Fully Funded EPSRC and Schmidt-Clemens Spain PhD Scholarship: Modelling of Complex Load Cycles at Elevated Temperature

Funding provider(s): 50% EPSRC DTP and 50% Industry - Schmidt-Clemens Spain S.A.U.

Subject area(s): Mechanical/Materials Engineering

Project start date(s) 

• 1 April 2025
• 1 July 2025

Supervisors:

Primary Supervisor Dr Will Harrison
Secondary Supervisor Professor Mark Whittaker

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Mode of study: Full or Part-time study is possible.

Project description:

Engineering components such as those found in high temperature plant applications are often subjected to cycles during which both stress and temperature change. These cycles can occur during normal service or during start-up/shut-down cycles and can significantly limit service lives of the components. Due to thermal gradients associated with heating and cooling, these load/thermal cycles are complex in nature and the cycle frequency is typically lower than that of a normal thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF) cycle resulting in deformation dominated by creep mechanisms. The aim of this project is to develop a model for the deformation and damage that occurs during these complex cycles. A constitutive model which accounts for the effects of stress and temperature changes on material hardening and damage will be implemented within finite element (FE) software allowing predictions of component behaviour to be made.

This PhD project will be part funded by Schmidt+Clemens (SC) who will be able to provide expertise and data to validate and verify the numerical models.

Eligibility

Candidates must hold an UK Bachelor degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline or overseas Bachelor degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline – see country specific qualifications

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations.  

Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

Funding Details

Funding Comment 

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at £19,237.

Additional research expenses will also be available. Value: £1000 per annum

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