Professor René de Borst

Department of Civil and Structural Engineering

The Centenary Professor of Civil Engineering

CIV Rene de Borst
Profile picture of CIV Rene de Borst
r.deborst@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 5796

Full contact details

Professor René de Borst
Department of Civil and Structural Engineering
Room F113
Sir Frederick Mappin Building (Broad Lane Building)
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
Profile

I use numerical techniques to predict the strength, durability and failure of a wide range of structures in civil, mechanical and aerospace disciplines.

Professor Rene deBorst


René de Borst received his Ir. degree in civil engineering from Delft University of Technology (cum laude). He started his career at TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, completing his doctoral thesis in the evening hours and weekends three-and-a-half years later (also cum laude).

In 1988 he was appointed Professor of Computational Mechanics at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology – the youngest professor in Delft. In 1999 he was made the inaugural holder of the Chair of Engineering Mechanics at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at the same university.

In 2000 he was one of the first two professors in Delft to be made Distinguished Professor. In 2007 he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Distinguished Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology. In 2012 he was appointed as the Regius Chair of Civil Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Glasgow and joined our Department as The Centenary Professor of Civil Engineering in 2016.

He has held visiting professorships in Albuquerque, Cachan, Metz, Lyon, Lublin, Milan, Barcelona, and Tokyo. Recently, he was the inaugural holder of the John Argyris Visiting Chair in Stuttgart and MTS Visiting Professor of Geomechanics in Minneapolis.

He is the author of two books, has edited 14 books and conference proceedings, and written over 230 journal papers and 30 book chapters.

His work has been cited more than 8,800 times according to the ISI database (h-index 53), and over 24,000 times according to Google Scholar (h-index 74). He has supervised over 50 PhD students, over 20 post-docs, and 14 of his former students have become professors.


Research interests

Professor René de Borst’s research concentrates on computer simulations of materials and structures, with the aim to make structures more robust and resilient to extreme loadings.

His work covers several topics in engineering mechanics and engineering materials, such as the mechanical properties of concrete, soils, composites and rubbers, in particular the development of mathematical and numerical models for deformation and failure.

His most significant work is on fracture, computational mechanics, frictional materials, and is of relevance in civil engineering, structural engineering, and aerospace engineering. His research also extends into the interaction between porous materials and fluid flow through them.

His numerical modelling allows virtual prototyping, thus avoiding expensive physical testing, and helps to optimise materials and structures for maximum strength, durability and safety, using a minimum of resources.

Some examples where his research can be applied:

  • Earthquakes – to predict forces, deformation and collapse loads.
  • Hydraulic fracturing – to understand and predict how fluid-filled fractures propagate.
  • Waste storage – to predict how contaminated fluid moves in subsurface formations.
  • The human body – for instance, cell motility is governed by mechanics and chemistry, while soft tissues are filled with fluids and ions, and prediction of fracture requires knowledge of the interaction between them.
Publications

Books

  • de Borst R (2017) Computational Methods for Fracture in Porous Media: Isogeometric and Extended Finite Element Methods. RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R, Crisfield MA, Remmers JJC & Verhoosel CV (2012) Non-Linear Finite Element Analysis of Solids and Structures. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R & Mang H (2003) Preface to Volume 3. Elsevier. RIS download Bibtex download
  • William Farebrother R, Puntanen S, Styan GPH & Joachim Werner H (1997) Preface. Elsevier BV. RIS download Bibtex download
  • De Borst R & Feenstra PH (1994) Plasticity and damage based smeared-crack models for finite element analysis of fracture in plain concrete and rock. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Muhlhaus HB, De Borst R & Aifantis EC (1991) Constitutive models and numerical analyses for inelastic materials with microstructure. RIS download Bibtex download
  • De Borst R (1982) Calculation of collapse loads using higher order elements.. RIS download Bibtex download
  • De Borst R & Vermeer PA (1982) Finite element analysis of static penetration tests.. RIS download Bibtex download

