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A systematic study of physical layer network coding: From Information-Theoretic Understanding to Practical DSP Algorithm Design |
Dr Tharmalingam Ratnarajah
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Imaging, Data and Communications |
High spectral efficiency is the holy grail of wireless networks due to the well-known scarcity of radio spectrum. While up to recently there seemed to be no way out of the apparent end of the road in spectral efficiency growth, the emerging approach of Network Coding has cast new light in the spectral efficiency prospects of wireless networks [1]. Initial results have demonstrated that the use of network coding increases the spectral efficiency up to 50% [2, 3]. Such a significant performance gain is crucial for many important bandwidth-hungry applications such as broadband cellular systems, wireless sensor networks, underwater communication scenarios, etc.
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HARP: High capacity network Architecture with Remote radio heads & Parasitic antenna arrays |
Dr Tharmalingam Ratnarajah
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Imaging, Data and Communications |
To bring distributed multi-antenna wireless access to reality by combining two powerful emerging technologies:
radio remote heads (RRHs), which allow for widely geographically distributed access via radio-over-fibre connections to a central base station; and
electronically steerable passive array radiators – ESPARs, which provide multi-antenna-like functionality with a single active RF chain only
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Intelligent Egress: Real time modelling based upon sensor data to steer evacuation in case of fire |
Dr Stephen Welch
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Infrastructure and Environment |
Intelligent egress is a novel approach to enhancing evacuations from fire emergencies. It combines sensor-linked simulations and route-planning tools to provide real-time information to occupants on efficient egress. The specific issues associated with disabilities and mobility impairment are addressed. Mechanisms to provide “way finding” information to relevant end users are being studied. Detailed guidance and recommendations on use of such systems will be developed.
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FireComp: Modelling the thermo-mechanical behaviour of high pressure vessel in composite materials when exposed to fire conditions |
Dr Stephen Welch
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Infrastructure and Environment |
Hydrogen is expected to be highly valuable energy carrier for the 21st century as it should participate in answering main societal and economical concerns. To exploit its benefits at large scale, further research and technological developments are required. In particular, the storage of hydrogen must be secured. Even if burst in service of pressure vessels in composite material is very unlikely, when exposed to a fire, they present safety challenges imposing to correctly size their means of protection.
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High Performance Computing Support for United Kingdom Consortium on Turbulent Reacting Flows (UKCTRF) |
Dr Stephen Welch
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Infrastructure and Environment |
The proposed UK Consortium on Turbulent Reacting Flows will perform high-fidelity computational simulations (i.e. Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes simulations (RANS), Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS)) by utilising national High Performance Computing (HPC) resources to address the challenges related to energy through the fundamental physical understanding and modelling of turbulent reacting flows. Engineering applications range from the formulation of reliable fire-safety measures to the design of energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly internal combustion engines and gas turbines.
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Finite element implementation and detailed comparison of generalised plasticity models |
Dr. Stefanos Papanicolopulos
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Infrastructure and Environment |
The lack of an internal length scale parameter in classical continua leads to unrealistic numerical modelling of some phenomena related to the microstructure of the material such as size effect and strain localisation.
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A multi-scale analysis of the influence of particle shape on the mechanical response of granular materials |
Dr. Stefanos Papanicolopulos
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Infrastructure and Environment |
The principal aim is to characterise the flow properties of dense granular systems. In particular, the influence of different particle-shape representation techniques in the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is assessed. Additionally, experiments in a silo centrifuge device to determine the bulk response of granular assemblies under realistic stress states are being carried out. This work is part of T-MAPPP (Training in Multiscale Analysis of multi-Phase Particulate Processes), an FP7 Marie Curie Initial Training Network (https://www.t-mappp.eu).
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GECOMPL: Generalised Continuum Models and Plasticity |
Dr Stefanos Papanicolopulos
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Infrastructure and Environment |
The GECOMPL project aims to enable wider adoption of generalised plasticity models in practical applications. More specifically, the project proposes a detailed study of the formulation of both existing and new elastoplastic constitutive laws in the framework of generalised continua, leading to a better understanding of the different possible constitutive models and providing both the necessary theoretical basis and the appropriate numerical tools needed to use generalised continuum models in describing elastoplastic behaviour.
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Behaviour, attitutde and perception of safety risk in a nationally and culturally diverse workforce |
Dr Simon Smith
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Infrastructure and Environment |
Considering the cultural and national backgrounds of construction workers and management to understand attitudes and perception of construction safety risk.
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Engineering the Byzantine water supply: procurement, construction and operation |
Dr Simon Smith
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Infrastructure and Environment |
This innovative research combines construction process modelling and contemporary network software to gain new insights to conceptualise the construction and distribution of the city’s hydraulic networks.
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