The University of British Columbia

Research Interests

Polymer matrix composites

My main area of research to date has been polymer matrix composite materials. The two most important areas of concern with composite materials are damage growth in service and processing science for efficient manufacturing. I have been involved with both these important topics, using a closely coupled experimental and theoretical approach. My research has spanned a wide range of topics, as I have tried to develop a global appreciation of the issues facing composite materials. We now have a very good experimental and numerical modelling facility, with good industrial and government contacts.

As my own background is primarily experimental, I have developed a close and tightly coupled research program with a colleague, Dr. Reza Vaziri. Dr. Vaziri brings to our collaboration a strong solid mechanics background, including numerical modelling, whereas my contribution is on the materials, physical and experimental side.

The key issue for the next decade will be the commercial viability of polymer matrix composite materials. In early years, I was heavily involved in the characterization of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibres for use in composite applications. Our close connection to the manufacturer of this fibre (Allied-Signal), as they explored markets for this new fibre, highlighted the interrelationship between material properties, design, and market penetration. Since then, close interaction with other companies and organizations (eg Boeing, DND, Pacific Safety Products) as they evaluate the usefulness of composite materials for their applications, or endeavour to improve their production has emphasized the importance of developing our basic scientific understanding to the point at which it is useful for engineering decisions.

I see my research in the future to be an extension of our current work on processing, damage growth in impact and fatigue, and other issues of interest in composite materials and structures. A growing realization is that the next level of materials research, especially for composites, will be at the component or structural level. At this level, the interaction of material and structure and process becomes important and can significantly influence engineering decisions. In addition, there will be increasing emphasis on synthesizing our knowledge (whether generated at UBC or elsewhere) so that we can answer key questions asked by users regarding design, processing, in-service behaviour, maintainability and repair. By formalizing and applying basic scientific methodology to applied problems, we may be able to make knowledge-intensive composite materials an engineering success, rather than a scientific showcase.

Links: Composites Group

Refereed Journal

1. N. Zobeiry, R. Vaziri and A. Poursartip, ‘Computationally Efficient Pseudo-Viscoelastic Models for Evaluation of Residual Stresses in Thermoset Polymer Composites During Cure’, J. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol 41, Issue 2, 247-256, 2010
2. X. Li, S.R. Hallett, M.R. Wisnom, N. Zobeiry, R. Vaziri and A. Poursartip, "Experimental Study of Damage Propagation in Overheight Compact Tension Tests" submitted to J. Composites Part A., 19p. January 2009.
3. A.R.A. Arafath, R. Vaziri and A. Poursartip, "Closed Form Solution for Process-Induced Stresses and Deformation of a Composite Part Cured on a Solid Tool: Part II – Curved Geometries," J. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Available online, DOI 10.1016/j.compositesa.2009.01.009.
4. A. Bebamzadeh,, T. Haukaas, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip and G. Fernlund, "Response Sensitivities and Parameter Importance Studies in Composites Manufacturing" J. Composite Materials, 63p, in press, 2009
5. X. Xiao, C. McGregor, R. Vaziri and A. Poursartip, "Progress In Composite Tube Crush Simulation", Int. J. Impact Engineering, Vol. 36, Issue 5, pp. 711-719, May 2009.
6. C. McGregor, N. Zobeiry, R. Vaziri and A. Poursartip,"‘A Constitutive Model for Progressive Compressive Failure of Composites," J. Composite Materials, Vol. 42, No. 25, pp. 2687-2716, December 2008.
7. A.R.A. Arafath, R. Vaziri and A. Poursartip, ‘Closed Form Solution for Process-Induced Stresses and Deformation of a Composite Part Cured on a Solid Tool: Part I – Flat Geometries,’ J. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol. 39, Issue 7, pp. 1106-1117, July 2008.
8. C. McGregor, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip and X. Xiao, "Simulation of Progressive Damage Development in Braided Composite Tubes under Axial Compression," J. Composites Part A., Vol. 38, pp. 2247-2259, November 2007.
9. W.R. Novotny, E. Cepuš, A.Shahkarami, R. Vaziri and A. Poursartip, ‘Numerical Investigation of the Ballistic Efficiency of Multi-Ply Fabric Armours During the Early Stages of Impact’, Int. J. Impact Engineering Vol. 34, pp71-88, 2007.

Refereed Conference

1. N. Zobeiry, A. Forghani, C. McGregor, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip, "Progressive Damage Modelling of Composite Materials under both Tensile and Compressive Loading Regimes", ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Mechanical Response of Composites’, Porto, Portugal, 12–14 September 2007, P. P. Camanho et.al. (eds.), 17p.
2. Novotny, W., Cepus, E., Shahkarami, A., Vaziri, R., Poursartip, A. ‘Numerical Modelling of the Early Impact Behaviour of Multi-ply Fabric Armours’, in WIT Transactions on Engineering Sciences, Vol. 49, Impact Loading of Lightweight Structures, M. Alves & N. Jones (Editors), 18p., 2005.

