Dynamics Laboratory

The Dynamics Laboratory in the Mappin Building is primarily used by the Dynamics Research Group (DRG).

Key features of the lab

• The lab is outfitted with specialised rigs for data acquisition and structural analysis, including vibrating beam rigs, tap-testing apparatus, and band brake & gearbox setups.
• Structural Health Monitoring (SHM): Developing advanced machine learning and pattern-recognition algorithms to listen to structures (like bridges, wind turbines, and aircraft) to detect damage or wear before catastrophic failure occurs.
• Acoustics: Researching how sound travels through porous materials and metamaterials, heavily aiding the development of industrial noise-control solutions.
• Active and passive vibration control: Creating technologies to dampen unwanted movement. This includes things like particle dampers (heavily adopted by the aerospace industry) and systems to mitigate the destructive, excessive vibration that happens during high-speed industrial metal cutting.
• Nonlinear structural dynamics: Moving beyond simple "linear" physics to map how structures realistically behave under extreme or complex stress, utilising Bayesian statistics and digital twins.