| Qualifications |
Duration |
Start dates |
Application period |
PhD
(MPhil also available) |
Full-time: 3–4 years
Part-time: 6–8 years |
February and October |
January to April |
Qualifications
PhD (MPhil also available) |
Duration
Full-time: 3–4 years
Part-time: 6–8 years |
Start dates
February and October |
Application period
January to April |
The Materials Engineering group is actively involved in research supporting development of the R6 Procedure for the assessment of the integrity of structures containing defects. This includes projects focused on the incorporation of reliable residual stress data from neutron diffraction, the contour method and other techniques into the assessment code, development of benchmark weld specimens, improvement and validation of weld simulation methods and how to use laboratory test specimen data to predict large-scale component behaviour.
The groups hosts an impressive suite of residual stress and materials characterisation equipment with support provided by world-class academic and research staff. Research projects in this area of normally conducted with the support of industrial partners such as AREVA, EDF, AMEC and Rolls Royce.
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English.
Potential research projects
Project areas are available depending on funding, but we would expect to recruit in the following general areas:
- Developing novel methods of incorporating residual stress measurements into structural integrity assessment
- Post weld heat treatment and its effect on residual stress and integrity
- The effects of residual stress on crack growth behaviour
- The effect of weld geometry on the mechanical properties of joints.
Current/recent research projects
- Structural Integrity of additively manufactured metal parts for repair and build of an extra-terrestrial nuclear reactor
- Optimising residual stress profiles for structural integrity assessment
- Measurement and modelling of residual stresses in weld benchmark components
- The use of digital image correlation for the structural integrity assessment of welded joints
Potential supervisors
Fees and funding
| UK fee |
International fee |
| Full-time: £4,786 per year |
Full-time: £15,698 per year |
| Part-time: £2,393 per year |
Part-time: £7,849 per year |
For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.
To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.
Links