The University of Sheffield
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Professor Keith Worden

FIntsP, CPhys, CSci, FIMA, CMath, FIMechE, CEng

Professor Keith Worden

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering
The University of Sheffield
Mappin Street
Sheffield, S1 3JD

Telephone: +44 (0) 114 222 7758
Fax: +44 (0) 114 222 7890

email : K.Worden@sheffield.ac.uk

Profile

Professor Worden began academic life as a theoretical physicist, with a degree from York University and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Heriot-Watt University eventually followed.

A period of research at Manchester University led to an appointment at the University of Sheffield in 1995, where he has happily remained since.

Research Areas

Keith's research is concerned with applications of advanced signal processing and machine learning methods to structural dynamics. The primary application is in the aerospace industry, although there has also been interaction with ground transport and offshore industries.

One of the research themes concerns non-linear systems. The research conducted here is concerned with assessing the importance of non-linear modelling within a given context and formulating appropriate methods of analysis. The analysis of non-linear systems can range from the fairly pragmatic to the extremes of mathematical complexity. The emphasis within the research group here is on the pragmatic and every attempt is made to maintain contact with engineering necessity.

Another major activity within the research group concerns structural health monitoring for aerospace systems and structures. The research is concerned with developing automated systems for inspection and diagnosis, with a view to reducing the cost-of-ownership of these high integrity structures. The methods used are largely adapted from pattern recognition and machine learning; often the algorithms make use of biological concepts e.g. neural networks, genetic algorithms and ant-colony metaphors. The experimental approaches developed range from global inspection using vibration analysis to local monitoring using ultrasound.

Research Projects

Visit personal page on Dynamics Group website

Teaching

MEC 113 Solids, Liquids and Gases

MEC 409 Signal Processing and Instrumentation

MEC 415 Condition Monitoring

Research Grants

1. ARTIMA, funded by European Commission, 12/2004 - 11/2007; £291022 (50%)

2. "Characterisation of damage in Complex Structures by Acoustic Emission During Fatigue Testing", funded by EPSRC, 07/2005 - 06/2008; £78,492 (50%)

3. Smart Sensing for Structural Health Monitoring, funded by ESPRC, 11/2006 - 10/2009, £230,400

4. Uncertainty Propagation in Structures, Systems and Processes, funded by ESPRC, 11/2006 - 10/2011; £734193 (25%)

Recent Publications