Name: Luís Filipe Martins Menezes
Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica
Centro de Engenharia Mecânica e de Processos (CEMMPRE)
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra
Pólo II da Universidade de Coimbra - Pinhal de Marrocos
3030 COIMBRA
Tel: +351 239 790700 Fax: +351 239 790701 E-mail: luis.menezes@uc.pt
Synopsis
My academic and professional journey is deeply intertwined with the University of Coimbra — an institution that, like the city it inhabits, stands tall on centuries of knowledge, culture, and resilience. It was in this environment that my values were shaped and my passion for mechanical engineering awakened, even before I walked its halls as a student.
I began my professional career in 1986, in Grenoble, under the guidance of Prof. Teodosiu, developing research that would lead to the first 3D numerical simulation code for sheet metal forming, supported by Renault France. This pioneering work laid the foundation for the creation of a computational mechanics laboratory and for large-scale international collaborations, such as the 3DS Digital Die Design System project, involving universities and companies across four continents.
Over nearly four decades, I built a team dedicated to the simulation of plastic deformation processes, whose scientific output materialized in tools like DD3IMP — a true virtual laboratory that continues to evolve, with applications ranging from metal fracture to additive manufacturing. From this core, other relevant programs emerged: DD3MAT, DD3TRIM, and DD3LT, the latter designed to bring students closer to the complexity and fascination of numerical simulation.
Alongside research, I embraced academic leadership roles: I coordinated the Centre for Mechanical Engineering, served as Vice-Dean of FCTUC, Vice-Rector of the University of Coimbra, and currently serve as Executive Director of the ARISE Associated Laboratory and President of APMTAC. In all these roles, I have sought to bridge science, education, and public service, promoting excellence and innovation.
I have supervised dozens of researchers, led projects with funding exceeding 5 million euros, and maintained long-standing international collaborations, such as the 25-year partnership with the Université de Bretagne Sud. My involvement with FCT and ANI has allowed me to contribute to the evaluation and promotion of engineering research at the national level.
During the financial crisis, as Vice-Rector, I led the management of university tourism, transforming UC’s heritage into a vital source of revenue. This effort generated over 25 million euros, ensuring the continuity of scientific activity and enabling the hiring of new faculty and researchers. This strategic vision also guided my participation in Coimbra’s bid for European Capital of Culture 2027, which, although not selected, left a legacy of cultural renewal and collective ambition.
My mission has always been to place knowledge at the service of society — by educating people, developing technology, and fostering a scientific culture grounded in rigor, creativity, and social responsibility.. He is author or co-author of around 300 publications (chapters of books, papers in international journals, conferences) in subjects related with its research activities. He is author or co-author of several codes for the numerical simulation of technological processes. In 1999 he was awarded with the European ESAFORM Scientific Prize, by the European Scientific Association for Material Forming. In 2007, its team, with the company Creative Tech, have won the prize “Concurso Nacional de Inovação BES”, in the sector of Industrial processes, with the project “d-form”.
Academic degrees:
2003 “Agregação” in Mechanical Engineering by University of Coimbra.
1995 PhD in Mechanical Engineering by University of Coimbra
1987 “Licenciatura” in Mechanical Engineering by University of Coimbra.
Previous and current scientific and/or professional activities:
2012- "Professo Catedrático at the Mechanical Engineering Department of The Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (DEM-FCTUC).
2004-12 “Professor Associado com Agregação” no DEM-FCTUC.
2003-04 “Professor Auxiliar com Agregação” no DEM-FCTUC.
1995-03 “Professor Auxiliar” no DEM-FCTUC.
1989-95 “Assistente” no DEM-FCTUC.
1987-89 “Assistente Estagiário” no DEM-FCTUC.
1985-87 “Monitor” no DEM-FCTUC.
Area of scientific activity
After the PhD, in 1995, it was his concern the development of a consistent team in the field of the numerical simulation, conducting to the creation of the computational mechanics laboratory. This group participates in research networks, nationals and internationals, emphasizing the activities related with computational mechanics applied to technology, namely, mechanical modeling and numerical simulation of sheet metal forming processes.
Domain of specialization
Mechanical Engineering, specialization in computational mechanics, namely in the field of mechanical technology in sheet metal forming. Numerical methods in the simulation of sheet metal forming processes.
Present research interests
Physics and mechanics of elastoplastic large deformations. Computational mechanics. Sheet metal forming. Mechanical modeling and numerical simulation. Identification and calibration of constitutive models with evolutionary algorithms.