Dr Rachel Tomlinson

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Senior Lecturer

Year Tutor for Level 1

Rachel Tomlinson
Profile picture of Rachel Tomlinson
r.a.tomlinson@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 7757

Full contact details

Dr Rachel Tomlinson
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sir Frederick Mappin Building
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
Profile

Rachel Tomlinson was awarded her PhD in Experimental Mechanics from the University of Sheffield in 1995 and graduated with a BEng degree in 1991 in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution. Rachel was appointed as a lecturer in 1998 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in January 2007.

Rachel is interested in experimental mechanics, full-field strain measurement, and fatigue and fracture. She works closely with industrial partners, collaborating with a diverse range of companies such as Airbus, Rolls Royce, Solvay, Pilkington Glass, Qinetic, GKN, TWI, Saudi Aramco, and Severn Trent Water, in addition to having an interest in strain measurement for medical and dental applications.

Research interests

Her research is in the area of experimental solid mechanics, primarily in the development and use of optical instruments to measure strain with expertise in Photoelasticity, Thermoelastic Stress Analysis, Digital Image Correlation, and Experimental Fracture Mechanics. She is passionate about materials and measurement!

Current research projects:

  • Novel Coatings for full-field strain Measurement - with Airbus, VisEng Ltd, NPL, and Lambson Ltd
  • Full Field Damage assessment of CFRP Composites using DIC and TSA - with Solvay
  • Stress Relaxation and Residual Stress in Fast Curing Composites - with Solvay
  • Electrofusion Couplers for Thermoplastic Pipes - with TWI and Saudi Aramco
  • Modelling, Materials and Methods for needle insertion investigation in Biomechanics - with University of Leeds
  • Measurement and analysis of the properties of bone cement - with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
  • Photoelasticity for dental applications - with School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield
Publications

