Dr R Vollum
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
Imperial College London and Laing O’Rourke (LOR) are seeking high quality applicants for a PhD project to help develop and optimise new structural solutions in which precast concrete slabs are connected with bolted connections or short cast-insitu headed bar tension splices. LOR are developing a number of innovative precast building solutions including their E6 reinforced concrete floor system and demountable floors. The research will build upon previous LOR funded research at Imperial College which has identified several opportunities to build more productively. The research will explore and develop the opportunities of new precast building solutions, address various gaps in knowledge of headed bar joint behaviour and develop new applications for headed bar joints. The ultimate objective is to develop adoptable design methods which achieve efficient structures built in a productive manner.
Background
LOR are industry leaders in the development of novel structural concrete flooring systems. The PhD student will work closely with LOR and will contribute to the research and development of new precast concrete floor solutions. This will include the development of the E6 joint, as well as research and development on new connections for demountable precast concrete buildings with a view to identifying and resolving technical issues identified in design by LOR and external checking engineers. The student will be based at Imperial College London but will spend time as necessary with LOR to achieve the project objectives. The researcher will have the opportunity to work closely with the Engineering Excellence Team at Laing O’Rourke, who will provide a Research Supervisor for the project, and with the Laing O’Rourke factory at Explore Industrial Park, which is the most modern concrete factory in Europe. Further information on Laing O’Rourke’s approach to innovation can be found at http://www.laingorourke.com/engineering-the-future.aspx.
Funding Notes
Funding is available for applicants with settled UK status (see https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/ for eligibility). The studentship offers a stipend of approximately £16,000 per annum (tax free) and covers fees at the UK/EU student rate for a period of four years.
Applicants for the studentship should have or expect to obtain a first or upper second class MSc/MEng in engineering (civil, mechanical, aeronautics etc.), mathematics or physics. Some knowledge of the design of concrete structures and nonlinear finite element analysis would be advantageous but is not essential. You should be enthusiastic with good interpersonal and communication skills.
References
If you are interested in this position, please email a CV and covering letter to Steve Hullock at s.hullock@imperial.ac.uk. Please title your email ": Product Development and Optimisation of Demountable Precast Building Solutions PhD".
For informal enquires and to request more information, contact Dr Robert Vollum at r.vollum@imperial.ac.uk (http://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/r.vollum).
The starting date for this studentship is October 2018.