Funded PhD: Determination of the thermal properties of soil from Cone Penetration Testing

Project in brief

The design of geothermal energy piles, pipelines and offshore cables for wind turbines requires knowledge of the heat transfer that takes place between the buried structure and the surrounding soil. Thus, there is currently very strong demand for in-situ tests that can measure reliably the soil’s thermal properties.

Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) is one of the most popular site investigation methods. During penetration of the cone through the soil it experiences a significant increase in temperature due to friction. When penetration is paused the generated heat begins to dissipate and the rate of thermal dissipation is proportional to the thermal conductivity of the soil.

This PhD study will develop a numerical model that can accurately quantify the heat flux and thermal properties of the cone under known conditions, to derive a reliable empirical relationship and calibration factors which will be used to derive thermal conductivity of real soils. The numerical model will be calibrated using real data collected from sites which will be made available by Lankelma, a world leading CPT provider, who has extensive onshore and offshore data archives.

Key Facts

Location Moulsecoomb campus, Brighton

Research centre Advanced Engineering Centre

Project themes Soil thermal conductivity, soil thermal properties, cone penetration testing

Deadline Thursday 29 February 2024 at 16.00 GMT

Interviews March 2024

Find out how to apply

University of Brighton supervisors

Dr Anastasios Georgoulas

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling and Experimental Characterisation of diabatic two-phase flows with phase change (pool boiling, flow boiling, cavitation), turbulent multiphase flows (water-sediment/turbidity currents, water-air/free surface flows), heat and mass transfer, aerodynamics, HVAC

Dr Maria Diakoumi

I am interested in supervising PhD students in the area of Geotechnical Engineering and particularly in the areas of soil-structure interaction, design and performance of geotechnical infrastructure (onshore and offshore foundations, retaining walls, underground structures, embankments), enhancing the resilience of geotechnical infrastructure, physical and numerical modelling in Geotechnics.

Other supervisors

Joseph Hobbs (Engineering Director, Lankelma)

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree and desirably hold or expect to achieve excellent grades in a Master’s degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or comparable qualifications from another recognised university.

Applicants are also required to submit a CV and a 1250 word (max) statement outlining (a) a proposed project approach and (b) a personal experience and expertise summary (see our Guide to making your application below).

Residential eligibility

Applications from both Home and non-UK resident students can be accepted. Please note, non-UK residents can only undertake full-time study.

If successful, students must live in the UK and within reasonable access to the University.

English language entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must have successfully completed a Secure English language Test (SELT) in the last two years. Applicants who are currently studying for a UK degree or who have obtained a UK degree in the last three years may apply without a SELT. However, the university may request a SELT is taken as part of any award made.

English language IELTS requirements are minimum of 6.5 in each component.

If you have an English language qualification other than IELTS, please contact us to see if you are eligible to apply for a studentship

See UK Government guidance for full details.

Funding

Each studentship provides a tax-free stipend for living expenses at UKRI rates (£18,622 per year for full-time study in 2023-24) and covers tuition fees for the duration of the studentship (three years for full-time PhD study or six years for part-time (Home students only) study).

Contact us

For any questions or further information about the project, please contact the lead supervisor Dr Anastasios Georgoulas (see profile for contact details).

If you have any questions about the funding or application process, please contact DoctoralCollege@brighton.ac.uk.

Guide to making your application

What to include in your application

Please complete all relevant fields on the application form and include the following:

Documents to be uploaded:

copies of your bachelors and master certificates, including transcripts (upload in Education section)
copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable) (upload in English Language section)
copy of your passport (upload in any section)

two written documents as follows:

We require two written documents: a two-part narrative text (1) and your CV (2). To complete this requirement, please adhere to the guidance on this page rather than the generic guidance on the application form. Please upload the following as two attachments rather than entering text in the box on the application form.

Your proposed project approach (a) and personal statement (b): in the Personal Statement section of the form, please upload a narrative (total 1250 words max) that has two components:
- (a) a description of how you intend to approach the project and key questions that will need to be addressed (500 words max);
- (b) a summary of your experience, personal attributes, current knowledge and research skills (750 words max)
Your CV: in the Research Proposal section of the form, please upload a two-page CV. Please also ensure you have completed the two fields requesting supervisor name and project title. You do not need to include a full research proposal; we require a project approach within the Personal Statement section as outlined above.

Two references:

One reference must be an academic reference from your most recent period of study; both references must have been dated within the last year. You can submit your references either by providing contact details of your referees or by uploading a scan of a formal signed reference.

How to start your online application

To start your application please follow these steps:

1. Click the 'apply online now' button, on the right.
2. Select 'register and start a new application', to create your user account.
3. Once you are logged in, select 'apply to a new course'.
4. Select the type of course 'research degree'.
5. Select mode of study 'full-time' (Home students shortlisted for interview will have the option of changing their preferred mode of study to 'part-time')
6. Select 'Doctoral College'
7. Select ‘Architecture, Technology and Engineering studentship’
8. Click 'apply'.

You will now be able to complete the online application form.

Apply Online Now