WIT Staff

Stavros Syngellakis

Dr Stavros Syngellakis is Chief Academic Officer at the Wessex Institute (WIT), Ashurst, Southampton, UK.

Major contributions to WIT activities
Dr Syngellakis served as an external member of the joint WIT/University of Wales Research Committee from 1995 to 2011 and has been a member of the WIT Board of Directors since 2009. We are pleased to announce that Dr Syngellakis has recently been promoted to the position of Chief Academic Officer on a part-time basis. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position having been involved with WIT for many years.

Short courses
He has lectured on Continuum Mechanics, Mechanics of Solids, Offshore Collisions, Finite Element Method (1984-1998).

Conferences
He has contributed as author, co-author, session chair and member of the International Scientific & Advisory Committee to conferences on Boundary Element Method, Computational Methods & Experimental Measurements, Design & Nature, Heat Transfer, Tribology & Design, Fluid Structure Interaction, Surface Effects & Contact Mechanics, Material Characterisation and Structures under Shock & Impact (1989-2018).

He has also chaired or co-chaired conferences on various topics as a WIT representative.

Journal editing
Editor-in-chief:
International Journal of Energy Production and Management
International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics

Member of the editorial board:
International Journal of Computational Methods and Experimental Measurements

Book editing
Editor of 13 volumes comprising articles from the Transactions of Wessex Institute on special topics in the areas of Earthquake Engineering, Blast & Impact, Heritage Structures, Renewable Energy, Composites, Corrosion and Disaster Management.

Co-editor of two volumes in the Springer series on "Innovation & Discovery in Russian Science and Engineering".

Co-series editor of the series on "Innovation & Discovery in Russian Science and Engineering".

Summary of significant personal achievements in research and scholarship

Dr Syngellakis's research work can be broadly described as mathematical modelling applied to a wide range of engineering applications of solid and structural mechanics. The analytical work has included:

  • the application of rigorous mathematical reasoning for the generation of theoretical solutions from first principles;
  • formulations, algorithm development and computer programming for numerical analysis using the boundary element method (BEM) and the transfer matrix method (TMM);
  • advanced finite element (FE) simulations based on general purpose codes for the assessment and characterisation of complex material or structural behaviour under conditions leading to failure.

Recent research activity has contributed to:

  • the derivation of fundamental solutions and new BEM formulations for the coupled flexure-extension analysis of laminated plates1,2,3,4
  • new BEM formulations for analysing the non-linear and fracture behaviour of polymers5,6,7
  • reliable assessment of the non-linear stiffness characteristics of ankle foot orthoses based on experimentally validated FE simulations8,9
  • improved elasto-plastic characterisation methodology for steels and coatings based on indentation experiments10,11,12,13,14,15
  • an approach, based on metamodelling, to the mechanical characterisation of composites from dynamic test data16,17
  • greater insight into the mechanical behaviour and fatigue performance of aluminium alloys used in plain bearing linings with outcomes of direct relevance to design practices18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25
  • a new theoretical approach to special cases of longitudinal pressurised tube buckling26
  • analytical determination of the response of offshore structures to impulsive loads27,28
  • modelling of impact and target penetration by rigid and deformable projectiles29,20,31
  • the assessment of stiffness and strength of welded joints32,33.

Critical complementary role in investigating:

  • non-linear damping and restoring characteristics of single-degree-of freedom systems (in collaboration with Prof Taeksoo Jang of Busan University, South Korea)34,35
  • elasto-plastic response and residual deformation of rods and lattices (in collaboration with Prof Atul Bhaskar of Southampton University, UK)36,37.

External examiner of a doctoral degree for the University of Edinburgh (2018)

Education

Diploma in Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, June 1969
Master of Science in Engineering, Princeton University June 1973
Master of Arts, Princeton University July 1974
Doctor of Philosophy, Princeton University, October 1976

References

[1] Syngellakis, S., A boundary element approach to buckling of general laminates. WIT Transactions on Modelling and Simulation, vol. 53: Boundary Elements and other Mesh Reduction Methods XXXIV, eds C.A. Brebbia & D. Poljak, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 145-155, 2012.

[2] Syngellakis, S., Stability analysis for laminates with general anisotropy using boundary elements. Boundary Elements and other Mesh Reduction Methods XXXV, eds C.A. Brebbia and A.H.-D. Cheng, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 133-144, 2013.

