Prof E Ganjian
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
Congratulations on taking your first steps toward a Research Degree with Coventry’s Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing. As an ambitious and innovative University, we’re investing an initial £100m into our new research strategy, ‘Excellence with Impact’. Through original approaches from world-leading experts, we’re aiming for our research to make a tangible difference to the way we live. As a research student you are an integral part of Coventry’s lively and diverse research community and contribute to our reputation for excellence. With our exceptional facilities and superb support mechanisms you are afforded every opportunity for academic success.
The project
Concrete containing cement replacement materials that are obtained from industrial by-products/waste resources is a sustainable material and techniques such as sonication are currently being reviewed to further improve the impact of such replacements. The use of cement replacements in concrete reduces the quantity of waste material that is sent to landfill as well as reduce the CO2 emissions which are currently produced at a rate of one tonne of cement to one tonne of CO2 (Mineral Products Association Cement, 2009). This in turn, reduces the environmental footprint on a unit time basis. Therefore the purpose of the proposed research is to develop a sustainable low energy, low carbon concrete for a wide range of construction industries and applications in order to effect positive economic, environmental, and social change. As well as this, the research will incorporate new techniques into improving the mechanical and durability properties of the concrete with the use of sonication in order to provide greater pozzolanic properties and to break down the cement replacements limits.
The research will incorporate new techniques into improving the mechanical and durability properties of the concrete with the use of sonication in order to provide greater pozzolanic properties and to break down the cement replacements limits. The research therefore offers the potential of redesigning the way in which we integrate pozzolanic materials into concrete.
About the Centre/Department
The Centre for Low Impact Buildings is seeking exceptional and motivated scholars who wish to engage with global, policy or industry related research that will demonstrate a measurable sustainable improvement in the performance of the built environment. Our key research themes are: building materials or low carbon technologies including their dynamic performance; new standards of building performance involving owners and occupiers; resilience and adaptation to climate change; or, pervasive data in sensoring and monitoring buildings including human computer interaction. It is our aim to improve the sustainability and performance of the built environment.
The school of Energy, Construction and Environment and the Centre for Low Impact Buildings has an established reputation in materials and structures research, offering arguably the largest structures laboratory in the West Midlands and excellent links to industry. The project counts with all the necessary research equipment and materials and test facilities. The candidate can draw from expertise from the department and beyond.
Successful applicants
-A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the Project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average, or
-A Masters Degree in a relevant subject area will be considered as an equivalent. The Masters must have been attained with overall marks at merit level (60%). In addition, the dissertation or equivalent element in the Masters must also have been attained with a mark at merit level (60%).
-The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study
-Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
Additionally:
-Candidates must have some experience in experimental work and of working in a laboratory. It is desirable that candidates can evidence their commitment to research in the form of publications of some kind (for example journal or conference papers).
-Candidates should have some knowledge of statistics and data analysis. In order to contextualise the research.
Eligibility & application procedure
Application procedure:
Application information can be found in our how to apply section. Before completing the application please contact Prof. Eshmaiel Ganjian, cc’ing [Email Address Removed] for an initial informal discussion about the opportunity.
Eligibility:
All UK/EU/International students are eligible to apply that meet the academic requirements, the eligibility criteria can be found http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/research-entry-criteria/
Funding Notes
Eligibility: UK/EU/International
Award Details: Full studentships available for outstanding candidates/ Self-funded candidates also considered.
Duration: 3 years Fixed Term, Full-time; 5 years Fixed Term, Part-time (May 2016- UK/EU only; Sept 2016 is the earliest entry point for International candidates)
Application deadline: Ongoing
Informal enquiries are essential before application; contact Prof. Eshmaiel Ganjian to discuss this opportunity.