A novel model for glacier sliding

About the research project

Climate warming accelerates glacier discharge from ice sheets to the oceans, contributing to sea-level rise and posing increasing risks to coastal infrastructure and communities. The glacier discharge is strongly regulated by glacier-bed interactions, which govern the relationship between basal shear stress and sliding velocity, i.e. the so-called slip law. However, the slip law remains a major source of uncertainty in ice sheet models since glacier-bed interactions and the resulting basal deformation, sliding, fracture and erosion are poorly understood.

To address this knowledge gap, this project will further develop a hybrid finite-discrete element method (HFDEM) by implementing a thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupling model to investigate glacier-bed interactions including modelling interaction-induced basal deformation, sliding, fracturing and erosion processes. HFDEM was originally developed and parallelized using general-purpose graphic processing units (GPGPU) and the compute unified device architecture (CUDA) C/C++ framework. It combines the strengths of the finite element method for continuum deformation with those of the discrete element method for discontinuous behavior, enabling simulation of the progressive failure of geomaterials, which includes intact material deformation, damage evolution, crack initiation, propagation and coalescence, fragment separation, gouge formation and comminution, as well as fragment transport and deposition. 

The further development of GPGPU-parallelized HFDEM with the THM coupling model is to be first calibrated through simulations of quarrying-induced subglacial erosion in stepped bedrock topography taking into account of temperature-dependent properties of glacier, melt water flow through cracks and fractures and three-dimensional roughness of both glacier and bed. The THM coupling HFDEM is then applied to investigate the glacier-bed interaction through high-resolution three-dimensional models that captures deforming glacier, basal slip, cavity growth as well as fracturing and erosion of either sediment or rock bed depending on setting.

The results from this project are expected to provide new insights into glacier-bed interactions-induced basal deformation, sliding, fracturing and erosion, ultimately contributing to the development of improved slip laws for next-generation ice-sheet models.

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Hong Liu

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

• First-class honours degree or master degree in the area of civil engineering, glaciology or closely related discipline

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Track-record of high-quality journal publications
• Excellent communication skills in both spoken and written English
• Computer programming skills such as C/C++, CUDA or Python
• Numerical simulation skills such as FEM, DEM, MPM, SPH, FVM, Peridynamic or Phase-field

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Hong Liu to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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