An XFEM PhD position

A University funded PhD studentshipDevelopment of an XFEM composite model in progressive damage analysis of fibre composites University of Portsmouth – School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Technology Application deadline: 31st January 2012

Duration of award: 3 years This university sponsored full PhD studentship includes student bursary £13,590 p.a. (tax free) for 3 years and the UK/EU or Overseas tuition fees.  Project descriptionThis 3 year PhD project will undertake fundamental research in computational damage mechanics of fibre composites using a state of the art modelling technique, the eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM). It aims to develop an extended finite element in progressive failure analysis of anisotropic fibre composites to make an essentially predictive tool to support or guide design, manufacture and experimental work in composites. The proposed XFEM composite model is expected to precisely simulate the initiation and propagation of damage in composites, and predict the damage tolerance in composite structures.  The scientific innovation within XFEM is the potential to accurately consider damage evolution in heterogeneous materials with structural discontinuities, such as cracks, defects or imperfections using specific enrichment functions. These mathematical enrichment functions will extend the specific capability of standard FEM for addressing the problem of singularity at the crack tip. This 3 year research programme will target the development of crucial enrichment functions within the XFEM composite model, determine the failure criteria for different type of damages in composites, and determine the formulation to calculate the direction of crack propagation. The proposed XFEM composite model will be developed through the user element (UEL) in the commercial package ABAQUS. The proposed XFEM composite model will be calibrated and assessed using theoretical benchmark and experimental data.    Entry requirementsApplicants should have a First or upper Second Class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as civil, structural, aerospace or mechanical engineering. An MSc in a relevant subject and research experience in computational damage mechanics of fibre composite materials are highly desirable. An English level, IELTS score 6.5, is required for overseas applicants.   How to applyAll applications should be made on the university postgraduate application form, which can be found at the link below and accompanied by a full CV including publications and sent by email to Dr Jiye Chen (jiye.chen [at] port.ac.uk (jiye[dot]chen[at]port[dot]ac[dot]uk)). The application closing date is 31st January 2012.  http://www.port.ac.uk/accesstoinformation/policies/academicregistry/adm… Candidates may wish to contact Dr Jiye Chen by email jiye.chen [at] port.ac.uk (jiye[dot]chen[at]port[dot]ac[dot]uk) to discuss the opportunity further.