PhD Studentship in Additively Manufactured Aero-engine Components with Powder-based Damping

Applications are invited for a research studentship in Nonlinear Structural Dynamics, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK student rate) provided by the EPSRC (in the form of a CASE conversion). Candidates should fulfil the eligibility criteria for this award and be considered ‘home students’.

The constant drive to improve aero-engine performance leads to lighter, more flexible structures where significant vibrations are increasingly present. Damping is essential to limit vibration amplitudes, but opportunities to introduce damping mechanisms in aero-engines are typically very limited due to their harsh operating conditions. Metal additive manufacturing offers opportunities for creating components with novel internal structures, including cavities filled with unsintered metal powder, to increase the damping ratio and mitigate vibrations significantly.

In this project, you will make constructive use of such powder cavities to mitigate vibrations in aero-engine components. You will develop numerical models that capture the behaviour of the powder and its effect on structural dynamic properties (natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes). Both low- and high-fidelity (particle) models will be developed and validated against experimental data. Ultimately, you will exploit the developed models combined with traditional topology optimisation to design components with optimal internal structures and powder cavity locations, sizes, and orientations.

You will work in the Nonlinear Dynamics and Control Research Group led by Dr Ludovic Renson and in collaboration with other departments at Imperial. You will be part of the Rolls-Royce Vibration University Technology Centre and have the opportunity to interact directly with engineers at Rolls-Royce plc. You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You will have a 1st class honours degree in mechanical/aerospace engineering or a related subject, an enquiring and rigorous approach to research, and a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. A general interest in dynamics is essential. Good teamwork, observational and communication skills are essential.

To find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area, go to:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/research/

For information on how to apply, plesae click the 'Apply' button, above.

For further details on the post contact Dr Ludovic Renson (l.renson@imperial.ac.uk).

Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Renson.

Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London for their qualifications to be addressed by the College Registry.

Closing date: until post filled

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