A new modelling technique has been developed that could eliminate the need to build costly prototypes, which are used to test engineering structures such as aeroplanes.
The study, by Dr Róbert Szalai at the University of Bristol, is published in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the Royal Society A.
Most engineering structures, for example airplane landing gear, jet engines and gearboxes, involve friction and impact among their components. Traditionally these harsh phenomena are difficult to design for and introduce a great deal of uncertainty in the final product.
The new research offers an alternative view on this problem by providing a modelling technique that allows for more accurate predictions than methods currently available. The proposed method also offers a better understanding of contact mechanics, which might be used to achieve a better design.
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