Journal articles

Conference proceedings papers

  • Obedan AAL, Tomlinson R & Traidia A (2022) MODELLING AND EXPERIMENTAL TESTING OF HEAT TRANSFER DURING ELECTROFUSION WELDING OF GLASS-PE THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE PIPES. ECCM 2022 - Proceedings of the 20th European Conference on Composite Materials: Composites Meet Sustainability, Vol. 4 (pp 364-371) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Gierulski M, Tomlinson R, Smith M & Troughton M (2022) ELECTROFUSION WELDING OF THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE PIPES. ECCM 2022 - Proceedings of the 20th European Conference on Composite Materials: Composites Meet Sustainability, Vol. 1 (pp 22-28) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Falconer SE, Taylor ZA & Tomlinson RA (2019) Developing a soft tissue surrogate for use in photoelastic testing. Materials Today: Proceedings, Vol. 7(1) (pp 537-544), 27 June 2018 - 29 June 2018. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ziglam A & Tomlinson RA (2016) 3D Digital Photoelasticity for Load Transfer Measurements in Dental Applications. BSSM International Conference on Advances in Experimental Mechanics Sept.2016 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA & Kuppusamy N (2016) The effect of particles in toughening and fracture behaviour in a resin system. 17th International Conference on Experimental Mechanics, Rhodes, Greece, RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA & Salmon Guzman F (2016) Life assessment of particle interleaved CFRP laminates using lock-in thermography. 17th International Conference on Experimental Mechanics, 4 July 2016 - 7 July 2016. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tayefi P, Beck SBM & Tomlinson RA (2015) Fatigue Failure of Polyethylene Electrofusion Joints Subject to Contamination (pp 197-202) View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wickramasinghe KS, Tomlinson RA & Rongong JA (2015) In situ Observation of NiTi Transformation Behaviour: A Micro–Macro Approach (pp 13-20) View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA, Aui Yong WK, Morton G & Taylor ZA (2015) Development of Tissue Surrogates for Photoelastic Strain Analysis of Needle Insertion (pp 37-45) View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA, Amjad K & Urra GG (2014) Crack growth study of fibre metal laminates using thermoelastic stress analysis. Conference Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Mechanics Series, Vol. 8 (pp 39-45) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Okioga AN, Greene RJ & Tomlinson RA (2014) Quantifying residual strains in specimens prepared by additive layer manufacturing. Conference Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Mechanics Series, Vol. 8 (pp 245-252) View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Okioga AN, Greene RJ, Patrick DG & Tomlinson RA (2014) Analysis of stress distribution caused by orthodontic correctional devices. Conference Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Mechanics Series, Vol. 4 (pp 67-73) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hussain AK, Mahmud J & Tomlinson RA (2013) Detecting microscopic defects in aged thermoplastic using thermoelastic technique. BEIAC 2013 - 2013 IEEE Business Engineering and Industrial Applications Colloquium (pp 822-826) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Patterson EA, Crimp M, Tomlinson RA & Yang Y (2012) Measuring crack tip strain at the microscale. Proc. Joint ISEM, ACEM, SEM, 7th ISEM. Taipei, 8 November 2012 - 11 November 2012. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jones SA & Tomlinson RA (2012) Fracture parameter extraction from DIC displacement field in epoxies. Proceedings of 15th International Conference on Experimental Mechanics. Porto, Portugal, 22 July 2012 - 27 July 2012. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jones SA & Tomlinson RA (2012) Mixed-mode (I/II) fracture study of epoxies using digital image correlation. Proc of 15th International Conference on Experimental Mechanics. Porto, Portugal, 22 July 2012 - 27 July 2012. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jones SA & Tomlinson RA (2012) Mixed-mode (I/II) fracture study of epoxies using digital image correlation. 15th European Conference of Composite Mechanics (ECCM15). Venice, Italy, 24 June 2012 - 28 June 2012. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA, Du Y & Patterson EA (2011) Understanding crack tip plasticity-a multi-experimental approach. Applied Mechanics and Materials, Vol. 70 (pp 153-158) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA (2011) Crack tip stress fields under biaxial loads using TSA. Conference Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Mechanics Series, Vol. 6 (pp 275-278) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA (2010) Crack tip stress fields under biaxial loads using TSA. Society for Experimental Mechanics - SEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2010, Vol. 2 (pp 1025-1028) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Conway AR, Tomlinson RA & Jewell GW (2009) Development of a versatile pulsed magneto-polariscope. Society for Experimental Mechanics - SEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2009, Vol. 3 (pp 1767-1775) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cooke WR, Tomlinson RA, Burguete RL, Johns D, Vanard GJC & Featherston CA (2009) Using selective laser sintering to produce scaled structural models. Society for Experimental Mechanics - SEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2009, Vol. 4 (pp 2752-2761) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zanganeh M, Tomlinson RA & Yates JR (2008) T-stress determination using TSA and DIC. 17th European Conference on Fracture 2008: Multilevel Approach to Fracture of Materials, Components and Structures, Vol. 1 (pp 595-602) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA, Calvert GC & Conway AR (2008) A photoelastic investigation into spontaneous glass fracture. Society for Experimental Mechanics - 11th International Congress and Exhibition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2008, Vol. 4 (pp 1829-1836) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zanganeh M, Tomlinson RA & Yates JR (2008) T-stress determination using digital image correlation. Society for Experimental Mechanics - 11th International Congress and Exhibition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2008, Vol. 1 (pp 511-517) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hussain AK, Greene RJ & Tomlinson RA (2008) The viability of using thermoelastic stress analysis on rubber at small strain. Society for Experimental Mechanics - 11th International Congress and Exhibition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2008, Vol. 3 (pp 1237-1244) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Conway AR, Tomlinson RA & Jewell GW (2008) Advances in the characterization of the residual stress distribution in thermally toughened glass - Using pulsed magneto-photoelasticity. Society for Experimental Mechanics - 11th International Congress and Exhibition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2008, Vol. 4 (pp 1837-1845) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Spalton T, Tomlinson RA, Garrard AE & Beck SBM (2008) Streaming Birefringence - A Step Forward. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS VI, Vol. 13-14 (pp 23-28) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hussain A, Greene R & Tomlinson RA (2007) Thermal effects in viscoelastic materials. Proceedings of 13th International Conference on Experimental Mechanics. The Netherlands, 1 July 2007 - 6 July 2007. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA, Yates JR & Zanganeh M (2007) Thermoelastic investigation of crack paths. Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Experimental Mechanics. The Netherlands, 1 July 2007 - 6 July 2007. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Conway A, Tomlinson RA & Jewell GW (2007) The development and application of magnetophotoelasticity. Proceedings of 13th International Conference on Experimental Mechanics. The Netherlands, 1 July 2007 - 6 July 2007. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA, Yates J & Zanganeh M (2007) Investigation of interacting fatigue cracks using thermoelastic stress analysis. 8th International Conference on Multiaxial Fatigue & Fracture. Sheffield, 10 June 2007 - 14 June 2007. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Conway AR, Tomlinson RA & Jewell GW (2007) Improvements in the application of pulsed magnetophotoelasticity. Proceedings of the SEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2007, Vol. 3 (pp 2006-2013) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yang H, Tomlinson RA & Lionheart W (2006) Application of an Advanced Fourier Polarimetry in Tomographic Photoelasticity. Proceedings of Photomechanics 2006. Clermont-Ferrand, France, 10 July 2006 - 12 July 2006. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Marsavina L, Tomlinson RA, Patterson EA & Yates JR (2006) Investigation Of Crack Closure Using Thermoelastic Stress Analysis. Proceedings of the European Conference on Fracture 2006. Greece, 2 July 2006 - 4 July 2006. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA, Yang H, Szotten D & Lionheart WRB (2006) The design and commissioning of a novel tomographic polariscope. Proceedings of the 2006 SEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics 2006, Vol. 3 (pp 1141-1147) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey MN & Tomlinson RA (2005) Complete two-dimensional principal stress separation by the photoelastic oblique incidence method. Applied Mechanics and Materials, Vol. 3-4 (pp 229-234) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA & Calvert GC (2004) Industrial applications of thermoelastic stress analysis. Advances in Experimental Mechanics, Vol. 1-2 (pp 165-170) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA, Greene RJ & Delaney KV (2000) The application of thermoelastic stress analysis to compressor vanes. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEM IX INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS (pp 84-87) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA & Yates JR (2000) An investigation of crack closure using thermoelasticity. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEM IX INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS (pp 137-139) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cen M, Tomlinson RA, Patterson EA & Hickman LJ (1998) Integrated birefringence applied to solids and fluids - A review. EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 507-512) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA & Patterson EA (1998) Evaluating characteristic parameters in integrated photoelasticity. EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 495-500) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson RA () Examination of Crack Tip Plasticity Using Thermoelastic Stress Analysis. SEM Annual Conference on Experimental and Applied Mechanics. Conneticut, 13 June 2011 - 16 June 2011. RIS download Bibtex download
Teaching activities
  • MEC302 Integrity of Materials and Components
  • MEC444 Industrial Experimental Methods for Engineering Problems
Professional activities and memberships
  • Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • Executive committee member of the European Society for Experimental Mechanics
  • Member of the British Society for Strain Measurement and actively organises conferences and seminars
  • Member of the Women’s Engineering Society