PhD student: efficient pore network simulation of porous building materials

23 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU Leuven

Research Field

Communication sciences
Engineering
Mathematics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

22 Apr 2024 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38 hours/week

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

BAP-2024-87

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Pore-scale simulation is a progressively developing approach for research on fluid flow in porous media.  For complex pore structures, these simulations typically make use of pore networks, wherein the pore structures is simplified to a network of pore bodies connected by pore throats.  In building physics, for example, such pore network modelling is applied to numerically compute - instead of experimentally measure - the moisture storage and transport properties of building materials.  Building materials however often come with a (very) complex pore structure, which typically translates to pore networks with millions to billions of pore elements.  That high number of pore elements renders the pore network modelling of moisture storage and transport computationally very expensive, up to the point where current algorithms can no longer accomplish the task.

In this PhD project, the computational optimisation of pore network modelling of hygric properties of building materials is the central objective.  Concerning the simulation of transport properties, this will target the enhancing of the numerical solution procedure for very large systems of equations, e.g., one mass balance equation for each pore body.  Regarding the storage properties, this project will aim at the improvement of the graph analysis of the networks, e.g., the determination of pathways for the moisture and air present in the network.  We are looking for a PhD student with knowledge and insight in computational mathematics (numerical linear algebra, high-performance computing) and computer science (graph algorithms) and with a strong interest in engineering applications.  This project will be supervised by prof. Stefan Vandewalle (Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics section of the Department of Computer Science) and prof. Hans Janssen (Building Physics & Sustainable Design section of the Department of Civil Engineering).

Requirements

Research Field

Communication sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information
Benefits

 A 4-year PhD position.

Eligibility criteria

This project focuses on the computational simulation and optimisation of pore network models of hygric properties of building materials. Your research experience should hence center on both software and hardware solutions for high-capacity numerical simulations. You should have a strong desire to apply your knowledge to an industrially relevant application. Independence and initiative, reliability in team work and good communication skills are similarly valuable.  Finally, a suitable knowledge of spoken and written English is strongly required.

The project start is intended for September 2023.  In your motivation letter, you should clearly state when you can start. You can apply while currently being a MSc student, but you have to have obtained your MSc degree before the date of appointment.  When elaborating your study curriculum with rankings in your CV, please make sure to include a concise explanation of how course grades are generally given and how specific grades should be interpreted.  In your CV, suggest two reference persons, and include their contact details (email and telephone number).

Selection process

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Stefan Vandewalle, tel.: +32 16 32 76 54, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. ir. Hans Janssen, tel.: +32 16 32 13 26, mail: [email protected] .
You can apply for this job no later than 22/04/2024 via the online application tool

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KU Leuven

Country

Belgium

State/Province

Vlaams Brabant

City

Leuven

Postal Code

3000

Street

Leuven

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://easyapply.jobs/r/5kI3gs521pzdQ52pyMSb

Contact

State/Province

Leuven

City

Vlaams Brabant

Street

Leuven

Postal Code

3000

STATUS: EXPIRED