(UoM – IIT KGP) Transforming coastal protection through novel breakwater designs

Coastal protection is becoming a global priority due to climate change-induced rising sea levels and increased extreme weather events. The costs associated with coastal erosion damage and preventative protection measures are in the billions of pounds and are expected to continue to rise. Although relatively well understood, conventional engineering approaches to coastal protection are expensive and can change marine habitats considerably. Here, we will explore the use of novel submerged breakwaters that exploit the use of focusing mechanisms, resulting in wave breaking and energy dissipation. This builds on recent work showing that for carefully designed 2D bathymetric features, local wave amplitudes may be amplified up to 15 times relative to the incident wave amplitude [1, 2] and thus readily induce breaking even for incident waves far from the breaking limit. Previous studies on breakwaters demonstrate their effectiveness in enhancing mudflat stability, mitigating shoreline erosion, attenuating waves, and supporting fisheries production [7,8,9].

The project will use a combination of to-be-developed low-order linear models (building on [3]) and fully nonlinear models able to capture wave breaking. Low-order models will be used to optimize the design of combinations of submerged 2D structures able to locally focus and dissipate energy over a broad range of wave periods. In parallel, fully nonlinear models will be used to capture the full nonlinearity, breaking process, and associated dissipation (validated by experiment) of proposed combinations. Nonlinearity has been shown to play a very substantial role in these sorts of problems, including triggering breaking onset [1, 4]. The low-order and high-fidelity models will be combined to come up with feasible broadbanded designs able to dissipate meaningful wave energy while limiting the ecological consequences (and increasing accessibility) due to their submergence. We will explore these aspects by quantifying both dissipation and mean flows, informing sediment pathways with implications for marine ecosystems and beach morphology. Breakwaters, the focus of this study, are structures that eventually break incoming waves to reduce their energy at the shoreline, will finally be able to trap sediments, and thus can promote the strengthening of the coast [5,6]. Through this project, we will be able to explore and demonstrate alternative novel solutions for coastal protection at a critical time for the UK, India, and globally.

Before you apply  

We recommend you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before applying

How to apply 

Submit an online application through the IIT Kharagpur’s website https://international.iitkgp.ac.in/admission/jdp-uoman/ The site also lists required documents

Any questions about an application, please contact the team(s) by email: 

– University of Manchester: fse.doctoralacademy.specialistprogrammes@manchester.ac.uk

– IIT Kharagpur: ir-office@adm.iitkgp.ac.in 

 Eligibility 

1. Candidates may only apply for projects approved by the Joint Academic Board. 

2. For Indian residents, the programme is open to graduates B.Tech. or M.Sc./M.Tech. graduate from any Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) with a minimum CGPA of 7.5 on a scale of 10. 

3. For residents of other countries, it is open to graduates of Institutes/Universities within QS WUR of 500 (published in 2024) [link: https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings/2024]. 

4. Candidates must be able to undertake PhD studies at IIT Kharagpur from July 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter with no requirement for a (further) visa to study in India. 

5. Willingness to travel to the UK to undertake 2 years of study based at The University of Manchester if such travel is permitted by UK and India governments. 

6. Holds or expects to obtain a 2:1 class honours undergraduate degree or higher (or international equivalent – contact the Admissions Team for details). 

7. Ideally Preferably holds a master’s-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent – contact the Admissions Team for details). 

8. Demonstrable excellent communication skills, including in English language, a proficiency in which should be demonstrably indicated by meeting the requirements as indicated our English language requirements page [https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/], and in particular securing an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component OR securing a TOEFL iBT score of 90 with no less than 20 in each component equivalent or equivalent. The TOEFL/IELTS exam may be taken after the final selection and award of scholarship, and prior to joining IIT Kharagpur. 

9. For some projects an ATAS certificate may also be required by them. 

10. Demonstrate to fulfil The University of Manchester Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Researcher person specification: 

* Educational background matches research project. 

* Potential to form effective working relationships with a diverse range of people, including working inclusively and as part of a team. 

* Potential to take the initiative, lead on projects, and be proactive in prioritising a dynamic, agile and diverse workload. 

* Potential to develop understanding of complex problems, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a given scenario, and apply in-depth knowledge to address them. 

* Potential to develop expertise in new areas of the subject. 

* Evidence of an understanding of the proposed area of research, including knowledge of current challenges and opportunities. 

* An interest in continuous personal and professional development. 

* Potential to communicate ideas and conclusions, verbally and in writing, clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences. 

* Preliminary knowledge of research techniques/track record of engaging with research. 

Equality, Diversity and inclusion 

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status. 

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements

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