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Richard Brooks

Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering

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Expertise Summary

I have a broad knowledge of advanced materials technologies, in particular advanced composites, their properties and selection for a wide range of applications, manufacturing processes and component/structure design. I have a particular interest in thermoplastic composites, both short fibre systems and long fibre structural materials. I have a good understanding of the use of these materials in dynamic, e.g. impact and crash, and other extreme loading applications through experimental and computer (explicit FEA) modelling of materials and structure response. I have also studied and developed manufacturing processes for composites including injection moulding, compression moulding and vacuum forming. My work has been primarily in the automotive sector, but not exclusively. I have applied my knowledge in other areas such as sports equipment development and protective structures e.g. helmets. I have used techniques such as explicit FEA, static and dynamic impact testing, microscopy and image analysis, laser vibrometry, modal analysis and high speed photography to illucidate a greater understanding in research. I have also gained a knowledge of human injury criteria and biomechanics through work on automotive structures for pedestrian and occupant protection. I have significant knowledge in the field of instrumentation, sensors and monitoring associated with my experimental work. I believe in adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to solving problems.

Research Summary

My primary research is broadly in the area of the design, manufacture and applications of structures/components made from composite materials. Specific interests focus on thermoplastic composites… read more

Recent Publications

Current Research

My primary research is broadly in the area of the design, manufacture and applications of structures/components made from composite materials. Specific interests focus on thermoplastic composites (TPCs), both short fibre moulding compounds as well as current developments in medium-high volume structural materials. An understanding of the effects of the manufacturing process on component performance is of particular interest with the aim of bridging the gap to achieve both high volume production and high level structural performance. Thermoplastic composites are seen to offer great potential in this respect. Much of my work has involved automotive applications and processes such as injection moulding (short fibre systems), compression moulding (GMT, LFT and structural fabric based materials) and vacuum forming (sandwich structures) have all been investigated. In recent years, impact and crashworthiness of composite structures is of particular interest. In particular, the ability of composites to contribute in the area of safety applications including crash structures and softer vehicle front-end structures to provide pedestrian protection. The latter work has involved collaboration with colleagues in biomechanics to develop a biofidelic pedestrian test legform using composite bones. The work is highly multi-disciplinary. More fundamental work is also being undertaken, including damage modelling and explicit finite element modelling of composite materials and structures under impact conditions, thus providing a firm base for understanding component performance. This work is focussing on scaling up meso-level damage models to full component level predictions of deformation and failure under impact. The expertise and knowledge gained from automotive applications of composites has also been applied in other areas including sports equipment development and protective structures, applications include composite fishing rods, cricket bats, hockey sticks and protective helmets and visors. Much of this work has also involved measurement, modelling and understanding of the dynamic behaviour (e.g. frequencies and mode shapes) to improve the performance of such equipment.

Future Research

My work on impact and crash performance of composite structures and its application in areas of safety is expanding rapidly and current research into safety structures in automotive applications will continue. This expertise is now also being extended to the area of 'passive safety' systems for infrastructure applications such as street furniture e.g. lighting columns, signposts, utility poles etc. This is a major area of interest for the Highways Agency in their quest to mitigate against injury during impact with such systems. Composites (both thermosets and thermoplastics) offer potential solutions with the ability to manage the energy of impact, however, issues of cost effective manufacturing and robust design procedures for higher energy impact situations are both areas which need to be researched. I am therefore in the process of expanding the group to work in this area and to further develop our existing expertise in both modelling and measurement of the impact performance of composites. The intention is also to develop our understanding of thermoplastic composites (TPCs) particularly under ballistic impact conditions with potential applications in defence and security. TPCs offer excellent potential for energy absorption. The expertise developed in damage modelling, using explicit FEA, will be developed to higher rate loading and its application in areas such as blast impact and fragment penetration will be investigated. Multi-material solutions, e.g. composites + shock mitigation materials, are likely to be needed to provide the improved levels of protection required and there is significant scope for research to understand the mechanisms of failure and shock transmission in such systems. It is therefore the aim to expand activities into these areas by building on current expertise.

