Personal research summary 2017

1. Summary of research interests and
capabilities: probabilistic assessments,
machine design and structural integrity
Professor Julian Booker
Professor of Mechanical Design Engineering
Solid Mechanics Research Group

2. My key research areas
• Probabilistic assessments – new methodologies for creep and fatigue design
• Machine design – novel design of electrical machines, their manufacture and
testing, and machine elements characterisation
• Structural integrity – statistical and probabilistic approaches and design of novel test
specimens and methods
Main theme: Application of probabilistic, statistical and
novel design methods to problems in solid mechanics
Current collaborators:
Electrical Energy
Management Group,
University of Bristol

3. Current projects
• Funding Body: TSB/ATI, Title: Landing Gear of the Future.
Start/finish: July 2016 – June 2019. (CI)
• Funding Body: EDF, Title: Developing methodologies enabling the
prediction and management of plant behaviour under complex
loading. Start/finish: Nov 2015 – April 2019. (CI)
• Funding Body: EU/Leonardo, Title: QUAD GEN: 4-Rotor PM
Generator System for Rotorcraft. Start/finish: Jan 2015 – March
2017. (PI)
• Funding Body: EU/Leonardo, Title: Electric Rotor Tail Development
Support. Start/finish: December 2014 – June 2017. (PI)

4. Current projects in machine design

5. Past projects
• Shrink-fit design – modelling with a range of experimental
validation techniques, including friction measurements
under various loading regimes
• Warm pre-stressing – probabilistic modelling of fracture
toughness with experimental validation
• Bearing manufacture – statistical and robust modelling
with experimental validation of plain spherical bearings
• Active Gurney Flap – modelling, optimisation and fatigue
testing of a flexure based gurney flap for a helicopter

6. Past projects in machine design