Dr Rachel Tomlinson

School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Senior Lecturer

Year Tutor for Level 1

r.a.tomlinson@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 7757

Sir Frederick Mappin Building

Full contact details

Dr Rachel Tomlinson
School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil 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, having collaborated with a diverse range of companies such as Airbus, Rolls Royce, Syensqo, Arkema, 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 and recent research projects:

Novel Coatings for full-field strain Measurement - with Airbus and Arkema
Full Field Damage assessment of CFRP Composites using DIC and TSA - with Syensqo
Stress Relaxation and Residual Stress in Fast Curing Composites - with Syensqo
Electrofusion Couplers for Thermoplastic Pipes - with TWI and Saudi Aramco
Modelling, Materials and Methods for investigating needle and spine insertion
Strain measurement and analysis in orthopaedic applications - with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals

Publications

Journal articles

Gierulski MP, Tomlinson R & Troughton M (2020) Electrofusion welding and reinforced thermoplastic pipes – A review. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites. View this article in WRRO
Tayefi P, Beck SBM & Tomlinson RA (2019) The fatigue performance of electrofusion tapping tees subject to contamination. International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping, 171, 271-277. View this article in WRRO
Salmon Guzman F, Jackson M, Jones S & Tomlinson RA (2018) Use of digital image correlation to measure strain recovery in particle toughened thermoset resins. Strain, 54(2). View this article in WRRO
Cinar AF, Barhli SM, Hollis D, Flansbjer M, Tomlinson RA, Marrow TJ & Mostafavi M (2017) An autonomous surface discontinuity detection and quantification method by digital image correlation and phase congruency. Optics and Lasers in Engineering, 96, 94-106. View this article in WRRO
Kuppusamy N & Tomlinson RA (2016) Repeatable pre-cracking preparation for fracture testing of polymeric materials. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 152, 81-87. View this article in WRRO
Jones SA & Tomlinson RA (2015) Investigating mixed-mode (I/II) fracture in epoxies using digital image correlation: Composite GIIc performance from resin measurements. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 149, 368-374. View this article in WRRO
Tomlinson RA & Taylor ZA (2015) Photoelastic materials and methods for tissue biomechanics applications. Optical Engineering, 54(8). View this article in WRRO
Marsavina L & Tomlinson RA (2014) A review of using thermoelasticity for structural integrity assessment. Frattura ed Integrita Strutturale, 8(27), 13-20. View this article in WRRO
Yang Y, Crimp MA, Tomlinson RA & Patterson EA (2012) Quantitative Measurement of the Plastic Strain Field at a Fatigue Crack Tip using Backscattered Electron Images. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 18(S2), 692-693.
Cooke W, Tomlinson RA, Burguete R, Johns D & Vanard G (2011) Anisotropy, homogeneity and ageing in an SLS polymer. RAPID PROTOTYPING J, 17(4), 269-279.
Blakey S, Rowson J, Tomlinson RA, Sandham A & Yoxall A (2009) Squeezability. Part 1: a pressing issue. P I MECH ENG C-J MEC, 223(11), 2615-2625.
Marsavina L, Craciun EM & Tomlinson RA (2008) Combining thermo-photo elasticity for analysis of cracked bodies. JOURNAL OF OPTOELECTRONICS AND ADVANCED MATERIALS, 10(11), 2876-2881.
Zanganeh M, Tomlinson RA & Yates JR (2008) T-stress determination using thermoelastic stress analysis. J STRAIN ANAL ENG, 43(6), 529-537. View this article in WRRO
Allum SR, Tomlinson RA & Joshi R (2008) The impact of loads on standard diameter, small diameter and mini implants: a comparative laboratory study. CLIN ORAL IMPLAN RES, 19(6), 553-559. View this article in WRRO
Yates JR, Zanganeh M, Tomlinson RA, Brown MW & Garrido FAD (2008) Crack paths under mixed mode loading. ENGINEERING FRACTURE MECHANICS, 75(3-4), 319-330.
Patterson EA, Hack E, Brailly P, Burguete RL, Saleem Q, Siebert T, Tomlinson RA & Whelan MP (2007) Calibration and evaluation of optical systems for full-field strain measurement. OPT LASER ENG, 45(5), 550-564. View this article in WRRO
Tomlinson RA, Pugh D & Beck SBM (2006) Experiment and modelling of birefringent flows using commercial CFD code. INT J HEAT FLUID FL, 27(6), 1054-1060. View this article in WRRO
Yang H, Gibson S & Tomlinson RA (2006) Improvement of Fourier Polarimetry for applications in tomographic photoelasticity. EXP MECH, 46(5), 619-626. View this article in WRRO
Gibson S, Jewell GW & Tomlinson RA (2006) Full-field pulsed magnetophotoelasticity - experimental implementation. J STRAIN ANAL ENG, 41(2), 171-182. View this article in WRRO
Gibson S, Jewell GW & Tomlinson RA (2006) Full-field pulsed magnetophotoelasticity - a description of the instrument. J STRAIN ANAL ENG, 41(2), 161-170. View this article in WRRO
Marsavina L & Tomlinson RA (2004) The use of infra-red detectors for determination of the fracture mechanics parameters. J OPTOELECTRON ADV M, 6(4), 1323-1329.
Tomlinson RA & Marsavina L (2004) Thermoelastic investigations for fatigue life assessment. EXP MECH, 44(5), 487-494.
Diaz FA, Patterson EA, Tomlinson RA & Yates JR (2004) Measuring stress intensity factors during fatigue crack growth using thermoelasticity. FATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS & STRUCTURES, 27(7), 571-583. View this article in WRRO
Tomlinson RA & Patterson EA (2002) The use of phase-stepping for the measurement of characteristic parameters in integrated photoelasticity. EXP MECH, 42(1), 43-50.
Tomlinson R & Patterson E (2002) The use of phase-stepping for the measurement of characteristic parameters in integrated photoelasticity. Experimental Mechanics, 42(1), 43-50.
Tomlinson RA & Patterson EA (1999) The effects of surface topography on the method of caustics. EXP MECH, 39(4), 335-342.
Tomlinson RA & Patterson EA (1999) On the feasibility of determining discrete photoelastic parameters using the multi-load method. J STRAIN ANAL ENG, 34(4), 295-299.
Tomlinson RA & Olden EJ (1999) Thermoelasticity for the analysis of crack tip stress fields - a review. Strain, 35(2), 49-55.
Tomlinson RA & Patterson EA (1997) A study of residual caustics generated from fatigue cracks. FATIGUE FRACT ENG M, 20(10), 1467-1479.
Tomlinson RA, Nurse AD & Patterson EA (1997) On determining stress intensity factors for mixed mode cracks from thermoelastic data. FATIGUE FRACT ENG M, 20(2), 217-226.
KITCHIN RA & PATTERSON EA (1993) THE PRACTICAL USE OF VIRTUAL REFLECTION CAUSTICS. FATIGUE FRACT ENG M, 16(6), 597-602.
Seers B, Tomlinson R & Fairclough P () Residual stress in fiber reinforced thermosetting composites: A review of measurement techniques. Polymer Composites.

