Towards ductility-based design of bolted connections in high-performance steels

Overview

High-strength and stainless steels offer significant opportunities for lighter, more durable and lower-carbon structures. Their mechanical behaviour, particularly their ductility and strain-hardening characteristics, differs considerably from that of conventional structural steel. Design standards continue to evolve to accommodate these materials, but there remains a need to understand more fully how such differences affect the performance of bolted connections. This PhD project will investigate the failure behaviour and resistance of bolted connections in high-performance steels through a combination of laboratory testing, advanced finite element modelling and theoretical analysis, to develop reliable and practical design methods.

The project builds on the supervisor’s established research on high-performance steel bolted connections. The successful candidate will gain expertise in structural testing, nonlinear numerical modelling and reliability-based design, preparing them for careers in academia, structural engineering consultancy or the steel construction industry. Prospective applicants are welcome to contact Dr Xuemei Lin to discuss the project in more detail.

Diversity statement

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.