Noise and Vibration

This research theme focuses on understanding, predicting and mitigating noise and vibration generated by road, rail and construction activity, as well as exploring how vibration energy can be captured and reused. Road traffic noise, railway noise and ground borne vibration all influence human comfort, health and the usability of land close to transport corridors. Construction activity, including piling, tunnelling and earthworks, introduces additional short term noise and vibration challenges. As transport networks expand and urban areas become denser, the interaction between infrastructure and its surrounding environment becomes increasingly important to understand. This theme covers the physical mechanisms that generate noise and vibration, how they travel through air, ground and structures, and how they can be measured, modelled and controlled. It also includes emerging work on energy harvesting devices that convert vibration into useful energy, offering a route to powering sensors or reducing energy losses within infrastructure systems. The theme suits students interested in the physics of wave propagation, environmental impact assessment and the development of practical mitigation solutions.

<h3 dir="ltr">Detailed description</h3> <p dir="ltr">Noise and vibration from transport infrastructure arise from a combination of mechanical, aerodynamic and structural sources. On the railway, wheel and rail interaction, track irregularities, structural resonance of bridges and viaducts, and rolling stock dynamics all contribute to the noise and vibration experienced by nearby communities. On roads, tyre and road surface interaction, engine noise and traffic flow characteristics determine the noise climate experienced by residents. Construction activity introduces impulsive and continuous vibration sources, including piling, vibratory compaction and tunnelling, which can affect nearby structures as well as human comfort.</p> <p dir="ltr">Once generated, noise and vibration travel through the ground, air and building structures before reaching a receiver. Ground vibration propagation depends heavily on soil type, layering and moisture content, meaning the same source can produce very different vibration levels depending on local geology. Vibration can also couple into buildings, exciting floors and walls and, in some cases, becoming perceptible as low frequency noise inside occupied spaces (e.g. due to underground metros). Understanding these transmission paths is essential for accurate prediction and effective mitigation.</p> <p dir="ltr">This theme also explores how vibration can be harnessed rather than simply suppressed. Energy harvesting devices convert ambient vibration into electrical energy, offering potential applications in powering wireless sensors for structural health monitoring or improving the energy efficiency of transport systems. This adds a sustainability dimension to noise and vibration research, connecting environmental mitigation with energy recovery.</p> <p dir="ltr">Work within this theme spans field measurement campaigns, laboratory testing, numerical modelling and the development of new mitigation technologies, often combining several of these approaches within a single research project.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">Why this research is important</h3> <p dir="ltr">Noise and vibration are among the most common environmental concerns associated with transport infrastructure, and they have a direct influence on public health, wellbeing and quality of life. Long term exposure to transport noise has been linked to sleep disturbance, stress and cardiovascular health effects, while ground borne vibration and associated noise can affect the usability of buildings located close to railways and construction sites. As populations grow and transport networks expand into increasingly dense urban areas, the number of people affected by these issues continues to rise.</p> <p dir="ltr">At the same time, the transition towards low carbon transport, including increased use of rail freight and public transport, means that understanding and controlling noise and vibration is essential to enable network growth without unacceptable impact on communities. Prediction tools allow engineers to design mitigation measures before infrastructure is built, reducing costs and avoiding disruptive retrofits. Improved understanding of ground vibration propagation also supports safer and more efficient construction practices, particularly in urban environments where sensitive structures are located close to worksites.</p> <p dir="ltr">Energy harvesting research adds further value by exploring how vibration, often considered purely a nuisance, can be converted into a useful resource, supporting the wider drive towards sustainable and self powered infrastructure monitoring systems.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">Example PhD research topics</h3> <ul dir="ltr"> <li>Prediction and mitigation of railway induced ground vibration in urban environments</li> <li>Characterisation of road traffic noise sources and surface interaction effects</li> <li>Assessment of construction vibration impacts on nearby structures</li> <li>Development of vibration energy harvesting devices for infrastructure sensing</li> <li>Low frequency noise transmission into buildings near transport corridors</li> <li>Influence of soil properties on ground vibration propagation</li> <li>Vibration mitigation measures for high speed and heavy haul railways</li> <li>Numerical modelling of noise and vibration from bridges and viaducts</li> </ul> <h3 dir="ltr">Methods and techniques</h3> <ul dir="ltr"> <li>Field measurement of noise and vibration using accelerometers, geophones and microphones</li> <li>Laboratory testing of materials and mitigation systems</li> <li>Finite element numerical modelling</li> <li>Signal processing and spectral analysis of noise and vibration data</li> <li>Machine learning for pattern recognition and prediction</li> <li>Soil dynamics and geotechnical characterisation</li> <li>Structural dynamics and modal analysis</li> <li>Design and testing of energy harvesting devices</li> <li>Statistical and probabilistic modelling of environmental impact</li> </ul> <h3 dir="ltr">Suitable academic backgrounds</h3> <p dir="ltr">I welcome applicants from civil engineering, mechanical engineering, acoustics, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, physics, applied mathematics and environmental science backgrounds. Experience in areas such as signal processing, structural dynamics, numerical modelling or vibration analysis is beneficial but not essential, as training is provided as part of the research programme. Enthusiasm for solving real world engineering problems and an interest in the physics of wave propagation are more important than a specific disciplinary background.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">FAQ</h3> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Can I propose my own PhD topic?</strong><br /> Yes, the themes above are a guide only.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Can I bring my own funding?</strong><br /> Yes, I welcome applicants who are funded through government scholarships, employers or self funding.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Do I need funding before contacting you?</strong><br /> You should have at least identified your planned funder and commenced your application.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Can I study interdisciplinary topics?</strong><br /> Yes. Many of my current research interests combine multiple disciplines.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>When can I start?</strong><br /> Start dates are in spring and autumn. Full details dates are available elsewhere on the University website.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">Join an International Research Group</h3> <p dir="ltr">My research group includes PhD students and researchers from a range of countries working across Artificial Intelligence, climate resilience, satellite monitoring, railway engineering and geotechnical engineering. Although every student develops their own specialist project, many topics overlap, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, collaborate and learn from one another. You will also become part of the wider Engineering postgraduate research community at the University of Leeds.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong data-index-in-node="0" data-path-to-node="14">Useful links</strong></p> <ul data-path-to-node="15"> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,0,0"><a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/1204/prof-david-p-connolly">University Profile</a></p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,1,0"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidconnolly/">LinkedIn</a></p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,2,0"><a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jzkpu9IAAAAJ&hl=en">Google Scholar</a></p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,3,0"><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David-Connolly-7">ResearchGate</a></p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,4,0"><a href="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3950-8704">ORCID</a></p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="15,5,0"><a href="https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=35098220800">Scopus</a></p> </li> </ul>

<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's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <p>•    For <strong>‘Appli</strong><strong>cation type’</strong> please select <strong>‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’</strong>. <br /> •    The <strong>admission year</strong> for this project is <strong>2027/28 Academic Year</strong>. <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>PhD Civil Engineering FT</strong>’. <br /> •    The <strong>project start date</strong> for this project is<strong> </strong>from<strong> 1 October 2027</strong>, please use this as your <strong>Proposed Start Date of Research</strong>. <br /> •    Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>Noise and Vibration</strong> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering/staff/1204/dr-david-p-connolly">Professor David Connolly</a><strong> </strong>as your proposed supervisor.</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>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application 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 grading scheme</li> <li>CV</li> <li>A personal statement outlining your interest in the project, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project.</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 (visa, Immigration Health Surcharge, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source.</p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about this project, please contact Professor David Connolly by email to <a href="mailto:D.Connolly@leeds.ac.uk">D.Connolly@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>