PhD Studentship Combined fatigue and environmental damage in advanced adhesively bonded wing structures School of Engineering

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship within the School of Engineering at the University of Surrey. This project is being carried out in conjunction with Airbus, BAE Systems and Imperial College. The advanced prototype wing structure contains from a novel thick laminated aluminium skin to which is bonded aluminium stringers. Work at the University of Surrey will focus on the integrity of the bond between the skin and stringer in the presence of fluctuating loads and aggressive environments. Experimental characterisation of the damage will be coupled with progressive damage finite element modelling. Existing damage modelling procedures that have been developed at the University for fatigue and environmental damage acting in isolation will be extended and developed to accommodate the case of combined fatigue damage and environmental degradation.

Applicants should have expertise in computational mechanics in general and FEA in particular and should be able to undertaking careful experimentation. They should have at least the equivalent of a good upper second class honours degree in Mechanical, Civil or related engineering disciplines or Physics.

Funding will depend on a number of factors; for UK/EU students it will be a minimum of £12,300pa, rising annually. Students from outside the EU may also apply.

For further information please email Prof Crocombe a.crocombe[-at-]surrey.ac.uk.
Project Supervisors: Prof A Crocombe and Dr M Abdel-Wahab
Application Deadline: 1st December 2006

Formal applications, to include a CV and the names and addresses of two academic referees and a completed/signed application form, should be sent to:

Mrs. Poppy Chadburn
Materials, Surfaces & Structural Systems
School of Engineering (H6)
University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH