PhD Scholarship Esr1 Dursaam at University of Ghent

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) “DuRSAAM – PhD Training Network on Durable, Reliable and Sustainable Structures with Alkali-Activated Materials” funded by the European Commission (H2020) invites applications for 1 full-time Early Stage Researcher (ESR) PhD position at Ghent University (Belgium), with a minimum duration of 36 months, starting at 23/01/2019.

Concrete structures are used extensively for buildings, transport, infrastructure and maritime applications. The downside of using concrete is associated with durability issues and huge environmental costs, as the cement industry accounts for 8% of global anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions; and around 60% of all non-renewable resources are used in construction, making it one of the least sustainable industries. There is a clear demand for a new, sustainable generation of construction materials, since Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)-based concrete cannot meet all the challenges of modern society concerning durability and sustainability. The DuRSAAM action addresses the study of a new sustainable generation of construction materials based on alkali-activated materials (AAM) by establishing a training and research network.

DuRSAAM is a collaborative PhD framework creating a critical mass of experts skilled in innovative AAM concrete, as a key enabling technology for a sustainable and resilient built environment. The consortium brings together 7 academic and 15 non-academic partners, to excel in the scientific development and exploitation of AAM concrete, advancing design, modelling and practice beyond the state-of-the-art. The network will deliver world-leading training in this multidisciplinary field through 13 PhDs in interrelated aspects of AAM concrete, fibre reinforced high-performance concrete, and textile-reinforced mortar, as well as sustainability assessment. More information on www.dursaam.eu

The ESR will take the state-of-the art mix design of AAM as a starting point to study rheological properties in a more detailed way. Key parameters influencing the rheological behaviour will be studied fundamentally, resulting in the development of rheological mix design models. Feedback of the rheological understanding to the mix design will improve the ability to better aim for a target rheological behaviour, also including the reuse of by-products for the production of AAM concretes. Planned academic secondments (3 months at Delft University of Technology, Prof. G. Ye and 3 months at University of Sheffield, Prof. J. Provis) and industrial internship (1 month) will complete the training of the ESR.

The documents should be sent to Stijn. Matthys@UGent.