PhD position in Eco-friendly concrete

Updated: about 1 year ago
Deadline: 14 Feb 2023

Global warming has led to extreme weatherevents, such as heat waves and periods of very cold weather. These conditionsresult in a higher death rate. Moreover, energy consumed by buildings forheating and cooling have increased by 11% over the last 40 years. High energyprices can cause severe financial hardship among the less well off in society.Therefore, in this project, we focus on improving the thermal efficiency ofbuildings.

Energy efficiency in terms of the heatingand cooling of buildings can best be optimized by focusing on the envelope ofthe building. High thermal efficiency results from having a low or dynamicallycontrolled transfer of heat across this building envelope. Two important causesof heat transfer are conduction and radiation. Conduction, which is minimizedby selecting building materials with low heat conductivities and applyingadditional insulation to roofs and walls. Radiation is given lessconsideration, this despite it being important during heat waves and exposureto the sun.

The goal of the PhD project is to develop alow-carbon concrete with reduced thermal conductivity and model its materialproperties, and to set up a methodology to measure, test and validate thethermal efficiency. Thermal conductivity of concrete can be increased byenclosed microscopic air cells. However, cellular concrete does not satisfystructural requirements. The research will involve the development of a binderand manufacturing of a concrete, and apply chemical and mechanical characterizationmethods.

We are looking for a first-class,motivated, hard-working PhD candidate, who will conduct innovative research inthe field of construction engineering and building materials. The idealcandidate has excellent construction engineering and chemical laboratoryskills, and a strong interest in low-carbon concrete.

Successfulcompletion of the research project will result in a number of scientificinternational journal papers and a PhD at the Faculty of Engineering Technology(KU Leuven). Results from the research will be published in internationalscientific journals, and will be presented at conferences and to interestedcompanies and potential users.

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