Composite materials make use of two or more materials to obtain a material with a tailored properties. Polymeric and metallic matrix composite materials are being increasingly used in many fields, particularly in those were light weight is a paramount design parameter. However, design safety factors are currently high mainly because of the lack of simple models to predict their mechanical behavior which in turn is due to its inherent anisotropy. For this reasons in order to make new designs it is important to have the knowledge related with the lamination theory, finite elements and advanced manufacture techniques, moreover experimental validation of results using prototypes is mandatory. Due to the important increase in the use of this type of materials in our country and around the globe, the DADCOMP research group has been created in order to support the local industry and provide undergraduate and graduate courses.

• HYBRID- PSEUDOPLASTIC COMPOSITES
• ADVANCED MANUFACTURE OF FRPS
• COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN OF COMPOSITES
• NANOREINFORCED METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

Among the major concerns of society is the efficient usage of energy. In particular, the energy consumption of any transportation system is function among other parameters of its weigh. So, saving weigh in the manufacture of cars, airplanes, ships, etc. is nowadays a paramount design goal. Currently, this is made through the use of highly advanced manufacture techniques which includes CAD, CAE systems and also light weigh materials, particularly some advanced polymers, aluminum, magnesium, titanium and Fiber reinforced composites which uses the aforementioned materials and some fibers or particles like glass, carbon, Kevlar, polyethylene, basalt, carbon nanotubes, graphene, etc. Taking into account the facts mentioned above, the research group is focused in the use of Finite elements as a tool for the understanding of the main failure mechanism in composite materials, using this knowledge will allow us to design new safer, environmental friendly and lighter composite materials for the transportation industry.

Developing reverse engineering of composite products: including materials, manufacture process and certification of both design and manufacture for aeronautical products. Developing pseudo-plastic composites to increase the safety factor in transport industry, particularly in aerospace. Developing lightweight alloys reinforced with nanotubes and nanoparticles. Efforts are made to increase the homogeneity of the reinforcements and their alignment, also to understand the microstructure and failure mechanisms of this type of materials. Developing computational models (FE) to help understand the failure mechanisms of composites and also to design components for the industry.

To achieve our goals, it is necessary to be in the front edge of the knowledge and have the adequate resources (labs, money and human resources). As this is a recently born research group we need the help of well-established research groups and also reputed companies in different composite related sectors. In line with the exposed above, we have built a good relation with three well reputed research groups around the globe: AMADE at the University of Girona- Spain, we have so far developed one joint research project, co-tutored one undergraduate project and two masters. The leader of the group conducted part of a sabbatical year at AMADE period in which among other activities was written an agreement for collaboration between National University and Girona University. This agreement will be signed during the first semester of 2019 and is devoted to the double degree agreement. The main research file with AMADE is damage mechanisms in G-FRP composites submitted to both static and fatigue loads. On another hand we stablished three years ago (since 2015) a relation with Bristol University- UK (ACCIS research group) relation which still continues through Strathclyde University. So far we have participated in three joint projects supported by UK agencies, currently we have two masters and one PhD students in co-tutoring. We have organized 2 symposiums and, currently we are written 4 papers. The main research field with Stratclyde University is the failure mechanisms of hybrid pseudo plastic materials and its design. Since 2014 we have started a collaboration with Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados S.C. (CIMAV) México ¿ Chihuahua. Leading to sing an agreement in 2016 between CIMAV and UN which allows the have joint projects, stays, use of facilities, etc. So far we have graduated one PhD and published 4 peer review papers. The main research field with CIMAV is the development of light weigh alloys reinforced with nanotubes. The idea of working with these institutions is having both students and professors from both sides working in joint projects, accessing to calls in both continents (America and Europe) have access to facilities and working in top field research. As the relationship with the industry is quite important we have developed strong relations with COMPOESTRUCTURAS, a Colombian company devoted to the developing of high added value products in the composite industry. With this company we have developed 6 joint projects three of them have developed the reverse engineering of UH-60 black hawk helicopters. Up to now two components have been certified by the Colombia army forces ¿FAC under the governmental program ¿substitution of importations¿, been the first Colombian company to reach this achievement. In fact one of medium complex part is already flying in this helicopters. We also have a good relation with ANDERCOL, the leader Colombian manufacturer company of polyester resins. They have help us with raw materials and technical advice. Conscious of the importance of the interdisciplinarity we have started to work in the application of natural fibers in composite materials. For this we have started a collaboration with a research group involved with agrarian and agroindustrial sciences (CYTBIA research group at University of Cauca- Colombia). Also we have hired one senior research with chemical engineering background to help us to understand the chemical nature of the surfaces of fique fibers. For this reason we have written a joint project with Compañía de empaques. The biggest company in the word producing fique textile based products. The perspective to work with the above mentioned companies and some more is to help them to develop new products and also at some point to be part of the national center of composites which will be intended to be founded this year.

