Project title: Indirect bridge health monitoring using artificial neural network (ANN)

Role: PhD Studentship

Start date: January 2020

Duration of award: 4 years

Supervisor: Assistant Professor Abdollah Malekjafarian

Stipend: €18,000 per annum plus UCD tuition fees at EU/Non-EU rates

Hours: Full time

Location: University College Dublin, Ireland

Contact: Dr. Abdollah Malekjafarian (abdollah.malekjafarian@ucd.ie)

Summary: Indirect health monitoring of a bridge is the process of assessing the condition of the structure through analysing the vibration data measured on a passing vehicle. In this project, a machine learning approach will be developed for drive-by damage detection. Machine learning is a relatively unexplored concept in the field of indirect damage detection but shows the potential to account for operational and environmental effects on the bridge response signal. Such variables have previously been major obstacles to the success of indirect detection methods.

Main tasks:

• Developing a numerical framework for the indirect bridge damage detection using ANN using 1D finite element
• Further studies of the algorithms using 3D finite element of vehicle bridge interaction
• Experimental validation of the algorithms using a laboratory-scale vehicle bridge interaction model

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications

Candidates must have an honours Level 8 degree in science or engineering or a related discipline.

Masters in Civil/Structural/Mechanical/Engineering.

Skills

Good communication and writing skills.

Good time management skills.

Aptitude for multidisciplinary research approaches.

Fieldwork ability.

Ability to work with Matlab.

Knowledge

Background in engineering (Civil Structural/Mechanical).

Background in structural dynamics and vibrations with an emphasis on lab / field work.

Language

Fluent in English.

UCD Minimum English Language Requirements (http://www.ucd.ie/registry/admissions/elr.html)

Academic writing skills.

Behavioural competencies

Ability to work as part of a team, including collaboration with other disciplines but also independently.

Strives for high quality of work and demonstrates commitment to the project.

Ability to communicate effectively to enable knowledge and technology transfer

How to apply:

The position is available from January 2020 and is funded for a period of four years. Applicants should send a detailed CV, letter of motivation (max 2 pages, single spaced), transcripts and the names of two referees to Ass. Prof. Abdollah Malekjafarian abdollah.malekjafarian@ucd.ie by no later than 16 September 2019.