Postgraduate studentship: Mathematical modelling of bridge cable dynamics

Departments of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mathematics
University of Bristol

A postgraduate studentship is available under the 3-year EPSRC-funded 
project 'Investigation of nonlinear dynamic cable behaviour and cable-deck 
interaction of cable-stayed bridges'. The project aims to advance 
fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of cable and bridge deck 
vibrations, which are surprisingly common on major cable-stayed bridges. 
The student will concentrate on mathematical modelling of the behaviour, 
including autoparametric resonance, whereby small bridge deck vibrations 
can induce very large cable vibrations. Existing models will be extended to 
cover more realistic situations, including the effects of end conditions 
and damping characteristics. The nonlinear equations of motion will be 
explored using advanced methods in nonlinear dynamics. The eventual aims 
are to predict critical conditions in which cable-structure interaction 
effects would be problematic, to determine the responses that would be 
expected, and hence to provide a tool to design against them.

This work will be conducted in close connection with large-scale 
experiments on inclined cables in the new Earthquake and Large Structures 
Laboratory in Bristol, which is a major part of the £20m Bristol Laboratory 
for Advanced Dynamics Engineering (BLADE) (www.blade.bris.ac.uk). The 
experiments will also use the novel technique of 'dynamic substructuring', 
to couple a physical cable to a numerical model of the bridge deck, in real 
time. The student's analysis will directly influence the experiments, which 
will subsequently be used to validate and refine the mathematical models.

The student will work under the joint supervision of Dr John Macdonald in 
the Earthquake Engineering Research Centre in the Department of Civil 
Engineering, and Prof. Alan Champneys in the Applied Nonlinear Mathematics 
Group in the Department of Engineering Maths. The project will also closely 
involve the Automatic Control Group in the Department of Mechanical 
Engineering. The work should lead to a PhD.

Candidates should have a good first degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) in 
mathematics, engineering or a related subject, and should have a good 
understanding of dynamics. Particular ability in mathematical modelling is 
required, coupled with an appreciation of practical application.

The position will attract a stipend of approximately £12,000 p.a. (tax 
free) and full fees will be covered for a resident of any EU country 
(meeting certain criteria). Non-EU candidates may also apply, although they 
would be responsible for the applicable additional fees.

Informal queries may be made by contacting Dr John Macdonald, Tel. 0117 928 
9758, Email: John.Macdonald@bristol.ac.uk. Further details of the research 
groups are available at www.cen.bris.ac.uk/civil/research/eerc, 
www.enm.bris.ac.uk/anm and www.men.bris.ac.uk/research/dyncont.html. 
Details of how to apply are at www.cen.bris.ac.uk/civil/admiss/pgr.

The deadline for applications is 28 February 2005. Interviews will be held 
in late March, with a view to the student starting as soon as possible 
thereafter, but in any case by September 2005.