[3] Syngellakis, S. Fundamental solutions for the coupled extension-flexure laminate problem. WIT Transactions on Modelling and Simulation, vol. 61: Boundary Elements and other Mesh Reduction Methods XXXVIII, A. H.-D. Cheng and C. A. Brebbia, eds, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 235-246, 2015.

[4] Syngellakis, S., Fundamental solutions for the general laminate problem with the stress function formalism. International Journal of Computational Methods and Experimental Measurements, 6(6), pp. 1019-1032, 2018.

[5] Syngellakis, S. & Wu, J., Evaluation of various schemes for quasi-static boundary element analysis of polymers. Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements, 28, pp. 733-745, 2004.

[6] Syngellakis, S. & Wu, J., Evaluation of polymer fracture parameters by the boundary element method. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 75(5), pp. 1251-1265, 2008.

[7] Syngellakis, S. & Wu, J., Nonlinear viscoelastic fracture mechanics using boundary elements. Key Engineering Materials, 454(2011), pp. 137-148, 2010.

[8] Syngellakis, S., Arnold, M.A. & Rassoulian, H., Assessment of the non-linear behaviour of plastic ankle foot orthoses by the finite element method. Proc. IMechE Part H, Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 214, pp. 527-539, 2000.

[9] Syngellakis, S. & Arnold, M.A., Modelling considerations in finite element analyses of ankle foot orthoses. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, vol. 160: Design & Nature VI, eds. S. Hernandez and C.A. Brebbia, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 183-194, 2012.

[10] De Fazio, L., Syngellakis, S., Wood, R.J.K., Fugiuele, F. & Sciume, G., Nanoindentation of CVD diamond: comparison of an FE model with analytical and experimental data. Diamond and Related Materials, 10, pp. 765-769, 2001.

[11] Liu, J., Christensen, S.W., Reed, P.A.S. and Syngellakis, S., Elastic-plastic characterisation of aluminium bearing alloys. Aluminium Alloys: Their Physical and Mechanical Properties (Proc. ICAA-8), eds. P.J. Gregson & S.J. Harris, Materials Science Forum, 396-402, pp. 1091-1096, 2002.

[12] Habbab, H., Mellor, B.G. & Syngellakis, S., Post-yield characterisation of metals with significant pile up through spherical indentations. Acta Materialia, 54, pp. 1965-1973, 2006.

[13] Syngellakis, S. & Summerfield, O.C., Vickers micro-indentation for the elasto-plastic characterisation of thin layers. Surface Effects and Contact Mechanics XI, WIT Transactions on Engineering Sciences, Vol. 78, eds. J.Th.M. De Hosson & C.A. Brebbia, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 157-168, 2013.

[14] Syngellakis, S., Habbab, H. & Mellor, B.G., Finite element simulation of spherical indentation experiments. International Journal of Computational Methods and Experimental Measurements, 6(4), pp. 749-763, 2018.

[15] Syngellakis, S., Habbab, H. & Mellor, B.G., Weld zone material characterisation based on spherical indentation data. International Journal of Computational Methods and Experimental Measurements, 6(3), pp. 527-539, 2018.

[16] Setiawan, R., Syngellakis, S. & Hill, M., A metamodelling approach to mechanical characterisation of anisotropic plates. Journal of Composite Materials, 43(21), 2333-2349, 2009.

[17] Syngellakis, S. & Setiawan, R., Vibration tests and metamodelling for composite material characterisation. WIT Transactions on Engineering Sciences, Vol. 77: Materials Characterisation VI, eds. C.A. Brebbia and A. Klemm, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 113-124, 2013.

[18] Joyce, M.R., Reed, P.A.S. & Syngellakis, S., Numerical modelling of crack shielding and deflection in plain bearing materials. Material Science and Engineering A, 342, pp. 11-22, 2003.

[19] Mwanza, M.C., Joyce, M.R., Lee, K.K., Syngellakis, S. & Reed, P.A.S., Microstructural  characterisation of fatigue crack initiation in Al based plain bearing alloys. International Journal of Fatigue, 25, pp. 1135-1145, 2003.

