Dr Will Harrison

Senior Lecturer

Mechanical Engineering

w.harrison@swansea.ac.uk

Office - 307
Third Floor
Engineering North
Bay Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0380-7075

About

PhD MRes BEng ProfGrad IOMMM

Research interests involve using computational methods to solve structural engineering problems, with an emphasis on correlating numerical trends to observable micromechanical phenomenon.

Completed a PhD in finite element analysis (FEA) of creep in nickel and titanium alloys in 2007, followed by post-doctoral research at the Rolls-Royce UTC in Structural Materials at Swansea University. This research focused on developing numerical methods for predicting creep and fatigue in aeroengine applications.

More recent research has involved modelling miniaturised mechanical test techniques, additive layer manufacturing (ALM), multidisciplinary design optimisation of automotive body-in-white structures using high performance computing (HPC) and digital image correlation (DIC).

Currently, investigating various aspects concerning the formability of thin sheet metals using FEA applied to metal packaging forming in collaboration with Crown Holdings.

Areas Of Expertise

Finite element analysis
Material characterisation (creep/fatigue)
Optimisation
Additive layer manufacturing (ALM)

Career Highlights

Award Highlights

2013	Royal Society MP/Civil Servant Pairing Scheme

Publications

Research Highlights

Deen, C., Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., Rae, C., Williams, S., & Harrison, W. (2014). Relating fundamental creep mechanisms in Waspaloy to the Wilshire equations. In MATEC Web of Conferences (pp. 15001
https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/20141415001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa24139
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84906910474&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Harrison, W., Whittaker, M., & Williams, S. (2013). Recent Advances in Creep Modelling of the Nickel Base Superalloy, Alloy 720Li. Materials, 6(3), 1118-1137.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma6031118, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa24142
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84875802063&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Whittaker, M., Evans, W., Harrison, W., & Harrison, W. (2009). Time dependent fatigue fractures of titanium alloys.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa24147
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84869764155&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Whittaker, M., Evans, W., Harrison, W., & Harrison, W. (2009). Fracture mechanisms due to Fatigue, Creep and Environmental damage in titanium alloys.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa24148
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84869749994&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Harrison, W. & Evans, W. (2008). A new method for predicting fatigue crack growth rates using Abaqus. In Abaqus UK Regional Users Meeting
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa29847
Harrison, W. & Evans, W. (2007). Application of the Theta projection method to creep modelling using Abaqus. In Abaqus UK Regional Users Meeting
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa29848
Whittaker, M., Evans, W., Lancaster, R., Harrison, W., Webster, P., Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., & Lancaster, R. (2009). The effect of microstructure and texture on mechanical properties of Ti6-4. International Journal of Fatigue, 31(11-12), 2022-2030.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2009.02.014, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5830
Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., Hurley, P., Williams, S., Whittaker, M., & Harrison, W. (2010). Modelling the behaviour of titanium alloys at high temperature for gas turbine applications. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 527(16-17), 4365-4372.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2010.03.078, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5837
Harrison, W., Whittaker, M., Lancaster, R., Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., & Lancaster, R. (2013). A model for time dependent strain accumulation and damage at low temperatures in Ti–6Al–4V. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 574, 130-136.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2013.02.070, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14559
Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., Lancaster, R., Williams, S., Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., & Lancaster, R. (2013). An analysis of modern creep lifing methodologies in the titanium alloy Ti6-4. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 577, 114-119.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2013.03.030, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14565

