Research Associate/Fellow in Civil

Engineering

Brunel University - School of Engineering and Design

Salary R1: ￡32,138 pa incl. London Weighting
Full-time, Fixed-term for 12 months
Vacancy Ref: DEA0490-1
recruitdea@brunel.ac.uk
Applicants are invited for a research associate/fellow to work on an EPSRC funded project - A Novel Method for Assessing Cracking Tendency of Concrete at Early Ages - under the supervision of Dr. Xiangming Zhou at the School of Engineering and Design, Brunel University London. The aim of this project is to provide a better answer to the question of how susceptible a given concrete mixture may crack in service. Measurable objectives of this project are (1) to explore technical details of a new test method by using elliptical ring specimens to assess cracking tendency of concrete mixtures; (2) to establish a theoretical model based on fracture mechanics to determine if the potential for cracking exists in concrete ring specimens, at what age and at what position cracking will occur; and (3) to explore the effects of elliptical ring specimen size/geometry and the degree of restraint on shrinkage cracking in concrete to link the elliptical ring specimens to concrete in structures in the field.
The person appointed will be expected to work within a team and be responsible for experimental work and theoretical modelling.
Candidates must hold a PhD (or equivalent) in civil/structural engineering or a related discipline. Ideally, candidates should have experience of fracture modelling of concrete and other cement-based materials and testing volumetric, mechanical and fracture properties of concrete and other cement-based materials. Knowledge of cement hydration and thermal analysis of concrete is desirable. They should also have good interpersonal and communication skills and previous research experience in civil/structural engineering.
Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr. Xiangming Zhou tel: 01895 266 670 or email: Xiangming.Zhou@brunel.ac.uk.
Closing date for applications: Friday 14 October 2011
For further details and to apply please visit https://jobs.brunel.ac.uk/WRL/
Human Resources, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH
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