Dr Philip ShackletonAfter graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) in 2004 with a First Class Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering, Philip went on to complete his PhD at MMU – entitled An Optimised Wheel-Rail Contact Model for Vehicle Dynamics Simulation.
In 2009 Philip Joined the Rail Technology Unit at MMU where he worked primarily on industry focussed research which covered topics such as: the prediction of rolling contact fatigue and vertical track damage for Network Rail, the measurement of cyclic wear patterns for Docklands Light Railway, constructing a case for the revision of a Railway Group Standard for Rail Safety and Standards Board.
In 2012 Philip moved to the University of Huddersfield along with the rest of the Rail Technology Unit staff, which formed the new Institute of Railway Research.
Philip’s research career started with his PhD entitled An Optimised Wheel-Rail Contact Model for Vehicle Dynamics Simulation. In which he developed a novel wheel-rail contact model and investigated the possibilities for measuring the contact stress at the wheel-rail interface using ultrasonics. Philip is currently working on the European SUSTRAIL project which aims to improve the competitiveness of the freight railway for the future. The work for SUSTRAIL involves vehicle dynamics simulations, the development of analytical tools and the use of data analysis techniques.
Philip has worked on numerous commercial consultancy projects for companies such as: Network Rail, the Rail Safety and Standards Board and Docklands Light Railway, Mott MacDonald.
Undertaking a host of activities related to the group’s research and enterprise activities, these include developing analytical code and tools in Matlab, vehicle dynamics modelling using multi-body simulation software such as VAMPIRE and undertaking onsite track surveys.
Associate Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
