The objective of this Industrial CASE PhD project is to improve the feasibility of large-scale, three-dimensional finite element methods applied to geotechnical engineering problems. Compared to problems in structural engineering, difficulties arise from the variety of materials models used, the range of stiffnesses obtained from modelling soil-structure interaction and effects such as yielding. Designing robust and efficient iterative solvers for this wide range of very different matrix systems will be the main scientific challenge in this project.

Project staff and support

Paul Smith (Postgraduate Associate, University of Strathclyde)
Alison Ramage (Academic supervisor, University of Strathclyde)
Carol Matthews (Industrial supervisor, Oasys (Arup))
Caroline Edwards (Technology Translator, Industrial Mathematics KTN)

This project is being carried out at the University of Strathclyde, in conjunction with Oasys (Arup). It is supported by an EPSRC industrial CASE award, made available through the Knowledge Transfer Network for Industrial Mathematics. Start date: October 2010; duration: 3.5 years.