Reference number 2009/53
Application deadline 2009-05-08

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Division of Structural Engineering, Chalmers University of Science and Technology

Existing structures often require diagnostic investigations in order to ascertain their actual state and to assess their safe continuous use. This is particularly necessary for historical buildings but also for recent buildings and bridges when damaged by long-term lack of maintenance, poor design, poor workmanship or events like fires and floods.

The replacement of deteriorated members may not be an acceptable option for structures of historical significance and re-design may be necessary to sustain the functionality of the structure. This project will focus on technical challenges associated with the in-situ evaluation of timber in structures.

The principal objective of the project is to develop guidelines and recommendations for performing assessments of existing timber structures using non-destructive (ND) methods with reference to their condition and structural capability.

Some specific sub-objectives are:

  • To provide the means for screening the existing timber structures for potential problem areas
  • To provide images of the internal condition of timber members and connections using ND methods, such as advanced radiography, and to be able to interpret the results in a satisfactory way
  • To propose procedures to determine the load paths and structural behaviour and model the behaviour of various existing structures using material parameters determined with ND methods

Design models and guidelines for assessing timber structures (morphological inspection of structures) will be proposed.

As a PhD student, you will work with one or more experienced researchers, in addition to your supervisor. We are participating in the National Research School together with some other universities of technology in Sweden. You will be employed at Chalmers and your salary will be regulated by the agreement for PhD students. Part of your working time (maximum 20%) will include duties at the division, often related to teaching in the undergraduate programme. The PhD position is three years of employment reaching the licentiate degree level and with the opportunity for a two-year extension to PhD level.

Qualifications

The applicants must have a Master of Science degree in civil engineering or the equivalent, ideally with courses or experience in one or more of the following sub-disciplines: structural engineering, timber structures, environmental engineering, non-destructive evaluation and risk assessment.

Application procedure

The application shall be written in English and include the following items:

  1. An application of a maximum of one A4 page containing your specific qualifications for the position
  2. Attested copies of education certificates, including grade reports and other documents
  3. Curriculum Vitae
  4. Letters of recommendation and name of reference persons (optional)

The application shall be sent electronically as pdf or zipped documents. Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

If any material is not available electronically or cannot be transferred to pdf format, the material can be sent as a hard copy to Registrar. The applicants name and the reference number (2009/53) must be written on the first page of the application.

Address:
Registrar
Chalmers University of Technology
SE-412 96 Göteborg
Sweden

Further information

Prof. Robert Kliger, phone +46 31 772 2016, e- mail: robert.kliger@chalmers.se,
If you would like to know more about what it is like to be a PhD student at Steel and Timber Structures, you can contact Kristoffer Karlsson, +46 31 772 20 28, Kristoffer.karlsson@chalmers.se

More information about PhD studies at Chalmers: www.chalmers.se/sections/utbildning/forskarutbildning
Union representatives

  • SACO: Jan Lindér
  • ST: Marie Wenander
  • SEKO: Ralf Berndtsson

All reachable via Chalmers exchange: +46 31 772 10 00

Apply for this position