Materials and Surface Engineering, Mechatronics, Signal Processing & Control, Structures and Solid Mechanics

The project offers a European Industrial Doctorate (EID) and is part of the project ‘SPARCARB - Lightning protection of wind turbine blades with carbon fibre composite materials’ funded under the EU the MARIE SKLODOWSKA-CURIE actions, Innovative Training Networks (ITN). The PhD project is one of four associated with the SPARCARB project, with the main partners being the company ‘Global Lightning Protection Services A/S’ (GLPS), Denmark, and the Faculties of Engineering and the Environment and  Physical Sciences and Engineering, University of Southampton (UoS), UK. The PhD student enrolment will be at the University of Southampton, and the project period will be split between UoS and GLPS, as well as shorter placements with other international partners.

The is to characterise and quantify the damage induced in carbon fibre reinforced composite (CFRP) components for wind turbine blades that have been subjected to lightning strikes. The research will encompass experimental characterisation on, as well as thermo-mechanical modelling of the material degradation. The project will characterise lightning induced damage in CFRP materials using X-ray CT scanning, DIC and IR techniques, and the influence of lightning induced damage on the mechanical properties will be examined. Predictive models for the characterisation of lightning induced damage in CFRP materials will be developed. The goal is the definition of threshold damage levels for safe use of CFRP components that have been subjected to lightning strike.

As a primary objective of the EID program is international mobility, transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) is a requirement for the PhD researcher when taking up the appointment. Therefore in order to meet the funding requirements, at the time of recruitment by UoS, the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to taking up the appointment.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Professor Ole Thybo Thomsen, Infrastructure research group, Email: o.thomsen<στο>soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 3200 or mobile +44 (0) 7770 34 7160.