Conference

1. E. Cepuš, A. Poursartip, ‘Early dynamic behaviour of aramid textile armour subjected to ballistic impact: an experimental investigation’ Proceedings of the American Society for Composites, 24th Technical Conference Newark, Delaware, Sept. 2009
2. A. Forghani, N. Zobeiry, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip and F. Ellyin ‘A Consistent Framework For Formulation And Characterization Of A Sub-Laminate Based Damage Model’ Proc. of ICCM-17, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2009
3. M. Haghshenas, R. Vaziri and A. Poursartip ‘Integrating The Simulation Of Flow And Stress Development During Processing Of Thermoset Matrix Composites’, Proceedings of ICCM-17, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2009
4. G Fernlund, ARA Arafath, and A Poursartip, ‘Gas Transport in Prepregs: Model and Permeability Experiments’ Proceedings of ICCM-17, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2009
5. N. Slesinger, T. Shimizu, A.R.A. Arafath, A. Poursartip ‘Heat Transfer Coefficient Distribution Inside An Autoclave’, Proceedings of ICCM-17, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2009
6. N. Zobeiry, R. Vaziri and A. Poursartip, "Characterization of Damage in Composites using a Combination of Image Analysis and Finite Element Simulation", 2nd ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on the Mechanical Response of Composites, 1-3 April 2009, Imperial College London, UK, 6p.
7. T. Shimizu J. C. Kotlik A. R. Arafath A. Poursartip "Evaluation of Temperature Profiles in Thick Composite Parts During Autoclave Processing", Proceedings of 23rd ASC Technical Conference, Memphis, TN, September 2008.
8. C. McGregor, R. Vaziri, X. Xiao, ‘Simulation of Energy Absorption in Braided Composite Tubes through Axial Crushing’, 10th Int. LS-DYNA Users Conference, Dearborn, Michigan, June 4-6, 2008, 14p.
9. C. McGregor, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip, X. Xiao, ‘Experimental Investigation into the Dynamic Axial Crushing Response of Braided Composite Tubes’, 6th Canadian Int. Composites Conf. (CANCOM-6), Winnipeg, 14-17 August, 2007, 11p.
10. A.R.A. Arafath, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip, ‘Closed-Form Solutions for Process-Induced Stresses and Deformations of Flat and Curved Composite Parts’, 6th Canadian Int. Composites Conf. (CANCOM-6), Winnipeg, 14-17 August, 2007, 12p.
11. A. Forghani. C. McGregor., S. McClennan, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip, F. Ellyin and A. Bouamoul, ‘Modelling of Damage Development in Blast Loaded Composite Panels’, 16th Int. Conf. on Composite Materials, Kyoto, Japan, July 8-13, 2007, 10p.
12. A.R.A. Arafath, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip, ‘Modelling Process-Induced Deformations in Composite Structures using Higher Order Elements’, 16th Int. Conf. on Composite Materials, Kyoto, Japan, July 8-13, 2007, 10p.
13. N. Zobeiry, A. Forghani. C. McGregor., S. McClennan, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip, F. Ellyin and A. Bouamoul, ‘Modelling of Damage Development in Blast Loaded Composite Panels’, 16th Int. Conf. on Composite Materials, Kyoto, Japan, July 8-13, 2007.
14. C. McGregor, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip, X. Xiao, ‘Experimental Investigation into the Dynamic Axial Crushing Response of Braided Composite Tubes’, 6th Canadian Int. Composites Conf. (CANCOM-6), Winnipeg, 14-17 August, 2007, 11p. Paper submitted March 2007.
15. A.R.A. Arafath, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip, ‘Closed-Form Solutions for Process-Induced Stresses and Deformations of Flat and Curved Composite Parts’, 6th Canadian Int. Composites Conf. (CANCOM-6), Winnipeg, 14-17 August, 2007, 12p. Paper submitted March 2007.
16. X. Xiao, C. McGregor, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip, ‘Progress in Composite Tube Crush Simulation’, American Helicopter Society (AHS) 63rd Annual Forum and Technology Display, May 1 – 3, 2007, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 22p. Paper submitted March 2007.
17. C. McGregor, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip, X. Xiao, ‘Simulation of Energy Absorption in Braided Composite Tubes’, Proceedings of the American Society for Composites—Twentieth Technical Conference, Detroit, Michigan, Sept. 21, 2006, 16p.
18. C. McGregor, R. Vaziri, A. Poursartip, X. Xiao, N. Johnson, ‘Simulation of Progressive Damage Development in Braided Composite Tubes Undergoing Dynamic Axial Crushing’, 9th Int. LS-DYNA Users Conference, Dearborn, Michigan, June 4-6, 2006, 14p.