[20] Joyce, M.R., Lee, K.K., Syngellakis, S. & Reed, P.A.S., Quantitative assessment of preferential fatigue initiation sites in a multi-phase aluminium alloy. Fatigue & Fracture in Engineering Materials & Structures, 27, pp. 1025-1036, 2004.

[21] Ali, M.S., Reed, P.A.S. & Syngellakis, S., Comparison of fatigue performance of HVOF spray coated and conventional roll bonded aluminium bearing alloys. Materials Science & Technology, 25(5), pp. 575-581, 2009.

[22] Burke-Veliz, A., Reed, P.A.S. & Syngellakis, S., A numerical study of crack shielding and deflection under extensive plasticity. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 76(9), pp. 1345-1356, 2009.

[23] Burke-Veliz, A., Reed, P.A.S. & Syngellakis, S., Assessment of three-dimensional crack growth in ductile layered material systems. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 88, pp. 15-27, 2012.

[24] Syngellakis, S. & Burke-Veliz, A., Residual and cyclic stresses in automotive plain bearings. WIT Transactions on Engineering Sciences, Vol. 76: Tribology and Design II, eds. M. Hadfield & C.A. Brebbia, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 189-200, 2012.

[25] Syngellakis, S., Ali, M.S. & Reed, P.A.S., Microstructural modelling of fatigue initiation in aluminium bearing alloys. International Journal of Computational Methods and Experimental Measurements, 1(3), pp. 249-264, 2013.

[26] Syngellakis, S., Longitudinal buckling of slender pressurised tubes. Fluid Structure Interaction VII, eds C.A. Brebbia & G.R. Rodriguez, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 133-144, 2013.

[27] Syngellakis, S. & Balaji, R., Tension leg platform response to impact forces. Marine Structures, 2(2), pp. 151 171, 1989.

[28] Syngellakis, S. & Brebbia, C.A., Hydrodynamic aspects of ship collisions with tension leg platforms. WIT Transactions on the Built Environment, vol. 129: Fluid Structure Interaction VII, eds C.A. Brebbia & G.R. Rodriguez, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 23-35, 2013.

[29] Syngellakis, S., Simple models for penetration of thick targets by rigid projectiles. Structures under Shock and Impact XII, eds G. Schleyer & C.A. Brebbia, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 63-74, 2012.

[30] Syngellakis, S., An improved model for the penetration of a rigid projectile into a ductile target. International Journal of Safety and Security Engineering, 7(1), 72-84, 2017.

[31] Syngellakis, S., Reworking a simple model for deformable projectile penetration into thick targets. Proc. of the 15th Int. Conference on Structures under Shock and Impact, eds. S. Syngellakis & G. Schleyer, WIT Press, Southampton, 2018.

[32] Wu, A., Mellor, B. & Syngellakis, S., Experimental and finite element study of welded T-joints. Advances in Experimental Mechanics IV, eds J.M. Dulieu-Barton & S. Quinn, Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland, pp. 117-124, 2005.

[33] Syngellakis, S. & Wu, A., Finite element predictions of residual stresses due to heat transfer during welding. WIT Transactions on Engineering Sciences, Vol. 75: Heat Transfer XII, eds B. Sundén, C.A. Brebbia & D. Poljak, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 333-344, 2012.

[34] Park, J., Jang, T.S., Syngellakis, S. & Sung, H.G., A numerical scheme for recovering the nonlinear characteristics of a single degree of freedom structure: non-parametric system identification. WIT Transactions on the Built Environment, vol. 141: Structures under Shock and Impact XIII, , eds G. Schleyer & C.A. Brebbia, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 335-344, 2014.

[35] Park, J., Sung, H. G., Ahmad, F., So, S. H., Syngellakis, S., Jung, K. H. & Jang, T. S., A numerical identification of excitation force and nonlinear restoring characteristics of ship roll motion. Journal of Marine Science and Technology, 25(4), pp. 475-481, 2017.

[36] Bonfanti, A., Syngellakis, S. & Bhaskar, A., Response and residual curvature of bent-stretched circular rods with applications to metal forming: closed-form solutions for elastic-perfectly plastic and hyperbolic hardening materials. International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 123, pp. 340-349, 2017.

[37] Bonfanti, A., Syngellakis, S. & Bhaskar, A., Elastoplastic response and recoil of lattice structures under hyperbolic hardening. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 32(4), pp. 1667-1675, 2018.