Modelling modern engineering structures under extreme operational conditions, Engineering – PhD (Funded)

The University of Exeter’s College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, is inviting applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship in nonlinear dynamics to commence in September 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £14,777 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in Engineering in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

Location: Exeter

Academic Supervisors:
Dr Julian Mauricio Londono Monsalve, University of Exeter

Project Description:
Modern engineering structures increasingly behave in a nonlinear manner as their performance boundary is being radically extended. Examples of these systems include composite aircrafts such as the Airbus 350 and Boeing 787, in-orbit satellites, long-span bridges, wind turbines and high-performance vehicles. As a result, the prediction of the dynamic response of nonlinear systems under extreme loading is becoming fundamental to a large range of engineering problems and is a key element in the development of future engineering systems. Traditionally, experimental work and vibration-based procedures are used to validate the numerical models of most strategically important engineering structures. However, it still remains unclear how to extend the current experimental procedures to properly deal with systems that strongly behave nonlinearly.
This project will focus primarily on nonlinear structural dynamics and will look forward to investigate new procedures to analyse, model and test modern engineering system exhibiting nonlinear behaviour. The ultimate goal will be to develop a novel procedure capable of assessing and delivering accurate dynamical models of tomorrow’s highly-efficient nonlinear structures based on experimentally measured data. A combination of suitable experimental strategies, numerical modelling, the use of data-driven methodologies and statistical learning will be at the heart of this developments.
The successful applicant will be embedded in a thriving research environment, which includes the Vibration Engineering Section (VES) at University of Exeter. VES has extensive laboratory and field testing experimental facilities, which have been significantly upgraded in the last three years through extensive investment by the University. This includes a range of actuators, sensors and data acquisition and control systems that are suitable for use in this research project. In addition, VES has state-of-the-art analytical facilities, including FE codes, numerical analysis and control simulation.

We are looking for highly motivated applicants that ideally will have a background in structural engineering, preferably with strong skills in dynamics, numerical modelling and coding.

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit for 3.5 years of full-time study to commence in September 2018.