Mechanical response of geomaterials (e.g. brick, rock, shotcrete, and concrete) under cyclic, dynamic, and fast strain-rate loads are substantially different from that of a quasi-static or homogenous loading. Such impact/cyclic stresses could, for instance, be exerted to geostructures during drilling and blasting (D&B) or spalling and rockburst events in deep excavations, which usually deform the near-field rocks at very high strain rates. While quasi-static compression tests have been widely performed on geostructures since the 1960s, coupled dynamic/cyclic and biaxial loading on geostructures have largely been ignored since it would require sophisticated laboratory equipment to model the complex stress conditions. Using the new Hybrid Biaxial/True Triaxial testing facility at UQ Civil, the main objective of this Ph.D. project is to investigate the fracture growth in geomaterials under combined dynamic/cyclic/biaxial stresses by adopting digital image correlation (3D DIC) and high-speed photography techniques.
The University of Queensland is seeking a full-time, highly motivated Ph.D. candidate to perform high-quality research in the field of rock testing and fracture mechanics. The successful candidate will be working under the supervision of Dr. Mehdi Serati and Professor David Williams the Geotechnical Engineering Centre (GEC) within the School of Civil Engineering. The candidate will join a multidisciplinary team in partnership with industry partners.
The University of Queensland is a public research university located primarily in Brisbane, the capital city of the Australian state of Queensland. Founded in 1909 by the Queensland parliament, UQ is one of the six sandstone universities, an informal designation of the oldest university in each state. Apply for the scholarship now!
Location:
Australia
Benefits
- HDR funding type: Living stipend scholarship
- Scholarship value: $28,092 per annum (2020 rate), indexed annually
- Scholarship duration: Three years with the possibility of two 6-month extensions in approved circumstances
Eligibilities
- Academic entry requirements:
- have completed some research experience
- have completed an approved university degree and
- can meet the English language requirements.
- Approved degrees:
- in an area relevant to your proposed Ph.D. project and
- completed no more than 10 years ago.
- You need one of the following approved degrees to apply for a Ph.D.:
- Master of Philosophy (or another research master’s degree); or
- Bachelor’s degree from an approved university with at least honors class IIA or equivalent; or
- Coursework master’s degree with an overall grade point average of 5.65 on the 7-point UQ scale which includes relevant research experience, approved by the dean; or
- Postgraduate degree (at least one year full-time or equivalent) with an overall grade point average of 5 on the 7-point UQ scale, together with demonstrated research experience equivalent to honors class IIA will be considered on a case-by-case basis; or
- Bachelor’s degree plus at least 2 years of relevant research experience, including research publications.
- Research experience:
- You need to demonstrate some research experience to be accepted into a Ph.D. If you can show you have planned and written a research project with some independence, you have enough experience to apply.
- They will consider a combination of research projects from academia or industry, and also creative works and criticism.
- Additional entry requirements:
- Many departments will have additional entry requirements and may request documents to support your application, such as a research proposal. You should discuss these additional requirements with your potential thesis supervisor.
Eligible Regions: Open for all
