About the project
Tackle the real-world challenge of developing strategies to protect buildings and their occupants from explosions.
In this PhD research project, you will investigate the influence of structural openings on blast wave propagation and internal loading effects through an experimental and advanced numerical programme.
You will be responsible for designing and conducting series of reduced-scale blast experiments to be undertaken at specialist explosive testing facilities based at the University of Cape Town. Professor Steeve Chung Kim Yuen from the University of Cape Town will be your additional supervisor.
You will also have the opportunity to work as part of a multidisciplinary research network (The IBRN) focused on a range of blast engineering and injury research challenges, engage with industry partners and undertake an exciting programme of experimental work overseas.
Explosions remain a serious threat to buildings and their occupants due to the occurrence of terrorist attacks, armed conflicts and large-scale accidents, such as the 2020 Beirut explosion. Such events have highlighted a key knowledge gap: we do not yet understand the effects of blast waves propagating in complex urban environments. As a result, it remains challenging to predict blast loading in built-up areas, which reduces our ability to predict structural damage and the risk of injury. Specifically, it is not understood how blast wave propagation is influenced by structural openings (i.e. windows and doors) and the loading experienced within internal spaces. New knowledge and predictive methods are needed to inform risk assessments, identify structural protection requirements and develop blast injury mitigation strategies.
Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), you will formulate advanced numerical frameworks to scrutinise how structural openings influence blast wave propagation and the associated risk of injury. Using the data from your findings in conjunction with the analysis of real-world blast injury data, you will generate new understanding and fast-running prediction methods that consider the effects of structural openings and provide recommendations for injury mitigation.
The outcomes of this project will be of direct relevance to the blast engineering research community, protective design engineers, security consultants and humanitarian organisations, contributing towards improved risk assessments, the effective protection of buildings and reducing harm from blast threats.
