PhD Scholarship: Innovative Steel-Timber (CLT) Composite Floor System

Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD)

Start date: 6th January 2025

Funding for: 3.5 years

Supervisor: Professor Stephen Hicks

Project Description:

A composite steel and CLT floor system can potentially reduce embodied carbon by 60 per cent compared to traditional composite steel and concrete floors, with only 40 per cent of the mass. To demonstrate the performance of this technology at full scale, a 12 m span beam has recently been load-tested to destruction at the University of Warwick. The results from the tests demonstrated that the floor system performed much better than expected, with the measured resistance and stiffness exceeding initial predictions. The potential impact of this new floor system on multi-storey buildings has recently been recognized by the CTBUH (Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat) and was the recipient of the 2024 Award of Excellence in Innovation.

Through generous support from WSP UK Ltd, the objective of this project is to develop design rules for composite steel and CLT beams so that this technology can be exploited in practice. The sensitivity of the key variables that affect the bending resistance and stiffness of composite steel and CLT beams will be studied within the project. In addition, the effect of long-term creep and shrinkage of the floor will be investigated. The research will include tests on full-scale specimens, supplemented by numerical analyses. It is planned that the results from this research will form the basis for industry-standard design guides, which may be incorporated within the next generation of structural Eurocodes.

Scholarship:

The award will cover the tuition fees at the UK rate £4,786, plus a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum for 3.5 years of full-time study. Non-UK students can apply but must personally fund the difference between the UK (Home) rate and the overseas rate.

Eligibility:

The candidate should have a good 2.1 Bachelors, or Masters degree in Civil and Structural Engineering or equivalent. This project will suit those with a keen interest in numerical modelling and testing of structures. Prior knowledge of finite element methods and programming (e.g. C++, Python, or MATLAB) is desirable but not mandatory. Previous applicants need not apply.

How to apply:

Candidates should submit a formal application, details of how to do so can be found via the above ‘Apply’ button.

Application form 'Course search':

Department: School of Engineering

Academic Year: 2024/25

Type of Course: Postgraduate Research

• Engineering (MPhil/PhD) (P-H1Q2)

In the application form funding section, enter: Source: SJH

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