Conference proceedings papers

Fraser W, Parnell A & Tomlinson R (2024) The Development of a Novel Photoelastic and Mechanoluminescent Coating for Full-Field Strain Measurements (pp 23-27)
Gierulski M, Tomlinson R, Ryan A, Troughton M & Smith M (2023) Modelling and testing of an electrofusion joint in thermoplastic composite pipes. ICCM International Conferences on Composite Materials
Obedan AAL, Tomlinson R & Traidia A (2023) Least Squares Approach To Optimize Electrofusion Welding Parameters of Glass/PE Thermoplastic Composite Pipes. ICCM International Conferences on Composite Materials
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)
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)
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
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
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,
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.
Tayefi P, Beck SBM & Tomlinson RA (2015) Fatigue Failure of Polyethylene Electrofusion Joints Subject to Contamination (pp 197-202) View this article in WRRO
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
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
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)
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
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jones S & Tomlinson R (2012) MIXED-MODE (I/II) FRACTURE STUDY OF EPOXIES USING DIGITAL IMAGE CORRELATION. ICEM15: 15TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS
Jones S & Tomlinson R (2012) FRACTURE PARAMETER EXTRACTION FROM DIC DISPLACEMENT FIELD IN EPOXIES. ICEM15: 15TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS
Tomlinson RA, Du Y & Patterson EA (2011) Understanding crack tip plasticity-a multi-experimental approach. Applied Mechanics and Materials, Vol. 70 (pp 153-158)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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)
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)
Tomlinson RA & Calvert GC (2004) Industrial applications of thermoelastic stress analysis. Advances in Experimental Mechanics, Vol. 1-2 (pp 165-170)
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)
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)
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)
Tomlinson RA & Patterson EA (1998) Evaluating characteristic parameters in integrated photoelasticity. EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 495-500)
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.

Teaching activities

MEC11003 Fundamental Engineering Science
MEC102 Materials Under Stress
MEC444 Industrial Experimental Methods for Engineering Problems

Professional activities and memberships

Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Member of the British Society for Strain Measurement and actively organises conferences and seminars
Member of the Women’s Engineering Society