In many engineering applications the performance of aerodynamic systems is crucial to ensure optimum operation. For example, maintaining smooth laminar flow over an aircraft wing reduces fuel consumption, and attaining high lift-to-drag ratio for turbine blades improves engine efficiency drastically. Typically, to ensure good aerodynamic performance, very tight tolerances are employed, significantly increasing manufacturing costs. However, the definition of such tight tolerances, and associated high costs, is unnecessary since the quality of the airflow is often deteriorated by the presence of surface defects such as panel gaps, material waviness, bumps/depressions due to riveting, etc.

Currently, no design methodology or modelling technique exists that allows engineers to define manufacturing tolerances whilst accounting for the effects that surface defects have on aerodynamic performance.

The aim of this PhD project, based in the new Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, is to develop the foundation for a computational model (CFD) that incorporates surface defect/finish information to help engineers identify/define critical tolerance levels (i.e. tighter tolerances will not affect aerodynamic performance) in order to reduce manufacturing costs.

The objectives for the project are:

• To develop a numerical method to model aerodynamic performance due to surface defects
• To validate the method for a flat plate with aft-facing steps
• To test/validate the model/method on an aerofoil with aft-facing steps

The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) is a £32m+ collaboration between Coventry University and Unipart Manufacturing. This project is supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s Catalyst Fund.

AME is building a bespoke ‘Faculty on the Factory Floor’ at Unipart Eberspächer’s site in the heart of Coventry.

This forms the focal point of activity and has state-of-the-art robotic automation, forming, joining, analysis and simulation, metrology and product verification technology.

Link: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/ame/

Candidate specification

• A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the Project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.
• Or in the event of a first degree classification of less than 2:1, a Masters Degree in a relevant subject area will be considered as an equivalent. The Masters must have been attained with overall marks at merit level (60%). In addition, the dissertation or equivalent element in the Masters must also have been attained with a mark at merit level (60%).
• The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a three-year period of study
• A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)