Material degradation—driven by mechanical loading, environmental exposure, or their synergistic effects—poses a critical challenge to the longevity and safety of infrastructure, energy systems, and transportation networks. In an era prioritizing sustainability, understanding and mitigating degradation mechanisms (e.g., fracture, corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement) is essential to extend asset lifespans, reduce resource consumption, and prevent catastrophic failures. This research project addresses the urgent need to unravel the complex interplay between mechanical stress and environmental factors that accelerate material deterioration.

Advanced multiphysics numerical frameworks, integrating diffusion, deformation, and damage, will be developed to simulate material degradation under combined mechanical and environmental impacts. These models will resolve the local deformation heterogeneity, the initiation and evolution of damage, considering the influence of microstructure, stress state, temperature, as well as electrochemical reactions. Experimental validation via mechanical testing (in-situ damage/fracture mechanics tests, etc.) and multiscale characterization (scanning electron microscopy, X-ray tomography) will be employed to calibrate and verify simulations. By integrating multiphysics modeling and experimental validation, this research will advance the fundamental knowledge of multiphysics damage mechanisms and deliver numerical tools for guiding material selection and failure prediction in critical infrastructure, such as hydrogen pipelines, and next-gen nuclear reactors.