PhD Position Inspection and Assessment of Deteriorated Half-Joint Connections of Concrete Bridges

New PhD opportunity: Inspection and assessment of the deteriorated “blind spot” of concrete bridges: half-joint (dapped-end) connections.

Job description

Half-joint (dapped-end) connections are a common design feature in concrete bridges worldwide. However, they are inherently vulnerable to cracking, corrosion, and a lack of structural redundancy. In the Netherlands, the safety of these structures depends on the integrity of the lower nibs. These are typically slab structures that are known as being difficult to inspect without significant traffic disruption.

This research project aims to establish a reliability-based safety assessment of typical Dutch half-joint connections integrating innovative Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) with advanced structural modeling.

As a PhD candidate, you will bridge the gap between experimental NDT and structural safety analysis. Your work will involve:

• NDT Innovation: Exploiting and developing NDT technologies tailored specifically for Dutch half-joint geometries.
• Data Analytics: Developing advanced analysis methods to identify and characterize local damage.
• Structural Modeling: Interpreting NDT data through theoretical models to determine residual bearing capacity.
• Uncertainty Quantification: Quantifying and propagating uncertainties from inspections and degradation models into a robust structural safety framework.
• Experimental Validation: Designing and performing laboratory experiments on half-joint specimens to validate your NDT methods and numerical models.

You will be part of the section Concrete Structures in the Department of Engineering Structures at TU Delft. You will work closely with another PhD candidate on analytical modelling of half joints without deterioration. Your research will be immediately disseminated in the daily practices on assessment the existing concrete half joints by an interdisciplinary team including structural engineering companies and asset owners. International collaboration and industrial workshops are embedded in the project, providing you with excellent exposure and networking opportunities.

Job requirements

You are a motivated graduate looking to apply your skills and curiosity to create a greener transportation industry. With your pioneering mindset and communicative nature, you thrive in complex multi-disciplinary teams and you’re not fazed or overwhelmed by the ambitious nature of the project.

You also have:

• An MSc degree in Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• A solid background and keen interest in NDT for concrete, modelling of concrete structures and structural reliability.
• Good communication skills and the ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to carrying out large scale experiments both in the lab and in situ.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

You will join TU Delft within the section Concrete Structures in the Department of Engineering Structures.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.