Excessive mud pressure can endanger stability of horizontal boreholes and the success of drilling and reaming processes during Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) which is one of most important pipe installation methods using in Trenchless Technology. Inadvertent mud return causes significant environmental issues, damaging rivers, lakes and nearby properties. The PhD candidate will develop design tools for estimating the maximum allowable mud pressure during HDD.

The research programme will comprise both physical and numerical modelling. A series of physical model experiments will simulate horizontal borehole failure: mud infiltration and shear zone development will be investigated by pumping mud into drilled horizontal boreholes within saturated clay and sand. The influence of burial depth, multiple soil layers (e.g. dense sand covered by different thicknesses of loose sand) and adjacent infrastructure (e.g. telegraph poles, which may be the easy channels for mud infiltration) will be investigated. Sensing will be used to measure the mud and pore pressures, and soil movement and strains will be monitored using Geo-Particle Image Velocimetry. Numerical modelling approaches will be developed and verified against the physical evidence, and parametric studies will be undertaken to develop new design equations for estimating the maximum allowable mud pressure.

94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021

Supervisors

• Primary Supervisor: Dr Haitao Lan
• Secondary Supervisor: Dr Alister Smith

Entry requirements

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. A relevant master’s degree and/or experience is desirable.

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website .

Fees and funding

The studentship is for three years and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum (2024/25 rate) for the duration of the studentship plus university tuition fees.

How to apply

All applications must be made online and must include a completed studentship application form (instead of a personal statement) and a two-page research proposal based on the project description outlining how you would approach the project and what methods you would use. Under programme name, please select 'Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering'. Please quote reference number ABCE25-HL.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents including an up-to-date CV, but a personal statement is not required.

ABCE will use these selection criteria to make a decision on your application.

Apply now