Yixiang’s research interests fall within the general area nonlinear computational methods and structural mechanics, which are applicable to aerospace mechanical systems and sustainable renewable infrastructures. The first part of his research is mainly focusing on stability and equilibrium analysis of inflatable membrane and shell structures which involves computational modelling of dynamic non-linear structural interactions and solid mechanics. He is interested to the area which involves advanced analysis techniques such as non-linear FEA and stability analysis of advanced composite structures which could be used in components of space systems and modern building structures.

Also, inspired by the NASA Ultra Long Duration Balloon vehicles, his research interests are extending to many new fields, in particular smart and adaptive bio-structures, the use of piezoelectric and shape-memory alloy materials in advanced dynamic motor actuators, and the design of special, geometrically bi-stable structures using composite materials which have wide potential applications in bio-medical or mechanical engineering. 

Another branch of his research interest is the simulation and characterization of the material and structural behaviour, such as thin-shell fracture and fragmentation and complex solid mechanics problems. He is also dedicated in developing novel structural or mechanical systems in renewable or sustainable building constructions. Recently, he started to investigate the possibility of reduce carbon footage of warehouses across UK by examining the foundations and stability of the frame. He is also interested to investigate the long term effect of paints on cold formed steels once they are caught on fire.

Dr. Yixiang Xu is Associate Professor at School of Aerospace, UNNC.  He is interested in the area of numerical and experimental study of light weight mechanical system and new materials, e.g. deployable actuators, thin composites, including advanced space structures as well as and design and analysis of infrastructure, e.g. portal frame and web crippling.  He obtained his B.Eng at the department of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2002. Subsequently, he carried out research in shell and inflatable membrane structures in Deployable Structures Lab (DSL) at Cambridge University and finished his Ph.D in 2007. He then worked as a specialist engineering consultant at the AECOM before he took his first academic position as a lecturer in Strathclyde University in 2008. Before he joined UNNC, he was Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield.

Aerospace Statics and Dynamics

Aircraft Design and Performance

Computing in Matlab