4-year studentship: Multi-physics Simulation in the Automotive Industry: Exploring the Limits of Fluid-Structure Interaction in the Presence of a Thin-film Lubricated Contact

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%.

In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

Project Detail
The simulation of complex automotive systems requires methods from different disciplines such as dynamics, fluid mechanics, friction etc. The aim of this project is to explore the limits of fluid-structure interaction in the presence of a thin-film lubricated contact. This is a problem with applications to engineering areas such as the wet friction of tyres or the wiping performance of windscreen wipers. The project is funded by an EPSRC iCASE award with support from Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

Initial research will focus on mathematical modelling to address the general multi-physics problem, followed by detailed study of the industry-relevant problem of windscreen wiper performance simulation. A predictive simulation tool will be created to make basic design
decisions and assist with optimum specification of windscreen wipers.

The successful applicant will work within the dynamics research group in the Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering Department at Loughborough University and benefit from an extensive range of facilities including a vibration lab and high-performance computing facilities. The successful applicant will spend several months working with cross-functional technical experts at JLR’s World Class Engineering Centre to both develop the research and implement the output into the Design of JLR’s next generation products.

Find out more:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/aae/

Entry requirements
Applicants should
• Have a first-class honours or upper second class degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline (such as physics or mathematics).
• Demonstrate knowledge or experience applicable to one or more of the following areas: multibody dynamics; mechanics; mathematical modelling.
• Experience of programming in MATLAB/Simulink, or experience with multibody simulation packages (e.g. ADAMS, SIMPACK) is desirable but not essential.
• Meet the minimum English Language requirements, details available on the website: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/
• Satisfy the UK residency requirement – see below.

Contact details
Name: Dr George Mavros or Dr James Knowles
Email address: [Email Address Removed] or [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: [+44] (0)1509 227237 or [+44] (0)1509 227223

How to apply
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/ Under programme name, select: Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering

Please quote reference number: AAE-JK-1816