Dr A Khokhar, Dr A Marinelli
No more applications being accepted
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is relatively a new engineering material consists of lumber boards staked and glued in layers which running perpendicular to each other. This allows to construct dimensionally stable large panels (floors and walls) that can be used to construct low and mid-rise timber buildings (e.g. nine storey Murray Grove CLT Building, London). Several studies have investigated behaviour of CLT buildings subjected to lateral loads. However, these studies focus more on connection systems between the panels. Yet, an area where research on CLT is lacking is how these panels will behave when subjected to extreme loadings including wind and seismic loads and short duration loads such as blast loads. This project is oriented towards this objective.
The overarching aim of the project is to investigate structural performance of CLT panels subjected to wind, earthquake and blast loads. This will be delivered by an experimental work in that CLT panels will be tested under heavy static and cyclic loads, applied in both in-plane and out of plane directions. These tests will assist in looking at how CLT panel material and its structural composition (glued joints) perform under wind gusts and under earthquake loads. Further to this, CLT panels will be tested under series of impact loads to examine their structural performance when they are subjected to blast loads. Based on test results, analytical models will be developed to investigate further on the structural performance of CLT panels subjected to extreme loads.
This research will provide an in-depth understanding of behaviour of CLT panels subject to extreme loadings. This could be a valuable contribution in timber structures, especially, when CLT is considered for high-rise construction. This research project is designed as accordance of Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) Strategy 2020, aiming to conduct prestigious research in area of timber engineering and produce high rated research publications and develop international collaboration. Furthermore, ENU is well renowned in area of research on timber and have been award the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in recognition of internationally acclaimed work on timber engineering. This project is also designed to enhance ENU’s international reputation in timber engineering.
Academic qualifications
A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in Civil Engineering with a good fundamental knowledge of timber engineering.
English language requirement
IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components.) Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details can be found here https://www.napier.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/research-degrees/application-process
Essential attributes:
• Experience of fundamental in conducting laboratory work.
• Competent in structural analysis and structural mechanics.
• Knowledge of structural mechanics and timber as a structural material.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project.
• Good time management.
Desirable attributes:
Knowledge of engineering timber material and engineering mechanics.
When applying for this position, please quote Project ID SEBE0013
Funding Notes
This is an unfunded position.
References
Yasumura, M., Kobayashi, K., Okabe, M., Miyake, T. and Matsumoto, K., (2018) “Full-Scale Tests and Numerical Analysis of Low-Rise CLT Structures under Lateral Loading.” J. Struct. Eng., 144(2), 2018.
Tsuchimoto, T., (2014) “Dynamic ans static laterl load tests on full-sized 3-story CLT construction for seismic design.” Proc., 13th World Conference on Timber Engineering, Qubec, Canada.
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