Embrittlement Cutting of Structural Steel and Alloys - SRPe NMIS-IDP

There are a number of well-established cutting techniques, such as laser, waterjet, plasma, saw, shear and explosive, which are widely used for the cutting of structural steels. However, these methods have their own limitations in terms of the thickness and size of the workpiece, the shape and environment of the cut (e.g. in-air or underwater). They also have different performance measures in terms of the cutting cost, speed, precision, quality and energy consumption. Most of the abovementioned techniques, either directly or with some modifications, are used for underwater cutting (i.e. high speed water jet, diamond wire saw cutting, flame cutting, oxy-arc cutting, plasma cutting, consumable electrode water jet cutting and underwater laser cutting, and explosive cutting techniques including bulk explosive charges, configured bulk charges, and cutting charges). Underwater cutting has a number of challenges as compared to in-air cutting: the safety of the operation becomes of more concern, particularly as the depth of water increases where there exists high safety risks to personnel, the cost increases exponentially with the cutting time (preparation and cutting operation) and the accessibility is normally an issue (e.g. due to marine growth on structure and cutting below the seabed). Development of a new cutting technique applicable to both in-air and underwater cutting of steel workpieces/ structures, which is cheaper, faster, safer and less energy consuming is a research challenge. This project is aimed at the development of a new steel cutting technique for in-air and underwater applications based on an innovative concept. The project is funded by Industry and the Scottish Funding Council through SRPe NMIS Industry Doctorate Programme.

The successful candidate should have, or expect to obtain a UK Honours Degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering and is expected to have a strong background in analytical heat & mass transfer analysis as well as some experience of using relevant engineering software tools for numerical analysis (FE and CFD) of multi-physics problems.


APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

• Apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
• State name of the lead supervisor as the Name of Proposed Supervisor
• State the exact project title on the application form

Application closing date is 12:00pm (GMT) on 28 June 2019. Applications received after this time will NOT be considered. Additionally, incomplete applications will NOT be considered.

When applying please ensure all required documents are attached:

• All degree certificates and transcripts (Undergraduate AND Postgraduate MSc-officially translated into English where necessary)
• CV
• 2 References (Academic, where possible - we will not be contacting referees)

Informal inquiries can be made to Dr A Maheri ([Email Address Removed]) with a copy of your curriculum vitae and cover letter. All general enquiries should be directed to the Postgraduate Research School ([Email Address Removed])

IF A SUITABLE CANDIDATE THE STUDENTSHIP MAY BE AWARDED BEFORE THIS DATE.

Duration: 48 months. Start date to be agreed with supervisor.