Fundamental and applied research in the fields of strength of materials and fracture mechanics to assess the safety, reliability and service life of technical constructions in energy technology, mining engineering, environmental technology and microsystems technology. Further development of failure criteria and fracture mechanics assessment concepts.

Theoretical modelling and numerical simulation of microstructural processes of deformation and failure of technical and geological materials using methods of material mechanics and damage mechanics. Application for the assessment and optimisation of material properties during production and under complex technical operating conditions, in particular the brittle and ductile failure behaviour of metals, ceramics and semiconductors.

Innovative disciplines in mechanical engineering (mechatronics, adaptronics, automation technology) aim to achieve adaptive, self-controlling behaviour of mechanical systems by integrating sensor, actuator, control and microtechnical components. These developments are supported by simulating the coupled mechanical, thermal and electromagnetic behaviour of the adaptive systems and the intelligent materials used. In particular, the fracture, fatigue and damage behaviour of piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials is being investigated.

Further development of numerical calculation methods in solid mechanics (finite element method, boundary element method) for fracture mechanics stress analysis, simulation of crack propagation, implementation of damage laws and treatment of coupled field problems.

The aim is to determine the deformation and failure behaviour of materials using very small samples in the millimetre range, in particular the small punch test. This is necessary and advantageous when i) little sample material is available, ii) high property gradients exist and iii) local information is required. Typical fields of application are microelectronic materials, radiation-brittle steels, surface-treated metals, welded joints, thin films or composite materials.