EngD studentships
Mechanistic underpinning of the Charpy Fracture Toughness Master Curve
The nuclear industry relies on accurate fracture toughness data to underpin safety cases for nuclear plant. The Charpy V-notch test provides an engineering approach to assess the fracture toughness properties of pressure vessel steels for input to assessments of the structural integrity of plant components. The small-size of Charpy specimens enables their use as surveillance samples, i.e. specimens are irradiated in reactors and subsequently tested to assess irradiation damage effects on fracture toughness. Charpy 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 Charpy 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.
This Engineering Doctorate project, supported by Corus (Rotherham), aims to use a combination of Charpy and fracture toughness testing alongside microstructural analysis and computer simulation to develop 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 2010
Application Deadline
March 2010
Reference
EngD/10/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.