The following mini-symposia will be organised within the conference programme:

Title:Constitutive modelling for flexible slender structures
Code:MS-1
Organisers:Olivier Brüls, University of Liège
Vanessa Dörlich, Fraunhofer ITWM, Kaiserslautern
Abstract:This mini-symposium addresses the development of one-dimensional beam models able to capture the mechanical behaviour of complex slender structures, such as multi-filament cables, multi-wired harnesses or composite slender structures. In order to capture the diverse internal phenomena occurring within the cross-section, the elaboration and validation of constitutive models may rely on experimental measurements and/or on finer scale numerical simulation of the structural assembly. The following research topics will be covered:
– Advanced constitutive models for beam models including e.g. dissipation, plasticity, damage and hysteresis effects,
– Experimental measurements of constitutive properties of slender structures,
– Mesoscopic simulation of multi-components structures, such as multi-wire cables, cable bundles, and wiring harnesses,
– Multiscale and homogenization methods,
– Constitutive models for composite slender structures,
– Data-driven constitutive models.
The minisymposium will represent an excellent opportunity to discuss fundamental scientific questions and recent progresses related with the development of advanced constitutive models for slender structures.
Title:Contact and friction in mechanics of flexible slender structures
Code:MS-2
Organisers:José Escalona, University of Seville
Johannes Gerstmayr, University of Innsbruck
Christoph Meier, Technical University of Munich
Yury Vetyukov, Technical University of Vienna
Abstract:The mini-symposium will focus on the latest research and developments in the field, including the behavior of rods under large deformation, computational contact models and high-performance computing methods. Rods may undergo contact and friction either with other rods or with the surrounding environment.  The mini-symposium will include, but is not restricted to the following subtopics:
– Modeling of rods undergoing large deformation,
– Computational methods,
– Regularization/discretization approaches for frictional contact mechanics,
– High-performance computing (HPC) methods,
– Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) methods,
– Machine learning methods,
– Modeling and simulation of cable-pulley mechanisms and ropeway systems,
– All subtopics related to rods with contact and/or friction.
The symposium will provide an excellent opportunity for researchers and engineers to share their latest research and developments and to learn from one another, as well as an opportunity for future collaborations.
Title:Geometric integration methods for non-linear structural dynamics
Code:MS-3
Organisers:Sigrid Leyendecker, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremburg
Sina Ober-Blöbaum, University of Paderborn
Elena Celledoni, National Technical University of Norway, Trondheim
Brynjulf Owren, National Technical University of Norway, Trondheim
Abstract:The development of efficient and robust numerical methods for the dynamic analysis of highly flexible slender structures is indispensable for modern virtual prototyping. An accurate description of the nonlinear mechanical behaviour of rod systems involving finite rotations, intricate constitutive laws and being in interaction with each other and the surroundings requires complex mathematical models and imposes major challenges for the design of appropriate numerical methods. Studying nonlinear mechanical systems from a geometric point of view, one finds that symmetries and invariants contain valuable information on their behaviour. These structural properties play a fundamental role when designing numerical methods leading to so-called geometric of structure preserving simulation tools. The benefits of geometric integration methods are widely accepted. On the one hand, the fidelity of the approximate solution is improved compared to standard methods by representing symmetries and invariants correctly. On the other hand, their preservation stabilises the numerical integration and thus enables coarser time grids and long-term simulation. This mini-symposium invites contributions on geometric integration methods addressing, for example but not limited to, the following aspects: preservation of symmetries and invariants, Lie group methods, constraint fulfilment, adaptive integrators, convergence, sensitivity and stability.
Title:Teaching the science of modelling and simulation of slender flexible structures for applications in industry:  A curriculum for early stage researchers
Code:MS-4
Organisers:Joachim Linn, Fraunhofer ITWM, Kaiserslautern
Elena Celledoni, National Technical University of Norway, Trondheim
Vanessa Dörlich, Fraunhofer ITWM, Kaiserslautern
José Escalona, University of Seville
Olivier Thomas, Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology, Lille
Abstract:Highly flexible slender structures like yarns, cables, hoses or ropes are essential parts of high-performance engineering systems. The education of a new generation of scientists capable to work in this area and develop innovative ideas and tools is an important task and one of the goals of the European Training Network THREAD, funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie program. The educational contents necessary to learn for the PhD students involved as THREAD early stage researchers (ESRs) comprise topics like flexible multibody dynamics, nonlinear rod models, contact mechanics of slender structures, structure preserving numerical methods, effective constitutive modeling and specialized experimental mechanics to determine model parameters and validate simulation tools. These topics are rarely part of the university curricula at the master or graduate level, in particular not in combination. The researchers active in the THREAD project have developed a unique network training program on these subjects, accompanied by intersectoral secondments of the ESRs to the network of supporting partners from industry, and a set of hands on workshop activities for the students. This mini-symposium aims at presenting the essentials of THREAD’s network training program as a prototype of fostering inclusion of these demanding topics in engineering education, and invites researchers from applied mathematics, computational and experimental mechanics, computer graphics and other fields interested in teaching these or related subjects to share their experience.
