PhD training in Engineering
DOCC is an interdisciplinary Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND doctoral programme at the University of Innsbruck that will train 15 PhD students for 3 years on modelling and simulation of complex dynamical continuum systems. DOCC prepares Europe’s next top modellers to link simulations and the real world within a multi-disciplinary environment, by providing beyond essential technical expertise also the training in key abilities to communicate and transfer methods and results.
The Unit of Strength of Materials and Structural Analysis (http://www.uibk.ac.at/bft/index.html.en) offers for a period of three years a PhD fellowship in the frame of DP DOCC (https://docc.eu) in the research area of
Computational multi-phase and multi-field engineering
Proposed projects:
Efficient numerical methods for solving multifield problems in structural engineering (CSE-1)
The modelling of structures made of cohesive-frictional materials, like concrete, rock or granular materials, often results in multifield approaches, i.e. in continuum approaches accounting not only for a displacement field but also for further fields like, for instance, nonlocal scalar damage-driving variables. Upon discretization, these models yield very large, coupled, often highly non-linear systems of equations. The goal of this project is to further develop solution methods for these non-linear problems, as well as to further develop solution strategies for the linear subproblems arising during an iterative non-linear solution process. A potential application of the newly developed methods is the time-dependent numerical simulation of deep tunnel advance.
Multi-phase formulation for soils at finite strains (CSE-2)
Soils can be modelled as porous media, consisting of a solid matrix and fluid phases filling the pores in the matrix. The motion of the fluid phases with respect to the solid matrix as well as the deformation of the solid matrix can be computed in a coupled solid-fluid approach with the basic equations consisting of momentum and mass balance laws, kinematic relations, constitutive laws for the fluids and an advanced nonlinear constitutive law for the solid matrix. The aim of the thesis is to extend a multi-phase model for soils, formulated for small displacements and small strains, to large displacements and finite strains. The latter are encountered, e.g., in subsidence problems due to extensive withdrawal of groundwater or failure of slopes.
Admission Requirements: Master’s degree civil or environmental engineering science, technical or numerical mathematics and computer sciences (or equivalent).
Project proposed by the candidate: Please contact the future supervisor, Prof. Günter Hofstetter (guenter.hofstetter@uibk.ac.at), for a letter of support if you wish to propose an own project.
Application deadline: 2nd of November 2020
The successful candidate will be part of the highly active Unit of Strength of Materials and Structural Analysis., which is well integrated in the international scientific community. The activities of the unit focus on both basic and applied research in the fields of strength of materials and structural analysis and related numerical methods in the areas of Computational Mechanics. The main emphasis is on the development and the application of models for the numerical simulation of the nonlinear load carrying behaviour of structures and the validation of numerical models by experimental methods.
The PhD research work should preferably start in the period between 01/2020 and 03/2020. We offer an employment contract for 3 years, with an annual gross salary of around 40’103 EUR (susceptible to taxes) for 40 hour/week employment. All PhD fellows will be liable to full medical and social contributions according to the Austrian federal legislation, implying a retirement scheme and (partly paid) parental leave.
More information on DP DOCC, requirements and eligibility criteria, and the application and recruiting process are available on the following website: https://docc.eu
Specific questions regarding the PhD topic should be directed to Prof. Günter Hofstetter, e-mail: guenter.hofstetter@uibk.ac.at.
Innsbruck is a university city situated in Austria, Europe. English is widely spoken.