Dr Jack W Denny BEng(Hons), PhD, CEng MIMechE
EPSRC Doctoral Prize Research Fellow
Dr Jack Denny is an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Research Fellow within Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Southampton.
He graduated in 2014 with a BEng degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Southampton, achieving both the best exam performance and best undergraduate dissertation awards.
He completed his PhD in 2017 at the University of Southampton, researching the complex effects of blast loading on structures. In particular, his research investigated long-duration blast effects on steel column elements and examined the influence of column section orientation and prior deflection on loading and structural response through experimental testing and advanced numerical modelling (sponsored by EPSRC & AWE plc).
His PhD research involved:
- Original design and management of full-scale experimental programmes at a specialist UK defence blast facility.
- Analysis of novel experimental results and verification of advanced numerical modelling techniques.
- Spatial and temporal blast loading characterisation using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses.
- Transient nonlinear dynamic structural response modelling of steel columns using Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
In 2017, Jack was awarded funding through the EPSRC Doctoral Prize scheme to investigate primary blast injury mechanisms to lower-limb soft tissues in an allied but complementary area of blast injury biomechanics as part of an interdisciplinary, collaborative project. In partnership with Cranfield University, his proof-of-concept experimental work will include developing an instrumented surrogate model of the lower extremity to be subjected to shock tube blast loading. This work will investigate and assess diagnostic methods for quantifying blast load transfer and to examine underlying injury mechanisms. Improved understanding of fundamental blast injury mechanisms and modelling approaches is vital for future development of clinical injury treatment, rehabilitation and effective development of blast-resilient protective equipment.
