Jobs:Job-01936
Apply before: 19 November 2025
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Posting:
Position: PhD studentship
Apply before: 19 November 2025
Apply online:
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This PhD project aims to develop advanced, climate change resilient road gully grating designs that enhance efficiency, durability, and environmental sustainability, while addressing cost constraints and net zero objectives. It will include an in-depth review of shortcomings in current design, based on literature review and field studies, and innovative design strategies will be developed that incorporate corrosion-resistant materials, optimised configurations, and embedded Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor environmental conditions such as water levels, discharge, temperature, and pollution levels. Prototypes of the new designs will be constructed and validated through both laboratory and field experiments, and computational fluid dynamics and numerical modelling will be used to simulate performance under varying runoff scenarios, pollution loads and climate conditions.
By developing advanced road gully designs with improved hydraulic performance and pollution capture and reduced blockage risk, the research will enhance the efficiency of urban drainage systems and help mitigate flooding and pollution impacts. Improvements made will also reduce maintenance demands and extend asset lifespans, contributing to environmental and financial benefits. Integration of smart sensors will also transform gullies into IoT-enabled assets, enabling real-time monitoring and supporting development of digital twins for proactive infrastructure management. These innovations will not only improve flood response and traffic safety but also aid in environmental monitoring and pollution control.
The outcomes will shape into practical guidelines and recommendations for policymakers and engineers to support adoption of the new designs in urban planning and infrastructure projects, thus leading the transition to next-generation gully systems that provide enhanced environmental performance and infrastructure resilience in a changing climate.
