Investigating fatigue damage mechanisms in welds and in additively manufactured parts by cross-referencing 3D defect distributions from CT scans, stress conditions and actual crack path

This project takes part partially in both Canada and Italy!

The project, "Investigating fatigue damage mechanisms in welds and in additively manufactured parts by cross-referencing 3D defect distributions from CT scans, stress conditions and actual crack path" is part of project FATCO 2019: "Fatigue and corrosion-fatigue behavior of 13Cr-4Ni steels and additively manufactured alloys for application to large-size components such as hydraulic turbines and machinery."

__Your project: Investigating fatigue damage mechanisms in welds and in additively manufactured parts by cross-referencing 3D defect distributions from CT scans, stress conditions and crack path__

This doctoral project is at Polytechnique Montréal (Canada) and at Università degli Studi di Ferrara (Italy) under the supervision of Professors Myriam Brochu and Roberto Tovo and in collaboration with researchers in our partner organizations, including Stefano Beretta, Denis Thibault, Matteo Cova, and Martin Gagnon. The doctoral project is centered on evaluation and modeling of the severity of microstructural defects in welded and additively manufactured parts. The project also concerns the interaction of defects and cracks.

It may appeal to the applicant to know that the student will be enrolled, and will have to spend time, at both Polytechnique Montreal and at Università degli Studi di Ferrara under a co-tutelle program. The project will involve experimentation including sample manufacturing, microstructural characterization, computed tomography and fatigue tests.

The objective of this project is to determine and to define the parameters describing defect severity for fatigue crack initiation and propagation. A variety of defects and their surrounding microstructures and stresses within welds and additively manufactured components will be evaluated in detail. Various models will be explored to explain crack initiation location and to examine the interaction of cracks and microstructure. The development of a damage prediction model for our industrial partner’s specific needs is the ultimate goal.

__FATCO 2019, an international effort__

Join our efforts under the umbrella of a large, multidisciplinary, international project "Fatigue and corrosion-fatigue behavior of 13Cr-4Ni steels and additively manufactured alloys for application to large-size components such as hydraulic turbines and machinery," abbreviated FATCO 2019.

The global objective of FATCO 2019 is to develop advanced understanding of fatigue and corrosion-fatigue of Fe-based materials in order to generate predictive methods and metallurgical specifications better adapted to corrosion-fatigue. These methods will aid in maintaining cost-effective hydroelectric infrastructure in Quebec and machinery developed by SACMI.

FATCO 2019 involves a number of industrial and academic partners: the Hydro-Québec Research Institute (IREQ), the multinational group SACMI, the Consortium de recherche et d’innovation en transformation métallique (CRITM), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Polytechnique Montréal, McGill University, the École de technologie supérieure, the Centre de métallurgie du Québec (CMQ), Politecnico di Milano, and the Università degli Studi di Ferrara.

As a member of the project, you will collaborate with professional researchers and technicians working in our partner companies, institutes and universities. Under the supervision of your advisors, you will learn to lead a research project in its entirety: from conception through to project planning, experimental execution, analysis, and production of practical scientific results. The project is full-time and includes financial aid (23 000 to 26 250 CAD /year for PhD students) with the possibility of additional scholarships.

__Conditions and application__

Profile: Masters in research or Master 2. B.Sc. in materials or mechanical engineering. Fluent in English. Being able to speak French and Italian is an asset.
Polytechnique Montreal has an equal access employment program and encourages women, members of visible and ethnic minorities, Aboriginal people and persons with disabilities to apply.
Candidacy deadline: Prior to April 2019.
Start date: Immediately.
Duration: 3 to 5 years.

If interested, please supply the following information: the project requested; a one-page letter introducing your expertise, experience, and professional motivation; your resume; all relevant university transcripts; and an example of your written work, such as your best publication, if any.