All Research

Journal Articles

Zhang, L., Harrison, W., Abdullah, T., Mehraban, S., & Lavery, N. (2023). Formability prediction of interstitial-free steel via miniaturized tensile specimen for Rapid Alloy Prototyping. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 124, 713-733.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2023.08.022, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64105
Zhang, L., Harrison, W., Yar, M., Mehraban, S., Brown, S., & Lavery, N. (2023). Use of miniaturized tensile specimens to evaluate the ductility and formability of dual phased steels for Rapid Alloy Prototyping. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 875, 145075
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2023.145075, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63239
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2023.145075
Zhang, L., Harrison, W., Mehraban, S., Brown, S., & Lavery, N. (2023). Size Effect on the Post-Necking Behaviour of Dual-Phase 800 Steel: Modelling and Experiment. Materials, 16(4), 1458
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16041458, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66155
Zhang, L., Harrison, W., Yar, M., Brown, S., & Lavery, N. (2021). The development of miniature tensile specimens with non-standard aspect and slimness ratios for rapid alloy prototyping processes. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 15, 1830-1843.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.09.029, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57901
Williams, T., Evans, M., & Harrison, W. (2021). An Investigation into the Correlation of Small Punch and Uniaxial Creep Data for Waspaloy. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 52, 3460-3474.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-021-06318-1, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57017
Cockings, H., Cockings, B., Harrison, W., Dowd, M., Perkins, K., Whittaker, M., & Gibson, G. (2020). The effect of near-surface plastic deformation on the hot corrosion and high temperature corrosion-fatigue response of a nickel-based superalloy. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 832
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.154889, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53920
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925838820312524?via%3Dihub
Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., Deen, C., Rae, C., & Williams, S. (2017). Creep Deformation by Dislocation Movement in Waspaloy. Materials, 10(1), 61
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma10010061, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa31621
Alshehri, H., Banik, R., Coleman, M., Harrison, W., & Birosca, S. (2016). Deformation mechanisms of IN713C nickel based superalloy during Small Punch Testing. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 650, 422-431.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2015.10.056, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa26485
Lancaster, R., Harrison, W., & Norton, G. (2015). An analysis of small punch creep behaviour in the γ titanium aluminide Ti–45Al–2Mn–2Nb. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 626, 263-274.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2014.12.045, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20140
Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., Whittaker, M., & Harrison, W. (2014). Evolution of Wilshire equations for creep life prediction. Materials at High Temperatures, 31(3), 233-238.
https://doi.org/10.1179/1878641314Y.0000000019, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21246
Harrison, W., Abdallah, Z., & Whittaker, M. (2014). A Model for Creep and Creep Damage in the γ-Titanium Aluminide Ti-45Al-2Mn-2Nb. Materials, 7(3), 2194-2209.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7032194, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa28078
Harrison, W., Abdallah, Z., & Whittaker, M. (2014). A Model for Creep and Creep Damage in the γ-Titanium Aluminide Ti-45Al-2Mn-2Nb. Materials, 7(3), 2194-2209.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma7032194, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa21248
Harrison, W., Whittaker, M., Deen, C., Whittaker, M., & Harrison, W. (2013). Creep behaviour of Waspaloy under non-constant stress and temperature. Materials Research Innovations, 17(5), 323-326.
https://doi.org/10.1179/1433075x13y.0000000137, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15363
Lancaster, R. & Harrison, W. (2013). An Empirical Approach to Correlating Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue Behaviour of a Polycrystalline Ni-Base Superalloy. Materials, 6(11), 5275-5290.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma6115275, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa16953
Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., Lancaster, R., Williams, S., Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., & Lancaster, R. (2013). An analysis of modern creep lifing methodologies in the titanium alloy Ti6-4. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 577, 114-119.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2013.03.030, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14565
Harrison, W., Whittaker, M., Lancaster, R., Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., & Lancaster, R. (2013). A model for time dependent strain accumulation and damage at low temperatures in Ti–6Al–4V. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 574, 130-136.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2013.02.070, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14559
Harrison, W., Whittaker, M., & Williams, S. (2013). Recent Advances in Creep Modelling of the Nickel Base Superalloy, Alloy 720Li. Materials, 6(3), 1118-1137.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma6031118, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa24142
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84875802063&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., Hurley, P., Williams, S., Whittaker, M., & Harrison, W. (2010). Modelling the behaviour of titanium alloys at high temperature for gas turbine applications. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 527(16-17), 4365-4372.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2010.03.078, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5837
Whittaker, M., Evans, W., Lancaster, R., Harrison, W., Webster, P., Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., & Lancaster, R. (2009). The effect of microstructure and texture on mechanical properties of Ti6-4. International Journal of Fatigue, 31(11-12), 2022-2030.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2009.02.014, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa5830

Book Chapters

Harrison, W. (2022). Creep of Non-Ferrous Metals. Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering (pp. 494-504). Elsevier
https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-819726-4.00085-5, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56550

