Getting a Grip on Artificial Turf! A new approach to measuring the Traction Behaviour of Artificial/Hybrid Turf

Application details
Reference number: ABCE18/PF4
Start date of studentship: by 1 July 2019
Closing date of advert: 31 March 2019
Interview date: w/c 11 March 2019

Supervisors:
Academic supervisors: Dr Paul Fleming & Dr Steph Forrester
Industrial supervisor: Dr Kathryn Severn, Labosport UK Ltd.

Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.

Find out more: www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

The School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering was ranked first for research environment in Architecture, Built Environment and Planning, with 95% of research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ for its influence on society, the economy and policy.

The Sports Technology Institute (STI) is home to the Sports Technology Research Group, one of the world’s leading research groups of its kind and the largest in the UK.

Full Project Detail
This PhD studentship aims to develop a new approach to measuring the Traction Behaviour of Artificial/Hybrid Turf, supported by Labosport UK Ltd. the global leading commercial sport surfaces test house.

Currently mechanical testing of sport surface traction relies on technology developed in the 1980s and is unrepresentative of typical player movements. This project will develop a new approach to understanding the mechanisms of boot-surface traction via extensive experimental testing and associated mathematical modelling.

The project extends several previous PhD programmes that have instrumented and developed rotational and linear laboratory-based traction equipment, but to date stopped short of measuring and modelling commercial footwear outsoles and studs across a range of artificial/hybrid turf surfaces. This work will also benefit from data mining the wealth of commercial laboratory and field-testing data held by the company. The project is expected to make a significant and novel scientific contribution to player-surface traction research and provide excellent employment opportunities to the researcher.

The student will join the internationally recognised Sport Surfaces Research Group, with academics and researchers working across projects in sport surface safety and performance.

Find out more
www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/abce/pg-research/
https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/sti/about/
https://labosport.com/offices/labosport-uk

Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline. A relevant master’s degree and/or relevant employment experience will be an advantage. A strong interest or/and experience in designing and conducting mechanical tests (in the field and/or laboratory) is desirable.

Contact details
For information about the project, please contact:

Name: Dr Paul Fleming
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: +44 (0)1509 222 616

For information about the application process, please contact:

Name: Mr Berkeley Young
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: +44 (0)1509 222 611

How to apply
All applications should be made online at www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, please select Civil and Building Engineering.

Please quote reference: ABCE18/PF4