DISEÑO, MANUFACTURA Y CARACTERIZACIÓN DE UNA PROPELA PARA PROPULSIÓN DE EMBARCACIONES UTILIZANDO MATERIALES COMPUESTOS AVANZADOS.

FAILURE ANALYSIS AND OPTIMISATION OF MULTI-DIRECTIONAL PSEUDO-DUCTILE HYBRID COMPOSITES

Novel Hybrid Composites to improve structural performance of a Compact Electric Utility Vehicles Chassis

ESTUDIO DE LAS PROPIEDADES TRIBOLÓGICAS DE MATERIALES METÁLICOS REFORZADOS CON NANOTUBOS DE CARBONO FABRICADOS POR MEDIO DE LA TÉCNICA ALTERNATIVA “TIPO SANDWICH”

DETERMINACIÓN DEL DAÑO POR FATIGA EN LAMINADOS DE MATERIALES COMPUESTOS DE MATRIZ POLIMÉRICA MEDIANTE EL MÉTODO DE ELEMENTOS FINITOS

Predicción del daño progresivo en cargas estáticas de flexión en sándwiches de materiales compuestos de matriz polimérica y núcleo metálico utilizando el método elementos finitos durante el régimen no elástico

DESARROLLO DE UN COMPUESTO DE MATRIZ METÁLICA DE MAGNESIO CON NANOTUBOS DE CARBONO ALINEADOS Y ESTUDIO DE SU APLICABILIDAD EN LA INDUSTRÍA AERONÁUTICA Y EN IMPLANTES INTRAÓSEOS.

Ingeniería inversa de cubiertas APU para un helicóptero UH60: caracterización de materiales, diseño de la cubierta y fabricación de un prototipo utilizando técnicas de vacío.

Predicción del comportamiento mecánico de estructuras híbridas tipo sándwich mediante el método de los elementos finitos

Diseño y construcción del prototipo de un vehículo tipo “triciclo eléctrico” de chasís autoportante fabricado en materiales híbridos por medio de la técnica de bolsa de vacío

Desarrollo de aleaciones de magnesio con comportamiento superplástico para aplicaciones aeronáuticas y automotrices.

DISEÑO POR ELEMENTOS FINITOS Y MANUFACTURA DE ESTRUCTURAS TIPO SANDWICH CON NÚCLEO HONEYCOMB CON APLICACIONES EN LA INDUSTRIA DEL TRANSPORTE

