Multiaxial Variable Amplitude Fatigue of Aluminium–Steel Welded Joints with In-Situ Full-Field Measurement

About the Project

There is no funding attached to this project.

The Industry and Innovation Research Institute (I2Ri) draws on talents, expertise and facilities across Sheffield Hallam University. The vision is to be the leading provider of applied research excellence delivering materials, computing, science and engineering innovations meeting the development needs of industry.

PhD Research Topic

The structural integrity of lightweight hybrid structures is becoming increasingly critical in sectors such as automotive, rail, offshore and renewable energy. Aluminium-to-steel welded joints offer an attractive route to combine weight reduction with mechanical performance; however, their fatigue behaviour under realistic service loading remains insufficiently understood. While existing studies have largely focused on constant amplitude loading, real components experience complex multiaxial variable amplitude fatigue, often involving non-proportional loading histories, load sequence effects and transient overloads.

This project will address this gap by developing a rigorous experimental and modelling framework to characterise and predict the fatigue performance of aluminium–steel welded tubular joints subjected to multiaxial variable amplitude loading.

Aims and Objectives

The overarching aim is to establish physically sound and practically applicable methodologies for fatigue life prediction of aluminium-to-steel welded joints under complex loading histories.

Experimental Programme

A central component of the project will be an extensive experimental campaign on coldArc®-welded AA6082-T6 aluminium to S235 steel tubular joints.

Advanced Measurement and Analysis (DIC)

DIC will be employed to capture high-resolution strain fields at the weld toe and surrounding material during cyclic loading.

Modelling and Fatigue Assessment

The experimental results will be used to evaluate and extend established fatigue assessment methods.

Candidate Profile

Applicants should have a strong background in mechanical engineering, materials engineering or a related discipline.