PhD project: Modelling Resilience of Water Distribution Networks

Supervised by Rasa Remenyte-Prescott (Faculty of Engineering)

Aim: To develop a modelling approach for assessing water network resilience.

One of the essential networks for society is water distribution networks. The delivery of water to the customers is affected through different threats to the system. These include failure of components in the system, which are accelerated through the aging of the infrastructure; climate change, due to changing weather conditions and environmental factors impacting on the system; and deliberate planned acts, such as targeted terrorist activities.

This exciting project will focus on developing a mathematical model (and a supporting research software) to predict the key performance indicators of a water network, when links in the network are fully or partially failed. It will investigate the impact of the different threat types and identify the critical links in the network, which most affect the network performance. Resilience evaluation will consist of proposing a method for the best use of resource allocation, which will make water networks robust and resilient to these threats.

Entry Requirements: Starting October 2027, we require an enthusiastic graduate with a 1st class degree in engineering, maths or a relevant discipline, preferably at Masters level (in exceptional circumstances a 2:1 degree can be considered).

This position is open to UK/EU/overseas students. Funding sources are available at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/funding/postgraduate-funding.aspx

This position is open until filled. Early application is strongly encouraged.