PhD positions in Structural Health Monitoring of Welded Thermoplastic Composite Assemblies

ph3Job description /h3 /brpThermoplastic composites are widely regarded as promising materials for the next generation of commercial aircraft, combining excellent mechanical performance with low weight. In addition, their melt-processable matrix enables automated, high-rate manufacturing of components that can subsequently be assembled into complex aerostructures using welding. This provides significant opportunities for more efficient and cost-effective aircraft manufacturing. /p /brpHowever, welded composite assemblies are challenging to inspect using conventional non-destructive inspection techniques. As a result, larger safety margins are often required in structural design, leading to heavier structures, while maintenance intervals may be more conservative than necessary. Developing reliable methods to continuously assess the structural condition therefore enable both lighter designs and more efficient maintenance strategies. /p /brpTo address this challenge, the project aims to develop bstructural health monitoring technologies based on a digital twin /b. The digital twin will combine information from the physical structure with models and monitoring data to assess its current structural state and predict its remaining lifetime. This will enable the condition of welded structures to be monitored throughout their service life, allowing maintenance to be planned when it is actually needed rather than according to predetermined intervals. Ultimately, this approach aims to contribute to blighter, safer, and more sustainable aircraft structures /b. /p /br /brh3The PhD positions /h3 /br /brh3Experimental characterization and digital twin development /h3 /brpA key challenge in developing a reliable digital twin is accurately characterizing the static and fatigue behaviour of welded thermoplastic composite joints. Since there are currently no well-established standards for fatigue testing of these joints, the project will involve developing experimental methods to reliably characterize their mechanical performance and damage evolution. /p /brpThe experimental results will be used to develop constitutive models for the welded interface. In particular, these models should describe progressive interfacial damage development as a function of fatigue loading. The models will be implemented and validated in commercial finite element (FE) software. The resulting FE model will define the digital twin of the welded structure and provide the basis for the second PhD project, which will use the digital twin together with monitoring data to develop prognostic structural health monitoring strategies. /p /brpIn this project you will: /p /brul /brliPerform experimental characterization of the static and fatigue performance of welded thermoplastic composite structures. /li /brliDevelop constitutive models that accurately describe the performance of the welded interface. /li /brliImplement the developed models in commercial FE simulation software for the development of a digital twin and validate their accuracy against experiments. /li /br /ul /brpWe are looking for a colleague who has experience in mechanical experimentation of the fatigue behavior of composite materials and/or polymers, and is able to develop and implement constitutive models in FE software. /p /br /brh3Development of a Structural Health Monitoring system /h3 /brpThe ability to estimate the current state of the welded thermoplastic composite joint and the development of this state over time, is of decisive importance for lifetime performance modelling. The key challenges are the robust integration of a sensor system in the structure and the analysis of measured signals, which are typically strongly affected by environmental and operational conditions. This project aims to tackle these challenges by using piezo-electric and/or optical fiber based sensor system, combined with physics informed data analysis method, exploiting the digital twin model developed by the first PhD project. /p /brpIn this project you will: /p /brul /brliImplement an effective sensor integration method for welded thermoplastic composite structures, using piezo-electric sensors, fiber optical sensor, or a combination of both. /li /brliPerform dynamic experiments of pristine and (gradually) damaged structures to collect data for the state estimation methods. /li /brliDevelop signal processing methods to estimate, enriched by physics-based information, the current state of the welded structure and its development under fatigue loading. /li /br /ul /brpWe are looking for a colleague who has experience in sensor integration and dynamic experimentation, knowledge of piezo-electric or optical fiber based measurements, and proficiency in signal processing methods enriched with physics-based information. /p /br /brh3Your profile /h3 /brpYou are a highly motivated researcher who is driven by curiosity and has: /p /brul /brliA Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent. /li /brliGood team-working abilities and a positive can-do mentality. /li /brliStrong reporting and communication skills /li /brliProficiency in English, both spoken and written (we require a TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.5 score). /li /brliFurther, the position on fatigue characterization and mechanical modelling requires: /li /brliExperimental skills in the mechanical characterization of fiber reinforced composites or polymers; experience with fatigue testing is desired. /li /brliTheoretical knowledge and skills in the modelling of (failure) of fiber reinforced composites. /li /brliExperience with the finite element method and programming experience in scripting languages like Python or Matlab. /li /br /ul /brpThe position on structural health monitoring requires: /p /brul /brliExperimental and theoretical skills in dynamics and experiences with piezo-electric and/or fiber optic sensors. /li /brliExperience with signal processing methods of data, enriched with physics-based information. /li /br /ul /br /brh3Our offer /h3 /brpWe offer a full-time 4-year Ph.D. position with a qualifier in the first year; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes: /p /brul /brliYou will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3204 (first year) to € 4051 (fourth year). /li /brliExcellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, a solid pension scheme, and 29 vacation days in case of full-time employment. /li /brliA training program, where you and your supervisors will settle a plan for education and supervision. /li /brliExcellent laboratory and support facilities, as well as a diverse team of enthusiastic colleagues and supervisors. /li /brliA green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community. /li /brliA family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid). /li /br /ul /br /brh3Information and application /h3 /brpInterviews are planned in the last week of October. A knowledge security screening is part of the application procedure.br/Additional information about this position can be acquired from dr.ir. Wouter Grouve ( ). /p /br /brh3About the organisation /h3 /brpAt the Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET), we work on engineering for impact: developing smart, sustainable, human-centred and technological solutions for societal challenges. We connect fundamental education, research and practice across five core domains: Asset Maintenance engineering, Intelligent Manufacturing Systems, Personalised Health Technology, Resilience Engineering, and Sustainable Production, Energy and Resources. /p /brpWe work on education and research in mechanical engineering, civil engineering and industrial design engineering. Together, we learn by making, creating, and innovating, addressing challenges in a solution-oriented way. Quality, connection and inclusivity are the foundation of our culture. /p /brpIn our open community, students, researchers and staff collaborate with industrial and societal partners. This enables us to develop insights, applications and solutions that add value to society. /p /brpYou are a highly motivated researcher who is driven by curiosity and has:A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent. Good team-working abilities and a positive can-do mentality. Strong reporting and communication skills Proficiency in English, both spoken and written (we require a TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.5 score). Further, the position on fatigue characterization and mechanical modelling requires: Experimental skills in the mechanical characterization of fiber reinforced composites or polymers; experience with fatigue testing is desired. Theoretical knowledge and skills in the modelling of (failure) of fiber reinforced composites. Experience with the finite element method and programming experience in scripting languages like Python or Matlab.The position on structural health monitoring requires:Experimental and theoretical skills in dynamics and experiences with piezo-electric and/or fiber optic sensors. Experience with signal processing methods of data, enriched with physics-based information. /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr