This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition , for entry in September 2025.

Early application is encouraged, as excellent candidates may receive an early offer of a funded place before the end of the year. To be eligible for early consideration, you must apply before 24 November 2024.

Project Background:

Mechanical fasteners are being used extensively across all engineering sectors when connecting components of a larger structure. However, the use of mechanical fasteners introduces stress concentrations due to drilling-induced defects and material discontinuities, while also increasing the overall weight of a structure. To compensate for the elevated stresses in the joint regions, thicker components are being used and therefore the efficiency of structures is being compromised. Adhesive joints represent a more efficient connection method as the stresses are distributed more evenly over the joint overlap leading to weight reductions and more sustainable structures. However, there is also a lack of confidence in the use of adhesive joints which are defect-sensitive and can suffer catastrophic failures.

Therefore, there is a need to develop toughening methods that would make adhesive joints more damage resistant and less dependent on the presence of flaws and defects. Such methods can include micro- and macroscopic modifications in the adherends and the adhesives and tailored/optimised joint geometries. For instance, micro-level adherend modifications can include UV, and plasma treatment for surface activation [1, 2]. Substrate modifications at a macro level could include grooves, etches and sacrificial cracks [3, 4]. Finally, elongating the adhesion paths, adding crack arresting features and combining adhesives with different mechanical properties could also be explored as toughening options for optimised performance [5, 6]. This project will seek to develop and evaluate toughening strategies using experimental and numerical methods. Experimentally, tests will be designed which will enable the measurement of the fracture toughness of adhesive joints and quantify the effect of certain toughening mechanisms.

The project will explore optimised manufacturing methods while additive manufacturing could also be used to introduce the microscopic features on the substrates. In addition, full-field methods such as Digital Image Correlation (DIC) will be used for strain resolution and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) will be used for post-mortem analysis. Numerically, Finite Element (FE) models will be developed with the ability to predict damage and fracture but also to gain a better understanding of the effect of toughening mechanisms on adhesive joints.

Opportunities for industrial involvement will also be explored.

Candidate requirements:

Applicants must have, or be about to obtain, a UK Honours degree 1 ^st or 2.1, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject area within Engineering, Materials Science or similar. Experience with experimental mechanics and/or Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is desirable but not essential.

Non-UK applicants, who are not currently studying in the UK, must meet the programme’s English language requirement before the application deadline – no exceptions will be considered.

Enquiries:

Informal enquiries are encouraged! Direct these to Dr Ioannis Katsivalis - [email protected]

Application Instructions

Please follow the below instructions carefully.

You must make a formal application via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Civil Engineering

Please note that you can apply for a maximum of two PhD projects on this programme.

In the ‘Funding Your Studies’ section, you must select ‘University of Bath URSA’ from one of the drop-down menus.

In the ‘Your PhD project’ section, you must quote the project title in the PhD project title field, and you must quote the lead supervisor’s name in the field ‘Name of intended supervisor at University of Bath.’

If you are applying for two projects, you must quote the project title for your second choice project in the field ‘Project 2 Title’ and the lead supervisor’s name in ‘Name of intended supervisor for 2 ^nd choice project at University of Bath.

You must ensure that you follow the above steps correctly. Failure to complete these steps will cause errors in the automated processing of your application and may mean that you are not considered for a particular project.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We value a diverse research environment and strive to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.

The Disability Service ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided the support that they need. If you state if your application that you have a disability, the Disability Service will contact you as part of this process to discuss your needs.

Keywords

Structural connections; Adhesive bonding; Experimental mechanics; Finite Element Analysis; Solid mechanics