Since the Ph.D. studies, his main research field is represented by the multiaxial fatigue behaviour of composite materials and bonded joints, also in the presence of defects.
The research activities included the experimental characterisation, damage observation with the aid of several techniques (microscopy, infrared camera, image analysis, X-rays) and analytical and numerical modelling, with the final aim to develop failure criteria and predictive tools useful for the design of structural composite parts against fatigue.
After the Ph.D, he continued working on this field, also focusing on the influence of manufacturing induced defects on the static and fatigue behaviour of laminates, in particular characterising and modelling the effects of voids and porosity. This is a fundamental step toward the optimisation of the manufacturing process, based on the identification of a trade-off between manufacturing costs and long-term performances.
A common aspect of the research conducted in these fields is represented by the methodology. In fact, the models and predictive criteria were developed on the basis of experimental observations on the damage mechanics. These represented the basis and the inspiration for the developed models, of which the reliability was successfully proved through large bulks of experimental data.
Another research topic of the last years is represented by the study and the analytical derivation of the stress fields in notched composite components. This is meant as a fundamental step for the application of the predictive models already developed for plain specimens to notched components. In addition the developed analytical frame can be seen also as a basis of the analysis of interlaminar stresses in damaged and undamaged laminates with the aim to predict the initiation of delaminations.
Eventually, in the last years Paolo Andrea Carraro started working on the development and modelling of self-sensing composites for structural health monitoring applications. In particular, composite materials are made electrically conductive using carbon fibres and/or nanotubes, so that the presence of damage can be detected through the measurement of variations in the material electric resistance.