Structural Integrity PhD

Brunel University London has partnered with the National Structural Integrity Research Centre to provide an opportunity for students to undertake in-depth research in combination with the industrial experience of TWI across the varied disciplines essential to structural integrity. 

Considering the expertise and track record of both Brunel and NSIRC-based staff, the following areas have been identified as the main research strengths within the wider field of Structural Integrity: 

• Dynamic response of materials and structures (modelling, experimental characterisation and design/optimisation for composites and metals); 
• Structural health monitoring based on ultrasound wave propagation and acoustic emissions in solids (modelling, experimental validation, signal processing and sensors); 
• Steel, concrete and hybrid structures (material design, manufacturing, modelling and experimental characterisation); 
• Fatigue and fracture (modelling, experimental characterisation);
• Extreme loading (e.g. fire, earthquake, blast and progressive collapse)
• Fluid-structure interaction (unboned flexible risers)
• Manufacturing (e.g. sheet metal forming, bulk-forming, casting, extrusion, 3D printing).

A key aim of the PhD programme is to supply a stream of industry-ready, world-class engineers and scientists in structural integrity disciplines such as fail-safe design, corrosion control, structural health monitoring, ageing asset management and fitness for service. 

Industry linked location

The programme is delivered at the NSIRC facilities based in Granta Park, Cambridge. A proportion of the research activities may take place out in the field (external sites) including industrial client sites depending on the details of the particular project. However, students are based at NSIRC at least 90 per cent of the time, where they are able to take advantage of their partner university resources such as the virtual learning environment, library and academic support. You are expected to live in the Cambridge area for the duration of your studies and make use of the shuttle bus to Granta Park.

Partnerships
In structural integrity, we have well-established collaboration with a number of industrial partners who have supported a range of fundamental and applied PhD research projects. Our partners include:

• Arts and Humanities Research Council
• AWE PLC
• British Council
• Caterpillar Inc
• Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
• Constellium France SAS
• DSTL Commercial Services
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
• European Commission
• European Space Agency
• Higher Education Funding Council for England
• Intel Corporation USA
• Jaguar Land Rover
• Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
• mLED Limited
• National Aerospace Technology Programme
• Natural Environment Research Council
• Power OLEDs Ltd
• Science & Technology Facilities Council
• Technology Strategy Board
• The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers Alias Wire Workers
• TWI Limited

Equipment and Lab Facilities

Students at NSIRC conduct their research using some of the world's most advanced analysis and testing technologies. NSIRC houses £20 million of state-of-the-art equipment, acquired using investment from BIS and HEFCE.

This equipment ensures that NSIRC has world-leading capabilities, is best placed to meet its research commitments, and is able to address the research topics specified by the industrial partners. It includes:

• Metallic and polymeric materials analysis and characterisation equipment.
• Advanced testing equipment to measure fracture, fatigue, creep and corrosion performance.
• High-pressure testing equipment for large scale tests in pipes and vessels.
• Equipment for testing in H 2 S, CO 2 and other aggressive environments.
• Re-configurable, large scale facilities for specialised component/structure testing.
• Systems and software for process simulation, modelling of structural performance and lifetime prediction.
• Residual stress measurement equipment.
• A range of NDT equipment for defect detection and procedure development.
• Remote and intelligent sensors and data analysis tools for condition monitoring applications.
• Selected welding/coating and thermal cycle simulation equipment for characterisation, development and proving of high integrity processes.
• Specific/bespoke equipment to address defined areas of research focus of the NSIRC founder sponsors.
• Dimensional measurement equipment.
• Equipment for test piece preparation (cutting, welding, machining etc.)

Accreditation

The degree is accredited by The Welding Institute as further learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Students working on projects in the field of non-destructive testing will also be able to acquire membership of BINDT (British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing).

Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.  

Learn more about research in this area.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team.

You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.

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Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here: Research degree progress structure.

Research support

Excellent research support and training

The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme. The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development. You will also be offered a number of online, self-study courses on BBL, including Research Integrity, Research Skills Toolkit, Research Methods in Literature Review and Principles of Research Methods.

Library services

Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m. Subject information Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs. As well as the physical resources available in the Library, we also provide access to a wealth of electronic resources. These include databases, journals and e-books. Access to these resources has been bought by the Library through subscription and is limited to current staff and students.

Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues.

Find out more: Brunel Library

Access to TWI Library

• TWI’s library comprises ~35,000 items on all aspects of materials joining and performance and has been in operation for nearly 100 years.
• TWI also produces the Weldasearch literature database, containing ~250,000 abstracts of articles on all aspects of joining and structural performance.
• All library material is available to students to read in the library. 

You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Professional Development Centre runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.

In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.

Find out more.

Almost all our successful PhD students get one or more job offers before completing their PhD studies. In structural integrity, we have well-established collaboration with a number of industrial partners from the following sectors automotive, aerospace, energy, transport, oil and gas and defence. These include Rolls Royce, Airbus, Augusta Westland, Eurocopter, Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin, Mercedes Petronas F1, McLaren F1, Williams F1, Network Rail, AWE, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, BP, Shell, Lloyds Register, Zentech, Dunlop Oil and Marine, and TWI.