Welcome to the Chair of Lightweight Design!

20.01.2026
The Chair of Structural Mechanics and the Chair of Lightweight Construction jointly hosted the first seminar on Fracture, FEM, and Fatigue Rostock (F3R). On February 9 and 10, specialist presentations and exciting technical discussions took place with the aim of bringing together various experimental, analytical, and numerical approaches to fracture mechanics, damage models, fatigue, stable and unstable crack propagation, and related areas. In addition to many internal and external guests, the following keynote speeches were given:

   Vladislav Mantič, Universidad de Sevilla, Generalized numerical implementation of FFM
   Michal Budzik, Aarhus University, Fractur in architected interfaces
   Andreas Ricoeur, Universität Kassel, Fracture Machanics, Modelling and Experiments

January 6, 2025
Many systems have compliant, sometimes thick weak layers (e.g., adhesive layers or snow weak layers) in which classical interface models fail. We present a variational, energy-based model that reliably captures non-uniform stress and displacement fields in the layer. From this, we derive a closed-form formula for the energy release rate of interface cracks and validate the predictions against Abaqus FE simulations.

Link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2025.113746

January 6, 2025
Our study on modeling fiber deflections and resin pockets in transversely reinforced composite laminates has been published in open access in Materials & Design. Using a parametric model, we describe the influence of different resin zone geometries, microstructure assumptions, and pin geometries on fiber volume contents, orientations, and resulting in-plane properties. 

Link to the the article:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2025.115319

16.10.2025
Our publication with the title “A linear failure index for the Christensen criterion” has been published in the International Journal of Solids and Structures!
We derive a  a linear failure index that includes both sub-criteria of the Christensen criterion  and is similar in its expressiveness to the von Mises equivalent stress, but also works for non-ideally ductile materials. With the paper, we also publish the code that implements this linear failure index in Python in general and in the FE software Abaqus in particular.

Link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2025.113685

08.09.2025
Our joint contribution with the Chair of Product Development was honoured at the 25th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED) in Dallas, TX.

We received the Reviewers Choice Award for the paper ‘Material selection methods: Brittleness filters are often too strict’ presented by Dr.-Ing. Ingo Jonuschies at the conference. We are delighted about the award and the excellent cooperation with the Chair of Product Development.

23.05.2025
Our study on material selection has been published in Materials & Design! We show why fracture toughness alone is not a reliable criterion for sorting out brittle materials and propose a new filter based on fracture mechanics. Read the article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2025.114109 

26.02.2025
We cordially invite all interested parties to the colloquium! We look forward to a good exchange and a lively discussion. The event is open to the university public, both colleagues and interested students are welcome.

Date:        20.03.2025
Time:        08:30 to 15:20
Location:  Room 115 in the seminar building

28.11.2024
The BoneTech team - consisting of Joana Büttner, Aila Klostermann, Mathis Hach, Timon Pahl and Arne Schirmer - has won first place in the ‘Setting Sails’ business plan competition in Greifswald with its idea of developing 3D-printed bone models. The models are to be used in medical training and implant examinations and, thanks to their precision and versatility, enable realistic tests and practical learning opportunities.

20.11.2024
Our interdisciplinary study with the Rostock University Medical Centre has been published! It deals with the probabilistic and non-linear finite element modelling of the biomechanical healing conditions during arthrodesis of the lower ankle joint with a hollow intramedullary nail. Read the article here.

05.11.2024
At the Advanced School on Crack Initiation and Failure in Complex Structures , which will take place from June 9-13, 2025 in Udine, Italy, Prof. Weißgraeber will be part of the international team of renowned lecturers.This international summer school offers an in-depth exploration of the theoretical foundations and concepts of Finite Fracture Mechanics (FFM), which is used for modeling crack and failure initiation in complex structures. The program is aimed at researchers as well as interested students who want to understand, apply or further develop FFM.

Further information: https://cism.it/en/activities/courses/C2505/

If you are interested, please contact Prof. Weißgraeber directly.

02.08.2024
Our interdisciplinary study on anticracks and their influence on avalanches is available in Nature Communications. Read the paper here. For more information and background details, please visit our press release.

30.07.2024
The best teams from universities in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania competed in the state-wide “inspired” ideas competition on July 18, 2024. A total of 20 teams presented their concepts to a jury in Rostock.
In the “Students and Trainees” category, the team led by Joana Büttner, Aila Klostermann, Mathis Hach, Timon Pahl, and Arne Schirmer won with their startup idea “BoneTech.”

10.07.2024
Between fascination and career orientation – Technology Day at the University of Rostock

The Association of German Engineers Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania once again hosted Technology Day to get young people excited about technology and inform them about career opportunities. On July 12, 2024, we welcomed students to the campus and gave them insights into the world of engineering.
In addition to various faculties, the Fraunhofer IGP and the Hanseatic EfficiencyTeam also presented themselves. The day was colorful, loud, and well attended – we are delighted with the great interest shown by the young people.

30.06.2024
The BoneTech team, consisting of student assistants of the chair, won 1st place for students in the ideas competition inspired! of the University of Rostock on 25.06.2024. In the pitch session, the presentation prevailed against 11 other student teams and won the prize money of €1000.
Joana Büttner, Aila Klostermann, Arne Schirmer, Timon Pahl and Mathis Hach will now meet the best student ideas from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the state-wide competition on 18.07.2024.

A warm welcome to Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Spitzer
15.04.2024
We are pleased to welcome Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Spitzer as a substitute professor at the Chair of Lightweight Structures from April 2024 to March 2025. He will take over the part-time parental leave of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Philipp Weißgraeber and will offer the new courses Lightweight Structures (SoSe 2024) and Developing Lightweight Structures (WS 2024/25) in addition to the existing courses. Dr. Spitzer brings extensive experience from his work at the Institute of Lightweight Structures and Polymer Technology at the Technical University of Dresden. Our team is looking forward to working with him and to further advancing lightweight construction research and teaching together.