The
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta
has a post-doctoral or Research Associate opening in the area of experimental
study of crack propagation in pipeline steel to be filled as soon as suitable
candidates can be identified.
NNPHSCC (Near-neutral pH stress corrosion cracking) is
a form of environmentally assisted cracking that of great significance to
Canadian oil and gas pipelines and in particular to those constructed between
late 1960’s and late 1980’s. In these pipelines when ground water penetrates
under pipe coating, longitudinal cracks develop and grow at a maximum
through-wall rate of about 0.6 mm/year. The objectives of this research are to
conduct experimental study to develop a more accurate crack growth rate model
to predict NNpH stress corrosion crack growth over the full range of crack size
as a function of mechanical and environmental parameters. A
Ph.D. in an experimental discipline and relevant experience in fracture
mechanics are required. Please send cv and names of at least two references to
Dr. Weixing Chen, Chemical and Materials Engineering, W7-088 ECERF, University
of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G6, CANADA; email: weixing.chen [at] ualberta.ca (weixing[dot]chen[at]ualberta[dot]ca).