Enhancing the long-term performance of advanced engine materials by controlling microstructure
Project Description
Application details
Reference number: KBUF2019
Start date of studentship: 01 July 2019, 01 October 2019, 01 January 2020 or April 2020
Closing date for applications: 15th May 2020
Interview date: TBC
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Dr Konstantinos Baxevanakis
Secondary supervisor: Prof. Vadim Silberschmidt
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College.
Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/
Full Project Detail
Structural materials used in modern engineering applications are more than ever today subjected to extreme loading and environmental conditions. The development of large strains either during manufacturing or under operational conditions often leads to non-trivial deformation modes, such as localisations and microfractures, which are precursors to catastrophic failure. Besides geometrical factors, these events have their roots to the material microstructure. Therefore, the accurate description of the long-term mechanical behaviour of these materials is still a challenge.
The proposed research project aims at investigating the role of microstructure in the long-term performance of advanced materials used in automotive industry (e.g. engine components). Hence, this is a unique opportunity to have real world impact as it directly affects the design of structural components that operate under extreme conditions. The project workplan consists of material characterisation and experimentation using state-of-the art monitoring techniques in order to quantify specific microstructural features that drive deformation at the microscale under high temperature conditions. Besides, numerical codes at the mesoscale will be developed to incorporate the experimental information and predict the mechanical behaviour under different loading scenarios.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Mathematics or a related subject.
A relevant Master's degree and / or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: Mechanical Engineering, Computational Solid Mechanics, Experimental Mechanics.
All students must also meet the minimum English Language requirements: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/apply/english-language-requirements/
Contact details
Name: Dr Konstantinos Baxevanakis
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: +44 (0) 1509 227030
How to apply
All applications are made online, please select the school/department name under the programme name section and include the quote reference number: KBUF2019
https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/research-applications/
Funding Notes
This is an open call for candidates who are sponsored or who have their own funding. If you do not have funding, you may still apply, however Institutional funding is not guaranteed. Outstanding candidates (UK/EU/International) without funding will be considered for funding opportunities which may become available in the School.
References
K.P. Baxevanakis, B. Wisner, S. Schlenker, H. Baid and A. Kontsos, 2018. Data-driven damage model based on nondestructive evaluation, ASME Journal of Nondestructive Evaluation, Diagnostics and Prognostics of Engineering Systems 1, 031007-1-031007-12. doi: 10.1115/1.4040040.
K.P. Baxevanakis, C. Mo, M. Cabal and A. Kontsos, 2018. An integrated approach to model strain localization bands in magnesium alloys, Computational Mechanics 61, 119-135. doi: 10.1007/s00466-017-1480-6.
