Doctoral student on structural rehabilitation of concrete hydro dams Full-time NEW

Doctoral Student On Structural Rehabilitation Of Concrete Hydro Dams

KTH, School of Architecture and Built Environment

Third-cycle subject: Civil and Architectural Engineering

The division for Concrete Structures at KTH Civil and Architectural Engineering is in search for a doctoral student to be assigned a project on reinforced concrete structures within hydropower. Dams in Sweden and many other countries are aging and have an average age of over 50 years. Spillways and associated concrete structures play a crucial role in reducing the risk of dam overflow and serious damage. However, over the years, these have been exposed to varying flows, including extreme high flows, which in many cases has caused damage. The most common repair method today is underwater concrete casting, which is costly and experience shows that many such repairs do not last as long as planned.

The project is part of a national research program within the hydropower area called SVC – Swedish Centre for Sustainable Hydropower. The research is carried out together with senior researchers at KTH and in interdisciplinary research collaboration with international researchers and industry partners. The aim is to create a better understanding of how damage occurs, what forces and hydraulic loads act, and how these affect both concrete and the rock subsurface. The project is expected to provide decision-making information for maintenance, repair and reconstruction of embankments and associated structures.

Supervision: The doctoral student is proposed to be supervised by Professor Anders Ansell, Docent Andreas Sjölander and PhD Erik Nordström. Decisions are made on admission.

Admission requirements: To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection: In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyze and work with complex issues.

The ideal candidate has an exam that covers the areas of concrete structures, structural engineering and structural mechanics, also with experiences from structural dynamic analysis and testing, and from using advanced finite element modelling for structural analysis.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.