Master’s thesis proposal: Slab on ground design with focus on crack calculations
Company Description
AFRY provides engineering, design, digital and advisory services. We are devoted experts in industry, energy and infrastructure sectors, creating impact for generations to come. AFRY has Nordic roots with a global reach. Join us in accelerating the transition towards a sustainable society.
Job Description Background
Slabs on ground are fundamental elements in construction, providing a stable base for various structures ranging from residential buildings to industrial facilities. Their performance is critical to the overall integrity of the structures they support. Although slabs may appear straightforward—essentially a flat, reinforced concrete surface— ensuring their durability and reliability requires careful design, particularly in controlling cracks.
Optimizing slab-on-ground design is essential for minimizing maintenance costs, reducing material usage, and ensuring long-term structural performance. This involves precise calculations to manage shrinkage, thermal movements, and load-induced stresses that can lead to cracking.
A key focus in slab design is on accurate crack calculations to prevent structural issues and extend the slab’s lifespan. By employing advanced methods for predicting and controlling cracks, engineers can reduce the need for costly repairs and improve the overall quality of the slab.
The repetitive nature of slab-on-ground designs presents opportunities for automation and optimization in the construction process. Incorporating advanced crack calculation techniques into automated design tools can lead to more efficient construction practices and better resource management, ultimately supporting sustainable building practices.
Aim
Reseach on the slab on ground design procedures and crack calculations
Comparison of Eurocodes, ACI, FIB model codes, CIRIA publications, Betongföreningen ,etc
Creating a design flowchart and Mathcad for calculations
Conclusions of the research in form of a guideline and create check lists
Method
Review requirements regarding slab on ground and shrinkage restraint cracks, and punching and shear design, detailing of reinforcements, local effects, etc (Eurocodes and FIB, ACI, CIRIA, Betongföreningen, etc)
Making automization of the process
Optimize reinforcements using more sophisticated crack calculations
If time allows, as an extra task, modeling the slab with FEM and compare the results
Expected outcome
A calculation sheet that automize the design
Flow chart, guideline and checklists for the design
What you gain
Learning a commercial FE software
Familiarizing with procedure of slab on ground design and detailing of reinforced concrete and Eurocode
Opportunity for recruitment
Qualifications
Good knowledge about concrete structures and eurocode 2
Merit to have Experience with FE software (ex FEM-Design, SAP2000 or other commercial software)
Additional Information Welcome to submit your application, the deadline is 2024-10-31, selection of applicants takes place continuously. Please attach a cover letter and an academic transcript.
Workplace location preferably Stockholm, Västerås or Uppsala. But other cities may also be relevant.
Contact persons for questions:
Hossein Zonouzimarand, hossein.zonouzi@afry.com
Babak Navid, babak.navid@afry.com
Joaquín García Avondet, joaquin.garciaavondet@afry.com
We kindly ask not to be contacted by staffing and recruitment agencies or salespeople offering additional job advertisements. At AFRY, we engineer change in everything we do. Change happens when brave ideas come together. When we collaborate, innovate technology, and embrace challenging points of view. That’s how we're making future. We are actively looking for qualified candidates to join our inclusive and diverse teams across the globe. Join us in accelerating the transition towards a sustainable future.