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EngD - Connectivity of components in hybrid structural systems

Thank you for your interest.  This vacancy is now closed.

 

EngD Urban Sustainability & Resilience

Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
4 year tax-free stipend at £17,750pa

In collaboration with Laing O'Rourke, The Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering have funding from the EPSRC for an EngD studentship for the following project:

Connectivity of components in hybrid structural systems.

Background

There is a major drive to increase off-site fabrication in the construction industry.  The benefits of off-site fabrication include, amongst others, leaner construction, higher quality finishes, improved durability, quicker build periods, less reliance on on-site labour, reduced potential for accidents, reduced waste and reduced social impact of construction activity, or, in short, increased sustainability. 

A major factor hindering the more widespread use of this method of construction is ensuring that adequate structural connections are readily achieved under often unfavourable site conditions.   A particular problem is the connectivity (or lack of it) in hybrid structures between elements made of different materials and produced by different suppliers , e.g. steel and concrete, where it is  necessary to ensure that full structural efficiency can be obtained.

Two significant contributory factors to this deficiency are:

  • The fragmentation of the supply chain, with different components being obtained from different sources.  In this respect the practice in many countries within Europe seems to be more integrated than that in the UK.
  • The lack of proven, robust, high performance joining materials.

Aims

1.      Compare practice in the UK with that in a number of selected European countries to make recommendations to improvements in the UK practice as appropriate.
2.      Identify, test and develop high performance joining materials (e.g. ultra high-strength concrete, resins) hence determine the effectiveness of connection systems, particularly    in hybrid structural systems.
3.      Make recommendations for design and construction practice.

Methodology

(1) and (3) above will be carried out in close conjunction with Laing O’Rourke.  The experimental work in (2) will be carried out initially at UCL, with some full-scale site trials at locations identified by Laing O’Rourke.

Applications:
For a place on the EngD programme funded through EPSRC awards, applicants must meet the EPSRC eligibility requirements.  EngD Funding is available for applicants who have been working residents in the UK for at least three years prior to the proposed commencement of the programme.

Visit this website for more information:  http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm        

Applicants must have at least a 2.1 degree in civil engineering or an allied subject and ideally some industrial experience.  They must be permanent UK residents

Please email a short statement to Chanakya Arya c.arya (at) ucl.ac.uk indicating how you meet the entrance requirements to  If you are successful, you will be invited to apply in full and come for an interview.

 

Contact: Chanakya Arya