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

  • de Borst R, Reese J, Owen R & Pearce C (2020) Preface. Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on Computational Mechanics: Solids, Structures and Coupled Problems, ECCM 2018 and 7th European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics, ECFD 2018 (pp 7) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R (2018) Preface (pp xiii-xiii) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R (2016) Isogeometric Analysis of Deformation, Inelasticity and Fracture In Thin-Walled Structures. Journal of Physics : Conference Series, Vol. 734(B), 4 September 2016 - 9 September 2016. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R, Remmers JJC & Verhoosel CV (2014) Evolving Discontinuities and Cohesive Fracture. Procedia IUTAM, Vol. 10 (pp 125-137) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Horobin R (2013) Foreword (pp vii-vii) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R, Remmers J, Verhoosel C & Needleman A (2013) Mechanics of interfaces and evolving discontinuities (pp 29-34) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Irzal F, Remmers JJC, Verhoosel CV & de Borst R (2013) An Isogeometric Analysis Approach to Fluid Flow in a Fractured Porous Medium. Poromechanics V RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wyatt DJ (2013) Foreword. Journal of Song-Yuan Studies, Vol. 43(1) (pp ix-x) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R, Hughes TJR, Scott MA & Verhoosel CV (2011) ISOGEOMETRIC FAILURE ANALYSIS (pp 113-116) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Irzal F, Remmers JJC, Huyghe JM, Borst RD & Ito K (2010) A two-scale approach for propagating cracks in a fluid-saturated porous material. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 10 (pp 012044-012044) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pizzocolo F, Huyghe JM, J.c. Remmers J, Ito K & De Borst R (2010) A mixed hybrid formulation for 2D poroelasticity with discontinuity. 18th European Conference on Fracture: Fracture of Materials and Structures from Micro to Macro Scale RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R, Rethore J & Abellan M-A (2010) A two-scale approach for fluid flow in fracturing porous media. COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES (pp 451-460) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Aubertin P, Réthoré J & De Borst R (2009) Dynamic crack propagation from the macro to the micro-scale in a partition of unity context. 12th International Conference on Fracture 2009, ICF-12, Vol. 6 (pp 4513-4520) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Verhoosel CV, Remmers JJC, De Borst R & Gutiérrez MA (2009) The simulation of coupled failure mechanisms in laminates using discontinuous solid-like shell elements. 12th International Conference on Fracture 2009, ICF-12, Vol. 7 (pp 5642-5651) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kraaijeveld F, Huyghe JM, Dittmar R, Remmers JJC, Ito K & De Borst R (2009) Cracks in the degenerating disc: Microscopic observation and partition of unity finite element simulation. Poromechanics IV - 4th Biot Conference on Poromechanics (pp 89-93) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Valance S, de Borst R, Réthoré J & Coret M (2009) A Finite Element Method for Level Sets (pp 95-106) RIS download Bibtex download
  • van der Zee KG, van Brummelen EH & de Borst R (2008) Goal-oriented error estimation for Stokes flow interacting with a flexible channel. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, Vol. 56(8) (pp 1551-1557) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R & Remmers JJC (2008) Computational Methods for Debonding in Composites (pp 1-25) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Remmers JJC, de Borst R & Needleman A (2007) An Evaluation of the Accuracy of Discontinuous Finite Elements in Explicit Dynamic Calculations (pp 303-322) RIS download Bibtex download
  • van Brummelen EH & de Borst R (2007) Conservation under Incompatibility for Fluid-Solid-Interaction Problems: the NPCL Method (pp 413-432) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Réthore J, de Borst R & Abellan M-A (2007) A discrete model for the propagation of discontinuities in a fluid-saturated medium (pp 323-342) RIS download Bibtex download
  • De Borst R, Réthoré J & Abellan MA (2007) Two-scale approaches for fracture in porous media. Computational Plasticity - Fundamentals and Applications, COMPLAS IX(PART 1) (pp 74-77) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Verhoosel CV, Gutiérrez MA & De Borst R (2007) Multi-scale modelling of fracture in piezoelectric ceramics. Computational Plasticity - Fundamentals and Applications, COMPLAS IX(PART 1) (pp 384-387) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R & Abellan M-A (2007) Dispersion and Localisation in a Strain–Softening Two–Phase Medium (pp 55-66) RIS download Bibtex download
  • De Borst R & Abellan MA (2006) Dispersion and internal length scales in strain-softening two-phase media. Computational Modelling of Concrete Structures - Proceedings of EURO-C 2006 (pp 549-556) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R (2006) NUMERICAL METHODS FOR DEBONDING IN COMPOSITE MATERIALSA Comparison of Approaches (pp 13-22) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Borst R (2006) Modern Domain-based Discretization Methods for Damage and Fracture. International Journal of Fracture, Vol. 138(1-4) (pp 241-262) RIS download Bibtex download