• C. Isaza, JE Ledezma Sillas, JM Herrera, J. M. Meza. Metal matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes by an alternative technique. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 707, 257-263, 2017. (Artículos sometidos a revisión en revista indexada.)
• Sergio Medina, Cesar Isaza, J. M. Meza, Mechanical behavior of polyvinyl alcohol reinforced with aligned carbon nanotubes. Revista Materia ISSN 1517-7076: 20-3, 794-802, 2015 (Artículos sometidos a revisión en revista indexada.)
• Cesar Isaza, Sergio Medina, Germán Sierra Gallego, J. M. Meza, A novel technique for production of metal matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes. ASME- Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, ISSN 0094-4289: 138-2,1-6, 2015 (Artículos sometidos a revisión en revista indexada.)
• Marin G., Giraldo J., Rozo N., Cardona D., Meza J M. Ingeniería inversa de un arco recurvo compuesto, Rev. Col. Mat, ISSN 2256-1013 Vol5, 74-80, 2014 (Artículos sometidos a revisión en revista indexada.)
• Sergio Medina, Cesar Isaza., Meza J M. Estudio de las propiedades mecánicas del alcohol polivinílico reforzado con nanotubos de carbono orientados mecánicamente, Rev. Col. Mat, ISSN 256-1013 Vol5, 93-99, 2014 (Artículos sometidos a revisión en revista indexada.)
• C. Isaza, JE Ledezma Sillas, JM Herrera, J. M. Meza. Mechanical properties and interfacial phenomena in aluminum reinforced with carbon nanotubes manufactured by the sandwich technique. J. Compos. Mater. 51- 11, 1619-1629, 2017 (Artículos sometidos a revisión en revista indexada.)
• N. Giraldo, J. Vaencia, J. M. Meza, C. A. Isaza, Estudio de las propiedades tribológicas de una aleación de magnesio AZ31B reforzado con nanotubos de carbono. CINTEX, 32(2), 54-60, 2018 (Artículos sometidos a revisión en revista indexada.)
• Cesar Isaza, Ludovick Dorkis, J M Meza “Materiales Compuestos De Matriz Metálica Nanoreforzados”. Número de registro 44102, Fecha de registro: 25/06/2018,Otorgada por: Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio de Colombia-SIC. (Producto tecnológico)
• Sergio Alonso Medina Escobar, Estudiante de Ingeniería Mecánica, Estudio del cambio de las propiedades del alcohol polivinílico reforzado con nanotubos de carbono. 2014 (TDG (Trabajo dirigido de grado))
• Julián Sierra, Estudiante de Ingeniería Mecánica. Diseño y simulación por elementos finitos de una chasis autoportante para un vehículo eléctrico. Mayo de 2016 (TDG (Trabajo dirigido de grado))
• Julián Sierra, Estudiante de Ingeniería Mecánica. Diseño y simulación por elementos finitos de una chasis autoportante para un vehículo eléctrico. Mayo de 2016 (TDG (Trabajo dirigido de grado))
• Andrés Camilo Sandoval Tobón Y Luis Gabriel Vargas espinal, estudiantes de ingeniería mecánica: adaptación, instrumentación y medición de un vehículo tipo triciclo eléctrico. Junio de 2016. (TDG (Trabajo dirigido de grado))
• Jose David Acosta Correa: Simulación de la migración de una grieta en laminados de material compuesto mediante modelos de daño progresivo. Diciembre de2017. (TDG (Trabajo dirigido de grado))
• An experimental and numerical investigation into the fatigue behavior in open hole and filled hole GFRP specimens. Jose Daniel Giraldo Arias. Marzo 2018 (Tesis de maestría)
• Computational modeling and experimental evaluation of the progressive damage under quasi-static loading for a glass fiber reinforced open hole specimen, Camilo Andrés Rojas G. Marzo 2018. (Tesis de maestría)
• Predicción del comportamiento mecánico de componentes híbridas tipo sándwich con núcleo HoneyComb por medio del método de los elementos finitos. Sergio Medina, Mayo de 2016 (Tesis de maestría)
• Estudio en el cambio de las propiedades del aluminio reforzado con nanotubos de carbono. Cesar Isaza, Noviembre de 2013 (Tesis de maestría)
• Characterization of CNT_Mg interphase in a Magnesium-CTNs nanocomposite obtained through a novel technique. César Isaza, Noviembre, 2017 (Tesis doctoral)