Additive manufacture for railway track component life extension with premium laser-clad coatings

这是一个令人兴奋的博士研究机会，将谢菲尔德大学的研究与Network Rail的经验结合在一起。它集中在钢轨-车轮接触的力学和材料上，在这种接触下，高列车负荷通常会使钢轨材料达到极端应力水平。这项研究将加深人们对在基本钢轨部件上使用激光熔覆涂层的大规模添加剂制造方法如何延长其使用寿命的理解。这一领域的成功将意味着更少的线路因维护而关闭，降低成本，从而对铁路网的运行产生重大影响。项目详情通过部件在材料和机械性能上产生渐变的附加方法在轨道制造(轨道、绝缘块接头、道岔和道口)中是新颖的。研究挑战包括通过接触应力和断裂力学评估了解可容忍的材料缺陷，并确保开发表面的磨损、摩擦和塑性满足对其提出的要求。研究将特别侧重于建模(例如有限元或边界元技术)，并将其与小规模和全尺度的实验工作相结合。研究涉及接触力学、断裂力学和摩擦学等领域。此外，博士学位还包括在Network Rail工作一段时间，真正了解改善轨道-车轮系统的机会，并看看您的研究如何应用

This is an exciting PhD research opportunity combining research at University of Sheffield with experience at Network Rail. It focuses on the mechanics and materials of the rail-wheel contact, at which high train loads routinely take rail materials to extreme stress levels. The research will develop understanding of how a large-scale additive manufacturing method using laser-clad coatings on basic steel track components can extend their life. Success in this area will mean fewer line closures for maintenance and reduced cost, thereby having a big impact on how the rail network runs. Project detailAdditive approaches to creating graduated change in materials and mechanical properties through a component are novel in rail track manufacture (rail, insulated block joints, switches & crossings). Research challenges include understanding tolerable material imperfections through contact stress and fracture mechanics assessment, and ensuring wear, friction and plasticity of the developed surfaces meet the demands placed on them. Research will focus particularly on modelling (e.g. finite or boundary element techniques), combining this with experimental work at small and full-scale. The research lies in the areas of contact mechanics, fracture mechanics and tribology. Alongside this the PhD includes the opportunity to spend periods with Network Rail getting a real understanding of the opportunities for improvement to the rail-wheel system, and to see how your research can be applied