PhD Scholarship in Structural Design of Light Weight Composite Floor and Roof Panels

An academic PhD scholarship is available at Department of Civil Engineering, Section for Structural Engineering. The scholarship is sponsored by Aase and Ejnar Danielsens Fond as well as Knud Højgaards Fond.

The project is closely related to other ongoing research and PhD projects on PVA Fiber Reinforced Engineered Cementitious Concrete (ECC).

Background and relevance
The globally increasing need for economic, durable, attractive and high quality housing requires innovative technologies to meet this demand with particular consideration of their environmental impact, sustainability, and life-cycle performance. Current trends in the construction sector are towards prefabricated modular structures and structural elements that can be automatically manufactured in a factory setting with mass-customized design and a multitude of assembly configurations.

The proposed PhD project will further develop an innovative modular panel system and build upon a previously conducted proof-of-concept study on precast floor and roof panel modules consisting of a fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) slab and light gage steel joists integrally cast with the slab.

Objective
The objective of the project is to investigate the design, manufacturing, and structural behavior of prefabricated floor and roof panels consisting of a modular assembly of a thin-walled FRC slab and steel girders. In contrast to the integrally cast steel beams in the proof-of-concept study, the FRC slab and the steel reinforcing member will be assembled after casting the FRC slab. The FRC slab will also be cast in modules to be assembled to the full length of the span. The features of this composite structure include light weight, the modular manufacturing process with adaptability to various loading requirements, and the efficient utilization of material resources and industrial byproducts.
The modular concept introduced in this continuation project aims at improvements in the manufacturing process of the panels by casting the FRC slab separately and subsequently joining it with the steel members. These modifications are expected to further improve the manufacturing process, the transportation requirements for the prefabricated elements and their ability to meet different loading requirements. The project will also involve collaboration with industrial partners.

The project will focus on material behavior and the design of a prototype of a commercially viable composite floor panel for a given architectural design, structural demand, and environmental exposure condition. This includes developing a forming method suitable for large scale production and evaluating the panel characteristics in terms of structural behavior, durability, environmental impact, economics, and life cycle performance.

Supervisors
Professor Jeppe Jönsson, DTU Department of Civil Engineering
Associate Professor Gregor Fischer, DTU Department of Civil Engineering

Candidates
Candidates should have a master degree in civil, structural or mechanical engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master degree in engineering.

Candidates must be fluent in written and conversational English.

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programs of DTU. Information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies is included in the general rules of DTU, which may be obtained by application to the PhD program office at tel: +45 45 25 11 76 or +45 45 25 11 77. Information the PhD program is also available on from the general web site www.dtu.dk.

The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students.

Further information is available at the www.byg.dtu.dk or by contacting associate professor Gregor Fischer, e-mail:gf@byg.dtu.dk or Professor Jeppe Jönsson, e-mail: jej@byg.dtu.dk.

Application
We must have your online application (written in English) by 15 April 2009. Please open the link “apply for this job online” and fill in the application form and attach your application and CV. Applications must include documentation of a completed master’s degree.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.