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Research Associate in Fracture of Graphite Fuel Bricks

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Closing date :03/05/2013
Reference :EPS-02493
Faculty / Organisational unit :Engineering Physical Sciences
School / Directorate :School of Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering
Division :Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering
Salary : £29,541 to £36,298 per annum
Employment type :Fixed Term
Duration:1 May 2013 and tenable to 30 April 2015
Hours per week :Full time
Location :Manchester
The Nuclear Graphite Research Group (NGRG) was established at the University of Manchester in 2001 by the Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR), to provide independent advice and research to the Regulator on the structural integrity of the graphite core of UK advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs) and Generation IV high temperature reactors. This is now established as a world leading group in nuclear graphite reactor core behaviour.
The graphite core in AGRs provides channels for fuel cooling and shut-down/control rod insertion. Therefore damage tolerance assessments need to establish that adequate margins remain for the integrity of the fuel and proper behaviour of the safety systems. For UK existing plants, graphite brick cracking is key to making lifetime management decisions. For the next generation plants, it has an influence on expected lifetimes and on investment plans.
The objective of this proposal is to develop a good predictor of fracture in irradiated graphite components by complementary numerical and experimental approaches. An advanced modelling tool allowing automatic simulation of crack propagation in graphite bricks will be developed and transferred to industrial end-users. For this post, an innovative experimental method will be developed to validate these models. Uncertainties related to the whole core mechanical behaviour will also be assessed. The project is a collaboration between EDF Nuclear Generation, EDF R&D, and the University of Manchester.
Internal stress generated by differential dimensional changes and thermal expansions on neutron irradiation provide the driving force for crack initiation and propagation in graphite. Modelling and experimental studies to mimic these internal stresses by chemical and, if necessary, thermal analogues will be developed. A combination of structural characterisation techniques will be used to measure the strain state for crack initiation. These will also be used to develop numerical models for fracture.
The position is for a full-time a Research Associate  employed for a fixed term of 24 months. This will give the applicant the opportunity to work closely with the nuclear industry. The Research Associate will be responsible for the direction of the research and for communicating the findings to the collaborating parties, the funding body, and peers within the research field via presentations at international conferences, reports, and journal publications.
Applicants must have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline and ideallybe proficient in the use of one or more of the relevant experimental techniques (XRD, SEM, tomography). Experience of nuclear graphite would also be beneficial but is not essential.  Good communication skills, time management, and team working skills will be necessary. Familiarity in using ABAQUS user materials (UMATs) and in programming (Fortran and Matlab) would be an advantage.  Training in finite element methods or graphite technology would be provided to a less experienced candidate who was able to demonstrate related or equivalent experience.

Informal enquiries

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Paul Mummery:
Email: paul.mummery@manchester.ac.uk
The University of Manchester values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Further particulars



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