PhD opportunities

Acoustics Research Centre, University of Salford,
Acoustics Research Unit University of Liverpool
Dynamics Group, ISVR, University of Southampton
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"SubSSEA-preprocessor"

Funding is available for three PhD studentships to run concurrently from September/October 2005.

The project concerns the estimation of the power input by structure-borne sound sources (pumps, motors etc etc) to a structure (e.g. buildings, cars etc). This will act as a preprocessor to a Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) model of the structure. SEA models usually assume idealised values for the input power, or predicts response levels per unit input power. The actual power input to the structure is of course very important in determining the resulting noise and vibration levels. It depends on many factors, including the characteristics of the source and the local detail of the structure where the source is attached. The project aims to find estimates for this input power, together with estimates of the variability of input power arising from variability of the source. Additional issues concern how sources can be characterised (by measurements of free velocity, blocked force etc) in a practical, engineering context.

The Liverpool input concerns characterisation of structure-borne sound sources, particularly for applications in buildings. This will involve experimental work on real structure-borne sound sources such as fans, pumps, motors etc. as well as some computer simulation and theoretical work.

The Salford component will be concerned with finding ways to simplify the data needed to characterise the sources and receiver structures. Analytical/ theoretical work will be required, plus measurements and computer simulation.

The ISVR input concerns the interaction of the source with the receiver, and the consequent estimates of input power variability due to this interaction. There will be a substantial analytical/theoretical component, but also numerical studies and experimental work.

This is a collaborative project with groups at the universities of Southampton, Liverpool and Salford working on source characterisation and variability - we will meet regularly and you will have to work in collaboration with the other institutions. As such it will give you a unique opportunity to work within such a team.

Available funding is PhD Studentship at the normal EPSRC rate together with fees at the UK/EU rate.

For more information please contact:
University of Liverpool: Prof. Barry Gibbs (bmg@liv.ac.uk)
University of Southampton: Prof Brian Mace (brm@isvr.soton.ac.uk)
University of Salford: Dr. Andy Moorhouse (a.t.moorhouse@salford.ac.uk).

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