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Simon Hutt

Dr Simon Hutt

(he/him)

Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Teams and roles for Simon Hutt

Overview

I am a lecturer within Cardiff University’s Sustainable Systems and Structures research group. My specialities include mechanical design, mechatronics, power transmission tribology (e.g. the lubrication of gears and bearings), and condition monitoring of dynamic machinery using Acoustic Emission. Additionally, I am an academic advisor for Cardiff Rocket Labs (a student led rocketry club).

I have significant research experience both academic and in collaboration with industrial partners. Notable projects include:

  • Empirical measurement and simulation of Acoustic Emission from heavily loaded gear contacts, for the Peter Jost Research Studentship in Tribology.
  • Development of a journal bearing lubrication model for use in aviation fuel pumps, for Rolls-Royce.
  • A numerical and experimental study investigating the sealing performance of O-rings used in high voltage transmission equipment, for National Grid.
  • Life and performance testing of materials to be used in a heart-pump, for Calon Cardio.

Publication

2024

2023

2019

2018

2017

Articles

Book sections

Conferences

Thesis

Research

Research Interests:

  • Gear tribology:
    • Mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory.
    • Surface wear mechanisms including running-in, micropitting and scuffing.
    • Physical experimentation using disk machines.
    • Deterministic numerical modelling.
  • Condition monitoring of moving contacts using Acoustic Emission (AE):
    • AE techniques for monitoring surface wear and asperity interactions in gear teeth contacts.
    • AE techniques for health monitoring of rolling element bearings.
  • O-ring and elastomer tribology:
    • The influence of tribological and material parameters on the performance of dynamic o-ring seals.
    • Viscoelastic material models for FEA.
  • Mountain bike tribology:
    • The performance of hydraulic disk brakes.
    • The performance of mountain bike tyres.

Current Projects:

  • Co-Investigator: Development of a journal bearing model for current, and future, large engine fuel pumps (funded by Rolls Royce).

Previous Projects:

  • 2019-2021: Novel o-ring designs (NORD) (funded by National Grid).
  • 2014-2019: The Acoustic Emission from mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (PhD) (funded by EPSRC).
  • 2016: Wear testing of ultra-hard bearing materials for use in a heart pump (Calon Cardio).
  • 2018: Tribological performance testing of a novel design of universal coupling (Punk Couplings).
  • 2018: Wear testing of novel plain bearing liners (SKF).

Teaching

I teach in the following modules:

  • Tribology - 4th year / MSc
    • I lecture half the module, my topics include Reynolds' equation for fluid film lubrication, journal bearings, lubrication of non-conformal contacts (elastohydrodynamic lubrication), hydrodynamic squeeze films and seals.
  • Mechanical Power Transmission - 3rd year - Module leader
    • I am the module leader and lecture half the module, my topics include contact mechanics, bearings and vibrations in shafts.
  • Design - 2nd year
    • I provide design and FEA assistance to students undertaking their 2nd design group project. This is delivered in the form of regular design surgeries.

Additionally, I provide supervision for 3rd year and MSc students who are undertaking tribology related individual projects.

Biography

Appointments:

2021 -  Lecturer - Cardiff School of Engineering
2019 - 2021 Research Associate - Cardiff School of Engineering

Honours and awards:

2018 Peter Jost Travel Fund for CMMNO 2018
2017 Maurice Godet Prize for the best paper and presentation by a young scientist at the 44th Leeds-Lyon Symposium on Tribology

Professional memberships

  • Associate Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (iMechE).

Supervisions

I am interested in the supervising PhD students in the areas of:

  • Gear tribology
  • Numerical modelling of gears
  • Acoustic Emission techniques for moving contacts
  • Novel wear and friction testing
  • The tribology of elastomers and o-rings
  • Mountain biking tribology.

Current supervision

Anca Condrea

Anca Condrea

Yan Jie Yan

Yan Jie Yan

Contact Details

Email HuttS@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone +44 29225 11832
Campuses Queen's Buildings - South Building, Room S0.05, 5 The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA

Research themes

Specialisms

  • Mechanical design
  • Condition Monitoring
  • Tribology
  • Mechatronics
  • Acoustic Emission