  • WONG K H, D. SYED MOHAMMED, PICKERING S J and BROOKS R, 2012. Effect of coupling agents on reinforcing potential of recycled carbon fibre for polypropylene composite Composites Science and Technology. 72, 835-844
  • LIDGETT, M, BROOKS, R, WARRIOR, N and BROWN, KA, 2011. Virtual Modelling Of Microscopic Damage In Polymer Composite Materials At High Rates Of Strain At: Plastics, Rubber and Composites, 40 (6/7) 324-332
  • CHEVAL, N, XU, F, GINDY, N, BROOKS, R, ZHU, YQ and FAHMI, A, 2011. Morphology, Crystallinity And Thermal Properties Of Polyamide 66/Polyoxometalate Nanocomposites Synthesised Via An In Situ Sol/Gel Process Macromolecular Chemistry And Physics. 212(2), 180-190
  • 1- N. CHEVAL, F. XU, N.GINDY, R. BROOKS, Y.Q. ZHU, AND A. FAHMI, 2010. Hybrid based Polyamide 66 with Polyoxometalates Nanoparticles through Sol-Gel Method In: 3rd International Conference on Advanced Design and Manufacturing (ADM2010) Nottingham UK.
  • 1- N. CHEVAL, F. XU, N.GINDY, R. BROOKS, Y.Q. ZHU, AND A. FAHMI, 2010. Reinforcement of Polyamide 66 with Polyoxometalates Nanoparticles through the In Situ Sol-Gel Method Key Engineering Materials. 450, 169
  • BROWN, K.A., BROOKS, R. and WARRIOR, N.A., 2010. The static and high strain rate behaviour of a commingled E-glass/Polypropylene woven fabric composite Composite Science and Technology. 70(2), 272-283 (In Press.)
  • BROWN, K.A. and BROOKS, R., 2010. Design and analysis of a vertical axis thermoplastic composite wind turbine blade Journal of Plastics, Rubber and Composites. 39(3-5), 111-121
  • BROOKS, R, JOHNSON, M.S and LIU, X. B., 2009. Prediction and Video Tracking of Damage Accumulation in Hybrid Thermoplastic Composite Structures In: 17th International Conference on Composite Materials. D12:12
  • BROOKS. R., BROWN, K.A., WARRIOR, N.A. and KULANDAIVEL, P., 2009. Predictive modelling of the impact response of thermoplastic composite sandwich structures Journal of Sandwich Structures and Materials. 12(4), 449-476
  • BROWN, K. A., BROOKS, R. and WARRIOR, N.A., 2009. Characterisation of the strain rate sensitivity of the tensile mechanical properties of a thermoplastic composite Journal of Minerals, Metals and Materials Society. 61(1), 43-46
  • BROOKS, R, KULANDAIVEL, P. P and RUDD, C. D., 2008. Skin Consolidation in Vacuum Moulded Thermoplastic Composite Sandwich Beams In: 8th International Conference on Sandwich Structures (ICSS8), Porto, Portugal. 627-637
  • BROOKS, R and K. BROWN, N. WARRIOR AND PALANIVEL KULANDAIVEL, 2008. Predictive Modelling of the Impact Response of Thermoplastic Composite Sandwich Structures In: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Sandwich Structures (ICSS 8), Porto, Portugal. 1157-1168
  • BROWN, K and R. BROOKS, N. WARRIOR AND PALANIVEL KULANDAIVEL, 2008. Numerical Modelling of the Behaviour of Thermoplastic Composite Sandwich Structures Under Localised Impact Loading In: Proceedings of the 13th European Conference on Composite Materials (ECCM 13), Stockholm, Sweden.
  • BROWN, K and R. BROOKS, P. WILLIAMSON AND C. PRICE, 2008. Development of a Novel Thermoplastic Composite Sandwich Structure for a Rail Application In: Proceedings of the 29th SAMPE Europe Conference, Paris, France..
  • BROOKS' R. AND WILLIAMSON, P, 2008. Rail Mounting Beam - Proof Test Loading Report
  • BROWN, K. AND BROOKS, R., 2007. Investigation of Novel Protection Methods
  • BROOKS, R. AND BROWN, K, 2007. Rail Mounting Beam - Finite Element Analysis Report
  • BROOKS, R., 2007. Forming Technologies for Thermoplastic Composites. In: LONG, A. C., ed., Composites Forming Technologies 1st ed. Cambridge: Woodhead. 256-276
  • BROWN, K., BROOKS, R., WARRIOR, N.A. and KULANDAIVEL, P.P., 2007. Modelling the impact behaviour of thermoplastic composite sandwich structres In: 16th International Conference on Composite Materials.
  • WILLIAMSON, P. and BROOKS, R., 2007. Finite element modelling of hybrid energy absorbing structures for pedestrian protection In: 28th International SAMPE Europe Conference. (In Press.)
