Materials Engineering: Fully Funded Swansea University and UKOPA PhD Scholarship: Fatigue performance of dented pipes

10 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Swansea University

Department

Central

Research Field

Engineering » Materials engineering
Engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

United Kingdom

Application Deadline

17 Jun 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Funding providers: Swansea University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, and UKOPA

Subject areas: Materials Science & Engineering

Project start date: 

• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors:

• Dr Elizabeth Sackett ([email protected] )
• Tim Rudd (Industrial Supervision)

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Materials Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time 

Project description: 

UKOPA (the United Kingdom Onshore Pipeline Operators’ Association) members operate a network of more than 27,000 km onshore pipeline. UKOPA is the authoritative industry body behind this essential part of energy infrastructure. Pipelines provide the safest and most energy efficient means of transporting a range of hazardous fluids, and pipeline operators are constantly working to improve safety and protect the environment. Since UKOPA was established in 1996, it has brought operators together and helped them engage more effectively with each other, as well as with regulators and other key stakeholders. As the UK prepares for the energy transition a number of these legacy pipelines may be converted to Hydrogen service or to CO2 pipelines. As such, it is vitally important that they remain available for use.

The pipelines that form the network date from many different periods, with significant amounts constructed pre-1970’s. As such, these are now ageing assets so it is vital to ensure they remain safe to operate. To do this we need to understand fully the mechanical properties of the pipelines. Due to the age of the network, a lot of the older pipeline sections will have been constructed to less stringent standards/procedures than in place today, and will have had less Inspection & Testing during construction.

Pipelines are constructed of individual segments (spools) joined together in the field. The circumferential joints are known as Girth welds. Where pipe has been rolled and joined to form the pipe, the longitudinal joint is known as a Seam Weld. During operation, the pipeline can become damaged or dented. Dents most commonly occur due to impact damage after construction, but can sometimes become dented due to poor construction practises (such as laying them on rocks). Dented pipelines can suffer from local work hardening in this area, along with the presence of stress concentration factors. These can dramatically reduce the fatigue life vs. un-dented pipe sections.

The fatigue life of un-dented pipe segments is well understood, and the applicability of current S-N curves to historical pipelines has previously investigated by UKOPA and Swansea University. However, there is currently a lack of research and experience on how the presence of dents effects the fatigue life of vintage welds. This project aims to better understand the mechanical properties and fatigue performance of vintage Girth Welds and Seam Welds in pre-stressed pipe sections in order to model behaviour in dented sections and better inform remaining life assessments.

This research will make use of a number of historical samples to enable UKOPA to evaluate the fatigue performance of pre-stressed pipe sections. It will compare and contrast the results with those obtained from modern pipe sections, constructed to the standards in place today. The project may include an evaluation of the material properties of vintage pipe sections after being stressed. Assessments of material composition will be made, and fatigue testing will be performed on samples to determine if the current BS-7608 fatigue curves are applicable for use with historical pipe sections that have seen service for extended time.

Key assessments will be:

The fatigue performance of historic girth welds subject to dent strains equivalent to a 2%, 4% and 6% OD dent depth, and 6% strain, to investigate the impact of dents on historic girth weld performance.

The fatigue performance of current standard girth welds subject to dent strains equivalent to a 2%, 4% and 6% OD dent depth, and 6% strain, to investigate the impact of dents on girth weld performance.

Inspection of weld quality and examination of metallurgical and mechanical properties of historic seam weld samples (will need to specify seam weld type).

The fatigue performance of current standard seam welds subject to dent strains equivalent to a 2%, 4% and 6% OD dent depth, and 6% strain, to investigate the impact of dents on seam weld performance (will need to specify seam weld type).

These assessments will feed into the remaining life evaluations used to determine if pipelines can continue to be operated into the future or re-purposed as part of the energy transition.

The desired candidate will have a BEng or higher in Materials Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering (or related disciplines) or relevant work experience in steel fabrication, welding or NDE.

The project will be based out of Swansea university, but the successful student will have the opportunity to travel to attend UKOPA meetings to present results (usually held near Derby) or to visit industrial sites for meetings or to gain site experience. There may also be opportunities to present the research at industrial conferences within the UK or Europe.

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Candidates must hold a UK bachelor’s degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours or overseas bachelor’s degree deemed equivalent to UK honours (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. 

Specific Requirements

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

International Fee Eligible Students:

Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES)  which covers the difference between the International and the Home/UK tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter.

ATAS

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.  

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with scholarship course offer. 

Additional Information
Benefits

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

Additional research expenses will also be available.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must hold a UK bachelor’s degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours or overseas bachelor’s degree deemed equivalent to UK honours (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. 

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

International Fee Eligible Students:

Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES)  which covers the difference between the International and the Home/UK tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter.

ATAS

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.  

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with scholarship course offer. 

Selection process

Please visit our website for more information.

Website for additional job details

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/materials-engineer…

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Swansea University

Country

United Kingdom

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/materials-engineer…

Contact

State/Province

Swansea

City

Swansea

Website

http://www.swansea.ac.uk

Street

Singleton Park

Postal Code

SA2 8PP

STATUS: EXPIRED