EPSRC FIBE2 CDT PhD Studentship with National Highways: 3D Printing for Smart Pavement Applications

This is a four-year (1+3 MRes/PhD) studentship funded through the Cambridge EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment: Resilience in a Changing World (FIBE2 CDT). The FIBE2 CDT aims to develop the next generation of infrastructure professionals who can create, shape and deliver the national vision for UK infrastructure, who will be equipped with a versatile and cross-disciplinary skill set to meet the most complex emerging challenges and contribute effectively to better infrastructure decision-making in the UK. Further details can be found at https://www.fibe-cdt.eng.cam.ac.uk/

The project is funded in collaboration with National Highways,  a government-owned company charged with setting highways standards, operating, maintaining and improving motorways and major A roads in England.

The National Highways Digital Strategy includes a roadmap committing to deliver significant digitalisation of the strategic road network by 2025. This commitment is paving the way for a range of innovative and impactful autonomous, robotic, remote and smart delivery approaches. 3D printing has emerged as a technology with huge potential to transform the way we construct and maintain our infrastructure assets in a smart, cost-effective, resource-efficient and sustainable fashion. Advanced 3D printing techniques would enable the delivery of multiple materials (e.g. bituminous, cementitious and polymeric), with different compositions, including low carbon alternatives, with very different properties and with additives such as fibres and sensors; composite materials with complex functional architectures and precast and in-situ elements for road construction and maintenance applications.

This project will explore the potential for 3D printing in a range of pavement applications, such as bespoke repairs and robotic-assisted on the spot maintenance and assess and test the areas that would be most feasible and deliver the biggest impacts. The project will involve experimental work, including different materials and nozzles as well as 3D printing configurations combined with design and optimisation techniques and would ideally lead to full-scale trials.

For project-specific enquires please e-mail Professor Abir Al-Tabbaa (aa22@cam.ac.uk). For general enquiries, please email cdtcivil-courseadmin@eng.cam.ac.uk.

Applicants should have (or expect to obtain by the start date) a good degree, preferably at masters level, in a relevant engineering or science discipline. They should have relevant experimental skills. Experience with working with bacteria and contaminated soils would be advantageous.

The FIBE2 CDT studentships are fully-funded (fees and maintenance) for UK students. A small number of funded places may be available for excellent EU/international students. Further details about eligibility and funding can be found at:

https://www.ukri.org/councils/esrc/career-and-skills-development/funding-for-postgraduate-training/eligibility-for-studentship-funding/   https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/fees

https://www.cambridgetrust.org/scholarships/

Applications should be made online on https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/application-process/how-do-i-apply stating course code EGEGR3 with project: 3D printing for smart pavement applications with supervisor Professor Abir Al-Tabbaa stated on the form.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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