Yanan Guo at the celebration after her doctoral defence.

Yanan Guo defended her doctoral dissertation

June 30, 2026 / IntCDC, ITKE

[Picture: © IntCDC]

Implementation of Finite Element simulation in the structural design of coreless filament wound components

On 11 June 2026, Yanan Guo defended her doctoral research titled "Implementation of Finite Element simulation in the structural design of coreless filament wound components" in front of the doctoral committee. The doctoral committee consisted of Thomas Wortmann (ICD/CA) as chair, Prof. Jan Knippers (ITKE) as supervisor and first examiner, Prof. Martha Gil Perez (TU Eindhoven) as second examiner, and Prof. Riccardo La Magna (KIT Karlsruhe) as external examiner.

Congratulations to Yanan Guo on her great achievement

This figure describes and summarises the multi-scale, co-design simulation framework for coreless filament-wound (CFW) structural components. On the left, it highlights the role of meso-scale elements—specifically shell and beam models rooted in lamination theory and the rule of mixtures—acting as a bridge between material engineering and structural design. On the right, it illustrates the macro-scale simulation workflow within an integrative structural design process. This workflow progresses from "virtual surfaces" to "virtual tests," guiding the fibre layup through selection, optimisation, and validation. Ultimately, the figure demonstrates how a complex CFW component can be designed via FEM simulation, balancing computational efficiency and analytical accuracy across multiple design scales. ©
This figure describes and summarises the multi-scale, co-design simulation framework for coreless filament-wound (CFW) structural components. On the left, it highlights the role of meso-scale elements—specifically shell and beam models rooted in lamination theory and the rule of mixtures—acting as a bridge between material engineering and structural design. On the right, it illustrates the macro-scale simulation workflow within an integrative structural design process. This workflow progresses from "virtual surfaces" to "virtual tests," guiding the fibre layup through selection, optimisation, and validation. Ultimately, the figure demonstrates how a complex CFW component can be designed via FEM simulation, balancing computational efficiency and analytical accuracy across multiple design scales.

Abstract of Doctoral Research

In the building sector, structural analysis using the Finite Element Method (FEM) has become a standard tool, supporting construction through established structural typologies, well-defined material models, and sophisticated design codes. Today, the sector faces a dual challenge: maintaining its economic contribution while significantly reducing its environmental impact. These pressures are driving the adoption of novel materials and fabrication techniques to create large-scale replacements for conventional construction. Such buildings show great potential for further development, provided they are supported by proper structural design.

Designing innovative systems often entails high material safety factors and computational costs due to increasing geometric complexity, limited material data, and significant uncertainty. This dissertation explores the implementation of FEM-based simulation in the structural design of coreless filament-wound (CFW) components using continuous fibre polymer composites (FPCs), as a case study of novel, non-standard systems.

The research applies FEM-based methodologies across the three key phases of structural component design: pre-design, design development, and proof of safety. At each stage, global conditions, fabrication constraints, and relevant input from material investigation inform the FE simulation, reflecting the characteristics and uncertainties of FPCs. Tailored FEM workflows are developed to encompass information within the multidisciplinary design framework, where FEM methods are employed as a fundamental tool to support the multiscale modelling, structural response analysis, design integration, and safety validation. Uncertainty modelling and analysis are integrated into the feedback loops, whereas the test-assisted validation approach proves the safety of the design outcomes.

This research is based on three built projects: the BUGA Fibre Pavilion, the LivMatS Pavilion, and the ongoing IntCDC Building, as well as two research-oriented small-scale prototype studies. Collectively, this work explores and demonstrates the multiple roles FEM simulation can play in the structural design of CFW components. By integrating various material models and uncertainties into the design process, FEM facilitates the development of lightweight, structurally efficient systems utilising natural, bio-based materials, thereby contributing to the broader advancement of sustainable building construction.

Summary of the primary contributions to the structural design of CFW components in the research publications. ©
Summary of the primary contributions to the structural design of CFW components in the research publications.

Papers of which the dissertation consisted:

  • Maximizing buckling load of elliptical composite cylinders using lamination parameters (10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.114342)
  • A design methodology for fiber layup optimization of filament wound structural components (10.1016/j.istruc.2022.02.048)
  • Toward reciprocal feedback between computational design, engineering, and fabrication to co-design coreless filament-wound structures (10/gtzb3m)
  • Computational co-design framework for coreless wound fibre–polymer composite structures (10.1093/jcde/qwab081)
  • Data processing, analysis, and evaluation methods for co-design of coreless filament-wound building systems (10/gsg8fn)
  • Integrative material and structural design methods for natural fibres filament-wound composite structures: the LivMatS pavilion (10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110624)
  • Structural design with uncertainties of coreless filament wound structures (10.1016/j.istruc.2025.110411)
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