My research focusses on the integrity of engineering structures and materials, often dealing with high-dependability metallic components in the energy sector. It includes the mechanics of failure processes (eg. fracture and high-temperature creep), analysis of factors which affect structural integrity (eg. residual stresses) and the development of approximate methods for practical integrity analysis. I am also interested in the manufacture of components for high-dependability applications and often work on welding processes and on the mechanics of additive-manufactured materials. My research typically uses a mix of experimental and modelling/analytical approaches. On the experimental side I have particular interests in residual stress measurement, engineering applications of neutron diffraction and fracture mechanics testing. On the modelling side I am interested in analysis of defects in structures, constitutive models of materials for failure prediction and stress field reconstruction. Companies I currently work with include EDF Energy, Frazer-Nash Consultancy and TWI.

I frequently have funded opportunities for PhD study available and I welcome enquiries from prospective students. Examples of PhD projects I currently supervise are: properties of additive-manufactured nickel superalloys, effects of residual stress on non-brittle fracture and probabilistic failure assessment.