DescriptionPREP Research AssociateThis position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.
The Materials and Structural Systems Division of the NIST is conducting research into the safety and progressive collapse of reinforced concrete buildings. The research outlined in this proposal focuses on:
• Development of detailed and reduced-order finite element models for reinforced concrete subsystems including (1) flat plate slabs and connections with consideration of flexural and punching shear failures, (2) columns with consideration of column failure due to loss of lateral supports as a result of floor failure. These models will also account for material deterioration.
• Development of finite element models of structural systems including a complete floor systems and entire building structural system considering the above-mentioned failure modes and the potential for progressive collapse.
The work will entail: Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:- Develop models of critical components of reinforced concrete buildings such as slab-column connections and columns.
- Ensure that models are capable of capturing critical behaviors such as punching shear, creep and shrinkage, and corrosion.
- Validate component models against experiments conducted by the NIST and data available in the literature.
- Develop finite element models of a typical floor slab of the building and the entire super-structure of the building.
Conduct analyses to examine failure modes including failure initiation and progression
Qualifications§ A doctoral degree in Structural Engineering or a related field.
§ At least 10 years of relevant experience in analysis of reinforced concrete structures and disproportionate collapse of building structures.
§ Strong familiarity with finite element software packages including LS-DYNA and ATENA.
§ Strong publication record in the area of progressive collapse of reinforced concrete structures.
§ U.S. Citizens Preferred.
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