Masterand*in: Analysis of different structural stress approaches for the fatigue assessment

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research institutions throughout Germany and is the world’s leading applied research organization. Around 30 800 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.0 billion euros.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF in Darmstadt works together with industry and research at a top national and international level. The institute's main research activities focus on specific issues in the areas of structural durability, system reliability, smart structures and plastics.

Offshore jacket structures must endure high stresses ranges due to wind and water loads. Especially the welds joining brace and chord are typical positions in which fatigue cracks might initiate. For the design of the welded joints, various approaches are available. The most used approach is the structural hot-spot stress approach, where the weld stress is approximated in a finite element model. However, this approach can lead to unreliable results for some geometrical situations.

The aim of the master thesis is the evaluation of the available structural stress approaches based on publicly available fatigue data. The evaluation leads to information on the reliability and limitation of the available approaches.

The following position is available in the "Structural Durability" group starting as soon as possible: Master student: Analysis of different structural stress approaches for the fatigue assessment of welded joints.

What you will do

Literature review on the fatigue assessment approaches for welded joints and structures with the emphasize of structural stresses.
Evaluation of publicly available fatigue tests on different specimen types, such as butt-joint, transverse stiffeners, longitudinal stiffeners or tubular joints in jackets as shown in the picture.
Setting up of finite-element models (FEM) and evaluation of structural stresses.
Evaluation of S-N curves based on the structural hot-spot stress approach.
Comparison to new methods from the literature study and other alternatives.
Discussion of the results and documentation of the results.
Publication as scientific paper (optional)

What you bring to the table

Study of mechanical engineering, solid mechanics, civil engineering, mathematics, or similar subjects
Good English language skills
Some experience with finite element calculations

What you can expect

Varied and exciting projects with a high level of practical relevance and industry contact
Creative freedom in research and individual development by a good support
An entry into a scientific or specialist career
A springboard into the green transition effort

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

Any questions you may have about this position will be gladly answered:

Dr.-Ing. Jörg Baumgartner

Bereich Betriebsfestigkeit
Telefon: +49 6151 705-474

Lead Specialist Henrik Bisgaard Clausen

Structures and Loads

Ørsted A/S

Nesa Allé 1, Gentofte, Denmark

Tel. +45 99 55 94 63

Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF

www.lbf.fraunhofer.de

Requisition Number: 73522 Application Deadline:

Job Segment: Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Engineer, Engineering, Research

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