  • De Borst R & Abellan MA (2005) Dispersion and localisation in a strain-softening multiphase medium. Computational Plasticity: Fundamentals and Applications - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Computational Plasticity, COMPLAS VIII(PART 1) (pp 43-46) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Remmers JJC, De Borst R & Needleman A (2005) Simulation of fracture in heterogeneous materials with the cohesive segments method. Computational Plasticity: Fundamentals and Applications - Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Computational Plasticity, COMPLAS VIII(PART 1) (pp 573-576) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Remmers JJC, De Borst R & Needleman A (2005) The cohesive segments method for the simulation of fracture. 11th International Conference on Fracture 2005, ICF11, Vol. 2 (pp 1259-1264) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Abellan MA, De Borst R & Bergheau JM (2005) Analysis of discontinuities in fluid-saturated media. 11th International Conference on Fracture 2005, ICF11, Vol. 3 (pp 2164-2169) RIS download Bibtex download
  • De Borst R & Remmers JJC (2005) Computational models for delamination fracture. 11th International Conference on Fracture 2005, ICF11, Vol. 1 (pp 694-699) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Remmers J & de Borst R (2004) Application of the Discontinuous Solid-Like Shell Element to Delamination. 45th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics & Materials Conference RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chung DB, Gutierrez M, Remmers J & Borst R (2004) Stochastic Finite Element Modelling of Fibre-Metal Laminates. 45th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics & Materials Conference RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chung DB, Gutierrez MA & De Borst R (2004) The development of an object-oriented stochastic finite element package for the analysis of fibre-metal laminates. ECCOMAS 2004 - European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering RIS download Bibtex download
  • Munts E, Hulshoff S & de Borst R (2004) A Space-Time Variational Multiscale Discretization for LES. 34th AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference and Exhibit RIS download Bibtex download
  • Borst RD, Gutiérrez MA, Wells GN, Remmers JJC & Askes H (2004) Cohesive-zone models, higher-order continuum theories and reliability methods for computational failure analysis. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 60(1) (pp 289-315) RIS download Bibtex download
  • De Borst R (2003) PREFACE. Revue Française de Génie Civil, Vol. 7(5) (pp 539-541) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hagenbeek M, Remmers J & de Borst R (2003) Numerical Modelling of Fibre Metal Laminates Under Thermomechanical Loading. 44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hagenbeek M, Remmers JJC & De Borst R (2003) Numerical modelling of fibre metal laminates under thermo-mechanical loading. Collection of Technical Papers - AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Vol. 4 (pp 2496-2504) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R, Remmers JJC, Needleman A & Abellan MA (2003) Keynote paper: Discrete vs smeared crack models for concrete fracture: bridging the gap. COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES (pp 3-17) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Matsuda A, Watanabe O & de Borst R (2003) A finite element formulation for the stress rate in hyperelasticity based on the Updated Lagrangian approach and its applicability to vibration control devices. CONSTITUTIVE MODELS FOR RUBBER III (pp 169-176) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wells GN, de Borst R & Sluys LJ (2001) An enhanced finite element method for analysing failure in elasto-plastic solids. TRENDS IN COMPUTATIONAL STRUCTURAL MECHANICS (pp 397-406) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pamin J, Askes H & de Borst R (2001) Gradient regularization and EFG discretization of the plastic flow theory. TRENDS IN COMPUTATIONAL STRUCTURAL MECHANICS (pp 179-188) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pijaudier-Cabot G, de Borst R & Mazars J (2001) Continuous damage models for fracture of concrete. FRACTURE MECHANICS OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 471-482) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kuhl E, Hulshoff S & de Borst R (2001) A comparison of coupled and partitioned solution strategies for fluid-structure interaction phenomena. TRENDS IN COMPUTATIONAL STRUCTURAL MECHANICS (pp 670-679) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Heeres OM & de Borst R (2000) Implicit integration of hypoplastic models (pp 457-470) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Remmers JJC & De Borst R (2000) Delamination buckling of fibre-metal laminates. European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, ECCOMAS 2000 RIS download Bibtex download
  • De Borst R (2000) Theoretical and computational issues in localisation and failure. European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, ECCOMAS 2000 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Peerlings RHJ, Brekelmans WAM, De Borst R & Geers MGD (2000) Enhanced damage modelling of quasi-brittle and fatigue fracture - Computational aspects. European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, ECCOMAS 2000 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Heeres OM & De Borst R (2000) Implicit integration of standard and non-standard elasto-plastic models. European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, ECCOMAS 2000 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Gutierrez MA & de Borst R (2000) Stochastic boundary constraints in finite element reliability analysis of non-linear solids. APPLICATIONS OF STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 51-56) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Schipperen JHA & De Borst R (2000) Numerical modelling of matrix cracking in fibre reinforced laminated plastics. ADVANCES IN MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR, PLASTICITY AND DAMAGE, VOLS 1 AND 2, PROCEEDINGS (pp 735-740) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Suiker ASJ & de Borst R (1999) Critical response of a granular railway track under high train velocities. Numerical models in geomechanics. Proceedings of the 7th international