Program Overview

Introduction to the Corrosion-Sensitive Multiscale Fatigue Modelling PhD

The Corrosion-Sensitive Multiscale Fatigue Modelling PhD is a research program that aims to investigate the degradation of metallic materials under corrosion-fatigue conditions. This program is designed to nurture a multidisciplinary innovator with the tools to unravel the future of Corrosion-Fatigue engineering.

Program Overview

The application of repetitive loads results in fatigue damage that can propagate and cause catastrophic failures. The ambient conditions around a fatigue crack tip have a dramatic effect on the fate of a componenta part may survive millions of cycles in vacuum and last only a few hundreds of thousands in air and much lower in actively corrosive environments. Although there is a clear synergy between fatigue damage and corrosion, most fatigue prognosis models do not explicitly consider the role of the environment, which is usually reduced to obscured fitting coefficients.

Research Objectives

This research will study the effects of corrosion-induced changes in composition on fatigue damage in metallic materials. The program will employ 3-D crystal plasticity models to understand the role of compositional changes in fatigue damage and correlate these changes with a realistic degradation from corrosion processes. The simulations will be integrated with mesoscale experimental tests to evaluate the constitutive response of smooth specimens degraded by corrosion.

Program Details

• Application Deadline: Ongoing
• Award Type: PhD
• Duration of Award: 3 years
• Eligibility: UK, EU, Rest of world

Supervisor

The supervisor for this program is Dr. Gustavo Castelluccio, a leader in Mesoscale Mechanics. His work integrates multiscale models and experiments to discover the fundamental mechanisms responsible for damage and deformation.

Host University and Centre

Cranfield University is an exclusively postgraduate university that is a global leader for transformational research and education in technology and management. The Through-life Engineering Services (TES) Centre is among the world leaders in through-life approaches for high-value systems, condition monitoring, damage tolerance, and asset management.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have a first or second-class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline, such as computer science, mathematics, or engineering. The candidate should be self-motivated and have excellent analytical, reporting, and communication skills.

Funding

The program is self-funded or partially funded. Applicants are advised to contact the supervisor for more information or explore the funding finder.

Cranfield Doctoral Network

Research students at Cranfield benefit from being part of a dynamic, focused, and professional study environment and all become valued members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network. This network brings together both research students and staff, providing a platform for researchers to share ideas and collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment.

About Cranfield University

Cranfield University is a global leader for transformational research and education in technology and management. It is recognized for its world-leading or internationally excellent research quality, with 81% of its research deemed as such by the Research Excellence Framework 2014. Cranfield Manufacturing is one of eight major themes at Cranfield University, combining a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates design, technology, and management expertise.