Aerospace Engineering: Fully Funded PhD EPSRC Studentship in Advanced Numerical Methods for Curing Process Simulation of Fibre-Reinforced Composites

This PhD project focuses on computational mechanics. It seeks to advance the development of numerical methods for curing process simulation of fibre-reinforced composite materials, especially the carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP). CFRP composites have gained prominence in industries such as aerospace and automotive due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and highly flexible designability. Curing process is the crucial stage in manufacturing the CFRP composites with thermoset matrix. It is known that the manufactured components often contains non-negligible deviations from the nominal geometry, due to the residual stresses accumulated from the curing process. Therefore, optimising the design and analysis of CFRP structures requires a deep understanding of the complex curing process behaviour and intricate computational models. 

Currently, the complete simulation workflow for curing process modelling of CFRP composites is time consuming as it relies heavily on manual iterations. This project aims to develop reliable computational tools to minimise the gap between designed geometry and manufactured geometry for the composites, incorporating state-of-the-art computational techniques, such as high-order finite element methods, reduced order modelling and machine learning. The development of the tools will require significant amount of computer programming using Python, C/C++ and Fortran. The candidate will also have the opportunity to produce CFRP specimens for experimental tests. 

The successful candidate is expected to master state-of-the-art advances in computational mechanics to push forward the boundaries of CFRP simulation techniques, fostering innovation and sustainability in industries that rely on the CFRP material. The research will also help shape the future of CFRP simulation progress in engineering design and manufacturing.

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