symposium, Graz, September 1999. (pp 297-302) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Gutierrez MA & de Borst R (1999) On the necessity of stochastic material descriptions in the computational analysis of soils. Numerical models in geomechanics. Proceedings of the 7th international symposium, Graz, September 1999. (pp 109-113) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R (1999) Embedded discontinuity approaches for shear band analysis. Numerical models in geomechanics. Proceedings of the 7th international symposium, Graz, September 1999. (pp 103-108) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Heeres OM & de Borst R (1999) Robust modeling of cyclic soil behaviour using a subloading model. Numerical models in geomechanics. Proceedings of the 7th international symposium, Graz, September 1999. (pp 183-188) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Gutierrez MA & de Borst R (1998) Computational analysis of softening solids with random material properties. STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND RELIABILITY, VOLS. 1-3 (pp 959-963) RIS download Bibtex download
  • van Zijl GPAG, de Borst R & Rots JG (1998) FE analysis of the interaction between moisture migration, creep, shrinkage and cracking. COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 505-511) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R, Geers MGD, Kuhl E & Peerlings RHJ (1998) Enhanced damage models for concrete fracture. COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 231-248) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Gutierrez MA & de Borst R (1998) Computational analysis of the influence of stochastic heterogeneities in concrete fracture using a gradient-enhanced damage model. COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 337-345) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kuhl E, Ramm E & de Borst R (1998) Anisotropic gradient damage with the microplane model. COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 103-112) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Groen AE & de Borst R (1997) Failure in plane strain compression using a non-associative cosserat continuum. DEFORMATION AND PROGRESSIVE FAILURE IN GEOMECHANICS - IS-NAGOYA'97 (pp 39-44) RIS download Bibtex download
  • deBorst R, Wang WM, Geers MGD & Sluys LJ (1997) Material instabilities and internal length scales. COMPUTATIONAL PLASTICITY: FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS, PTS 1 AND 2 (pp 56-71) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R & Groen AE (1997) Efficient and robust low-order elements for 2D- and 3D-soil plasticity. COMPUTER METHODS AND ADVANCES IN GEOMECHANICS, VOL 1 (pp 95-104) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R, Benallal A & Heeres OM (1996) Gradient-enhanced damage approach to fracture. Journal De Physique. IV : JP, Vol. 6(6) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R & van den Boogaard AH (1995) Numerical simulation of deformation and cracking in maturing concrete. Proceedings of Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 2 (pp 966-969) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Feenstra PH & de Borst R (1995) Constitutive model for reinforced concrete based on stress decomposition. Proceedings of Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 1 (pp 643-646) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Carmeliet J & de Borst R (1995) Stochastic approaches for damage evolution in standard and non-standard continua. Proceedings of Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 2 (pp 706-709) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Schellekens JCJ & de Borst R (1993) Nonlinear fracture mechanics of mode-I and mixed-mode free edge delamination in carbon-epoxy composites. Proceedings of the International Conference on Advanced Composite Materials (pp 359-366) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Bicanic N, de Borst R, Gerstle W, Murray DW, Pijaudier-Cabot G, Saouma V, Willam KJ & Yamazaki J (1993) Computational aspects (pp 367-489) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sluys LJ & De Borst R (1992) Mesh-sensitivity analysis of an impact test on a double-notched specimen. 33rd U.S. Symposium on Rock Mechanics, USRMS 1992 (pp 707-716) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R, Muehlaus HB & Pamin J (1992) Computational gradient plasticity. Proceedings of Engineering Mechanics (pp 776-779) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sluys LJ & de Borst R (1992) On the role of dispersive waves in strain-softening media. Proceedings of Engineering Mechanics (pp 624-627) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sluys LJ & De Borst R (1991) Mesh-sensitivity analysis of an impact test on a double-notched specimen. U.S. Symposium on Rock Mechanics (pp 707) RIS download Bibtex download
  • DEBORST R & MUHLHAUS HB (1991) CONTINUUM MODELS FOR DISCONTINUOUS MEDIA. FRACTURE PROCESSES IN CONCRETE, ROCK AND CERAMICS, VOLS 1 AND 2, Vol. 13 (pp 601-618) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R, Kusters GMA, Nauta P & de Witte FC (1984) DIANA, A THREE-DIMENSIONAL, NONLINEAR FINITE ELEMENT PACKAGE ON A MICRO-COMPUTER. (pp 435-446) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R & Nauta P (1984) SMEARED CRACK ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS AND SLABS FAILING IN SHEAR. (pp 261-273) RIS download Bibtex download
  • de Borst R & Vermeer PA (1982) FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF STATIC PENETRATION TESTS. (pp 457-462) RIS download Bibtex download
  • De Borst R (1982) CALCULATION OF COLLAPSE LOADS USING HIGHER ORDER ELEMENTS. (pp 503-513) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Askes H, Pamin J & de Borst R () An EFG Implementation of a Gradient-Enhanced Damage Model. Computational Techniques for Materials, Composites and Composite Structures, 6 September 2000 - 8 September 2000. RIS download Bibtex download

