A weave reinforced composite material with a thermoplastic matrix is investigated by using a multiscale chain to predict the macroscopic material behavior. A large-strain framework for constitutive modeling with focus on material non-linearities, i.e. plasticity and damage is defined. The ability of the geometric and constitutive models to predict the deformation and failure behavior is demonstrated by means of selected examples.

This work presents novel simulation techniques for injection molding of fiber reinforced polymers. These include approaches for anisotropic flow modeling, hydrodynamic forces from fluid on fibers, contact forces between fibers, a novel fiber breakage modeling approach and anisotropic warpage analysis. Due to the coupling of fiber breakage and anisotropic flow modeling, the fiber breakage directly influences the modeled cavity pressure, which is validated with experimental data.

Interdisciplinary development approaches for system-efficient lightweight design unite a comprehensive understanding of materials, processes and methods. This applies particularly to continuous fibre-reinforced plastics (CoFRPs), which offer high weight-specific material properties and enable load path-optimised designs. This thesis is dedicated to understanding and modelling Wet Compression Moulding (WCM) to facilitate large-volume production of CoFRP structural components.

Sheet Molding Compounds (SMC) are discontinuous fiber reinforced composites that are widely applied due to their ability to realize composite parts with long fibers at low cost. A novel Direct Bundle Simulation (DBS) method is proposed in this work to enable a direct simulation at component scale utilizing the observation that fiber bundles often remain in a bundled configuration during SMC compression molding.

This work aims at improving the energy consumption forecast of electric vehicles by enhancing the prediction with a notion of uncertainty. The algorithm itself learns from driver and traffic data in a training set to generate accurate, driver-individual energy consumption forecasts.

This work describes a method for weighted least squares approximation of an unbounded number of data points using a B-spline function. The method can shift the bounded B-spline function definition range during run-time. The approximation method is used for optimizing velocity trajectories for an electric vehicle with respect to travel time, comfort and energy consumption. The trajectory optimization method is extended to a driver assistance system for automated vehicle longitudinal control.

In this book, a new three-dimensional approach for the process simulation of SMC is developed. This approach takes into account both, the core layer that is dominated by the extensional viscosity and the thin lubrication layer. In order to transfer the information from the process to the structure simulation, a CAE chain is further developed. In addition, a new rheological tool is developed to analyze flow behavior experimentally and to provide the required material parameters.

The work provides novel methods to process inertial sensor and acoustic sensor data for road condition estimation and monitoring with application in vehicles, which serve as sensor platforms. Furthermore, methods are introduced to combine the results from various vehicles for a more reliable estimation.

Ihrer Arbeit in der Originalsprache: This work aims at identifying relevant road surface characteristics to mitigate tire-road noise of free-rolling tires using a systematic approach. As using open porous roads is already known as an efficient measure to reduce tire rolling noise, this study will focus on compact road surfaces which have a low acoustic absorption. Measurements on standardized ISO 10844 test tracks and on public roads are used to study the norm's representativity and its completeness.

With the further development of automated driving, the functional performance increases resulting in the need for new and comprehensive testing concepts. This doctoral work aims to enable the transition from quantitative mileage to qualitative test coverage by aggregating the results of both knowledge-based and data-driven test platforms. The validity of the test domain can be extended cost-effectively throughout the software development process to achieve meaningful test termination criteria.