Fully Funded PhD Studentship: Stochastic Model Updating in Nonlinear Structural Dynamics

Swansea University is a UK top 30 institution for research excellence (Research Excellence Framework 2014), and has been named Welsh University of the Year 2017 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. Applications are now invited for a fully funded PhD studentship in Mechanical Engineering, Nonlinear Dynamics and Uncertainty.

Finite element model updating is a cornerstone of model validation and verification, its purpose being to adjust an analytical model such that its outputs, in a range of interest, agree with data obtained typically from a vibration test. Deterministic model updating is now a mature technology, widely applied to large scale industrial structures. In the last 10 years, a number of model updating methods have been developed to take account of modelling and test-data variability. In these methods, much emphasis has been placed on what has become known as stochastic model updating.

The proposed project aims to employ efficient numerical methods to develop methods for stochastic nonlinear model updating which will take account of both uncertainty and nonlinearity in the structure. Since the nonlinear parameters are dependent upon the level of input force, the stochastic nonlinear model updating requires being carried out on a number of different excitation levels. The stochastic nonlinear model updating is reliant upon nonlinear analysis methods. The project will mainly focus on the application to structural joints and enables the study of joint variability and its effect on the Frequency Response Functions (FRFs) of highly nonlinear joint interfaces.

The successful candidate is expected to their studentship on 1st September 2017.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first class (1:1), upper second class (2:1) Bachelor’s degree (or its overseas equivalent) and/or Master’s degree qualification in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or a related area.

Candidates with experience in structural dynamics and those with a background in Mathematics are encouraged to apply. Experience in MATLAB coding and vibration testing and/or industrial experience is desirable.

This studentship is open to UK/EU and international students.