EngD studentships
Mechanistic underpinning of the Empirically Derived Charpy Fracture Toughness Master Curve
The Charpy V-notch (CVE) test provides an engineering approach to assess the ductile-to-brittle fracture toughness properties of pressure vessel steels for input to structural integrity assessments. The small-size of CVE specimens enables their use as surveillance samples, i.e. irradiated in reactors and subsequently tested to assess irradiation damage effects on fracture toughness. CVE data are described using a continuous tan-h function that links brittle and ductile data in a single curve. In contrast to this, conventional (pre-cracked) fracture toughness data are analysed using a 'Master Curve', where brittle and ductile fracture data are partitioned and analysed separately. Recent work has suggested that CVE data should be analysed in a manner consistent with this to establish a Charpy Master Curve. At present, however, there is no mechanistic or theoretical foundation to underpin this observation. A United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC)–sponsored programme is underway in the USA to explore this issue for material representative of start– and end–of–life conditions.
This project will link to the USNRC programme, gaining access to the data generated, providing new data on European steels and developing an analytical model that establishes a mechanistic and theoretical foundation to the Charpy Master Curve.
Degree Type
4 Year EngD
Eligibility
Best suited to candidates with at least 2.1 Hons degree in a Science or Engineering.
Funding
For eligible UK nationals the funding will cover tuition fees and the standard EPSRC doctoral annual stipend, enhanced by a contribution from the sponsoring company.
Start Date
October 2009
Application Deadline
None
Reference
EngD/09/AS/01
Supervisor Contact Details
For further information about the project, please contact:
Email: andrew.sherry@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 306 4842
Postgraduate Team, School of Materials
Email: pg-materials@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)161 306 4824
How to Apply
You can apply for postgraduate opportunities online quoting the project reference number.