The research on composites at the University of Bologna: a review on past studies and perspectives for the future

The aim of this paper is to present a review of the principal findings of studies performed at the University of Bologna by researchers with different background and to present the recent research directions and the facilities available in the recently constituted MaSTeRLab laboratory. Several advanced studies on the design, production and mechanical behavior of composites material have been carried out in past years: lamination strategies, process monitoring, fatigue and notch sensitivity, and finally the impact response and the residual strength of composite tubes subject to torsion are examples of investigated subjects. Especially designed testing experiences have been performed and monitored on standard or modified machines: dimensional effects on low velocity impact response and damage, tensile and fatigue residual strength after impact, effect of the geometry on the compression after impact (CAI) behavior were investigated, while a new Acoustic Emission (AE) analysis technique was proposed and in parallel advanced numerical simulation models have been applied both on commercial codes and in house developed ones. Finally some information on recently acquired equipment and on future research projects are presented and described.