PhD Studentship: Structural Behaviour of Sustainable 3D-printed Structures

Background: Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is a rapidly rising technique for offering automation, elevated control and optimisation of materials and resources used. However, the construction sector has not embraced the technique so far, currently limited either only to proof-of-concept structures or to non-structural elements in buildings (e.g. non load bearing walls). In addition, the various 3D printed solutions proposed continue to depend massively on cement / concrete for reasons of workability, durability and strength, which is a common problem of the construction industry overall, since it is against the targets of CO2 reduction and NetZero. Therefore, there is a strong need for low carbon footprint materials. Earth based materials stabilised with cement and other lower carbon footprint materials and additives (such as fibres, nanoparticles, geopolymers, waste bi-products etc) can offer a low-carbon and low-cost alternative. Design optimisation of the structure, using topology optimisation techniques, can allow for material savings and use of materials with reduced mechanical properties, without any loss at the structural performance or integrity.

Aim: Create low-carbon solutions for 3D printed structures, by combining optimised material mixtures and structural geometries and demonstrate their applicability in real-life problems and conditions.

Objectives:

• Material characterisation of alternative material mixtures for 3D printing
• Calibration of numerical models of 3D printing structures, based on the experimental results.
• Numerical assessment of the structural behaviour of different 3D-printed structures, designed by topology optimisation principles.
• Identification of critical collapse mechanisms and generation of fragility curves for gravitational and earthquake loading
• Design recommendations for practical applications and further development, based on the numerical analysis results.
• Assessment of environmental factors, including Co2 reduction and durability against environmental loading / life cycle analysis.

Work plan & skills:

The PhD student will gain significant experience on material and advanced structural testing using digital technology (Wasp 3D printer, Imetrum 3D vision system, InCiTe x-ray microscope etc). In addition, the student will develop skills on advanced numerical modelling, through the simulation of the physical models and the calibration of numerical models in Abaqus/Opensees and the structural modelling of real-scale structures with complicated geometries.

Previous experience on experimental work and/or numerical modelling is highly desirable.

For a full job description and person specification, refer to the job advertisement, on the University of Greenwich Webpage via the apply button above.

Funding information:

Bursary available (subject to satisfactory performance): Year 1: £19,237 (FT) or pro-rata (PT) Year 2: In line with UKRI rate Year 3: c. In addition, the successful candidate will receive a contribution to tuition fees equivalent to the university’s Home rate, currently £4,786 (FT) or pro-rata (PT), for the duration of their scholarship.

International applicants will need to pay the remainder tuition fee for the duration of their scholarship. This fee is subject to an annual increase.

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