SINDRI: Synergistic utilisation of INformatics and Data centRic Integrity engineering

Lead Research Organisation: University of Bristol
Department Name: Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

The long-term, safe operation of large industrial assets, including critical low-carbon energy generation infrastructure, will become prohibitively costly if we fail to update, streamline and automate traditional manual processes of design, fabrication, and life-time assessment. This partnership will develop an overarching digital framework encompassing a suite of models that simulate the behaviour of materials from their entry into service through to their end of life. The framework will be developed so it can be incorporated into EDF's federated ecosystem of multi-physics Digital Twins, replacing current manual processes. The partnership will:
- Use state-of-the-art characterisation tools, such as those available at the Henry Royce Institute, to observe and quantify the conditions of the material after various conventional and advanced fabrication processes as well as degradation mechanisms relevant to power generation. Advanced characterisation tools enable the assessment of large volumes of materials that fully capture their inherent variability and inhomogeneity, impossible until very recently.
- Harmonise the data structure obtained across characterisation platforms, allowing data integration and building a full picture of the material behaviour as a result of fabrication and in-service degradation.
- Exploit deep learning algorithms, developed with input from the Alan Turing Institute, to interrogate large microstructural datasets obtained from characterisation work. Taking advantage of access to the materials science community, the partnership will shape the deep learning algorithms with human expertise, maintaining the fidelity of data analysis while removing the slow human-dependent aspects.
- Develop and validate meso-scale material models as faithful digital twins of material behaviour, simulating the entry to service condition for various fabrication methods, and in-service degradation mechanisms, built on knowledge gained from characterisation analysis.
- Deploy model reduction techniques developed by industrial partner, EDF, to identify the governing parameters of the meso-scale models. Develop engineering models that are informed by meso-scale behaviour but applicable to component- scale, by preserving the governing parameters of the macroscale behaviour. Validate these engineering models against high-fidelity tests on macro-mechanical components.
- Build a probabilistic analysis toolkit that can assess the level of safety confidence of a component by applying applied probability theory to the results of the macro-mechanical engineering models informed by the material variability from meso-scale models and accounting for the uncertainty associated with the operational envelope of plants.
- Undertake an ultimate verification and validation of the framework and its associated suite of modular material models based on extracted case studies of critical component failure from historic EDF data. By developing various models of materials behaviour in a modular way within the overarching digital framework, the partnership will be able to assemble the fabrication and degradation modules relevant to the historic case studies and quantify the probability of failure using the probabilistic toolkit.
- Incorporate the framework and its models as the basis of a component material Digital Twin within EDF's federated ecosystem of multi-physics Digital Twins.

Publications

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Mokhtarishirazabad M (2021) Evaluation of fracture toughness and residual stress in AISI 316L electron beam welds in Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials & Structures

 
Title Montanha Colorida (Colorful Mountain) 
Description It was only an image competition where one EBSD image from SINDRI Partnership was selected as one of the best images in the contest - XXI Metmat Contest of Metallurgy and Materials Photomicrographs 2022, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. 
Type Of Art Artistic/Creative Exhibition 
Year Produced 2022 
Impact No subsequent impact related to this outcome. 
URL https://www.metmat.org/
 
Description The project has succeeded in validating physics based models of mechanical behaviour (for engineering materials) at their basic lengthscale through the use of national facilities including the Henry Royce Institute and Diamond synchrotron and high performance computing..

The output from combining these high fidelity experiments and complex models has been successfully translated to real world application through the use of state of the art model reduction processes including machine learning algorithms
Exploitation Route EDF Energy is already applying these methods in application to existing nuclear power plant. Rolls Royce is also interested in applying these methods.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Energy

