About the Project
Number of awards
1
Start date and duration
September 2018 for 3 years.
Application closing date
30 May 2018.
Overview
The UK has one of the oldest infrastructure system worldwide. Maintaining and renewing its component is fundamental to keep the country running. However, this is a critical challenge considering the scale and nature of infrastructure itself. At the moment, infrastructure management is highly based on expert opinion and judgement, and data collection limited by visual inspection.
The world is experiencing a fourth industrial revolution due to the rapid development of technologies and digital abundance. For example, current advancement sees the installation of sensors to monitor changes in the structures behaviour and safety of bridges, such static deformation, strains crack widths and vibrations.
This PhD project aims to understand how integrated monitoring systems can be applied to infrastructure, in particular bridges at risk, focusing on aspects such as: i) urban resilience: how smart infrastructure can enhance resilience in a context of climatic risk; ii) economics: which cost and benefits relate to operating costs of installation, inspections and maintenance; iii) societal relevance: how real-time information can be useful to the transport sector. The project will involve collaboration with industry and academia, providing useful information for practitioners and decision-makers.
Sponsor:
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Name of supervisor(s):
Dr Maria Pregnolato (https://bit.ly/2EeQSzR), Dr Vasilis Sarhosis (https://bit.ly/2uISsdt) and Professor Richard Dawson (https://bit.ly/2uISG4j), School of Engineering (https://bit.ly/2Eg0nP5).
Eligibility Criteria:
The studentship is open to UK/EU applicants satisfying EPSRC home/UK or EU fee criteria, and are eligible for home fees. EU candidates may only be eligible for a partial award.
You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, in Civil Engineering, Earth Science, Geoscience or a related subject. Experience conducting modelling research would be an advantage, but is not essential. The candidate will be expected to conduct work with industrial and academic partners, and should have good interpersonal skills.
English language skills (if English is not your native language): an overall score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with individual scores of 6.0 in each of the four sub-skills: writing, reading, speaking and listening.
How to apply:
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create a new account’ (https://bit.ly/2q5jhmy).
All relevant fields should be completed, but fields marked with a red asterisk must to be completed. The following information will help us to process your application. You will need to:
insert the programme code 8040F in the programme of study section
select ‘PhD Civil Engineering (full time) – Civil Engineering (Water Resources)’,as the programme of study
insert the studentship code ENG024 in the studentship/partnership reference field
attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code ENG024 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.
You should also send your covering letter and CV to Dr Maria Pregnolato email to [Email Address Removed].