Wenli Liu

Dr Wenli Liu is a Lecturer in Aircraft Structural Integrity and Design at the Centre for Aeronautics, Cranfield University, a leading institution in aerospace postgraduate education and research. She plays a key role in teaching, research supervision, and course leadership within the aerospace engineering domain.

Areas of Expertise:

• Aerospace Structures
• Aircraft Design
• Airworthiness
• Composites
• Computing, Simulation & Modelling
• Aerospace Materials
• Fatigue and Damage Tolerance

Her research focuses on the structural integrity of aerospace materials, particularly in fatigue, damage tolerance, and composite design. She employs advanced finite element modelling and experimental testing to analyze metal and composite structures under various loading conditions. Her work supports both academic and industrial aerospace applications, especially in compliance with airworthiness regulations like CS 25.

The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on composite materials, with particular emphasis on damage tolerance, impact response, buckling, and thermal effects in CFRP structures. Key themes include variable angle tow composites, compression after impact, fatigue after impact, and numerical simulation using ABAQUS. These works reflect strong integration between theoretical modelling and practical aerospace design challenges.

Professional Engagement:

• Course Director, MSc in Aircraft Engineering (2017–2021)
• Deputy Course Director, Aerospace Vehicle Design (2 years)
• Organiser and Instructor, Annual 5-Day Short Course on Aircraft Fatigue and Damage Tolerance for global professionals

Dr Liu has secured research funding from EPSRC and industry partners like Airbus. Her students have won top course prizes and received sponsorship from organisations including the MOD, GE, Safran, GKN, Airbus, and international air forces. She supervises PhD and MSc research projects involving experimental and numerical analysis of composites and metals.

Laboratory and Research Activities:

Her work is supported by experimental testing and advanced finite element simulations, particularly using ABAQUS, within Cranfield’s Centre for Aeronautics. She leads research on thermally-induced stresses, impact damage, and post-buckling behaviour of composite structures, contributing to safer and more efficient aircraft design.