PhD Study : Investigating the causes of Ireland’s defective concrete block crisis

Summary

In west and northwest Ireland, 1000s of families are losing their home because they have been built using defective concrete blocks. These are causing homes to show an increasing degree of damage in the form of cracks, granular disintegration and strength loss leading to severe structural defects. Because the damage has been attributed to a high mica content by a government report that investigated the issue, the problem is popularly known as the "Mica Crisis". However, in addition to high mica content, the aggregates used for the concrete blocks also contain iron sulphides, mainly in the form of pyrrhotite.  This is highly reactive geological mineral in the presence of oxygen and moisture, which cause it to oxidise. This process leads to the release of sulphur which then turns into sulfuric acid and induces internal sulfate attack. This has been recently confirmed to be the primary failure mechanism by research lead by Ulster University and Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science.

This PhD project will investigate the processes of internal sulfate attack and investigate other potential issues using standard and innovative laboratory techniques for investigating geology and concrete materials. The successful candidate will join an international consortium of researchers from Ulster University, Geological Survey of Ireland, Laval University/Canada, Empa/Switzerland, University of Connecticut/USA and Concrete Research and Testing LLC/USA.  The project has been allocated an additional €20,000 on top of the PhD stipend for travel, that will be used to fund the periods of extended research training in the laboratories within the consortium in Switzerland, Canada and the USA to learn the latest cutting edge techniques from world class research laboratories.

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.

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

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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• Use of personal initiative as evidenced by record of work above that normally expected at career stage.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

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) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• 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) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living