Transport

 
Description Maximising the benefits and impact of digitisation across the EDF is a strategic aim from participation in SINDRI. As a result of SINDRI, the R&D programme, Digitally Integrated Reactor Assessment Concept (DIRAC) started in 2023 to showcase application of digital tools and process automation. It uses the advancements made possible by SINDRI and includes: better use of high-fidelity plant data; developing computationally efficient surrogate models; improving and automating integrity assessment tools; understanding how such an approach would affect the way structural assessments can be used in the safety case (including potential impact on plant operation, inspection, and maintenance). In the short term, improved guidance on residual stress in ferritic weldments developed in SINDRI will be critical to securing regulatory approval for the Long-Term Operation (LTO) of the Sizewell B nuclear station The upcoming Sizewell B LTO programme, cost-effective future operation of Hinkley Point C and larger reactor numbers of Small Modular/Advanced Modular Reactors are key business drivers for this effort and will have a substantial commercial impact for the UK. It is expected that Sizewell B fatigue lifetime management will provide an effective proof-of-concept, which will be considered as part of the DIRAC programme.
First Year Of Impact 2023
 
Description Contributed a Call for Evidence - Delivering Nuclear Power
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/111904/pdf/
 
Description Data-Centric Engineering Approach in New Nuclear
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Contributed to Henry Royce Institute submission for a CDT in Materials 4.0 which was successfully awarded in 2024
 
Description ENTENTE
Amount £3,000,000 (GBP)
Funding ID ENTENTE 
Organisation European Commission 
Sector Public
Country European Union (EU)
Start 08/2020 
End 10/2025
 
Description EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account project "Role of advanced materials in cost efficiency and in-silico design of new reactor systems"
Amount £32,850 (GBP)
Funding ID A100419 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2023 
End 07/2023
 
Description FSE Covid Research Recovery
Amount £10,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Manchester 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2022 
End 07/2022
 
Description Royce Undergraduate Internship Scheme
Amount £2,493 (GBP)
Organisation Henry Royce Institute 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2022 
End 07/2022
 
Title Ampletracks 
Description Sample curation software database which is being developed in collaboration with Midas project. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Project has a traceable system for physical samples and test data produced across multiple sites. This information is being used by a wide modelling community in Sindri 
 
Description 3xPhD CDT Studentships 
Organisation UK Atomic Energy Authority
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution PhD project 1: Joining of Ferritic-Martensitic steels (2022 - paused) PhD project 2: Joining refractory metals for nuclear fusion applications (2021 - Sept 2024) PhD project 3: Joining of Tungsten for nuclear fusion applications (Oct 2023 - 2027)
Collaborator Contribution Three out of the four UoM supervisors of the 3 projects are SINDRI Co-Investigators (A. Vasileiou, J.A. Francis and E. Pickering). UKAEA are funding the projects through UoM's Fusion CDT programme. UKAEA in-kind contributions: £10k for EB welding at TWI; >£7k provision of material.
Impact Outcomes include publications; Selected data could become available to the SINDRI surrogate modelling database.
Start Year 2022
 
Description 3xPhD studentship on probabilistic assessment of safety critical components 
Organisation Rolls Royce Group Plc
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution As a direct result of SINDRI-Roll Royce interactions through the advisory board, the partnership has established a working relationship with Rolls Royce. The Partnership will provide expertise in the field of probabilistic assessment to Roll Royce.
Collaborator Contribution Rolls Royce plc is funding 3xCDT PhD studentships at Universities of Bristol, Manchester, and Imperial College related to SINDRI.
Impact This relationship is in its recruitment stage and has yet to produce an output.
Start Year 2021
 
Description ANSTO Collaboration 
Organisation Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Country Australia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Professor Lyndon Edwards, The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), National Director visited University of Bristol for 3 months to engage with SINDRI and establish a working relationship between UK and Australia in the field. The collaborate shared expertise with ANSTO which was well received.
Collaborator Contribution ANSTO has confirmed their intention to invest in a collaboration with UK experts in the field of GEN IV nuclear systems and in particular i nth area which SINDRI is focusing. The agreement has not been signed yet.
Impact The agreement has not been signed yet.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Development of simplified approaches for weld residual stress modelling in critical high temperature components 
Organisation EDF Energy
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution I am the Principle Investigator (PI) and academic lead of this collaboration. This project is under the umbrella of Modelling and Simulation Centre at The University of Manchester.
Collaborator Contribution EDF Energy Ltd is funding 12 months of a post-doctoral researcher to perform research on reduced methods for predicting residual stress. EDF is also offering in-kind expertise, in other words time from their research engineers to work collaboratively.
Impact The project will make use of the SINDRI Toolbox, a tool developed under the SINDRI prosperity partnership. The outcomes will complement SINDRI work on surrogate modelling.
Start Year 2023
 
