This SRC will focus on the characterisation and advanced simulation of membrane and foil materials and advanced simulation of their structural application. Different experimental methodologies and results from round robin exercises will be discussed and compared with the outcomes from numerical simulations that partners are currently conducting. A key objective is to establish the coupling between simulation and material characterisation so as to enhance the optimal application of membrane and foil materials for buildings. Typical research topics are:

• Advanced analysis methodologies;
• Verification of analysis methodologies/tools; validation of simulations initiated by using data from currently monitored structures and from structures installed during the COST Action;
• Measurement of the biaxial tensile stiffness, shear stiffness, uniaxial and biaxial tear properties of a range of textile and foil materials; simulation of these tests with the tools used for the analysis of building skins;
• Test method design and specification, the interpretation and use of test data and the collection of typical material data (in a data base);
• Identification and quantification of epistemic and aleatoric uncertainties (in the analysis and in the material characterisation);
• Probability distribution functions and parameters to characterize mechanical properties (linked to the fifth SRC);
• The link between computational mechanics and material characterisation; novel approaches including response surface technologies and neural network techniques taking into account load cycling effects, hysteretic behaviour and time dependency;
• The use of predictive material models directly in the simulation tool and in the accurate and optimal description of cutting patterns;
• The use of a coupled analysis and constitutive material model framework to simulate the installation and whole-life behaviour of textile and foil building skins (contributing to the second SRC);
• The application of Stochastic Finite Element Analysis; the implication of adopting probabilistic approaches to the analysis of building skins, with particular reference to software requirements;
• Definition of a series of analytical and physical benchmarks for the verification and validation of emerging simulation and testing technologies.