PhD student position in Structural Engineering

The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, is now looking for a PhD student who will study data-driven assessment methods for deteriorated structures to contribute to a more sustainable built environment.

Project description
The preservation of existing structures in the infrastructure network has raised as backbone strategy in order to meet the environmental challenges within the construction sector. Therefore, the development of new and modern advanced strategies to carry out better assessments, and thereby contribute to the extension of the service life of structures, is paramount. Hence, the core competences developed in this project are highly attractive by the different stakeholders involved in the engineering process.

The project aims to develop simplified methods based on structural health monitoring (SHM) systems, that enable enhanced assessment of structures affected by corrosion of the steel reinforcement. The underlying purpose of the project is to establish trustworthy links between the SHM system measurements and the actual internal corrosion damage distribution on the steel bars. In a first step, finite element (FE) models will be used to numerically describe the effect of internal damage on different performance indicators. The calibration of such models will be based on experimental data, hence, extensive laboratory work is needed. In a second step, a simplified model will be formulated from which internal damage can be described based on measured values of performance indicators, detected by the SHM system. The development of such model will be based on a database created using the previously developed FE models. The model can then be used to provide data regarding the internal damage to be used as input in assessment of the structure’s condition. Further, it can be used in predictive models to describe the future structural performance and service life of the structure. Finally, to validate the model developed, the quality of the results obtained will be compared with traditional assessment approaches and experimental results for a deteriorated beam.

The research is carried out at the Division of Structural Engineering at the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering. The division is internationally well-known for its expertise in assessment of existing reinforced concrete structures and sustainable design. An important research focus now is the digitalization of the construction sector and Structural Health Monitoring.

Major responsibilities
The major responsibility of the PhD candidate will be to carry out the PhD project and to conduct research in assessment of corroded structures. This person will have the opportunity to influence the details of the research towards the needs of the project, with the possibility to combine SHM with numerical modelling and experimental work. As a doctoral student, you will participate in doctoral courses and be involved in teaching activities. You will develop your skills in communicating scientific results, both to the public and industry and through scientific publications to the research community.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. As a Ph.D. student you are employed by Chalmers and will receive a salary according to current salary agreements. The position is limited to maximum 5 years. A maximum of 20% of your time will be required for carrying out departmental duties, mainly teaching of undergraduate courses. The remaining time will be spent on your own courses and research, and you are expected to obtain a Ph.D. degree within 5 years (nominal time without department duties is 4 years).

Your qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in, preferably a Master of Science (Swedish: civilingenjör) in Structural Engineering. You also need a good knowledge of structural analysis of concrete structures and nonlinear finite element analysis. Furthermore, sound knowledge of Matlab is a requirement. 

It is beneficial if you have documented knowledge (eg. practical experience or thesis work) in assessment of concrete structures. In addition to a genuine interest and curiosity in the subject matter, we think you have a strong motivation and engagement, a cooperative mindset, and a passion to combine experimental work with modelling. You will be a part of a research environment with several other researchers and Ph.D. students. You are expected to work both independently and in collaboration with senior researchers in the project. You must have the ability to plan and organize your own work and be able to communicate your scientific results in English.

If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
To apply, please go to: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10093

Application deadline: 21 January, 2022