France - INSA Lyon PhD Studentship in Applied Mathematics » Get Scholarship

France - INSA Lyon PhD Studentship in Applied Mathematics

September 15th, 2008

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PhD vacancy at INSA de Lyon LaMCoS
Multi physics & multi phase modeling in lubrication

Host laboratory
LaMCoS - Laboratoire de Mécanique des Contacts et des Structures, TMI group
INSA-Lyon, CNRS UMR5259, http://lamcos.insa-lyon.fr

Context
Lubrication of machine elements represents nowadays important environmental, economical and technical issues. Minimization of friction losses (environmental and economical aspects) and film thickness reduction (technical aspect) in lubricated devices lead to new operating conditions and among them the early lubricating film breakdown or the presence of multi phase flow. The work conducted in our group so far showed the interest in developing multi physic models[1]. However the initial numerical approach should be left and a new modeling strategy is to be developed. SKF - Engineering & Research Centre (based in the Netherlands) supports this research activity since the early phase in 2005. In addition of its financial contribution, the company also provides a part time visiting professor.

Subject
We propose to develop a new numerical approach of lubricated contact modeling based on the finite elements method. This approach requires both the coupling between several equations (Reynolds (a simplified form of the fluid dynamics), Elasticity, Energy and those describing the physical behavior of the fluid) and the implementation of efficient numerical methods.

Among the cases to deal with, the coupling between the exit part of a contact (where the fluid film rupture occurs) and the inlet zone of the following contact offers the challenge of the entrainment of a gaseous phase to be modeled. Furthermore, the simultaneous resolution of thin film mechanics and fluid thermodynamics equations could bring supplementary numerical difficulties.

The overall objective is to develop new numerical tools and to obtain qualitative validation from tests performed on in-house devices and conducted in collaboration with our technical staff.

Supervisors
P. Vergne, Directeur de Recherche CNRS, LaMCoS, INSA de Lyon
D. Eyheramendy, Professor, Ecole Centrale de Marseille, Laboratoire de Mécanique et dAcoustique

Profile
The candidate should have strong elementary formation in mechanical / numerical engineering with some background in Tribology and Thermodynamics, must be independent and pro-active in generating ideas and hypotheses. A previous experience in programming numerical methods and algorithms would be appreciated. Good knowledge and communication skills in the English language are highly desired. The candidate should be graduated at the Master level at the start of the thesis, planed in early October 2008.

Application
An interview of the candidates will be organized at LaMCoS.
Send motivation letter, CV, Master report (if available) and references as soon as possible by email to:
philippe.vergne[ at ]insa-lyon.fr
dominique.eyheramendy[ at ]ec-marseille.fr