PhD Project Opportunity: Impact of Geometrical Constraint on Weld Residual Stress Profile (Numerical and Experimental)

Posted by: The University of Manchester

Date: Nov 6, 2024

Location: Manchester

This PhD project focuses on the impact of geometrical constraints on weld residual stress profiles, with both numerical and experimental components. Welding can generate significant residual stresses that impact the lifespan of components, often requiring Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) to mitigate these stresses. However, in complex structures, stress relaxation during PWHT can be limited due to stress triaxiality.

Project Objectives

The project will investigate how stress triaxiality affects residual stress relaxation during PWHT, using Finite Element (FE) weld modeling to design laboratory specimens with varying stress triaxiality levels. These designs are intended to mirror conditions in plant structures. Advanced weld modeling will predict as-welded residual stress levels in benchmark specimens made from ferritic materials, known for solid-state phase transformation effects.

Project Components

• Numerical Modeling: Develop FE models to simulate the PWHT process and predict residual stress states post-PWHT.
• Experimental Validation: Manufacture and test benchmark specimens with varied triaxiality levels, applying diverse residual stress measurement techniques to validate numerical predictions.
• Outcome: Generate a validated data matrix of weld residual stresses in weldments with different stress triaxiality levels, both as-welded and after PWHT.

Project Relevance

This research will support advancements in R6 engineering guidance, particularly enhancing weld residual stress estimates used in defect tolerance assessments.

For more details and to apply, visit the official job posting here.