The successful applicant is soon to obtain or has obtained a PhD related in structural dynamics which preferably includes substantial contributions to one or more of the following fields: dynamic substructuring, vibration-based structural monitoring, force and state estimation and virtual sensing. He/she should excel in scientific research (including skills, methodology, results, reporting and communication) and be able to demonstrate this excellence with reference to publications, quality of the research environment(s) where the research has been performed, collaborations, software and, if applicable, awards. Additionally, proficiency in English and solid programming skills are required and some teaching expertise is recommended. The successful applicant will also have good communication and social skills, and show potential of becoming an independent research leader. A strong commitment to complete the postdoctoral research within the envisaged timeframe is essential.
Dynamic structural characteristics such as natural frequencies and displacement (or strain) mode shapes depend on the global or local stiffness properties of a structure and are currently employed for monitoring a wide range of structures including bridges, wind turbines and dams. They are obtained via system identification on raw acceleration or strain time histories. A key open problem is the separation of structural behaviour from that of its environment, which is especially important for the monitoring of dynamic characteristics from raw acceleration or strain time histories.
In this postdoctoral research project, a new approach will be developed, where the dynamic structural response at the interfaces with the surroundings are used as inputs in the identification procedure, so as to yield the blocked or free interface modal characteristics of the structural or structural component of interest. This approach differs from conventional dynamic substructuring as it concerns an analysis rather than a synthesis problem, but it has similar challenges, as it is expected that the robustness of the developed approach against input inaccuracies will be crucial, as well as its ability to estimate a complete set of interface responses or forces, also for complex, surface connection types. The envisaged approach is expected to have a high impact to the rapidly expanding field of structural health monitoring. The developments can build on the very strong research expertise in system, force and state identification at the KU Leuven Structural Mechanics Section.
The developed approach will be tested in controlled conditions at the KU Leuven Structural Mechanics Laboratory and then subsequently tested in real-life on a ferry quay structure in the Norwegian fjords. Substantial coordination of and participation to the instrumentation in Norway is expected.
A two-year postdoctoral research position is available at the KU Leuven Structural Mechanics Section within the framework of the Sartorius research project, which aims at developing a novel approach to the condition assessment of structures with complex dynamic boundary conditions. The position is funded by the Research Council of Norway and the project is a partnership between the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), KU Leuven and Norwegian traffic authorities. The position is hosted by the KU Leuven Structural Mechanics Section, a vibrant research group consisting of 4 faculty members, 7 postdocs and 12 PhD candidates, which is embedded in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering Science. The Section has an internationally leading research track record in system identification and structural health monitoring, which includes dissemination in highly ranked academic journals as well as prominent industrial research projects. Prof. Edwin Reynders will act as supervisor of the research at KU Leuven. We offer a collaborative and internationally oriented research environment at one of the leading engineering faculties worldwide. The successful candidate will have access to extensive experimental resources to support the research activities. The successful candidate will be encouraged to present his or her research at international conferences and he or she can benefit from our strong international research networks in general, and the strong collaboration with our project partners at NTNU in particular. The Engineering Science Faculty is located centrally in Europe in a scenic setting, next to the Arenberg Castle at the outskirts of Leuven. The position is immediately available and the total duration is 2 years.