PhD student ‘Assessment of time-dependent degradation of timber structures’

Background
The Construction Engineering Research Group (CERG) is a young research group within the Faculty of Engineering Technology at Hasselt University. Its research activities mainly focus on the design and building mechanical behavior of structures and structural components made of wood, concrete, glass, masonry and steel, and this with a view to an optimal combination of these materials. In the context of its activities in the ACB² lab and the expansion of its activities towards the assessment of the sustainability of circular building solutions, CERG wishes to recruit a full-time PhD student.

Job content
As a PhD student, in this doctoral project you will develop a framework that allows to estimate as accurately as possible the residual strength and stiffness of (existing) timber structures based on (a combination of) different types of measurements. This will take into account both the time-dependent behavior and the spatial distribution of degradation. The framework will also allow more accurate prediction of the future behavior and remaining lifetime of the structure. The research will mainly consist of an analytical/numerical part, where degradation of wood structures will be investigated and simulated, and the impact on different possible measurements will be examined. This will identify relevant measurement techniques and explore how they can be used to estimate the residual strength/stiffness of a structure. The simulations will also be extended to consider the spatial distribution of degradation. In addition, an experimental component may be provided, in which the computational models developed will be tested against measurements on actual timber structures.

Profile

• Master in engineering technology, master in engineering sciences, master in (applied) sciences (or equivalent)
• You have a strong interest in scientific research;
• You are collegial and can work well in a team environment;
• You have a proactive and independent working attitude;
• You can report clearly, both orally and in writing;
• You have a good knowledge of written and spoken English;
• You have analytical and critical thinking skills.

Offer
You will be appointed and paid as PhD student.
You will receive a doctoral fellowship for a period of 2 x 2 years (with intermediate evaluation after 2 years): you will receive a fellowship for 2 years, after which, with a positive evaluation, an extension of 2 years is possible. The planned start date is January 16, 2025 (or to be determined by mutual agreement).

Selection procedure
You can only apply online up to and including 25 October 2024.
The selection procedure consists of a preselection based on application file and an interview.

Further information
Prof. dr. ir. Eline VEREECKEN, +32-11-292184, eline.vereecken@uhasselt.be

For questions about the selection procedure, please email jobs@uhasselt.be.