PhD Studentship: Investigation of the Maximum Allowable Mud Pressure During Horizontal Directional Drilling

Excessive mud pressure can endanger stability of horizontal boreholes and the success of drilling and reaming processes during Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) which is one of most important pipe installation methods using in Trenchless Technology. Inadvertent mud return causes significant environmental issues, damaging rivers, lakes and nearby properties. The PhD candidate will develop design tools for estimating the maximum allowable mud pressure during HDD.
The research programme will comprise both physical and numerical modelling. A series of physical model experiments will simulate horizontal borehole failure: mud infiltration and shear zone development will be investigated by pumping mud into drilled horizontal boreholes within saturated clay and sand. The influence of burial depth, multiple soil layers (e.g. dense sand covered by different thicknesses of loose sand) and adjacent infrastructure (e.g. telegraph poles, which may be the easy channels for mud infiltration) will be investigated. Sensing will be used to measure the mud and pore pressures, and soil movement and strains will be monitored using Geo-Particle Image Velocimetry. Numerical modelling approaches will be developed and verified against the physical evidence, and parametric studies will be undertaken to develop new design equations for estimating the maximum allowable mud pressure.
Funding details
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.
The studentship is for three years and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum (2024/25 rate) for the duration of the studentship plus university tuition fees.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. A relevant master's degree and/or experience is desirable.