PhD Position, Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, UK (2019)

Structural materials used in modern engineering applications are more than ever today subjected to extreme loading and environmental conditions. The development of large strains either during manufacturing or under operational conditions often leads to non-trivial deformation modes, such as localisations and microfractures, which are precursors to catastrophic failure. Besides geometrical factors, these events have their roots to the material microstructure. Therefore, the accurate description of the long-term mechanical behaviour of these materials is still a challenge.

The proposed research project aims at investigating the role of microstructure in the long-term performance of advanced materials used in automotive industry (e.g. engine components). Hence, this is a unique opportunity to have real world impact as it directly affects the design of structural components that operate under extreme conditions. The project workplan consists of material characterisation and experimentation using state-of-the art monitoring techniques in order to quantify specific microstructural features that drive deformation at the microscale under high temperature conditions. Besides, numerical codes at the mesoscale will be developed to incorporate the experimental information and predict the mechanical behaviour under different loading scenarios.

Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Mathematics or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: Mechanical Engineering, Computational Solid Mechanics, Experimental Mechanics.

Contact details
Name: Dr Konstantinos Baxevanakis
Email address: K.Baxevanakis@lboro.ac.uk
Telephone number: +44 (0) 1509 227030

For more information, please visit the following link:
PhD Position, Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, UK (2019)