowel-type connections are common in timber engineering, but current design codes are largely based on empiricism and are oversimplified. This inhibits the optimised use of connections, which is essential for the design of economically efficient timb... Read More about A serviceability investigation of dowel-type timber connections featuring single softwood dowels.

Effects of fibre additions on the tensile strength and crack behaviour of unsaturated clay (2022)
Journal Article
Wang, J., Hughes, P. N., & Augarde, C. E. (2023). Effects of fibre additions on the tensile strength and crack behaviour of unsaturated clay. Ground Improvement, 176(2), 108-120. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgrim.21.00006

Desiccation cracking in clay soils is a combined mechanical and hydraulic problem and such soils can be improved by various methods including reinforcement with fibres. The relationships between tensile strength, cracking resistance and water-retenti... Read More about Effects of fibre additions on the tensile strength and crack behaviour of unsaturated clay.

Cross-linking of biopolymers for stabilising earthen construction materials (2021)
Journal Article
Muguda, S., Hughes, P., Augarde, C., Perlot, C., Bruno, A., & Gallipoli, D. (2022). Cross-linking of biopolymers for stabilising earthen construction materials. Building Research and Information, 50(5), 502-514. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2021.2001304

Biopolymers are promising potential soil stabilizers due to their ease of application and stabilization efficacy. Biopolymers are biologically occurring polymers that form hydrogels when added to soil in the presence of water. Hydrogels are three-dim... Read More about Cross-linking of biopolymers for stabilising earthen construction materials.

A Displacement-controlled Arc-Length Solution Scheme (2021)
Journal Article
Pretti, G., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2022). A Displacement-controlled Arc-Length Solution Scheme. Computers and Structures, 258, Article 106674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2021.106674

Tracing load-displacement paths in structural mechanics problems is complicated in the presence of critical points of instability where conventional load- or displacement control fails. To deal with this, arc-length methods have been developed since... Read More about A Displacement-controlled Arc-Length Solution Scheme.

Numerical modelling of large deformation problems in geotechnical engineering: A state-of-the-art review (2021)
Journal Article
Augarde, C., Lee, S., & Loukidis, D. (2021). Numerical modelling of large deformation problems in geotechnical engineering: A state-of-the-art review. Soils and Foundations, 61(6), 1718-1735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2021.08.007

Many problems in geotechnical engineering involve large movements or rotations, examples include natural processes such as landslides, and man-made processes such as earthmoving and pile penetration. While the use of numerical modelling, primarily th... Read More about Numerical modelling of large deformation problems in geotechnical engineering: A state-of-the-art review.

A comparative study of the effects of particle grading and compaction effort on the strength and stiffness of earth building materials at different humidity levels (2021)
Journal Article
Cuccurullo, A., Gallipoli, D., Bruno, A., Augarde, C., Hughes, P., & La Borderie, C. (2021). A comparative study of the effects of particle grading and compaction effort on the strength and stiffness of earth building materials at different humidity levels. Construction and Building Materials, 306, Article 124770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124770

This paper presents an investigation of the mechanical properties of three different earth building materials manufactured by compacting two soils with distinct particle size distributions under two markedly different efforts. Multiple samples of eac... Read More about A comparative study of the effects of particle grading and compaction effort on the strength and stiffness of earth building materials at different humidity levels.

An adaptive local maximum entropy point collocation method for linear elasticity   (2021)
Journal Article
Fan, L., Coombs, W., & Augarde, C. (2021). An adaptive local maximum entropy point collocation method for linear elasticity  . Computers and Structures, 256, Article 106644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2021.106644

Point collocation methods are strong form approaches that can be applied to continuum mechanics problems and possess attractive features over weak form-based methods due to the absence of a mesh. While various adaptive strategies have been proposed t... Read More about An adaptive local maximum entropy point collocation method for linear elasticity  .