PhD researcher on estimation of structure lifetime at M2i

Many structures in civil engineering andin transport such as bridges, trains, ships, and lorries are cyclically loaded.This often results in fatigue cracks which determines the lifetime of thesestructures. State of the art is safe life design which has a number ofdisadvantages among others its conservative estimation of the lifetime of astructure based on test results of standard details. A much better approach is obtained based on damage modelling which is thesubject of this project.

Both for new designs as well as for existing structures with this approach,based
on crack initiation and crack growth of the metal involved, a much moreprecise estimation of the lifetime is obtained. To arrive at this goal initiation and propagation of cracks will be integratedin a design model. Except for numerical research also experimental research will be carried out toverify the numerical results as well as to validate the design model.

The research will be carried out both atTU/e (structural design group of Prof. Soetens) and at TNO (NetherlandsOrganis ation for Applied Scientific Research, research carried out for Dutchand international companies and governmental organisations) in Delft. The candidate willbe located both in Eindhoven and in Delft. An importantsubject of the project- beside the numerical work- is the experimental researchfor which the facilities at TU/e but also at TNO are at disposal, which is anextra challenge of the project. Besides TNO there will be many contacts with industrialpartners in the project.

End procedure:31 January 2010

http://www.academictransfer.com/employer/M2I/vacancy/804/lang/en/

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