Information on Loughborough

New science approach to revolutionise welding

Posted on 17/10/09
University of Leicester

New science approach to revolutionise welding

A multi-million pound engineering research project is using advanced thinking to revolutionise the welding industry and offering the prospect of saving lives.

The University of Leicester is spearheading the 4.8 million project funded by the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme which involves 11 partners from seven countries.

Failure of welds can start from minute imperfections but lead to major cracks and flows. The eleven European collaborators will therefore attempt to understand the process better over this wide range of scales using computer modelling incorporating knowledge gained from state-of-the-art laboratory and industrial experiments.

This will be used todevelop the technology for welding deep-sea gas and oil transportation systems, a new computer modelling approach as opposed to a traditionally experimental method.

The joint research venture, MintWeld, will take place over a four-year period, with an aim to aid the manufacturing industry through the development of a commercial package.

MintWeld consortium leader, Dr Hong Dong from the University of Leicesters Engineering Department, said: Welding is the most economical and effective way to join metals permanently, and it is a vital component of our manufacturing economy. It is estimated that over 50% of global domestic and engineering products contain welded joints. In Europe the welding industry has traditionally supported a diverse set of companies across the shipbuilding, pipeline, automotive, aerospace, defence and construction sectors.

The project is highly valuable given the potential catastrophic consequences a disaster would create, as exhibited in the 1980 Norwegian Alexander Kielland wreck in which 123 lost their lives due to a faulty 6mm weld.

Failures in welded components, such as deep-sea oil and gas transport systems, can result in lost production valued in several billion Euros, whilst exposing the EU to increased petroleum prices and increasing EU dependency on oil and gas supplies from other regions.

This project will deliver an accurate, predictive, and cost-effective modelling tool that will find widespread application in the relevant European metals industry for penetrating novel markets of high economic and strategic importance - an essential task to ensure that Europe maintains its competitiveness.

The scientific aspects of this project are exciting but challenging. We are collaborating with the best people in their field to achieve maximum benefit for the manufacturing industry. It will be exciting when we all come together and a synergy develops from this collaboration.

The MintWeld consortium is led by Dr. Dong from the Engineering Department, in collaboration with Dr. Ruslan Davidchack from the Mathematics Department, and Prof Helen Atkinson and Prof. John Fothergill from the Engineering Department.

The other institutions involved in the project are : University College Dublin Ireland, University of Oxford UK, NTNU Norway, Royal Institute of Technology Sweden, Delft University of Technology Netherlands, and the Ecole Polytechnique Fdrale de Lausanne Switzerland and partners representing the major European steel industries: CORUS UK, The Welding Institute UK, Institute of Welding Poland, and FRENZAK Sp. Poland.

Latest News

Launceston Road junction improvements begin

Leicestershire,Loughborough

Highways, Transportation & Waste Management20 November 2009Launceston Road junction improvements beginWork on a new road layout to ease traffic congestion is starting at a key junction in Wigston next week. The £60,000 improvements to the junction of Station Road and Launceston Road include a new mini roundabout and an extension to the on-pavement cycle lane.... 21 Nov 2009 Launceston Road junction improvements begin

Accident-reducing road improvements in Hinckley

Leicestershire,Loughborough

Highways, Transportation & Waste Management20 November 2009Accident-reducing road improvements in HinckleyWork is starting on the second phase of a £110,000 road improvement scheme to reduce accidents along a key route in Hinckley. The work on Dodwells Road and Normandy Way, which is being carried out by Leicestershire County Council, is due to start on Monday.... 21 Nov 2009 Accident-reducing road improvements in Hinckley

Seven schools receive £16 million revamp

Leicestershire,Loughborough

20 November 2009Seven schools receive. .... 21 Nov 2009 Seven schools receive £16 million revamp

Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture

Latest News

University of Leicester PhD organise 'Materiality and Intangibility: Contested Zones', an event for researchers and artists working with museums... 20 Nov 2009 Interactive event to challenge views on museum culture

An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke

Latest News

10th Man to walk on the moon to lecture at the University of Leicester in a filled-to-capacity public event... 20 Nov 2009 An audience with Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke

Related News

Engineers crack ceramics production obstacle

News

New computer-aided predictive technology has potential to save industry time, money and reduce wastage ... 13 Mar 2009 Engineers crack ceramics production obstacle

ATKINS Project: a low-carbon manufacturing solution

Loughborough University,Loughborough

ATKINS Project: a low-carbon manufacturing solution A Loughborough University led project is set to revolutionise the way components for the aeronautical and automotive sectors are made, leading to a significant reduction in weight, wastage and CO2 emissions both at the manufacturing stage and during use. The University s Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering will apply state-of-the-art Rapid Manufacturing (RM) techniques also known as Additive Manufacturing to make parts for aircraft and motor vehicles.... 15 Jan 2009 ATKINS Project: a low-carbon manufacturing solution

International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction

conference

Loughborough University will be hosting the first international conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction (I3CON) from 14 ? 16 May.... 29 Apr 2008 International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction

