This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition. Please see the URSA webpage for more information.
Project
Vehicle tyres contain ultra-high strength steel wire reinforcement. Currently, from the 25.6 million tonnes of End of Service tyres generated globally, only about 47% are recycled to recover the rubber, while the steel is largely seen as a problematic by-product that finds low value uses as scrap at best.
ZeroWasteWorks.co.uk is an exciting start-up, which works with the tyre recycling industry to convert steel and polymer by-products into high value products for the construction industry. Their mission is to develop sustainable, affordable and quality fibre concrete reinforcement solutions as part of the world’s transition to a circular economy, and eliminating a continuously increasing problematic waste stream.
Dr Shepherd’s large ISCF Transforming Construction project “Automating Concrete Construction” (ACORN) has developed methods of halving the embodied carbon in concrete buildings by replacing solid (>20cm) concrete floor slabs with thin (4-6cm) concrete shells, using a system of Computational Design that puts material only where it is needed. However, the thin nature of the shell means that traditional (equally wasteful) cages of steel reinforcement bars can no longer be used. ACORN has adopted a method of robotic concrete spraying, with short reinforcement fibres added to the concrete mix to provide resistance to bending (tension). However, since the laboratory was closed due to COVID lockdown, the project has had to drop its work-package on material development.
This PhD proposal will take the steel fibres recovered by ZeroWasteWorks and, using the brand new Concrete 3D Printer purchased by the Department, will carry out physical experiments to determine the best type of fibre and best concrete mix to produce the thin concrete shell floors developed by ACORN.
Candidate Requirements
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class Honours degree (or the equivalent). A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement.
Enquiries and Applications
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Shepherd - [Email Address Removed]
Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Civil Engineering.
When completing the form, please identify your application as being for the URSA studentship competition in Section 3 Finance (question 2) and quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name in the ‘Your research interests’ section.
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.
Funding Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, you must qualify as a Home student. The eligibility criteria for Home fee status are detailed and too complex to be summarised here in full; however, as a general guide, the following applicants will normally qualify subject to meeting residency requirements: UK nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland), Irish nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland), those with Indefinite Leave to Remain and EU nationals with pre-settled or settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme). This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Additional information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage, on the GOV.UK website and on the UKCISA website.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
Keywords
Built Environment; Civil Engineering; Manufacturing Engineering; Materials Science; Metallurgy; Polymers
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