Two PhD Positions in Concrete Structures at the University of Liege (Belgium)

Position 1: “Aggregate Interlock Behaviour and Modelling of Concrete Structures with Recycled Aggregates”

Topic: The full recovery of mineral construction and demolition wastes as recycled raw materials for concrete production is a yet pending and challenging societal goal due to high durability and mechanical requirements. In this context, valorization pathways for waste concrete will include advanced applications of recycled aggregates. However, such aggregates affect the performance of concrete structures, as they affect important load-resisting mechanisms, such as aggregate interlock across cracks in members subjected to shear. This PhD work will thus focus on developing rational mechanical models to capture aggregate interlock behaviour of concretes with recycled aggregates. The research will involve lab experiments under monotonic and cyclic/fatigue loading with advanced measurements performed at ULiege. The results will be used to develop aggregate interlock models at meso- and macro-scale. Kinematic-based and numerical modelling will also be developed to study the effect of recycled aggregates at the level of shear-critical reinforced concrete members. The research will be carried out in collaboration with 3 other PhD students, working on non-structural aspects related to recycled aggregates.

Start: September 2024 (or earlier)

Duration: 4 years

Funding: Full scholarship

Requirements: Master in Civil/Mechanical Engineering required

How to apply? Please send your CV and motivation for applying to Prof. Boyan Mihaylov (boyan.mihaylov@uliege.be). In the CV, provide the names and contacts of at least two references who may be contacted to provide reference letters.

Position 2: “Coupled Corrosion-Mechanical Assessment of Cracked Critical Zones of Reinforced Concrete Members”

Much of the critical infrastructure in the western world, and elsewhere, was built in the 1970s and 80s. As a result, in the coming decade a large number of bridges, tunnels, and other important structures will enter a critical age of 50 years, typically linked to significant levels of corrosion and deterioration. Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to be able to accurately assess the safety and remaining lifetime of existing structures, taking account of the current state of corrosion and predicting its evolution over time. The corrosion of reinforced concrete structures occurs mainly due to the penetration of water, oxygen, carbonation and chlorides in the concrete, which leads to depassivation and corrosion of the steel reinforcement. These processes are accelerated by cracks in the structure. This project aims at investigating the coupling between the corrosion and the mechanical behavior in critical regions of reinforced concrete structures. The problem will be tackled by extending the capacities of a crack- and kinematics-based mechanical modeling framework to incorporate interaction with enhanced corrosion models and predict the mechanical degradation with inclusion of corrosion effects. The research will be carried out in collaboration with 2 other PhD students, working on corrosion modelling and testing.

Start: September 2024 (or earlier)

Duration: 4 years

Funding: Full scholarship

Requirements: Master in Civil/Mechanical Engineering required

How to apply? Please send your CV and motivation for applying to Prof. Boyan Mihaylov (boyan.mihaylov@uliege.be). In the CV, provide the names and contacts of at least two references who may be contacted to provide reference letters.