Civil Engineering: Fully Funded EPSRC and TWI PhD Scholarship: AI-Driven Investigation into Predictive Non-destructive Evaluation

Funding providers: EPSRC DTP and TWI

Subject areas: Modelling, Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

Project start date: 

• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors:

• Professor Chenfeng Li (First supervisor – [email protected])
• Professor Richard Johnston (Second supervisor)

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Civil Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description: 

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a testing and analysis technique used by industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component, structure or system for characteristic differences or welding defects and discontinuities without causing damage to the original part. Among various NDT approaches, Ultrasound Testing (UT) and X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) are the main focus of this project.

Both UT and XCT techniques can produce large 3D datasets that can be challenging to interrogate for human experts to fully analyse. Small defects or anomalies may be missed when manually examining through the acquired volumetric data. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising solution to automate and enhance defect detection in these complex structural data. The aim of this study is to improve diagnostic accuracy through development an AI system that can perform rapid processing of large 3D data volumes, and identify defects that are difficult to discern with the naked eye and provide a second opinion with a level of certainty to assist human experts. 

From the aspect of research methodology, the research work involves image processing, data analytics and machine learning, as well as image-based material characterization. From the application aspect, the project emphasizes on both metallic and composite materials and components.

Eligibility

Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements. Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations.