Investigating Earthquake-Induced Pressure Transients in Hydropower Penstocks and Pressure Tunnels

PhD Scholarship in Earthquake-Induced Pressure Surges in Hydropower Systems
Start Date: Immediate | End Date: Mid-2026

A fully funded PhD opportunity is available in collaboration with Re-Generate NZ, a Christchurch-based specialist consultancy in energy and water solutions. The project addresses a critical challenge in New Zealand’s hydropower sector: understanding and mitigating earthquake-induced pressure surges in penstocks and pressure tunnels.

These transient surges—similar to the water hammer effect—pose a risk of structural failure during seismic events. The goal of this research is to improve design guidelines and contribute to national hydropower resilience.

Project Scope:

1. Develop a theoretical framework for pressure wave generation in seismically excited pipe systems.
2. Use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to model transient flow behaviour under realistic seismic conditions.
3. Validate and implement models with Re-Generate’s design group to inform both hydropower infrastructure upgrades and national design codes.

What We Offer:

1. A unique opportunity to work at the interface of academic research and engineering practice.
2. Access to real-world project data and advanced simulation tools.
3. Training in high-performance computing and seismic resilience design.

This project is ideal for candidates with strong skills in fluid mechanics, numerical modelling, or earthquake engineering, and a desire to contribute to nationally significant infrastructure.

Supervisors

First Supervisor: Sid Becker

Second Supervisor: Pedro Lee

Key qualifications and skills

1. Bachelor’s (Hons) or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, or a closely related discipline.
2. Strong foundation in fluid mechanics and hydraulics, especially unsteady/transient flow.
3. Familiarity with computational modelling and numerical simulation methods.

Does the project come with funding

UC Connect Doctoral Scholarship - stipend and tuition fees are covered

How to apply

Applications must be made through the UC Scholarships portal here: University of Canterbury Scholarship Portal - UC Connect - ReGenerate NZ Ltd (Re-Generate)

Final date for receiving applications

30 September 2025

Keywords

Engineering; Fluid dynamics; Computational; numerical; Civil Engineering; mechanical engineering; hydro power; CFD; Computational Fluid Dynamics