Funding

Funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

SCES5870521

Department

School of Civil Engineering and Surveying

Start dates

October 2021

Application deadline

4 May 2021 (12.00pm GMT)

This project is now closed. The details below are for information purposes only. View our current projects here.

The PhD will be based in the School of Civil Engineering and Surveying and will be supervised by Dr Stephanie BarnettDr Kenneth Awinda and Dr Brett Martinson

Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available; these cover tuition fees at the UK rate for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£15,609 for 2021/22). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 p.a. for project costs/consumables. 

The work on this project could involve:

  • Life cycle assessment
  • Structural design, including use of computer modelling for design

This project will evaluate the potential for fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) to reduce embodied energy and CO2 emissions of concrete structures. The project will link together materials performance, structural design and life cycle assessment (LCA) to assess the embodied environmental impact of FRC structures compared with normal reinforced concrete. This integrated approach will facilitate the development of the tools necessary for future built assets to be designed with due regard to their impact on the global climate.

A range of structural elements (slabs and beams) will be designed using existing design codes and guidelines. Loading requirements, span, concrete strength and fibre reinforcement will be used as variables. Increased service life requirements, such as the 100-120 years now being specified for major infrastructure projects will also be included in this design phase.  

The designs will then be tested for greenhouse gas impact and embodied energy using appropriate UK (PAS2050) and international standards (EN15804). This will enable the quantification of carbon savings for representative structural elements. Suitable functional units based on structural performance will be developed, to replace the more common but unsuitable mass units often quoted in texts. Life-cycle assessment will then be carried out incorporating cradle to grave boundaries including challenges in recycling FRC. 

A hierarchy of sources of inventory information ranging from primary data from industrial partners to databases such as the Inventory of Carbon and Energy or Ecoinvent will be used in the analysis. Carbon footprints of elements designed to existing guidelines as well as elements designed for improved service life will be compared to assess the carbon, energy and material saving potential of fibre reinforced concrete structures.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

You will ideally have experience of applying structural design codes, fibre reinforced concrete or life cycle assessment.

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Stephanie Barnett (stephanie.barnett@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code. 

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  An extended statement as to how you might address the proposal would be welcomed.

Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

If you want to be considered for this self-funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code SCES5870521 when applying.