PhD Study : Fire Dynamics and Material Flammability

Summary

The successful candidate will work in a multi-disciplinary research team on areas related to material flammability, thermal degradation and burning behaviours of materials used in modern building, construction and aviation industries, fire dynamics and smoke movement in compartment and facade fires. The research methodology will be based on experimental testing and/or numerical modelling. For experimental testing, the student will avail of the-state-of-the-art experimental facility at the FireSERT centre, which consists of a suite of high-precision thermal analytical instruments for detailed measurements of thermal degradation of milligram samples, meso-scale testing of material flammability and fire behaviour using the standard apparatus including cone calorimeter and tube furnace, and customised experimental rigs for enclosure and façade fires.

The research environment also includes wet chemistry provisions for syntheses of flame-retardant polymers and a range of spectroscopic techniques for characterisation of novel formulations and materials. The FireSERT laboratory is also equipped with a 10 MW calorimetric hood, an indicative furnace (1.5m x 1.5m x 1.5m) and a full-scale ISO standard furnace, which will allow large-scale compartment and façade fire tests as well as evaluation of fire performance of structure elements.

In terms of numerical modelling, the student will utilise the latest computer software based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and/or finite element analysis (FEA) with the aim to increase current understanding of the important phenomena in fire, such as the occurrence of flashover and its mitigation, effects of material properties and fire retardants on fire spread on facade, production of smoke and carbon monoxide in enclosure fires with limited ventilation, design of ventilation systems for smoke movement in large space, and interaction of fire dynamics and structural elements.

These models will be validated against data in the literature, existing experimental data available at FireSERT and/or new data which will be obtained in this project. Research projects in any related research area are welcome and some potential topics are as follows:

*Novel environmentally-friendly fire retardants for polymers

*Passive fire protection of facade structures: development of fireproof coatings and insulation

*Non-leaching fire retardants for wood

*Smouldering fires

*Burning behaviours of liquid and solid fuels in compartments

*Façade fire spread: effects of modern façade materials

*Mechanical and thermal behaviours of glazing in fires

*CFD modelling of externally venting flames

*Natural and mechanical ventilation in large buildings or tunnels

The supervisors have all necessary and complementary expertise and have published widely in international journals and conferences in the areas of synthesis and development of novel fire retardants, evaluation of materials properties and burning behaviours of polymer nanocomposites, wood and insulation materials, fire dynamics and compartment and façade fires as well as computer modelling of fire related phenomena. The supervisors also collaborate widely with universities, research institutions and industry, both nationally and internationally.  The research will involve a wide range of disciplines including engineering, chemistry, mathematics, and computer engineering.  The diversity of this research theme means that the student will potentially cross these disciplines.

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

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.

• Masters at 65%

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