Bridges, dams, industrial facilities, and energy infrastructure: many steel structures are subjected to repeated stresses throughout their service life. Over time, these stresses can cause cracks to form and spread, potentially compromising their structural integrity.
In a context where the safety, reliability, and durability of infrastructure are major challenges, gaining a better understanding of these phenomena is essential for optimizing maintenance strategies and extending the service life of existing structures. This research is fully aligned with the Medelia Chair ’s mission to develop innovative solutions that enhance the performance and durability of steel infrastructure.
Project objective
This dissertation aims to develop new mechanistic-probabilistic approaches to better predict crack propagation in metallic structures subjected to fatigue.
The goal is to improve the estimation of their remaining service life by incorporating both experimental observations conducted in the laboratory and the uncertainties inherent in the materials and operating conditions.
An approach that combines experimentation and modeling
The work involves conducting fatigue tests on instrumented metal test specimens in order to accurately track the progression of cracks.
The collected data are then analyzed using advanced characterization techniques that enable the description of crack geometry and crack propagation mechanisms.
These experimental results are gradually being integrated with mechanical and probabilistic models to better understand how crack morphology affects structural behavior and service life.
Expected Impacts
For the industry
- Improve the assessment of the condition of steel infrastructure.
- Optimize maintenance and inspection programs.
- Reduce uncertainty in operational decisions.
- Contribute to the reliability of critical infrastructure.
For the society
- Improve the safety of structures used on a daily basis.
- Promote the extension of the service life of existing infrastructure.
- Minimize the need for premature equipment replacement and the associated environmental impacts.
- Contribute to more sustainable and responsible engineering.
Research conducted in close collaboration with stakeholders in the field
The project is being carried out with the support of several major industry partners:
These collaborations help ground research in the practical challenges faced by managers and operators of steel infrastructure. The results thus aim to address real-world issues related to monitoring, maintenance, and decision support.
The researchers involved
Thesis Advisor:
- Rafael Estevez, director
- Julien Baroth, co-director
Ph.D. student:
“Gaining a better understanding of how cracks develop in metallic materials and characterizing the random nature of this process will help improve the safety and durability of tomorrow’s infrastructure.”
Planification
- The first scientific monitoring committee meeting was held on July 8, 2026, and resulted in a favorable opinion.
- Continuation of experimental campaigns and model development.
- Tentative thesis defense: September 2028.
