Advanced Concretes for Precast Concrete Applications

Position description:The Institute of Bridge Engineering (IBE) is recruiting a PhD student to conduct research on advanced concretes for precast concrete applications. The research objective is to improve the production quality and extend the service life of precast/prestressed concrete components through advanced concretes. The scope involves laboratory experiments and analytical work to develop fiber reinforced concretes with enhanced tensile strength and crack resistance. Extensions of the research to understand implications of the new materials for seismic resistance and life cycle impact are possible. A solid background and/or interest in concrete materials research, laboratory work and structural engineering are required.

Financial support: Doctoral students are supported with a stipend ($28,541 for AY 22/23), paid tuition and health care. Financial support after the first year is contingent on academic standing and research progress.

Research Facilities: IBE faculty and students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL), Shared Instrumentation Laboratories (SIL), and the Center for Computational Research (CCR). The SEESL is equipped with a diverse array of test equipment and platforms, including two 6 DOF earthquake simulators, a geotechnical laminar box, a multiple-fan wind tunnel, a strong floor and strong wall, a furnace for structural fire testing, wind tunnel, and standard tools and equipment needed for performing state-of-the-art concrete materials and geotechnical-engineering research. The uniaxial testing machine, shown right, is used to characterize the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced materials. The SIL provides access to a scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, nano-indenter, and other advanced equipment for nano/micro-scale investigation of materials. The CCR is an academic supercomputing facility at the University at Buffalo and maintains high-performance computing and visualization laboratories.

Contact associate professors Pinar Okumus and/or Ravi Ranade for the position description and Jackie Baum, graduate studies coordinator, for other information, including admission, visas, and the graduate program in the department.