Non-destructive Evaluation and Structural Health Monitoring Systems for Material Damage Detection and Evaluation

With the growing interest to use composite materials in aerospace, automotive, nuclear and gas & oil industries, much attention is devoted to the development of rapid, accurate and cost-effective built-in systems for the detection and evaluation of structural defects. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems based on acoustic/ultrasonic wave propagation have been developed to provide an early warning of the damage occurrence, resulting into safer structures and operative costs saving. SHM ultrasonic systems have a common basis with non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques. Indeed, several standard NDE methods can be converted in SHM techniques by integrating a network of ultrasonic transducers on the monitored structure. However, there is still a big gap between a laboratory based set-up for SHM methods and certified industrially used NDE inspection systems.

This project will address the required advances to close this gap and develop in-situ SHM systems for the localisation of low-velocity impacts and the detection and imaging of structural damage in metallic and composite materials. Both ultrasonic and thermographic methodologies will be used to characterise different damage scenarios and identify impact events and their magnitude. This will be done both experimentally and numerically. This project will be also focusing on the development of energy harvesting solutions to provide power for the lifespan of the SHM electronic devices.

The PhD studentship will focus on a topic within this broad scope, according to the skills and interests of the successful candidate. The student will contribute to the ongoing research at the Department and have access to a highly equipped SHM and NDE lab dedicated to research. The student will also join an interdisciplinary team and will benefit from training and travel opportunities.

Interested applicants should make initial informal enquiries via email to Dr. Francesco Ciampa ([Email Address Removed]) and then follow the standard online application procedure via the University of Bath website.

Requirements/application criteria: This position is highly competitive and both EU and UK students are admitted. The candidates should have (or expect to obtain) a first class honours degree (or equivalent) in Aerospace, Electrical/Electronics, Civil/Structural Engineering, Physics and Mathematics. A background in composite materials, solid mechanics and good mathematical and communication skills are required. Signal processing and numerical analysis experience is an advantage (e.g. Matlab, Fortran, LabView, NASTRAN, Abaqus, ANSYS, LS-Dyna and Comsol).