  • BROOKS, R., MATHER, J.S.B. and KNOWLES, S., 2006. The influence of impact vibration modes and frequencies on cricket bat performance Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part L, Journal of Materials, Design and Applications. 220(4), 237-248
  • BROOKS, R., 2006. A materials and structure perspective on the feasibility of automotive frontal protection systems meeting the proposed pedestrian safety test criteria Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part L. Journal of Materials, Design and Applications. 220(2), 67-78
  • DUNMORE, M.C., BROOKS, R., MADELEY, N.J. and MCNALLY, D.S., 2006. The effect of leg fracture level and vehicle front-end geometry on pedestrian knee injury and response Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part H, Journal of Engineering in Medicine. 220(8), 857-869
  • BROOKS, R., JOHNSON, M. S., LIU, X. B and LONG, A., 2006. Predicting Damage and Failure in Hybrid Thermoplastic Composite Structures In: The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) Europe 27th International Conference.
  • BROOKS, R. and RUDD, C., 2006. Providing pedestrian protection with novel polymer composite solutions for automotive front-end structures In: International conference on Innovative Solutions for the Advancement of the Transport Industry (TRANSFAC '06).
  • BROOKS, R., 2006. Measurement and Analysis of the Impact Vibration Response of Hockey Sticks
  • WILLIAMSON, P. and BROOKS, R., 2006. The modelling of polyethylene tubes under lateral impact for pedestrian protection applications In: IOM3 5th Materials Research Confenerce.
  • BROWN, K., BROOKS, R. and WARRIOR, N., 2006. Simulation of impact damage progression in thermoplastic composites In: 27th International SAMPE Europe conference.
  • KULANDAIVEL,P., BROOKS,R., DUNMORE,M., RUDD,C. and MCNALLY,D., 2005. Processing and performance of thermoplastic composite sandwich beams for automotive applications. In: , ed., Materials and Processing Technologies for Revolutionary Applications: 37th International SAMPE Technical Conference, Seattle, Oct 31- Nov 3
  • BROWN, K., BROOKS, R. and WARRIOR, N.A., 2005. The effect of strain rate on the compression properties of a thermoplastic composite In: IOM3 4th Materials Research Conference.
  • BROWN,K., BROOKS,R. and WARRIOR,N.A., 2005. Numerical simulation of damage in thermoplastic composite materials In: 5th European LS-Dyna Users Conference.
  • DUNMORE, M., BROOKS, R., MCNALLY, D. S. and MADELEY, N. J., 2005. Development of an Alternative Frangible Knee Element for a Pedestrian Safety Legform IRCOBI International conference. 455-458
  • KULANDAIVEL, P, BROOKS, R. and RUDD, C., 2005. Compression moulding of thermoplastic composite sandwich beams In: IOM3 4th Materials Research Conference.
  • BROWN, K., BROOKS, R. and WARRIOR, N., 2005. Finite element analysis of impact damage in thermoplastic composite materials In: TCN CAE 2005 Conference.
  • BROOKS, R., RUDD, C.D., SMITH, G. and HALLIDAY, I., 2004. Crashworthy automotive structures using thermoplastic composites (CRACTAC) - UK EPSRC/DTI/Industry funded Foresight Vehicle project SAE Transactions.
  • BROOKS, R., KULANDAIVEL, P. and RUDD, C.D., 2004. Vacuum moulding of thermoplastic composite sandwich beams In: Proc. 25th international SAMPE Europe Conference. 494-500
  • BROOKS, R., RUDD, C.D., SMITH, G. and HALLIDAY, I., 2004. Crashworthy automotive structures using thermoplastic composites (CRACTAC) - UK EPSRC/DTI/Industry Funded Foresight Vehicle Project In: 2004 Society of Automotive Engineers Japan (JSAE) Annual Congress.
  • BROOKS,R., 2003. Predicting the crash performance of thermoplastic composites in automotive applications In: Technical Focus Meeting - Thermoplastic Composites for Transport and High Performance Structures.
  • BROOKS, R., 2003. Achieving total confidence in the safety characteristics of composite materials through the validation of their crashworthiness in automotive applications In: The Engineer seminar on Composites for the Automotive Industry.
  • BROOKS, R. and PHAROAH, M., 2003. Crashworthy automotive structures using thermoplastic composites (CRACTAC) In: Automotive Composites Seminar.
