PhD Studentship (sponsored by Lloyds Register Foundation) - An enhanced failure assessment protocol based on accurate defect detection and sizing

Background

The next-generation oil and gas infrastructure requires a reliable inspection technique, which enables accurate detection and sizing of the crack-like defects near the critical hot-spot positions in welded connections with a complex topology. The assessment of such defects necessitates the development of an integrity assessment protocol based on the true fracture resistance in these structural details, overcoming the transferability challenge for fracture resistance measured from material-scale specimens to large-scale structural connections.

Project Outline

The PhD research work separates into two parallel streams, with the first aiming at developing an inspection technique for welded details in oil and gas infrastructure and the second targeting at the fracture assessment of such structural details. The first phase of the project utilizes practical inspection tools (e.g., the ultrasonic test, phased-array scanning, the Tangential Eddy Current Array (TECA) technology, etc.) applied to welded details with a complex geometry, to develop motion algorithms implementable in commercial inspection probes. This work entails validation efforts using realistic structural details with a comprehensive array of artificial or fatigue-induced defect. The second phase of the project targets to unveil the true fracture resistance in realistic welded details, via addressing the fundamental transferability issue faced by the fracture research community. This work integrates seamlessly the experimentally measured load-deformation responses with numerically determined parameters in deriving the true fracture resistance of welded details. This phase of the research also addresses the interaction of multiple cracks, a challenging important problem revealed in previous researches.

About the Industrial Sponsor

The Lloyd’s Register Foundation funds the advancement of engineer-related education and research and supports work that enhances safety of life at sea, on land and in the air, because life matters. Lloyd’s Register Foundation is partly funded by the profits of their trading arm Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, a global engineering, technical and business services organisation.

About NSIRC

NSIRC is a state-of-the-art postgraduate engineering facility established and managed by structural integrity specialist TWI, working closely with, top UK and International Universities and a number of leading industrial partners. NSIRC aims to deliver cutting edge research and highly qualified personnel to its key industrial partners.

About the University

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a comprehensive university with a vision to be a leading global university centred in Asia, influencing the future. Its mission is to transform the way people think and do things through education, research and service.

Candidate Requirements

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