EMI 2020 (May 26-28) – Columbia University New York

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the MS221 organizers in the EMI2020 conference, it is my pleasure to invite you to the Mini-symposium titled “Mechanics and Physics of Granular Materials” at the Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference 2020, Columbia University – New-York. The Mini-symposium is organized by the Granular Materials Committee of the EMI in the forthcoming EMI2020 conference. The website of the conference is: https://www.emi-conference.org/ 

Please find in the attached flyer all the details of the Mini-symposium.

Please submit your abstract electronically before January 15, 2020 following the instructions given in the Flyer.

You can register at: https://submissions.emi2020.org/ 
and submit your abstract to MS 221 : Mechanics and Physics of Granular Materials .
The conference will be held on May 26-28, 2020.

We are looking forward to seeing in Columbia University, New-York!

Best regards,
Mahdia Hattab

Postdoc position at Delft University of Technology-Centrifuge modelling of cyclic soil-monopile interaction

Applications are welcome for a 2-year postdoc position to investigate the cyclic soil-monopile interaction using geotechnical centrifuge. The successful candidate will investigate the cyclic behaviour of small-scale monopile models in sandy soil, both dry and saturated, using two geotechnical centrifuge facilities at TU Delft and Deltares. The work will include design and implementation of advanced instrumentation for physical modelling studies. Test planning and data interpretation will be carried out in close collaboration with numerical modellers and industry experts in the framework of MIDAS (Monopile Improved Design through Advanced cyclic Soil modelling) project. Candidates should possess a PhD degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering or related areas, proven experience in geotechnical centrifuge testing, preferably including soil-structure interaction problems and cyclic loading, and excellent knowledge of soil mechanics and foundation engineering. Acquaintance with offshore wind geotechnics is also appreciated (but not mandatory). Full description of the position along with the details on how to apply can be found in the following link:
https://www.academictransfer.com/en/288650/post-doctoral-researcher-in-physical-modelling-of-cyclic-soil-monopile-interaction/apply/#apply

For more information about this vacancy please contact Dr. Amin Askarinejad: A.Askarinejad@tudelft.nl, or Dr. Federico Pisanò, F.Pisano@tudelft.nl.

The closing date for the applications is February 1st, 2020.

PhD Position at Heriot-Watt University – Experimental Soil Mechanics

Applications are welcome for a PhD position to investigate the consequences of climate change on soil behavior and soil-structure interactions through an experimental campaign involving both conventional and state-of-the-art laboratory- and model-scale testing, which is co-led by Dr. Melis Sutman and Prof. Gabriela Medero. The project is available to all students, whether home, EU or overseas. The successful candidate should possess at minimum a masters and undergraduate degree in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, earth science or a similar field. Strong interest and experience on experimental soil mechanics is an essential requirement for this project. The PhD student will get full access to the state-of-the-art facilities of the Geotechnical and GeoMaterials Laboratory at Heriot-Watt University, which includes equipment for unsaturated soil testing (e.g. unsaturated triaxial, oedometer and direct shear apparatus, pressure cells, temperature & environmental chambers) as well as standard geotechnical testing.

Full description of the position along with the details on how to apply can be found in the following link: https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/postgraduate-research/climate-change-consequences-on-soil-behaviour-and-soil.htm

Further enquiries on the vacancy can be directed to Dr. Melis Sutman: M.Sutman@hw.ac.uk

The closing date for the applications is February 2nd, 2020.

Professor of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is our goal to make significant contributions to mastering the global challenges of humankind in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 9,300 employees of KIT cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in research, academic education, and innovation.

Division IV – Natural and Built Environment, the KIT Department of Civil Engineering, Geo­ and Environmental Sciences invites applications for the position of

Professor (W3) of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

This position to be appointed at the earliest possible date and is associated with membership of the Board of Directors of the “Institute for Soil Mechanics and Rock Mechanics”.

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PhD Student Position – Theoretical and Applied Geomechanics – University of British Columbia

Job Description: We are seeking to fill one or more research assistant positions (graduate students at the Ph.D. level) in the areas of computational geomechanics and geotechnical earthquake engineering.

