Urban street networks and their readily observable structure have been shown to impact a range of physical and social urban dynamics, eg, pollutant dispersion, carbon emissions, economic output, spread of disease, etc. Meanwhile, detailed and direct modeling of complex blast behavior across large and complex urban environments is computationally resource intensive. As a result, current blast protection solutions cannot account for the added complexities of blast loading in an urban environment.
In this project, you will develop new urban blast risk assessment models informed by cities’ underlying street network. These will allow much faster initial identification of high-risk urban areas for both blast initiation and propagation. You will also contribute to an urban-wide assessment model which enables blast protection solutions to be integrated into the planning process for cities and their public spaces as a function of the existing street network and morphology.
To do this, you will adapt network models of urban morphology from sociophysics literature to proxy blast propagation and impact across the cityscape. Taking advantage of detailed experimental data from University’s world-leading Blast and Impact Laboratory and advanced numerical modeling of urban blast events, eg, 2020 Beirut explosion, to develop blast risk typologies for different urban morphological forms.
You need to have a strong background in STEM topics (including but not limited to Civil and Structural Engineering), strong numerical (essential) and GIS skills (useful). You will be expected to commence in September 2023. Interested candidates should apply by April the 3rd with a CV, two academic references, and a single-page personal statement and project idea on the above project statement. Your statement should address why you want to do a PhD and your initial thoughts on a research idea/project stated above.
For general and/or informal enquiries please contact [Email Address Removed].
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