concrete PhD Projects, Programs & Scholarships

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project has funding attached for UK and EU students, though the amount may depend on your nationality. Non-EU students may still be able to apply for the project provided they can find separate funding. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Novel precast concrete elements have been developed utilizing high-strength, self- consolidating concrete (fire resistant or expanding SCC) in which prestress is introduced by high-strength and modulus, lightweight, and non-corroding carbon fibre reinforced polymer tendons (UHM CFRP tendons).

Various treatments of Crumb Tyre rubber to improve concrete properties

Coventry University
Centre for Research in the Built and Natural Environment

Prof E Ganjian

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

The main aim of this project is to study the effectiveness of surface pre-treatment by Ultraviolet (UV) light and Ultrasonic treatment as a replacement for the natural aggregate in concrete mixtures on the rubberised concrete properties.

Development and performance improvement of structural concrete using reused aggregate

University of Bradford
Faculty of Engineering and Informatics

Research Group: Centre For Sustainable Environments

Dr X Dai, Prof D Lam

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Concrete is one of the most used construction materials in construction practice overall world. Aggregate is the main constituent material for concrete and it affects the concrete properties significantly.

Digital Design and Fabrication of Low Carbon Flexibly Formed Concrete Structures Reinforced With Natural Fibres

University of Dundee
School of Science and Engineering

Dr S Spadea, Dr T Dyer

Application Deadline: 31 May 2020

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project has funding attached for UK and EU students, though the amount may depend on your nationality. Non-EU students may still be able to apply for the project provided they can find separate funding. You should check the project and department details for more information.

The aim of this project is to improve whole-life productivity and sustainability of the construction industry by defining new methods for the design and fabrication of durable concrete structures using naturally sourced fibrous materials.

Manufacturing accurate net-shaped Concrete components using hybrid-3D Print

Loughborough University
School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering

Prof R Buswell

Application Deadline: 31 May 2020

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project has funding attached for UK and EU students, though the amount may depend on your nationality. Non-EU students may still be able to apply for the project provided they can find separate funding. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Application details. Reference number. ABCE/3DCP/2. Start date of studentship. 1 October 2020. Closing date of advert. 31 May 2020.

Structural design of reinforced 3D Concrete Printed shell structures

Loughborough University
School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering

Prof R Buswell, Dr S Cavalaro

Application Deadline: 31 May 2020

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project has funding attached for UK and EU students, though the amount may depend on your nationality. Non-EU students may still be able to apply for the project provided they can find separate funding. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Reference number. ABCE/3DCP/1. Start date of studentship. 1 October 2020. Closing date of advert. 31 May 2020. Interview date. tbc.

GFRPs in Concrete: Innovations Beyond FRP Bar Reinforcement

University of Southampton
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Research Group: Infrastructure Division

Dr M Achintha

Application Deadline: 31 August 2020

Funding Type

PhD Type

Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities.

Supervisor. Mithila Achintha Paththini Marakkala (Infrastructure). Project description. Owing to the high strength properties and the excellent in-service and physical characteristics of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials have potential application as reinforcement in concrete structures.

Re-engineered seawater and desert sand towards sustainable concrete

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Civil Engineering

Dr E Liu

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

The candidate should have a first class or upper second class honours degree, or a master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in Materials Science and Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field.

Railway stray current induced corrosion in reinforced concrete linings

Brunel University London
Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Dr K Tang

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Railway electrification represents an important carbon strategy in the UK. It is estimated that an electric train consumes at least 20% less power (per passenger per mile) compared to a diesel-powered train.

Development and optimisation of novel pultruded Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) cellular–concrete hybrid beam

Coventry University
Centre for Research in the Built and Natural Environment

Prof E Ganjian

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

This project aims to investigate the structural performance/behaviour of new pultruded FRP cellular ‘PolyCell’ – concrete hybrid beams.

Use of polymer concrete as a lining material for small diameter tunnels installed using Microtunnelling Machines

University of Birmingham
Department of Civil Engineering

Dr A Royal, Prof D N Chapman

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities.

Trenchless technologies are used to install buried infrastructure without the need for open cut excavations. One such technique is microtunnelling; this uses microtunnelling machines to excavate the bore whilst the lining is traditionally installed via pipe jacking or auto-erecting segmental systems.

Geopolymer reinforced concrete structural element

University of Bradford
Faculty of Engineering and Informatics

Research Group: Centre For Sustainable Environments

Prof A Ashour

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Geopolymers is an alkali-activated amorphous aluminosilicious cementitious material. Common aluminosilicate material used for producing geopolymer is fly ash and slag, both industrial by products.

Towards Enhancing the Design Life of Concrete Structures with Stainless Steel Reinforcement

University of Southampton
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Dr S Afshan

Application Deadline: 31 August 2020

Funding Type

PhD Type

Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities.

Supervisor. Sheida Afshan (Infrastructure). Project description. The aim of the project is to solve the problem of deterioration of concrete structures currently facing the Civil and Structural Engineering community with introduction of the use of stainless steel reinforcement.

Utilising sensors for predicting the residual strength of corroded reinforced concrete beams

Sheffield Hallam University
Materials and Engineering Research Institute

Prof F O'Flaherty, Dr V Starinieri

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Research Area. The project is structural engineering based and will investigate the influence of corrosion on reinforced concrete beams using sensors to automatically detect differences in the ability of the structural member to carry its design load.

Modelling and mitigation of early-age cracking in reinforced concrete structures

Brunel University London
Chemical Engineering

Dr K Tang

Applications accepted all year round

Funding Type

PhD Type

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

The project will investigate the potential of modelling the thermal behaviour of concrete structures at early ages due to cement hydration through finite element modelling.