PhD Studentship: Numerical Modelling of Microscale Material Behaviour for Prediction of Damage

Project description

Safe operation of nuclear power stations requires understanding of how materials degrade over time. These processes start at the microscale, for example at grain boundaries, so accurate modelling and understanding of damage at this length scale can help inform life assessment at the component scale.

Current models are able to capture grain-averaged mechanical behaviour effectively. However damage often initiates from bands of deformation within grains, known as slip localisation. Accurate modelling of behaviour within grains relies on defining where slip bands will form, rather than predicting this behaviour from ‘first principals’. The development of a modelling technique that is capable of capturing these phenomena using a ‘bottom-up’ approach, based only on local material structure, would be a valuable step forward in understanding damage in engineering materials.

This PhD will focus on development of mesoscale modelling and simulation approaches for intragranular mechanical behaviour with an emphasis on improving damage predictions. Validation of the methods would involve experimental work using state-of-the-art techniques such as dark-field X-ray microscopy and high-resolution microscopy.

Other projects on the structural integrity theme are available on the DRIVERS and PANDA DFA webpages:

Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a merit at master’s degree level (or international equivalent) in a science, mathematics or engineering discipline. Applicants without a master’s qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first‑class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree.

If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level:

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

For questions about the research topic, please contact Dr. Nicolò Grilli