Qualifications: The candidate must hold an M.Sc. degree in geotechnical engineering and must have solid knowledge in applied mechanics and continuum and/or discrete element modeling (computation and program development). Consideration will be given to candidates with a proven record of relevant academic background. The candidate must be able to work in a team since she/he will interact closely with several members of a multi-disciplinary research group. The ideal candidate would be skilled in some of the following areas:

  • Finite element, finite difference, material point method or other numerical methods for solving boundary value problems in solid mechanics;
  • Discrete element modeling of granular systems;
  • Knowledge in mechanics and constitutive modeling of geomaterial;
  • Proficiency in a programming language (C++, Fortran, Python) would be an asset; 
  • Ability to write technical reports and to communicate effectively in professional and technical meetings.
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CONCREEP 11+ international conference

Dear Colleagues,

The CONCREEP 11+ international conference will be held at Northwestern University from the 15th to 17th of July 2020. Join us to learn about the latest cutting-edge research on creep and deterioration of concrete, rock, and soil. Note that this edition of the conference is extending the research scope from concrete to geomaterials in general, so any work related to the time-behaviour of geomaterial is welcome.

The program is organised around 5 tracks:

  • Long-term material deterioration and healing
  • Multiphysics and transport phenomena
  • Time-dependent behavior at multiple length and time scales
  • Large scale effects and in situ monitoring of time-dependent deformation
  • Experimental characterization of creep and shrinkage

Please check the website https://www.concreep.org/concreep11 for further information and abstract submission (open until the 15th of January 2020).

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee,

Thomas Poulet

PhD position at the British Geological Survey and Heriot-Watt University

Applications are welcome for a PhD position on combined non-destructive methods to monitor, quantify and image brittle deformation and fluid presence at depth in geomaterials. The PhD position is within IAPETUS2 Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), funded and accredited by the Natural environment Research Council (NERC). The project is co-led by supervisors from both the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Heriot-Watt University (HW).

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EURAD School for Radioactive Waste Management – Multiphysical couplings in geomechanics

January 22 to 24, 2020 Liège (BELGIUM)

The EURAD School is organized within the framework of EURAD, the European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management (grant agreement No 847593). Its objectives are to develop and consolidate relevant knowledge for the safe start of operation of the first geological disposal facilities for spent fuel, HLW, and other long-lived radioactive waste, and to support optimization linked with the step-wise implementation of disposal.

Geomechanics plays a significant role in the understanding of the relevant thermo-hydro-mechanical couplings taking place around the disposal. The objective of the course is therefore to provide the state-of-the-art knowledge on basic concepts related to the thermo-hydro-mechanical (multi-physical) couplings, the physical impacts of thermal loading, and the mechanistic understanding of gas migration.

The course is organized for people from institutions active in EURAD. However, learners from outside EURAD can also register, including staff members from agencies as well as young researchers, involved or interested in the geomechanics field.  The attendance will be limited to 80 people.

Programme of the doctoral school in .pdf.

Link for more infomation and to registrate: https://academy.sckcen.be/en/Customised_trainings/Calendar/EURAD-Doctoral-School-Gas–Hitec-WPs–Multiphysical-Couplings-in-Geomechanics-a-focus-on-thermal-effect-and-gas-transfer-impact-on-the-behaviour-of-geomaterials-20200122-20200124-86fafd9efc05ea1180ceecf4bbc6e827

Doctoral student position in soil mechanics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm)

The Division of Soil and Rock Mechanics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, has a vacant doctoral student position. The doctoral student will carry out research related to transition zones for high-speed railway by numerical methods and field measurements. The position targets the intermediate two-year Licentiate degree but the university will aim to secure the remaining funding to let the candidate continue to a PhD degree. More information is available on the KTH website: https://www.kth.se/en/om/work-at-kth/lediga-jobb/what:job/jobID:301436/where:4/

PhD position in structural mechanics at Chalmers University of Technology

The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg Sweden is offering a PhD position in Structural Mechanics. This is a salaried position with a minimum duration of four years. In this project, we will integrate data from neutron and X-ray tomography to quantify the internal mechanisms in the sample during the corrosion process. This will be complimented with nonlinear finite element analyses describing volume expansion, granular behaviour of rust, transport of rust through cracks, non-uniform corrosion, and frost. Ultimately, the project will provide the knowledge required on how the structural safety of older structures should be assessed following visual inspection.

For more information see: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=8136&rmlang=UK