Investigation of 2D woven fabric architecture for offshore wind blades in compressive failure and lifetime through Micro-CT and FEA simulation.

Summary

Offshore wind is central to Northern Ireland's route to net zero, and the Department for the Economy has set an ambition of 1GW of offshore wind from 2030. Turbine blades are the most highly loaded composite structures built anywhere, and they are getting longer every year.

Blades fail in compression. During flapwise bending, the spar cap on the suction side carries compressive load, and the compressive strength of a composite is acutely sensitive to the straightness of the fibres. Real laminates are never perfectly straight, weaving, layup, and cure all introduce crimp and tow waviness.

Because designers cannot currently predict how much strength a given amount of waviness costs, they compensate with conservative knock-down factors and extra material. Blades end up heavier, more expensive and harder to recycle than they need to be.

This PhD will replace that conservatism with measurement and prediction. It will use X-ray micro-computed tomography to measure crimp and tow waviness distributions across plain, twill and satin woven laminates in three reinforcements: carbon and glass, the materials blades are built from, and flax, which carries roughly ten times the misalignment scatter and tests the modelling at its extreme.

You will test those laminates in compression and off-axis loading using digital image correlation, then build finite element models that carry the measured statistical distributions rather than idealised geometry, and use them to predict strength, failure initiation and lifetime.

The project will be based in the Engineering Composites Research Centre at Ulster University, with access to composites manufacturing, micro-CT and mechanical testing, and links to Northern Ireland's offshore wind and marine supply chain.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a First Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject area
• International applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to a distinction at Ulster
• Experience or knowledge of research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Track record of peer reviewed publications

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD Scholarships are available for this project and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

To be eligible for these scholarships applicants must: be a UK or Irish national; or have pre-settled or settled status; or have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme i.e. September 2027.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.