Description EDF 
Organisation EDF Energy
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The work carried out in the research programme provided the background research necessary for a joint Prosperity Partnership Proposal led by EDF and U diversity of Bristol
Collaborator Contribution EDF steer on the materials and the damage mechanisms as well as their contribution towards co-funded programmes were key.
Impact As well as the joint publications indicated in other sections, the programme has had input in updating the fitness for service procedure followed by EDF.
Start Year 2020
 
Description PhD Studentship - 'Artificial Intelligence and Optimisation in multi-pass Weld Modelling and Additive Manufacturing of Thick-Section Ferritic Steel Components' 
Organisation National Technical University of Athens, Greece
Country Greece 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution I am the Lead Supervisor of the PhD student, together with
Collaborator Contribution Dalton Nuclear Institute is funding the PhD student. NTUA is offering co-supervision by 2 academics.
Impact Publications are coming out of this partnership.
Start Year 2021
 
Description PhD Studentship - 'Artificial Intelligence and Optimisation in multi-pass Weld Modelling and Additive Manufacturing of Thick-Section Ferritic Steel Components' 
Organisation University of Manchester
Department Dalton Nuclear Institute
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution I am the Lead Supervisor of the PhD student, together with
Collaborator Contribution Dalton Nuclear Institute is funding the PhD student. NTUA is offering co-supervision by 2 academics.
Impact Publications are coming out of this partnership.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Probabilistic nuclear structural integrity collaboration with Rolls Royce 
Organisation EDF Energy
Department EDF Energy Nuclear Generation
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution A brief presentation of the preliminary work carried out in this project at the steering committee attracted the attention of representative from Roll Royce plc. Discussions about the expansion of work was had and it was agreed that "Probabilistic nuclear structural integrity" is an area of shared interest. It was agreed that the best way forward to expand the collaboration is to make joint application for funding. This is now currently underway as part of the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy's Phase II call for Nuclear innovation programme: advanced manufacturing and materials competition, Phase 2.
Collaborator Contribution University of Bristol (UoB) and Rolls Royce plc (RR) have both joined a consortium led by EDF Energy to apply for funding from Nuclear innovation programme: advanced manufacturing and materials competition, Phase 2. The core of the joint UoB-RR shared work package is to apply the probabilistic structural integrity to Gen IV nuclear reactors. This is an application and expansion of the work carried out in this EPSRC project for capture the uncertainty in degradation of nuclear materials. The outcome of the application and the result of the collaboration will be given in more detail in future ResearchFish submission given the early stages of the work.
Impact - the output of the application to BEIS will be given in the next ResearchFish submission.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Probabilistic nuclear structural integrity collaboration with Rolls Royce 
Organisation Rolls Royce Group Plc
Department Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution A brief presentation of the preliminary work carried out in this project at the steering committee attracted the attention of representative from Roll Royce plc. Discussions about the expansion of work was had and it was agreed that "Probabilistic nuclear structural integrity" is an area of shared interest. It was agreed that the best way forward to expand the collaboration is to make joint application for funding. This is now currently underway as part of the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy's Phase II call for Nuclear innovation programme: advanced manufacturing and materials competition, Phase 2.
Collaborator Contribution University of Bristol (UoB) and Rolls Royce plc (RR) have both joined a consortium led by EDF Energy to apply for funding from Nuclear innovation programme: advanced manufacturing and materials competition, Phase 2. The core of the joint UoB-RR shared work package is to apply the probabilistic structural integrity to Gen IV nuclear reactors. This is an application and expansion of the work carried out in this EPSRC project for capture the uncertainty in degradation of nuclear materials. The outcome of the application and the result of the collaboration will be given in more detail in future ResearchFish submission given the early stages of the work.
Impact - the output of the application to BEIS will be given in the next ResearchFish submission.
Start Year 2019
 
Description UKAEA 
Organisation Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The collaboration with UKAEA within this project initiated a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair programme
Collaborator Contribution UKAEA continued in kind and cash support for expanding this research programme to a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair
Impact This programme is contributing to UKAEA materials roadmap
Start Year 2019
 
Title MOOSE Application for mesoscale modeling of metals 
Description MOOSE Application for mesoscale modeling of metals https://github.com/ngrilli/c_pfor_am 
Type Of Technology Software 
Year Produced 2023 
Open Source License? Yes  
Impact Software used by several universities and national laboratories worldwide for mesoscale modeling of metals 
URL https://github.com/ngrilli/c_pfor_am
 
Title The SINDRI Toolbox 
Description The SINDRI Toolbox is a collection of tools developed as part of the SINDRI project. These tools enable the application of models which target aspects of structural integrity analysis across a range of lengthscales. They include tools for: - prediction of entry into service conditions, utilising phase field approaches on a microscale. (Phase field module) - prediction of in-service deformation and degradation, utilising finite element based crystal plasticity approaches on a meso-scale (EBSD to CPFE module) - prediction of component weld residual stresses on a component scale (Welding Workbench module) - transverse tools for the treatment of uncertainty, risks, and statistics The SINDRI Toolbox was setup to promote and develope R&D tools collaborative between industry and academia. The philiosophy is to take a unified approach based on industrial best practice in software development. Some of the benefits to academia include: - improved development practice - higher quality code - longevity of research methods and tools 
Type Of Technology Software 
Year Produced 2022 
Open Source License? Yes  
Impact Some of the tools are being utilised, or adapted to fit, EDF business. The EBSD to CPFE module is being integrated into EDF's "Materials ageing platform", and will be used to facilitate degradation studies around stress corrosion cracking. The Welding Workbench is being developed in conjunction with EDF internal research projects, and is likely to merge with other EDF weld tools. It will also be used to ensure the quality of sub-contractor led developments. 
URL https://www.sindri-partnership.ac.uk/
 
Description Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in Nuclear - Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Whilst many in the industry and academia are doing data and AI work in nuclear, there is a lack of community, momentum and coherence about how the two areas can collaborate effectively to meet industry needs.
Building on discussions in Data Week 2021, this workshop will help form an industry-wide response about the benefits of developing AI technologies to reduce costs and construction time of nuclear technologies.

Workshop aims:
1. Build a community of Al and Nuclear industry and academia so we can state our position and requirements to decision-makers and funders (BEIS/EPSRC)
2. Initiate discussions between people with questions and people with answers so we can facilitate writing proposals in this area.
A diverse range of stakeholders are invited to input into this workshop, to ensure that digital technologies can be adopted into practice: vital if the UK is to achieve its Net Zero targets with a new generation of nuclear power plants.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://news.onr.org.uk/2022/06/innovation-workshop-on-artificial-intelligence-and-data-science-in-n...
 
Description Great Exhibition Road Festival Nuclear Stand 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Catrin Mair Davies presented at the Nuclear engineering stand at the Great Exhibition Road Festival. The stand was for families to understand radiation, safe levels of radiation, Nuclear power generation and nuclear waste issues.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk/
 
Description Manufacture & Materials for Fission & Fusion Net-zero 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Presented at IoM3 workshop on Manufacture & Materials for Fission & Fusion Net-zero as an invited speaker
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Media Appearances (TV and Radio) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Catrin Mair Davies as Interviewed as Part of a ITV/S4C Welsh TV Political Show "Byd yn ei Le" with Guto Harri, to discuss the need for new nuclear in the UK and Wales and discussing the safety aspects. Broadcast 12/01/2022

Appeared on BBC Radio Cymru breakfast show to discuss the need for new nuclear in wales

Appeared multiple occasions 2021/2022 on BBC Newyddion 9 (S4C evening news) to respond to nuclear related news that day.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bdkvr0
 
