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The objective of this project will be to develop a methodology for using AE to monitor bolts for hydrogen embrittlement under representative in-service conditions. This will require the PhD candidate to conduct an in-depth review of the literature regarding hydrogen embrittlement and AE studies previously conducted.
This will lead on to the design and development of an experimental test program that will aim to establish the parameters and conditions for successfully detecting AE from hydrogen embrittlement. This will include establishing sensors with appropriate sensitivity and frequency response to maximise the probability of detection.
This process will acquire a large volume of data that will require the candidate to develop the data handling and processing methodologies in order to achieve successful detection. Data trend analysis, signal processing and data clustering techniques will be employed to differentiate AE from hydrogen embrittlement sources from sources resulting from background noise. The key aim of this will be to establish from the AE the exact point in which the different hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms occur and relate them to theory. This will enable a predictive model to be built which will determine the current condition of a bolt and its remaining useful life.
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