Preprints

  • Hansen-Dörr AC, Dammaß F, de Borst R & Kästner M (2019) Phase-Field Modeling of Crack Branching and Deflection in Heterogeneous Media, arXiv. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hansen-Dörr AC, de Borst R, Hennig P & Kästner M (2019) Phase-Field Modelling of Interface Failure in Brittle Materials, arXiv. RIS download Bibtex download
Research group

Computational Mechanics & Design

Geotechnical Engineering

Grants

View all research projects

Past Grants

FRAMED

U-funded research into fracture processes across a variety of scales, materials and processes.

Structural performance of 3D concrete printed composites

In this project, we will develop and validate a novel design-for-manufacturing paradigm, where closed-loop iteration across all scales of the concrete being 3D-printed, from the fresh to the hardened state, will be combined with an innovative approach to reinforcement design.

PoroFrac - A high-fidelity isogeometric simulation methodology for fracture in porous media

This research examines the interactions between microorganisms which can biodegrade ETBE in groundwater. The aim of the project is to explore the functional role of these microorganisms in biodegradation processes, such as co-metabolism of ETBE with other ether oxygenate compounds and hydrocarbons in European groundwater.

Potential PhD offerings

Unfortunately I am not seeking any PhD Students at this time, however please contact me if you are interested in doing a project in my area of research.