Description OECD/NEA Expert Group on Innovative Structural Materials - High entropy alloys for advanced nuclear applications Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The NEA Expert Group on Innovative Structural Materials (EGISM) organised a workshop together with the Spanish Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT) on the development, potential uses, opportunities and limitations of high entropy alloys for nuclear applications. Held virtually on 19-21 October 2021, the event attracted 120 participants from 11 countries who exchanged the latest developments and innovations in the field of high entropy materials and complex concentrated alloys. The workshop opened with an overview on research and development initiatives in this field with perspectives from the People's Republic of China, the European Union and the United States. The discussions then addressed numerical design and computational approaches to develop high entropy alloys, as well as fabrication and manufacturing and microstructures and mechanical properties of high entropy alloys. Irradiation resistance of high entropy alloys and their compatibility with corrosive environments were also explored. Participants agreed on the importance of collaboration at the international level to support the acceleration of high entropy materials development for use in the nuclear industry. A broad consensus was also expressed on the need to accumulate both theoretical and experimental data on the behaviour of these materials in conditions that simulate nuclear reactor conditions. Considering the broad variety of systems included in this class of materials, efforts will be also needed to collect and systematise data in a consistent way as they are produced - especially considering the fact that research in this field heavily involves the use of machine learning techniques for both material design and material modelling purposes.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.oecd-nea.org/jcms/pl_61782/high-entropy-alloys-for-advanced-nuclear-applications
 
Description ONR Expert Panel on AI in the Nuclear Industry 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact As part of the ONR's work to support the nuclear industry in embracing innovation, they ran a series of expert panel meetings on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the nuclear sector. SINDRI participated in 2/3 of the panel meetings in 2022. The aim of the expert panel is to establish a roadmap for effective and enabling regulation of AI in the nuclear sector.

The panel had a wide range of participants from academia and industry and discussed the opportunities and challenges in the application of AI.
The panel identified three broad opportunities for the deployment of AI:

Advisory applications (e.g. inspections, modelling to assist design)
Supervisory applications (e.g. analysis of data and operational efficiency/optimisation)
Control applications (e.g. automation)

Part of the debate focused on reviewing proposals from panel members for potential applications of AI that could be challenging to permission, for taking into ONR's new regulatory sandbox. Sandboxing enables innovators to test and trial new solutions in a safe environment which enables the safe and secure adoption of innovation to the benefit of society.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://news.onr.org.uk/2022/08/onr-leads-expert-discussion-on-ai-in-nuclear-industry/
 
Description Organised a workshop on Nuclear - Data Science 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact During the Data Week event organised by Jane Golding Institute, SINDRI partnership organised a workshop to facilitate the interaction of nuclear professional and the experts in data science. It was well attended, chaired by industry, and a number of collaboration (e.g. with UKAEA) was established.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Residual stress modelling training workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Workshop on residual stress modelling in welded structures - funded as part of the ATLAS+ project
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Seminar by Prof. Tim Stone CBE at the University of Bristol 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact A seminar about "Nuclear Power in the UK: history, context and learning" by Prof. Tim Stone CBE at the University of Bristol
for postgraduate students involved in the SINDRI project, for Nuclear MSc students, and for academics.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Workshop: Data Management for Materials Researchers 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact This event was aimed at materials science researchers (from any discipline) who collect, store, analyse and share experimental data associated with their samples: e.g., optical images, SEM images, property measurements, etc. The workshop shared examples of best practice and current initiatives in the area, and began to formulate a list of actions to enable better data management practices.

Changing data management and sharing culture requires the involvement of everyone in the community. Accordingly, the meeting was open to all, at all stages of their career, from all institutions and backgrounds. All discussions were moderated to ensure that everyone had the opportunity to contribute (as time permitted), and that no group of individuals dominated the discussion. We were particularly seeking contributions from those who have not previously been involved in shaping policy in this area.
The workshop format was based around discussions of questions, which were stimulated by short talks from speakers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.royce.ac.uk/events/workshop-data-management-for-materials-researchers/