Low carbon soil stabilisation for mitigating the impact of climate change in transport infrastructure

This PhD project aims to study low carbon soil stabilisation methods for mitigating the impact of climate change in compacted geomaterials incorporated in the transport infrastructure substructure formations.

<p>Current performance shortcomings in the transport infrastructure formations induced by extreme climatic events cause excessive maintenance requirements with increased costs and disruptions to commuters and loss of productivity in the freight services. This PhD project aims to study low carbon soil stabilisation methods for mitigating the impact of climate change in compacted geomaterials incorporated in the transport infrastructure substructure formations. While the infrastructure developed in the last 60 years has been built following the principles of compaction, much of the UK transport infrastructure was built before those principles were understood and practiced and thus particularly vulnerable to increasingly severe changes in hydraulic stresses caused by climate as well as degradation of its properties due to increasingly higher traffic demand, e.g. increase in dynamic stresses as a function of speed and axle loads. Hence the consideration of soil stabilisation is critical. <br /> <br /> The project will focus on the study of sustainable stabilisation methods performance in mitigating the shortfalls in performance exhibited as a result of multiple cycles of wetting and drying that stabilised compacted geomaterials undergo during their service life. It will also aims to study the impact of extreme climatic events (e.g. flash flooding accompanied by periods of intense rainfall and extended period of droughts). It will involve advanced laboratory testing and modelling focussing on the water retention behaviour of stabilised compacted materials and monotonic and dynamic stress-strain behaviour simulating typical transport infrastructure conditions.</p>

<p>To apply for this project you will need to make a formal application for research degree study through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <p>•    For <strong>Application type</strong> please select <strong>Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate</strong>. <br /> •    The admission year for this project is <strong>2027/28</strong> Academic Year. <br /> •    You will need to select your <strong>Planned Course of Study</strong> from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select <strong>PHP Civil Engineering Full Time.</strong> <br /> •    The project start date for this project is <strong>1 October 2027</strong>, please use this as your <strong>Proposed Start Date of Research</strong>. <br /> •    Please state clearly in the<strong> Research Information Section</strong> that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>Low carbon soil stabilisation for mitigating the impact of climate change in transport infrastructure</strong><em> </em>as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/6674/dr-ana-heitor#journal_article_div">Dr Ana Heitor</a> as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p><strong>Please state clearly in the Finance section</strong>, <strong>the funding that you are applying for, if you are self-funding or externally sponsored</strong>.</p> <p>More information on how to apply is available on our website <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">here</a>. You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project.</p> <p>We will assess applications continuously as we receive them. We welcome and strongly encourage any potential applicants to contact the supervisor(s) for an informal discussion, prior to applying, and recommend submitting your application early.</p> <p><strong>If you are applying with external sponsorship or you are funding your own study, please ensure you provide your supporting documents at the point you submit your application:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including the grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>This is a non funded PhD project. Applicants are expected to be self funded or to secure external funding.</p> <p>You can find out more about our Funding Opportunities on our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/">Postgraduate Research Opportunities</a> website.</p> <p><strong>Important: </strong>Please note that all costs associated with your arrival at Leeds (<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa">visa, Immigration Health Surcharge</a>, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source.</p>

<p>For further information about your application, including how to apply, please contact PGR Admissions by emailing <a href="mailto:epspgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">epspgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information regarding the project, please contact Dr Ana Heitor by emailing <a href="mailto:EMAIL@leeds.ac.uk">a.heitor@leeds.ac.uk</a> or by calling +44 (0)7849 282475</p>