PhD Studentship â Modelling of road surface pothole formation (ENG1207)

Applicants are invited to undertake a three year PhD study of experimental and mechanical modelling of the formation of road surface potholes. The successful candidate will be based at the Nottingham Transportation Engineering Centre at University of Nottingham and work in collaboration with the Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Geo-processes research group at University of Nottingham and the Institute of Theoretical Geophysics at the University of Cambridge.

We are seeking applicants to start in October 2018 or January 2019.

Although potholes are a perennial problem in UK roads, the mechanism(s) of their formation is poorly understood. As a result, there is no established experimental method to characterise the pothole resistance of an asphalt mixture or means of specification directly related to this phenomenon. Inspired by recent progress in geophysics, this research will model the potential mechanisms of crack initiation and propagation in asphalt, under the conditions considered to increase the likelihood of this form of deterioration, and develop an experimental test to validate the results. If successful, this will form the first step to developing and specifying asphalt materials that are more resistant to pothole formation.

Asphalt is a complex viscoelastic multiphase material and is known to deteriorate in a number of ways, which are dependent on the environmental and loading conditions. The frequency of potholes is observed to increase during harsh winters. This is thought to be due to a combination of the embrittlement of the asphalt matrix and the loads developed during freeze-thaw cycles. In the laboratory, however, these conditions do not induce deterioration of asphalt mixtures except under unrealistically severe conditions. The novelty of this research will be to introduce grit, representative of road surface detritus, into the modelling and experimental environment. The hypothesis is that this will lead to accelerated crack propagation through mechanisms of abrasion and/or by preventing the relaxation of cracked material during load and freeze-thaw cycles.Modelling of this type of phenomenon has received recent attention because a similar mechanism occurs in the fracking process, where hard particles are forced under pressure into fissures in rock to keep them open permitting shale gas release. You will exploit this by applying the theoretical and/or numerical models to pothole formation, calibrating the model results using the experimental data.

This PhD project will provide challenges in experimentation and modelling and help you develop skills that can be exploited in a wide range of academic and industry fields, following successful completion.

We are seeking talented candidates with:

•              First class degree in engineering, science, mathematics or similar discipline

•              First rate analytical and numerical skills, with a well-rounded academic background

•              Ability to undertake experimental design and analyse experimental data

•              Ability to liaise with academic supervisors from a range of disciplines

•              Background with relevant software (e.g. MATLAB etc.)

•              A driven, professional and self-dependent work attitude

•              The ability to produce high quality presentations and written reports

The scholarship on offer (to eligible students) comprises a tax-free stipend of £14,777 a year and paid UK/European Union tuition fees.

Due to funding restrictions this position is only available for UK or EU candidates.

When applying for this studentship, please include the reference number (beginning ENG) within the personal statement section of the application. This will help in ensuring your application is sent directly to the academic advertising the studentship. Please also ensure you submit a covering letter and CV. 

Please contact Dr Tony Parry for further information. Email: tony.parry@nottingham.ac.uk 

Closing Date: 31 Aug 2018
Category: Studentships