  • SANTULLI, C., BROOKS, R., LONG, A.C., WARRIOR, N.A. and RUDD, C.D., 2002. Impact properties of compression moulded commingled E-glass-polypropylene composites Plastics, Rubber & Composites. 31(6), 270-277
  • SANTULLI, C., BROOKS, R., RUDD, C.D. and LONG, A.C., 2002. Influence of microstructural voids on the mechanical and impact properties in commingled E-glass/polypropylene thermoplastic composites Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part L, Journal of Materials, Design and Applications. 216(2), 85-100
  • RUDD, C.D., BROOKS, R., LONG, A.C., WARRIOR, N.A., WILSON, M.J. and SANTULLI, C., 2002. Development of a crashworthy side intrusion beam using long glass fibre reinforced polypropylene for the Foresight Vehicle Programme In: Future Car Congress 2002.
  • RUDD, C.D., BROOKS, R., LONG, A.C., WARRIOR, N.A. and WILSON, M.J., 2002. Analysis and performance of a glass-polypropylene side intrusion protection beam In: Proc. 23rd international SAMPE Europe Conference. 59-70
  • BROOKS, R., 2002. Automotive side impact protection using thermoplastic composites Composite Thematic Network workshop on The Crashworthiness of Composite Transportation Structur In: Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).
  • WARRIOR, N.A., WILSON, M.J., BROOKS, R. and RUDD, C.D., 2001. Modelling of glass reinforced thermoplastic composite side-impact structures International Journal of Crashworthiness. 6(4), 553-559
  • WARRIOR, N.A., RUDD, C.D., BROOKS, R., LONG, A.C., WILSON, M.J. and SANTULLI, C., 2001. Development of a thermoplastic composite side intrusion beam In: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference for Lean Weight Vehicles 4.
  • BROOKS, R., 2001. Effects of flow-induced orientation on the structural properties of short fibre moulding compounds In: European/USA workshop on the Structural Integrity of Composite Materials.
  • SANTULLI, C., BROOKS, R., LONG, A.C., RUDD, C.D., WILSON, M.J. and WARRIOR, N.A., 2000. Impact properties of thermoplastic laminates for automotive applications In: Proceedings of ACP 2000. 43-52
  • WAKEMAN, M.D., RUDD, C.D., CAIN, T.A., BROOKS, R. and LONG, A.C., 2000. Compression moulding of glass and polypropylene composites for optimised macro- and micro-mechanical properties. 4: Technology demonstrator - a door cassette structure Composites Science and Technology. 60(10), 1901-1918
  • BROOKS,R., 2000. Modelling of Glass Reinforced Thermoplastic Composite Side-Impace Structures In: International Crashworthiness Conference (ICRASH 2000).
  • BROOKS, R., 2000. Injection moulding based techniques. In: Comprehensive Composite Materials 2. Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK. 999-1028
  • BROOKS, R., 2000. Orientation in injection moulded fibre reinforced thermoplastics. In: Integrated design and manufacture using fibre-reinforced polymeric composites Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge. 305-339
  • BROOKS,R., 2000. Split-Line Geometry of Stereolighography Inserts In: 9th European Conference on Rapid Prototyping.
  • BROOKS, R., 2000. Composites in automotive applications: Design. In: Comprehensive Composite Materials 6. Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK. 241-363
  • BROOKS, R., 2000. Post First-Ply Failure Modelling of Glass Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites In: 8th International Conference on Fibre Reinforced Composites (FRC 2000).
  • WAKEMAN, M.D., CAIN, T.A., RUDD, C.D., BROOKS, R. and LONG, A.C., 1999. Compression moulding of glass and polypropylene composites for optimised macro- and micro- mechanical properties 3. Sandwich structures of GMTS and commingled fabrics Composites Science and Technology. VOL 59(NUMBER 8), 1153-1167
  • WAKEMAN, M.D., CAIN, T.A., RUDD, C.D., BROOKS, R. and LONG, A.C., 1999. Compression moulding of glass and polypropylene composites for optimised macro-and micro-mechanical properties II. Glass-mat-reinforced thermoplastics Composites Science and Technology. 59(5), 709-726
