PhD Studentship: Design and Performance of High Volume - Low Carbon Printing Materials for 3DCP and Hybrid Manufacturing Processes

3-D concrete printing and the latest hybrid manufacturing processes (using robotic milling and finishing processes with concrete printing) are new digitally driven automated construction technologies that can be seen in manufacturing buildings worldwide. These processes have huge potential to address the challenge of net-zero construction manufacturing, but we need to understand how to do this and where the technical challenges are.

This PhD is part of a cohort of five PhDs focused on answering this question. It will bring together the disciplines of life-cycle analysis and circular economy, structural engineering, manufacturing engineering, and material science.

You will work together and develop as a team and your combined research will inform a roadmap of improvement that will influence these technologies worldwide.

This studentship will focus on developing new printing mortars and concretes using different aggregates, binders and exploring methods for improving printed material performance, maximising manufacturing speeds and volumes and developing material models for implementation in design tools.

Study interests should include: materials science, rheology, concretes, mortars, pumping, mixing, cement chemistry, mix design, construction materials, civil engineering, and automated placement.

The successful candidate is likely to have a background in materials, civil engineering, and/or process engineering.

Funding

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

The three-year studentship provides a tax-free stipend of £17,668 a year (2022/23 rate) for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the home or international rate.

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