Regional space applications come under EU scrutiny1

News

Director in DG Enterprise and Industry at the European Commission to view space technology research at Leicester... 26 Jul 2009 Regional space applications come under EU scrutiny1

International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction

Loughborough University,Loughborough

International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction Loughborough University will be hosting the first international conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction (I3CON) from 14 16 May. The conference will include presentations from the European Commission and keynote speeches from eminent speakers including: Dr David Clarke, CEO of the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI); Professor Reijo Kohonen, CEO of Global EcoSolutions Ltd; and Dr Miguel Segarra, Coordinator of the I3CON project.... 27 Dec 2008 International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction

Relevant News

Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges

factory

Loughborough has joined forces with the universities of Nottingham and Sheffield to launch a Centre of Excellence in Customised Assembly (CECA) - a leading centre dedicated to improving complex assembly processes for manufacturers.... 14 Mar 2008 Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges

Significant investment helps consolidate Loughborough as a leader in energy and climate change

solar panel

Loughborough University is to further strengthen its position as a world-class research centre for energy and climate change with the appointment of eleven new academic staff, including Chairs in Renewable Energy, Building Performance Modelling, Hydroclimatic Modelling, and Photovoltaics for Power Systems. ... 31 Mar 2008 Significant investment helps consolidate Loughborough as a leader in energy and climate change

International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction

conference

Loughborough University will be hosting the first international conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction (I3CON) from 14 ? 16 May.... 29 Apr 2008 International Conference on Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction

Loughborough University Shielding sportsmen and women from impact and injury

ruth

Tae Kwon Do masters and international cricketers are working with Loughborough University to create the next generation of high-tech customised sports Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).... 16 Jul 2008 Loughborough University Shielding sportsmen and women from impact and injury

Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges

Loughborough University,Loughborough

Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges Loughborough has joined forces with the universities of Nottingham and Sheffield to launch a Centre of Excellence in Customised Assembly (CECA) - a leading centre dedicated to improving complex assembly processes for manufacturers. CECA has been established to provide cost-effective assembly solutions for aerospace, defence, pharmaceutical/medical, device and niche automotive supply chains.... 26 Dec 2008 Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges

Most Read News (today)

Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

graffiti

A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

chess pieces and board

Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

New Horizons

multicolour textiles

The Charnwood Museum in Loughborough has a new exhibition of textile art by local group Cinnabar on the theme of Wide Horizons... 30 Jan 2008 New Horizons

Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

robot

Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

Seven schools receive £16 million revamp

Leicestershire,Loughborough

20 November 2009Seven schools receive. .... 21 Nov 2009 Seven schools receive £16 million revamp

Most Read News (this month)

Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey

Leicestershire,Loughborough

Community Services29 October 2009Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology surveyLeicestershire County Council today held a press conference at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre to announce the conclusion of a groundbreaking three year archaeological survey to locate the battle of Bosworth, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Battlefields Trust archaeologist, Glenn Foard, revealed an exciting collection of finds from the Battle of Bosworth of international archaeological significance.... 30 Oct 2009 Leicestershire County Council reveals results of groundbreaking archaeology survey

Loughborough Fair

News

The popular, annual Charnwood Borough Council-organised event will open at 6pm on Wednesday, November 11th and run until Saturday, November 14th 2009.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough Fair

Police searching for missing man have found a body

police,constabulary,leicestershire police

Police searching for missing man have found a bodyPolice searching for a 77 year old man from Loughborough, who has been missing since yesterday evening, have found the body of a man. Ernest Sanham from Park Road in Loughborough, was admitted to the Leicester General Hospital on Thursday 22nd October 2009 suffering from confusion.... 26 Oct 2009 Police searching for missing man have found a body

Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice

News

Information about being safe on Bonfire Night will be available for shoppers who visit Loughborough town centre on Wednesday.... 03 Nov 2009 Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY

News

Street children in the third world and some of the most endangered animals on the planet are set to benefit from generous visitors the Great Central Railway. The award winning Leicestershire heritage line teamed up with two charities to raise money at special gala events.... 26 Oct 2009 GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY

Most Read News (alltime)

Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

graffiti

A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... 18 Jul 2008 Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

chess pieces and board

Andy Reed MP today announced the giving away of chess sets to schools. The chess sets are available for schools as part of a scheme to provide a quarter of a million chess sets into the school network. Negotiations with manufacturers and distributors means that ten sets and boards can be offered to every school in England. ... 13 Feb 2008 Loughborough MP Announces Free Chess Sets for Schools

Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

robot

Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites.... 27 May 2008 Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success.

police officer

14 motorbikes and mini-motos have been crushed after they were confiscated by police in Loughborough during a crack down on young people who drive dangerously and inconsiderately on roads, parks and public places.... 02 Jul 2008 Mini moto campaign in Loughborough is a crushing success.

Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire

social care

Radical changes to social care in Leicestershire will be outlined at a meeting next week. The County Council wants to personalise its social care and will update the Cabinet on the plans next Tuesday (29th July).... 22 Jul 2008 Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire