PhD Fellowship: National Structural Integrity Research Center 1083 views

PhD fellowship in Developing quality category fatigue design S-N curves for AM materials at the National Structural Integrity Research Center, United Kingdom 

Overview

Fatigue is often the main consideration in design to avoid failure. Although AM is very attractive in many applications, the existing fatigue design curves cannot be used and currently there is a lack of fatigue design guidance for AM components which is largely due to the characteristics of AM materials and their anomalous fatigue behavior such as anisotropic microstructure, manufacturing method dependent fatigue performance, inherent manufacturing defects of various types, large data scatter.

Project description

The objective of this study is to develop appropriate procedures towards standardizing fatigue design guidance for AM components.

1. The approach will be similar to the quality category given in BS 7910.
2. Many variables will be investigated when grouping the data for assessment such as materials, processing method, defect types (such as gas porosity, lack of fusion, inclusions and micro-cracking), defect location (surface or embedded), defect size and orientation etc.
3. Probability of detection will also be considered in the analysis.
4. A component may be divided into several discrete zones in the context of manufacturing, design and qualification.
5. Although most fatigue data will be collected from literature review, fatigue crack growth rate tests will be performed to verify the guidance proposed from the study.
6. The outcome of the study will provide a series of S-N curves, each corresponding to a quality category, for fatigue design of AM components.

Qualifications / Requirements

1. Candidates should have a relevant degree at 2.1 minimum, or an equivalent overseas degree in engineering or materials science.
2. Candidates with suitable work experience and strong capacity in numerical modeling and experimental skills are particularly welcome to apply.
3. Overseas applicants should also submit IELTS results (minimum 6.5) if applicable.

Funding organization: Project is funded by Lloyds Register Foundation, TWI & academic partners. The fellowship will provide EU students with a stipend of £16k/year. Overseas applicants are welcome to apply, with total funding capped at £24k/year. The fellowship will cover the cost of tuition fees.