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Published: 26 May 2022 932 views
In the UK and several other countries, large parts of the railway infrastructure were built in the late 19th/early 20th century. Metallic railway bridges are key elements in these networks and need to stay safe and functional for as long as possible. This will enable their owners to replace them at a steady pace whilst the network continues to function without major disruptions.
This project focuses on predicting and preventing fatigue failure, which is one of the most critical performance aspects of such bridges. The project will review existing fatigue assessment methods, in railway and other engineering sectors, to identify limitations and inherent uncertainties arising due to the non-standardised designs that are prevalent. Building on this foundation, the work will focus on a promising new method called the TCD (theory of critical distances). This method will be developed and verified for a range of bridge geometries and fatigue critical details using finite element models and engineering analysis. Parallel to the desk study, the project comprises an experimental programme, consisting of small-scale fatigue testing of typical material extracted from a real bridge. Test results will be used to benchmark and verify the analytical/numerical methods mentioned above and assess their predictive capability and accuracy.
The outcomes of this research will be integrated directly within industry standards. There will be close interaction with Network Rail/Mott MacDonald engineers to understand how the work fits within current asset management practice and to provide insights into the professional roles that can be pursued after completion of the PhD.
The project will be conducted in one of the top research environments in the UK, evidenced by the last REF exercise results in which 94% of our research was deemed as taking place in an environment conducive to producing world-leading or internationally excellent research in the future demonstrating our strong commitment to research culture, infrastructure and support provision to our researchers.
The University of Surrey was established on 9 September 1966 with the grant of its Royal Charter, but its roots go back to a late 19th-century concern to provide greater access to further and higher education for the poorer inhabitants of London. Since the University's founding in the 1960s, and before that at Battersea College, our community has thrived through strong connections and collaboration with the outside world. We've formed close partnerships with other institutions and businesses, reaching across geographic boundaries, and used those relationships to bring potential to life.... continue reading
| Application Deadline | 30 Jun 2022 |
| Country to study | United Kingdom |
| School to study | University of Surrey |
| Type | PhD |
| Course to study | View courses |
| Sponsor | University of Surrey |
| Gender | Men and Women |
The selected candidates will be provided with a 3-year studentship partially funded by Network Rail, covering academic fees for UK/EU students and a stipend of £16,500 per annum to cover living expenses by the University of Surrey.
Applications should be submitted via the Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD programme page. Applicants are required to send a cover letter explaining their interest in the project, a CV with relevant qualifications and prior expertise in areas relevant to the project, transcripts and the names and contact details of two referees, one of them being from an individual with good knowledge of the applicant’s academic record, especially in projects/dissertations.
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING PHD