  • HILL, R., BROOKS, R. and KALOEDES, D., 1999. Transverse cracking of fibre bundle composites studied by acoustic emission and Weibull statistics - effects of postcuring and surface treatment Journal of Materials Science. VOL 34(NUMBER 21), 5215-5226
  • RUDD, C.D., LONG, A.C., BROOKS, R., WAKEMAN, M.D., PRICE, C.B. and CAIN, T.A., 1998. Design for manufacture applied to a hybrid door module using GMTs and commingled fabric In: ACCE Conference.
  • WAKEMAN, M.D., CAIN, T.A., RUDD, C.D., BROOKS, R. and LONG, A.C., 1998. Compression moulding of a novel door cassette using sandwiches of GMTs and commingled fabrics In: 7th International Conference on Fibre Reinforced Composites. 183-191
  • WAKEMAN, M.D., CAIN, T.A., RUDD, C.D., BROOKS, R. and LONG, A.C., 1998. Compression moulding of glass and polypropylene composites for optimised macro- and micro-mechanical properties - 1. Commingled glass and polypropylene Composites Science and Technology. 58(12), 1879-1898
  • KNOWLES, S., FLETCHER, G., BROOKS, R. and MATHER, J.S., 1998. The Development Of A Superior Performance Cricket Helmet In: 2nd International Conference On The Engineering Of Sport.
  • HILL, R., KALOEDES, D. and BROOKS, R., 1998. Acoustic Emission Studies From Reinforcing Fibre Failure And Transverse Composit Cracking In: 5th Acoustic Emission World Conference.
  • HILL, R., BROOKS, R. and KALOEDES, D., 1998. Characterization of transverse failure in composites using acoustic emission Ultrasonics. VOL 36(NUMBER 1/5), 517-524
  • BROOKS, R., MAI-NGAM, B. and HSU, C. Y., 1998. Strength prediction in short fibre reinforced thermoplastics Plastics, Rubber and Composites Processing and Applications. VOL 27(NUMBER 4), 172-178
  • BROOKS,R., 1998. Strength Prediction In Short Fibre-Reinforced Thermoplastics In: 7th International Conference On Fibre Reinforced Composites. 479-486
  • BROOKS,R., 1997. Design And Construction Of A High Performance Cricket Bat In: The 11th International Conference On Composite Materials. 365-574
  • BROOKS, R., 1997. A Quantitative Investigation Into The Effect Of Processing Conditions And Moulding Thickness On Fibre Orientation In Short Fibre-Reinforced Thermoplastics In: The 11th International Conference On Composite Materials. 519-527
  • BROOKS, R., 1997. Processing Investigations For A Novel Door Cassette Using Sandwiches Of Gmts And Co-Mingled Fabrics In: 5th International Conference On Automated Composites. 75-82
  • BROOKS, R., 1997. Deformation and Consolidation of a Co-Mingled Thermoplastic Composite In: 5th International Conference On Automated Composites. 75-82
  • BROOKS, R., 1997. Towards An Integrated Processing Model For A Co-Mingled Thermoplastic Composite In: The 11th International Conference On Composite Materials. 366-376
  • BROOKS,R., 1997. Compression Moulding of Sandwich Structures of GMTs and Co-Mingled Materials for Optimised Macro and Micro Mechanical Properties In: 11th International Conference On Composite Materials (ICCM11). 313-323
  • BROOKS, R., 1996. Quantitative Prediction Of Orientation In Short Fibre-Reinforced Thermoplastics And Its Use In Computer-Integrated Design In: 7th European Conference On Composite Materials (ECCM-7). 289-294
  • BROOKS, R., 1996. Experimental Determination Of Orientation In Short Fibre-Reinforced Thermoplastics Using Image Processing And Analysis In: 7th European Conference On Composite Materials (ECCM-7). 261-266
  • BROOKS, R., 1996. Optimisation Of The Flexural Stiffness Of Compression Moulded Co-Mingled Glass And Polypropylene Composites In: 7th European Conference on Composite Materials (ECCM-7). 221-227
  • BROOKS, R., 1996. Design Of Sports Equipment Through Impact Vibration Analysis In: 14th International Modal Analysis Conference. 360-396
  • BROOKS,R., 1996. Integrating Manufacture Into The Design Cycle For Injection Moulded Reinforced Plastics In: International Symposium On Advanced Manufacturing Processes (AMPST 96). 703-711
  • BROOKS, R., 1996. Isothermal Consolidation Of A Co-Mingled Thermoplastic Composite In: 7th European Conference on Composite Materials (ECCM-7). 57-62

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