My research background combines mechanical engineering, materials engineering and advanced manufacturing. My master's research focused on laser cladding of titanium alloys, providing experience in investigating a manufacturing process relevant to component repair and surface engineering. This work resulted in a peer-reviewed publication in Materials Today: Proceedings.
DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2018.06.322.
My research interests have continued to develop through my current Welding Engineering honours studies at the University of Pretoria. My current academic focus is computational modelling of welding processes, particularly the prediction of temperature histories and the thermal behaviour of materials during processing.
My current research development involves critically reviewing analytical, numerical and hybrid approaches to modelling welding thermal histories. This work is developing my understanding of how different modelling approaches represent heat transfer during welding, as well as the assumptions, limitations and computational considerations associated with each approach.
This research builds on my previous experience in laser-based manufacturing while allowing me to develop a more specialised understanding of welding thermal modelling. It also supports my continued professional development in welding engineering and metallurgy.
My longer-term research interests lie in computationally efficient modelling of welding and metal additive-manufacturing processes. I am particularly interested in approaches that can predict thermal histories while balancing computational cost and modelling accuracy.
A potential future direction is to investigate the relationship between thermal modelling and thermo-mechanical modelling, including the prediction of distortion and other consequences of thermal loading. This represents a developing research direction rather than a completed research outcome.
My research and industrial experience provide complementary perspectives that inform my teaching. My background in mechanical engineering, turbomachinery, materials and manufacturing allows me to connect theoretical principles with practical engineering applications.
I aim to help students understand not only the equations and methods used in engineering, but also why these methods matter when making design decisions, selecting materials or evaluating manufacturing processes. My ongoing research also reinforces the importance of evidence-based reasoning, understanding model assumptions and recognising the limitations of engineering analyses.