PhD studentship: Structural and Material Influence on Floor Vibration-Based Fall Detection

Award Summary

100% fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). Additional project costs will also be provided.

Overview

Falls are one of the most serious safety risks for older adults, and rapid, reliable detection can significantly reduce long-term injury and improve emergency response. Building on recent advances in vibration-based sensing, this PhD will explore how the structural and material characteristics of floor systems influence the vibration signatures produced by human falls and other everyday activities.

While existing research often assumes a single, uniform floor condition, real buildings vary widely, from timber and composite systems to reinforced concrete slabs, each with unique stiffness, damping, and boundary conditions. These structural differences fundamentally shape how vibration signals are transmitted and recorded. This project will therefore investigate how these variations affect signal detectability and classification performance of AI models for fall detection.

The research will combine experimental studies on different floor systems, finite element simulations of vibration propagation, and AI-based signal analysis to establish a physics-informed understanding of the relationship between structural behaviour and fall detection accuracy. 

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

1st October 2026

Award Duration

4 Years

Sponsor

EPSRC

Supervisors

Dr Haoyu Huang, Lecturer in Structural Engineering, School of Engineering, Newcastle University

Prof Sean Wilkinson, Professor in Structural Engineering, School of Engineering, Newcastle University

Eligibility Criteria

We are adopting a contextual admissions process. This means we will consider other key competencies and experience alongside your academic qualifications. An example can be found here.

A minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project is our standard entry, however we place value on prior experience, enthusiasm for research, and the ability to think and work independently. Excellent Analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements. A Masters qualification may not be required if you have a minimum 2:1 degree or can evidence alternative experience in a work or research-based project. If you have alternative qualifications or experience, please contact us to discuss flexibilities and request an exemption.

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills. International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme. 

How to apply 

For information on how to apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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