PhD Study : NECESSARY (Net zEro CEments for Soil Stabilisation via wAste RecoverY

Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to work on an industrial PhD research project at Ulster University with the UK’s leading specialist in ‘deep soil mixing’ (DSM) ground improvement, Deep Soil Mixing Ltd.

The UK is upgrading and expanding its highway and railway infrastructure. Significant sections of these infrastructure networks cross large areas of soft ground (e.g. river floodplains). To permit construction in such troublesome areas, ‘heavy engineering’ solutions such as reinforced-concrete piling are commonly used. However, this approach is unfavourable due to: 1) the high costs of Portland cement and steel in concrete and 2) Portland cement manufacture generates 8-10% of global CO₂ emissions.

An increasingly popular alternative ground improvement technique that: 1) produces zero waste; 2) achieves engineering strengths comparable with concrete and 3) makes time savings is DSM. DSM involves injecting cementitious binders into the ground, which produces a ‘soil-concrete’ to form foundations and remediate contaminated land.

To date, DSM has used Portland cement binders. However, continuing this approach is unsustainable if the civil engineering industry is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5^oC. It is therefore NECESSARY to expedite the development/commercialisation of Portland cement-free binders.

The ‘NECESSARY’ project will develop a new generation of Portland cement-free Net zEro carbon CEments for deep mixing Soil Stabilisation via wAste RecoverY. Focus will be paid towards valorising some of the UK’s largest and ‘untapped’ waste reserves (e.g. quarry dusts, excavated soils/rocks, plastics), representing >220m tonnes/year. This sustainable approach will facilitate growth within the UK’s circular economy.

Working with Deep Soil Mixing Ltd will have the added benefits of using findings from the NECESSARY project in developing new low-carbon ‘state-of-the-art’ practice in DSM ground improvement technology. Furthermore, this will provide pathways to impact in the ground engineering industry that will benefit engineering infrastructure stakeholders.

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.

• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• DfE CAST and Deep Soil Mixing Ltd

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.