Thermography for thermal building assessment and improvement

Environmental Building Group, School of Architecture, Design and Environment (Faculty of Arts)

Project overview:
Within Cornwall there exists a significant stock of existing buildings that need to be thermally upgraded in order to increase energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, improve the quality of life of the occupants, and help with fuel poverty. This project aims to develop high level thermography and energy related knowledge and skills that will provide key expertise for the identification of weak points and other energy efficiency related aspects of the thermal shell of buildings. This will provide a knowledge base that will contribute to both capacity and delivery.

Thermography is an emerging technology for professionals looking at the thermal performance of buildings. Unfortunately, thermal images are often misinterpreted. This is especially true in conditions where thermal mass and moisture might have an impact on readings, for example in many Cornish period buildings like typical "stone cottages" or Victorian terraced houses. In such cases thermal behaviour shows time-lag and dampening effects, which are not visible in instantaneous thermal images, or simple interpretation of single images. This project will aim to develop a deeper understanding of the relation between thermographic single time-frame images and the ongoing transient heat-flow process where indoor and outdoor environmental conditions are in constant flux. The project will have access to a state-of-the-art thermal camera and will mix experimental and computer simulation approaches.

The project will apply thermography to existing dwellings, either within the rental sector via Penwith Housing Association, or private sector via RTP Surveyors. These partners drive the work of a series of SMEs that undertake the required upgrading of the buildings – contributing to the creation / supporting of jobs in the county. The Cornwall Development Company will help with dissemination and linkage to the micro SMEs in the construction sector.

Supervisors: Dr Pieter de Wilde and Professor David Coley (University of Bath)

Funding details: This studentship has been deemed fundable through the ESF- CUC (Europe Social Fund – Combined Universities of Cornwall) Research Programme. The studentship is supported for three years from 1 January 2012 and includes for eligible full-time students a stipend of £13,590 p.a. and a bursary of £3,750 p.a. Students will be responsible for paying their own tuition fees. Tuition fees for 2011/2012 have been set at £3,750 p.a.

A condition of the ESF funding is that priority will be given to Home/EU students.
If approved, non-EU candidates have to cover the additional Overseas Fees (currently for 2011/2012 an additional £9,250pa).

Please note that this studentship is part of a competitive selection process and final approval of funding will be confirmed only after the interview process.

Eligibility: Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK Honours Degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a suitable management or built environment field, with ideally a relevant master qualification.

How to apply: For an application form and full details on how to apply, please visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/pghowtoapply. Applications should be made by using the PDF application form or the Word application form. Printed application forms are also available and can be obtained from the Course Information Unit, Tel: +44 (0) 1752 585858, Email: prospectus@plymouth.ac.uk. In section 9 of the application form (Funding Information) please ensure that you declare that you are applying for an ESF-CUC Studentship.

On completion send your application form to Sue Matheron by email susan.matheron@plymouth.ac.uk or posted to Faculty of Arts, Research and Graduate Affairs Office, Room 305, Roland Levinsky Building, Plymouth, PL4 8AA

Further information on the terms and conditions of a PhD at the University of Plymouth can be found on www.plymouth.ac.uk/graduateschool.

Application deadline: 12 noon, Friday 14th October 2011

Interview Date: Thursday 3rd November 2011

Further enquiries: Please contact Sue Matheron susan.matheron@plymouth.ac.uk, or for an informal discussion regarding the project, Dr Pieter de Wilde pieter.dewilde@plymouth.ac.uk

This project is part-financed by the European Union, European Social Fund, Project no. 11200NCO5 CUC Research Programme.