STREAM EngD in Civil/Geospatial Engineering – Water assets and networks: geospatial data representation for modelling and monitoring

Number of awards:

1

Start date and duration:

October 2018 for 4 years.

Overview:

Water assets are often poorly documented making maintenance and performance assessment difficult. This project will develop a common geospatial platform for the integrated capture, management and modelling of water company asset and network data to underpin a new "digital twin" capability for asset operation. This platform will allow the “digital twin” to use the power of data driven digital technologies to test radical new ideas and simulate intervention strategies. The successful candidate will work with Northumbrian Water to embed the geospatial platform within the companies’ operational framework to evaluate the utility of a geospatial data driven approach to innovative business planning.

Existing spatial database technologies are not well suited to implementing a large, open and flexible system required to fulfil existing company needs. The new approach should address two requirements:

(1) Geospatial data of assets must be "functional" embodying network spatial dependences and topology, rather than simply GIS layers suitable only for mapping and visualisation.

(2) Such data and associated database technology must enable interactive access by simulation models (for supply, drainage, maintenance, flood etc.). This access should be flexible, comprehensive, and two way, thereby allowing updating.

The main research challenge is to match the diverse functional requirements to a new type of spatial database for water infrastructure assets. This will require not only an understanding of the asset types, and the various available technologies for data capture and management, but also an appreciation of the end-user needs. The development of such a capability is complicated by the requirement for scaleability, from an initial development for a single urban conurbation (e.g., Newcastle) to a system that can manage the entire spatial envelope of the company.

Sponsor:

EPSRC (https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/) and Northumbrian Water Group (http://www.nwg.co.uk/).

Name of supervisor(s):

Professor Stuart Barr (http://bit.ly/2pnSClv) and Professor Chris Kilsby (http://bit.ly/2FLcOrM), School of Engineering (http://bit.ly/2poej59).

Eligibility Criteria:

A first or upper second class honours and/or masters degree in civil or environmental engineering, geomatics, environmental sciences, or physical geography.

How to apply:

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system. To do this please ‘Create a new account’ http://bit.ly/2GIq7qh).

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 8811F in the programme of study section
•select ‘EngD Skills, Technology, Research and Management for the UK Water Sector (STREAM) (Newcastle) (full time)’ as the programme of study
•insert the studentship code ENG018 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 ENG018 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
•A CV and covering letter, quoting ENG018 should also be sent to: [Email Address Removed].

Contact:

For further information, please contact:

Professor Stuart Barr (http://bit.ly/2pnSClv) [Email Address Removed] or Professor Chris Kilsby (http://bit.ly/2FLcOrM) [Email Address Removed] (Academic queries) - [Email Address Removed] (Administrative queries).