About the Project
Duration: Full Time 3 years fixed term (Starting September 2016)
Application deadline: Ongoing
Informal enquiries are essential before application; contact Dr. Stratis Kanarachos to discuss this opportunity.
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
Many people sustain serious injuries in road traffic crashes every year, with lifelong consequences both for the victims and their families. Apart from the human suffering, these injuries have a big impact on society as a whole, and the economic cost is also high. Recent accident statistics have shown that for crash scenarios, different from the ones considered in the design phase the crashworthiness performance may be poor or less effective than desired. Recent studies have revealed potential safety improvements, especially for the back-seat occupants. A possible solution to this problem is to design and build adaptive vehicle structures that can respond to the individual crash scenario. Adaptive vehicle structures can improve significantly secondary safety, reducing up to 107% the injury risk, according to the TRL study “Adaptive vehicle structures for secondary safety”.
In this project, a crashworthiness strategy will be investigated, focusing mainly on adapting the load path to different crash scenarios, this achieved by changing the shape and stiffness of the connections between different vehicle structural members. The proposed strategy doesn’t increase the weight of the vehicle structure, does not change the current packaging philosophy and may be also utilised to adapt the NVH properties of the vehicle.
ABOUT THE CENTRE/DEPARTMENT
Our research in Mobility & Transport works across our faculties and focuses on the design and engineering of future transport systems, including the growing influence of the internet and connectivity. The focus is on inclusive, sustainable and safe transport integrating the strongest research elements in design and engineering. Future transport systems have a number of high level aims including ambitions to totally eliminate road fatalities, to eliminate congestion, to provide users with seamless integrated and connected transport systems, to eliminate emissions and to develop vehicles and systems that use lightweight, efficient and recycled materials.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
Successful applicants will have:
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 Master’s 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%) minimum. In addition, the dissertation or equivalent element in the Masters must also have been attained with a mark at merit level (60%) minimum;
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:
Demonstrated competence in mechanics of materials and finite element modelling;
Enthusiasm and aptitude for both practical and theoretical activities;
A wish to publish academic research in the highest quality journals;
Prior knowledge of vehicle systems would be advantageous;
Prior knowledge of modelling and simulation with Matlab/SIMULINK, Abaqus or LS-DYNA would be advantageous.
ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Application Procedure:
Application information can be found in our how to apply section: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/how-to-apply/?id=88848
Before completing the application please contact Dr. Stratis Kanarachos (cc'ing [Email Address Removed] when you do) for an initial informal discussion about the opportunity.
Eligibility:
All UK/EU students are eligible to apply that meet the academic requirements, the eligibility criteria can be found here: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/research-entry-criteria/?id=88841
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