Capture and investigate catastrophic failure of geological or engineering materials and structures subjected to impacts or blasting loads.
Using the Digital High-Speed Optical Imaging Facility, we study the dynamic fracture and impact failure of geological or engineering materials and structure. The infrastructure has the fastest camera in Canada and various optical measurement methods. The application of this research includes earthquake physics, crushability of engineering materials, and fragmentation of rocks by impacts. Dr. Xia has developed several new measurement methods to quantify dynamic strength and fracture properties of rocks and concretes. The research results can be used in blasting-proof design of civilian and defense structures, safety of aerospace structures and automobile, and optimization of blasting in mining and construction etc.
Quantification of the dynamic material properties; evaluation of the structural responses agaist impacts and blasts; analysis of the blasting-proof designs; capturing high speed phenomeno in engineering and physics
- Aerospace and satellites
- Automotive
- Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
- Defence and security industries
- Mining, minerals and metals
Specialized labs and equipment
| Name of specialized lab | Name of equipment | Description of function |
|---|---|---|
| Impact and Fracture Laboratory | Digital high-speed optical imaging facility | Visualize and capture catastrophic failure events at speeds up to 200 million frames per second |
Private and public sector research partners
- WSP
- Orica Ltd.
- CEMI (Centre for Excellence in Mining)
- Armatec Survivability
- NP Aerospace Inc.
- Sandvik Group