Title:Advanced models and numerical formulations for the interaction of beams and the coupling of beams with solids
Code:MS-5
Organisers:Simon Klarmann, RWTH Aachen University
Myung-Jin Choi, RWTH Aachen University
Sven Klinkel, RWTH Aachen University
Roger Sauer, Gdańsk University of Technology and RWTH Aachen University
Jens Wackerfuß, University of Kassel
Abstract:In the analysis of slender structures, it is advantageous for beam models to represent three-dimensional stress and strain states, especially for considering physical nonlinearities, the coupling with solid elements, and contact interactions between beam elements with solid or beam elements. Applications of the interaction of beam elements with solid or beam elements are the analyses of bridge structures, wind turbines, space structures, woven fabrics, and many more. In these examples, the deformability of the cross-section plays a significant role in obtaining realistic physical behavior of the beam itself, smooth transitions from beam to solid elements, or smooth contact pressure distribution in beam contact problems. The mini-symposium aims to bring together researchers dealing with relevant numerical methods on
– Consideration of the cross-sectional deformations,
– Beam elements with three-dimensional stress and strain states,
– Consideration of arbitrary cross-section shapes,
– Interaction between beam and solid elements involving coupling of beams and solids as well as beam-to-beam and beam-to-solid contact,
– Non-linear material behavior and/or large deformations,
– Mixed finite-element formulations,
– Non-standard spatial discretization method, e.g., isogeometric analysis.
The mini-symposium will provide an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas on various topics related to the field.
Title:Slender beam-like structures with scientific passion – mini-symposium in honour of Prof. Miran Saje
Code:MS-6
Organisers:Dejan Zupan, University of Ljubljana
Gordan Jelenić, University of Rijeka
Abstract:Miran Saje, Emeritus Professor of University of Ljubljana, dedicated a great deal of his fruitful scientific career on research in non-linear static and dynamic analysis of slender beam-like structures and throughout his working life provided a vast amount of theoretical results and numerical procedures for many engineering applications and provided doctoral supervision for a great number of currently active academics including the mini-symposium organisers. This symposium is focussed on finite-element beam formulations and their various application that were influenced directly or indirectly by Prof. Saje and remain vibrant topics of interest at both our universities as well as elsewhere. Both original research and review contributions are invited.
Title:Modelling and simulation of textile and fibrous materials
Code:MS-7
Organisers:Damien Durville, Université Paris-Saclay
Laurent Orgéas, Université Grenoble Alpes
Abstract:A typical application for the development of models for slender stuctures is the modelling and simulation of the mechanical behaviour of textile and fibrous materials, which requires the representation of the behaviour of the individual constituent filaments while considering their frictional interactions. The initial configuration of fibrous structures results in fact from complex interactions between fibres or filaments during the assembly process, which has a significant impact on the way stresses are distributed among the different filament components. This minisymposium aims to address issues related to modelling the different filament assembly processes (twisting, weaving, braiding, etc.) and predicting the geometric and mechanical properties of the resulting multifilament structures by bringing together contributions that focus on the representation of the mechanical behaviour of fibres or filaments involved in textile materials and the description of frictional contact interactions between them.
Title:Modelling beam-like layered structures with compliant interfaces
Code:MS-8
Abstract:Leo Škec, University of Rijeka
Giulio Alfano, Brunel University
Description:Layered structures can be nowadays easily found in nature (e.g. blood vessels, plants and Earth’s crust) and essentially all areas of industry (e.g. electrical, automotive, aerospace and civil engineering). In particular, structures in which layers of dissimilar materials are combined in a single structural member are called composite structures. Different layers are typically connected my means of discrete shear connectors, adhesive, or both. However, the interface between the layers is often the weakest part of the structure and its failure (delamination) can have severe consequences for the structure. Hence, developing computational tools for design of layered structures and delamination has been a major research topic in the last 50 years. In this mini-symposium the latest advances in modelling beam-like layered structures, as well and their failure by delamination, will be presented. Novel finite-element formulations, interface models and analytical solutions, as well as experimental investigations are welcome.

The mini-symposium organisers are responsible for reviewing and accepting abstracts submitted to their mini-symposia as well as communicating their decision to the Local Organising Committee. They are also invited to disseminate information about their mini-symposium and chairing the mini-symposium session(s).