ºù«Ӱҵ

Understanding Rate Effects In Geomaterials

The purpose of this project will be to conduct experimental work to identify:

• The triaxial behaviour of different geomaterials at a range of loading rates and
• The parameters which affect the geomaterials sensitivity to loading rate

The outcome of this work will be well validated material models which can be used in computational analysis models to predict the response of protection systems to intense transient loading.

Predicting The Impulse From Buried Charges

To date, no-one has attempted to synthesise all the disparate data sources into a single complied dataset to allow for a meta-analysis to be conducted. This will involve collating data from the literature and from the ºù«Ӱҵ Blast tests in an attempt to model and predict the output of shallow buried charges. This data can then be fed into the ºù«Ӱҵ predictive model for blast behaviour, which is detailed in the paper linked to below.

Shock Transmission Through Geological Materials

The aim of the PhD will be to investigate the 3 zone model below. It is expected that zones 1 and 3 will be of lesser interest and zone 2 is where the work will be focussed.

• Zone 1: Cratering- total compaction of the layer with the material being ejected. This is assuming that the initial source is buried. For an above ground burst it is highly likely that cratering will not occur. It is proposed that this is covered by a focussed literature review.
• Zone 2: Dynamic compaction and shock propagation using the Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar (Kolsky Bar) apparatus.
• Zone 3: Elastic shock propagation - traditional earthquake mechanics, soils can and have previously been quantified using "bender" element tests. It is proposed that this is covered by a focussed literature review.

If you're interested in one of these projects or would like to self-propose a project, please contact Sam on the email above. Current PhD opportunities in the department can be viewed here.