Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment and Performance Analysis of Timber Buildings under Sequential Earthquake and Fire Events
Doctoral Training Grant Funding Information
This funding model includes a 36 month fully funded PhD Studentship, set in-line with UK Research & Innovation values. For 2025/6, this will be £20,780 per year. The tax-free stipend will be paid monthly. This PhD Studentship also includes a Full-Time Fee Scholarship for up to 3 years. The funding is subject to your continued registration on the research degree, making satisfactory progression within your PhD, as well as attendance on and successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice.
All applicants will receive the same stipend irrespective of fee status.
Application Closing Date:
Midday (UK Time) on Wednesday 17 September 2025 for a start date of 2 February 2026.
How to apply
To apply, please follow the below steps:
- Complete the BCU Online Application Form
- Complete the Doctoral Studentship Proposal Form in full, ensuring that you quote the project ID. You will be required to upload your proposal in place of a personal statement on the BCU online application form.
- Upload two references to your online application form (at least one of which must be an academic reference).
- Upload your qualification(s) for entry onto the research degree programme. This will be Bachelor/Master’s certificate(s) and transcript(s).
- International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification. Please see the list of English language qualifications accepted here. Please check the individual research degree course page for the required scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help support you to complete your application, please consult the frequently asked questions below:
Project title: Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment and Performance Analysis of Timber Buildings under Sequential Earthquake and Fire Events
Project Lead: Dr Andy Lim
Project ID: 06 - 46456496
Project description:
This research project investigates the multi-hazard risks associated with timber buildings, focusing specifically on the combined effects of earthquakes and subsequent fires. Timber buildings are increasingly prevalent due to their sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and structural advantages. However, these buildings face significant vulnerabilities when subjected to sequential hazards, particularly earthquake-induced structural damages followed by fires. Currently, building codes and standards inadequately address the compound nature of multi-hazard risks, necessitating a comprehensive, performance-based approach to structural design and assessment.
The primary objectives of this research are to: (1) evaluate the interactions between earthquake-induced structural damage and ensuing fire hazards; (2) develop an integrated methodology to quantify building vulnerability and resilience under sequential hazard scenarios; and (3) formulate detailed fragility curves for performance-based design applications.
The research methodology involves three interconnected phases. Initially, various seismic scenarios representative of realistic earthquake events will be simulated, assessing the resultant structural and non-structural damage. Critical parameters, such as inter-story drift ratios and floor acceleration, will quantify these damages. Subsequently, potential fire ignition points and spread dynamics will be analysed, incorporating factors like earthquake-induced damage severity and environmental conditions.
In the final phase, this research integrates the seismic and fire hazard analyses to develop fragility models. These models will effectively quantify the probabilities associated with different damage states and threshold conditions critical to structural integrity and safety. Comparative analyses against single-hazard scenarios will further highlight the compounded risks and structural vulnerabilities unique to multi-hazard events.
This research fills a critical gap by providing robust analytical methodologies and guidelines to improve the resilience of timber buildings against sequential earthquake and fire events. The findings will inform updates to current design codes, foster safer and more resilient urban development, and support the sustainability and durability of timber construction.
Anticipated findings and contributions to knowledge:
The anticipated findings of this research will provide details into how earthquake damage can influence the vulnerability of timber buildings to fire. It is expected that the simulations and analyses will clearly demonstrate specific areas of structural weakness and identify critical damage points that increase susceptibility to subsequent fires.
The research will contribute new knowledge by developing comprehensive fragility assessments specifically for timber buildings under multi-hazard conditions, which has not been extensively studied previously. The integrated fragility models created will quantify the combined risks of earthquakes and fires, providing predictive capabilities currently unavailable. This multi-hazard approach will allow for more informed and effective building design and risk management, addressing the complexity and interaction of sequential hazards.
Additionally, the research is expected to produce new guidelines and recommendations for structural design, explicitly addressing multi-hazard scenarios.
Additionally, progressive collapse analysis will be conducted to understand the potential for catastrophic failure following sequential hazard impacts. This multi-hazard approach will allow for more informed and effective building design and risk management, addressing the complexity and interaction of sequential hazards.
Person Specification:
Entry Requirements:
-
To apply for our Built Environment PhD Research Degree you should have, or expect to be awarded, a Master’s degree in a relevant subject area from a British or overseas university.
-
Exceptional candidates without a Master’s degree, but holding a first class or upper second class Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area, may be considered.
-
We also welcome enquiries from potential PhD researchers with appropriate levels of professional experience.
Essential Criteria:
-
A strong understanding of structural mechanics and dynamics, as well as the behaviour of engineering materials, is essential.
-
Applicants should also demonstrate a solid foundation in earthquake engineering principles and a clear understanding of how structures perform under seismic loading conditions.
-
A basic knowledge of fire dynamics and the performance of buildings in fire scenarios is also required.
-
Experience with numerical modelling and finite element analysis is essential, particularly in the context of simulating structural behaviour under extreme loads.
-
Candidates should possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to critically evaluate results and develop innovative approaches.
-
The ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within a collaborative research team is crucial.
Desirable Criteria:
-
It is desirable that candidates have familiarity with multi-hazard modelling approaches or probabilistic risk analysis techniques, particularly in the context of structural or fire engineering.
-
Programming or scripting experience (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for model automation or data processing will be considered an advantage.
-
Evidence of engagement in academic or professional activities, such as conference participation, technical workshops, or involvement in engineering societies, will strengthen the application.
-
The ideal candidate will show a strong interest in interdisciplinary research that combines structural engineering, fire safety, and risk assessment.
-
They will be self-motivated and demonstrate a proactive, enthusiastic attitude towards learning, research innovation, and contributing to safer and more sustainable built environments.
Overseas applicants:
International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification, such as International English Language Test System (IELTS) or equivalent with an overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
Contact:
If you have any questions or need further information, please use the contact details below:
- For enquiries about the funding or project proposal, please contact: saeid.javidi@bcu.ac.uk and Andy.Lim@bcu.ac.uk
- For enquiries about the application process, please contact:research.admissions@bcu.ac.uk