Photo by Saskia Trute (TUD)
Soft Body Impact loaded composite structures optimized for energy absorption
How can future lightweight structures be made more resilient against crash and impact failure?
This question was at the centre of a expert workshop held on 14th and 15th July 2025 at TUD Dresden University of Technology, hosted by the Institute for Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK). We had the pleasure of welcoming colleagues from the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Zagreb for a joint scientific exchange.
The focus of our discussions:
Modelling and design of composite failure behaviour under crash and high-rate impact loads – a key challenge in aerospace applications, where structural integrity must be maintained under extreme conditions.
By tailoring the material and structural properties of advanced composites, we aim to prevent catastrophic failure and move towards certification-by-analysis.
Together, we are shaping the future of safe and efficient lightweight structures.
Workshop participants:
- TUD Dresden University of Technology: Andreas Hornig, Holger Böhm, Moritz Kuhtz, Claudia Hawke
- University of Zagreb: Ivica Smojver, Darko Ivančević, Jakov Ratković