Conference Contributions

Dorrington, P., Harrison, W., Brown, H., Holmes, M., & Kerton, R. (2019). Step away from the CAD station: A hands-on and immersive approach to second year teaching of Mechanical Engineering design. In Proceedings of the Virtual and Augmented Reality to Enhance Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Conference 2018 (pp. 15-31). IM Publications Open LLP.
https://doi.org/10.1255/vrar2018.ch3, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57902
Deen, C., Whittaker, M., Harrison, W., Rae, C., Williams, S., & Harrison, W. (2014). Relating fundamental creep mechanisms in Waspaloy to the Wilshire equations. In MATEC Web of Conferences (pp. 15001
https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/20141415001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa24139
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84906910474&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Whittaker, M., Evans, W., Harrison, W., & Harrison, W. (2009). Time dependent fatigue fractures of titanium alloys.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa24147
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84869764155&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Whittaker, M., Evans, W., Harrison, W., & Harrison, W. (2009). Fracture mechanisms due to Fatigue, Creep and Environmental damage in titanium alloys.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa24148
http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84869749994&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Harrison, W. & Evans, W. (2008). A new method for predicting fatigue crack growth rates using Abaqus. In Abaqus UK Regional Users Meeting
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa29847
Harrison, W. & Evans, W. (2007). Application of the Theta projection method to creep modelling using Abaqus. In Abaqus UK Regional Users Meeting
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa29848

Other Research Outputs

Thomas, N., Harrison, W., Buttler, C., Johnston, R., Thomas, N., Harrison, W., & Johnston, R. (2022). Great White Pelican Mandible as Bioinspiration for Vehicle Design - Structural Bioprospecting Via X-Ray Micro-CT and Finite Element Analysis
https://doi.org/10.1017/s1431927622001702, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63965
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1431927622001702

Supervision

Methods for the efficient utilization of dynamic CAE solvers to derive appropriate optimization loadings for complex problems. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Johann Sienz
Dynamic Recrystallisation and Precipitation Kinetics of an Advanced Polycrystalline Nickel Alloy During Thermal Processing (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Amit Das
The Great White Pelican Mandible as Bioinspiration for Potential Lightweight Vehicle Structural Components Through Advanced X-ray Microscopy and Finite Element Analysis (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Richard Johnston
Multiscale Deformation Modelling of Small Scale Mechanical Tests (current)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof Djordje Peric
Advanced Manufacturing Techniques (current)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof Nicholas Lavery
Advanced design of sports wheelchairs (awarded 2024)

EngD

Other supervisor: Prof Neil Bezodis
An investigation into the sterilisation capabilities of biopolymers and the introduction of an organisational knowledge management methodology for the medical device industry. (awarded 2022)

MSc

Other supervisor: Dr Rajesh Ransing

Taught Modules

EG-323 Finite Element Method

This module provides a concise introduction to the elementary concepts and methods of finite element analysis, with applications to heat flow, solid mechanics, groundwater flow and other engineering problems. It also provides practice in using finite element software/codes.
EGA214 Mechanical Engineering Design 2

Within this module students will be expected to complete a series of exercises that will the form the basis of a 'major' design. The scope of the module will involve the students to work in groups where they will consider, as a team, conceptual designs, embodiment using innovative approaches to design processes and standards etc., leading to final design documentations and manufacturing techniques.
EGIM09 Finite Element Method

This module provides a concise introduction to the elementary concepts and methods of finite element analysis, with applications to heat flow, solid mechanics, groundwater flow and other engineering problems. It also provides practice in using finite element software/codes.

Public Engagements

Engineering components that last. How computer models can predict the behaviour of materials,

The Naked Scientists - 5th Jul 2013

Dr Will Harrison

Email address

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Career Highlights

Research Highlights

All Research

Methods for the efficient utilization of dynamic CAE solvers to derive appropriate optimization loadings for complex problems. (current)

Dynamic Recrystallisation and Precipitation Kinetics of an Advanced Polycrystalline Nickel Alloy During Thermal Processing (awarded 2023)

The Great White Pelican Mandible as Bioinspiration for Potential Lightweight Vehicle Structural Components Through Advanced X-ray Microscopy and Finite Element Analysis (current)

Multiscale Deformation Modelling of Small Scale Mechanical Tests (current)

Advanced Manufacturing Techniques (current)

Advanced design of sports wheelchairs (awarded 2024)

An investigation into the sterilisation capabilities of biopolymers and the introduction of an organisational knowledge management methodology for the medical device industry. (awarded 2022)

EG-323 Finite Element Method

EGA214 Mechanical Engineering Design 2

EGIM09 Finite Element Method