The Impact of Tree-Related Ground Movement on Water Infrastructure - Phd

Application Deadline: 17th July 2015, 5 pm
Start Date: October 2015
Eligibility: UK, EU
Duration of award: 3 years
Ref: CRAN1067
Supervisors: Cranfield Dr Timothy Farewell; Dr Stephen Hallett Cambridge Dr Mike Bithell
The UK water network includes pipes of different materials, diameters and ages. These pipes are buried in different soils and have different external factors influencing their resilience. We know that ground movement breaks pipes, but due to the complexity of the environment and pipe network, predicting the number of bursts, and particularly where they are most likely to occur, remains very challenging.

Based on the location, height and canopy of the 28 million trees within our study area, you will calculate areas of ‘tree influence’ on soil moisture, and use these to predict highly local ground movements. It is expected that the incorporation of the new tree datasets into infrastructure-environmental models will enhance our ability to predict the location of burst pipes. Taking a large, historic 10 year, case study in the Anglian Water region, this will be the first time environmental-water infrastructure models based on soil, weather and tree variables will have been developed and tested on this scale.

You will test the relationships hypothesised using a range of statistical methods to assess the relative contributions of the infrastructure and environmental variables to each infrastructure failure. The changing impact of trees on local soil moisture under future climates will also be modelled.
Due to the age and variable integrity of the UK water network, this work will be of national importance in as it will help to focus the limited resources available for repair and replacement in the areas which will deliver the maximum benefit in reducing leakage and associated energy costs, collateral damage to nearby infrastructure, and minimising the potential impact of failures to both humans and the environment.

This studentship is offered as part of the DREAM CDT programme which offers an attractive stipend and has a strong professional development ethos. The programme will provide a research experience combining academic rigour with real world problem solving, ensuring you have the opportunities to progress your career in the global informatics sector. Researchers will study for a PhD, benefiting from expertise, events and courses run at all four of the partner universities. [Email Address Removed]

About you: Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK Honours Degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in subjects such as Environmental Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Geography or Natural Sciences. Experience with R and python are an advantage.

For further details:
Please contact Dr Timothy Farewell
Email: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone: +44 (0)1234 752978

Supervisory panel:
Cranfield Dr Timothy Farewell; Dr Stephen Hallett
Cambridge Dr Mike Bithell

Industrial partners Anglian Water plc; Bluesky Ltd.

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have a first or upper second class UK honours degree or Masters degree or equivalent in a related discipline.

How to apply:
For further information please contact:
Dr Timothy Farewell E: [Email Address Removed] T: +44 (0)1234 752978
Or
Professor Jason Weeks E: [Email Address Removed] T: 44 (0)1234 754963
If you are eligible to apply for this research studentship, please complete the online application form