Thu, 01 February, 2024
What is Impact Engineering?
Impact engineering is a field of engineering that deals with the study of the behaviour of materials, structures, and systems under impact loads. The impact loads can be caused by various factors such as collisions, explosions, and natural disasters. It involves the design, analysis, and testing of materials and structures that are subjected to impact loads, with the aim of ensuring their safety and reliability.
The field has a wide range of applications in various industries. In the automotive industry, it is used to design and test vehicle safety systems such as airbags and seat belts. In aerospace, it is used to design and test aircraft structures to withstand impact loads such as bird strikes and collisions. And in the construction industry, it is used for the building of structures to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes.
The study of impact engineering involves the use of various tools and techniques, with finite element analysis being one of the most commonly used. This technique involves the use of computer software to simulate the behaviour of materials and structures under impact loads. Other techniques used in impact engineering include dynamic testing, strain rate testing, and high-speed photography.
Over the years, Impact engineering has evolved and new materials and technologies are continually being developed to improve the safety and reliability of materials and structures under impact loads. For example, the development of high-strength materials such as composites and advanced alloys has led to the design of lighter and stronger structures that can withstand higher impact loads.
It is a vitally important field of research and plays a significant role in ensuring the safety and reliability of materials, structures, and systems under impact loads. With the need development of new materials and technologies, the field of impact engineering is continually evolving, and we expect to see significant advancements in the near future.
As the urgency to meet emissions and net zero targets increases, the need for new lightweight structures and materials becomes ever more essential. The safety and operation of these assets will play a vital role in their implementation. Future-proof your career by joining our Lightweight Structures and Impact Engineering MSc, making sure that your engineering expertise will be called upon for years to come.