Cardiff School of Engineering
Engineering Infrastructure: Challenges for 2020
Reference
PS2-HPE-2012
Supervisors
Prof H P Evans, Prof R W Snidle
Programme of Study
PhD in Engineering
Project title
ADVANCED GEAR TOOTH CONTACT MODELLING
Start date
1st October 2012
Duration
3 years
Source of funding
Cardiff University and NASA-Glenn
The aim of the research is to improve understanding of the elastohydrodynamic lubrication
(EHL), contact and fatigue behaviour of the heavily-loaded contacts between the teeth of
gears used in aerospace transmissions such as those in helicopters and the new generation,
highly fuel-efficient “geared fan” engine, which is a proposed option for the Airbus
A320neo.
Project summary
The research will benefit from close collaboration with Dr Tim Krantz of NASA-Glenn in USA
with whom we have worked on a number of previous, funded projects. The project will
focus on the regime of contact lubrication in which there is significant surface interaction.
This situation can occur in heavily loaded gears, particularly when lubricated with the lower
friction, less-viscous oils which are being introduced as part of the energy agenda. A serious
problem which can occur under thin film conditions, however, is micropitting, which is a
form of erosive wear of the tooth surfaces caused by surface fatigue at the roughness
micro-asperity level.
A major focus of the project will be on developing numerical analysis software for
application to the contact between meshing gear teeth. The Cardiff team have developed
advanced numerical techniques for analysis of real lubrication/contact conditions in gear
teeth including prediction of high-cycle fatigue due to time-varying roughness asperity
encounters. These techniques will be used to assess new gearing designs being developed
by NASA.. The large database of past designs (including retained specimens) at NASA will
serve as a means of validating the new predictive techniques developed.
Number of awards
1
Amount of funding
The award will cover tuition fees at the Home/EU fee rate and will provide a stipend at the
UK Research Council rate (£13,590 in 2011/12) plus an enhancement of £1,000 per annum.
Please note that overseas candidates will be required to fund the balance of fees at the
overseas fee rate themselves.
Eligibility
The studentship is open to Home, EU or overseas candidates.
Academic criteria
Candidates should have a first-class honours degree, or a 2.1 plus a postgraduate Masters
degree (or their equivalents) in a relevant subject. Applicants will need a good
mathematical capability and an interest in numerical analysis of real engineering problems.
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency
in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)
Contact for further
information
Prof R W Snidle, SnidleR@cf.ac.uk : Prof H P Evans, EvansHP@cf.ac.uk.
Applications can be made online at www.cardiff.ac.uk.
How to apply
PLEASE ENSURE YOU QUOTE THE STUDENTSHIP REFERENCE ABOVE ON YOUR
APPLICATION. (For online applications, please put reference in the “Prospective
Supervisor” section).
Deadline for applications
6th July 2012