LEAD SUPERVISOR NAME

Stefan Szyniszewski

FUNDING STATUS

Directly Funded Project (Students Worldwide)

RESEARCH GROUP

Multi-Physical Materials Research Group

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project focuses on fracture and failure mechanism of metallic foams. The project will focus on extreme loads such as impact and blast. Metallic foam is lighter and does better in a crash than regular old metal or fiberglass.

Metallic foams also exhibit the potential to incorporate multi-physical features into a single component because voids provide lower thermal conductivity, enable extreme compressibility and allow for incorporation of other materials such as ceramics or polymers. Thus, multi-material components could allow for more economical, high-value products. Examples of applications include: shipbuilding components with high buoyancy, modular bridge decks, protective structures in secure facilities, but also advanced components such as a front high-speed train cab.

The goal of this project is to develop a failure model of a metallic foam material and to implement it in a commercial FEA code (LS-DYNA). Experiments will be also conducted to validate and calibrate the developed computational and analytical approaches.

This project is carried out in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, Transportation Research Laboratory and the Highway Agency in the UK, universities in Chile and Finland, as well as academic partners at the University of Massachusetts and the Johns Hopkins University in the United States. Therefore, short visits in Germany and the United States may be included to facilitate academic and industrial training.

This project offers an excellent opportunity to join a vibrant research group and to develop/learn computational mechanics with a focus on material model development for extreme load applications.

FUNDING NOTES

Applicants must have a university degree, preferably in structural engineering, solid mechanics or a related field; an interest in simulation tools such as LS-DYNA or ANSYS; familiarity with at least one programming language such as Python or Fortran; a sound structural mechanics background and excellent communication skills.

The scholarship provides a tax-free stipend of £15,000 per year and UK/EU tuition fees. The European Commission funds this studentship. This scholarship can be awarded to an overseas-fee paying student if other sources fund the fee difference between the EU and overseas fee. The studentship is for three years starting in October 2015.

REFERENCES

Please send your application to Dr. Stefan Szyniszewski: s.szyniszewski<στο>surrey.ac.uk

The application shall include: 

1) covering letter (max 1 page) that explains how you satisfy project requirements

2) detailed CV

3) selected published work such as your journal and conference articles, copy of your MSc or BEng dissertations

4) a copy of your current academic transcript

5) names and contact information of at least two referees. You may also want to include copies of your awards and language certificates in order to enhance your application.

Please quote EU/MetFoam in your email subject and application.

Dr Stefan Szyniszewski will supervise this studentship. Informal inquiries prior to making an application may be addressed to s.szyniszewski<στο>surrey.ac.uk. Further information can be found athttp://www.szyniszewski.com/2015/04/13/phd-studentship/