Doctoral School

Advanced Numerical Modelling Concepts for Aging Concrete and Concrete Structures

Target audience

PhD students but also PostDocs or professorial staff members of engineering and architecture faculties of Flemish universities with interest in / background in concrete or concrete structures.

Organizing and scientific committee

UGent:  Prof. Wouter Botte, Prof. Robby Caspeele, Prof. Hans De Backer ,Prof. Wouter De Corte, Prof. Ruben Van Coile,  Prof. Roman Wan-Wendner 
KUL:  Prof. Elke Gruyaert , Prof. Els Verstrynge, Prof. Rutger Vrijdaghs,  Prof. Lin Wan-Wendner,
UHasselt: Prof. Hervé Degée, Prof. José Gouveia Henriques, Prof. Eline Vereecken, 

Abstract

As infrastructure faces a high number of challenges such as elevated temperatures, aggressive agents, and mechanical degradation, the correct and efficient use of predictive (non-)linear modelling techniques is a valuable skill, not only in research but also in design, assessment and maintenance. Available tools range from continuum models to discrete models offering insights into micro- or meso-structural phenomena, and heterogeneity. Four international experts will introduce a range of advanced tools covering short-term and long-term modelling challenges. 

Objectives

The course offers a compact overview over a variety of modeling techniques and concepts so that researchers can choose the models and tools appropriate for their respective research activities, being aware of advantages, disadvantages and potential pitfalls. 

Some of the more specific learning outcomes include: 
(a) understanding advantages and disadvantages of implicit and explicit solver strategies, 
(b) overview of local and non-local damage model formulations, 
(c) insights into continuum and discrete discretization schemes, 
(d) availability and limits of multi-scale techniques, 
(e) appreciating differences in static and dynamic analyses, 
(f) introduction to hygro-thermo-chemical analysis of concrete at early age and beyond, 

(g) introduction to one-way and two-way coupling between transport and damage (cracking), 
(h) available modelling techniques for long-term deformations, 
(i) overview of continuum and discrete modelling approaches to degradation processes, 
(j) outlook to emerging thermodynamically consistent modelling schemes for fatigue, 

(k) treatment of spatial variability, correlation and parameter uncertainty in nonlinear analyses 

To cover the breadth of topics, four sessions with international experts in their respective fields will be organised, hosted by UGent, KUL and UHasselt, respectively.

Next to the organised 4 sessions, students will have the opportunity to engage in discussions with the experts to solicit their advice on ongoing research challenges.

Programme and Dates

Day 1 (UGent): Prof. Jan Vorel (CTU Prague): overview of advanced numerical methods and multi-scale modelling techniques

Wed Oct 7th, 9-13 followed by an open discussion in the afternoon.

 

Day 2 (KUL): Prof. Giovanni Di Luzio (Polimi): Coupled-multi-physics analyses of aging, degradation and healing processes

Wed Oct 21st, 9-13  followed by an open discussion in the afternoon.

 

Day 3 (UHasselt): Prof. Rostislav Chudoba (RWTH Aachen): Thermodynamically consistent modelling of creep and fatigue processes

Thu Nov 19th, 9-13 followed by an open discussion in the afternoon.

 

Day 4 (UGent): Prof. Miroslav Vorechovsky (But Brno): Probabilistic methods and spatial variability in heterogenous materials

Thu Nov 26th, 9-13 followed by an open discussion in the afternoon.

Registration

  • Follow this link for the registration and waiting list. We check if you are eligible to participate. Due to limited places, we give priority to PhD students. Your registration will be confirmed by separate e-mail (outlook invite).
  • Cancellation of your registration can only be performed by sending an email to doctoralschools@ugent.be.

  • The no show policy applies.

Registration fee

Free of charge for Doctoral School members.

Number of participants

Maximum 27

Language

English

Training method

A combination of presentations with student activation elements (12 hours) and presentations by participants of key journal papers selected by the lecturers and discussion in brainstorming groups (4 hours).

The lecturers will be available after the actual course hours for individual research discussions with the participants stimulated by the course materials and selected journal papers. 

Evaluation method

Attendance in at least 3 events and participation in presentation of 1 key journal paper proposed by one of the lecturers at one of the 4 events.

After successful participation, the Doctoral School Office will add this course to your curriculum of the Doctoral Training Programme in Oasis. Please note that this can take up to one to two months after completion of the course.