JOB DESCRIPTION

Prediction of fatigue damage growth generally utilizes prediction models calibrated with many tests at various loading conditions making them essentially model-based interpolations rather than true predictions. With the introduction of hydrogen propulsion and the necessity to store liquid hydrogen under cryogenic conditions, one needs to ability to forecast the damage tolerance of materials involved in hydrogen storage and transport. To avoid conducting many expensive tests under cryogenic conditions, this project aims at developing a true prediction models utilizing quasi-static mechanical and physical material properties only.
In this PhD research project you will contribute to this ambition by developing novel methodologies adopting principles from physics, that enable relating the damage tolerance of structural materials to their mechanical and physical properties. The theory and methods to be developed will be correlated and validated with experiments under various environmental and temperature conditions, eventually down to cryogenic conditions.
You will conduct this PhD research within the Aerospace Structures and Materials Department of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering of TU Delft. Direct supervision will be provided by Dr.ir. R.C. Alderliesten.
This position is a part of the ‘Luchtvaart in Transitie project. You will therefore collaborate with other PhDs and post-docs, and communicate with industrial partners. Within the ASM department there is currently a larger community of PhD candidates and post-docs working on related activities.

REQUIREMENTS

Need to have:

• A MSc degree in a relevant field, e.g. Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar, with a research topic relevant for this project.
• Affinity with the topic of mechanical properties, fatigue of metallic, composite and polymer structures and materials.
• A desire to acquire the new skills and knowledge needed to complete the project.
• A critical attitude towards your own work and that of others.
• Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate the value of your work in both academic and industry settings.
• English proficiency

Nice to have:

• Prior experience with composites amnufacturing.
• Prior experience with mechanical testing.
• Experience in analytical or numerical modelling of fatigue and/or fracture

Please refer the Job description for details