Announcement of PhD position - MECHANICAL AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF RAMMED EARTH

The School of Civil and Resource Engineering of the University of Western Australia has a PhD position available for the following PhD project:

MECHANICAL AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF RAMMED EARTH

Supervisors:
Assistant Prof. Daniela Ciancio* (daniela@civil.uwa.edu.au); Winthrop Prof. Andy Fourie (fourie@civil.uwa.edu.au); Dr.Charles Augarde** (charles.augarde@durham.ac.uk)

Affiliations:
*The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
**Durham University, Durham, UK.

Period:
Three years (full time position, 38 hours/week), starting as soon as possible after 1 February 2011.

Living allowance stipend:
35,000 AUD per year (tax free).

Summary:

The significance of this project lies in recognition of the economic, environmental and social benefits of rammed earth as a construction material in Australian remote communities, and addresses the lack of a proper Australian Standards code supporting its wide-spread use. Qualitative and quantitative characterisation of the material and structural properties of rammed earth will be done through a comprehensive program of laboratory and industry-supported on-site experimental tests. The project will result in a first ever “Proposal Form for Standards Development” for rammed earth structures, to be submitted to Standards Australia. The findings will significantly improve cost effectiveness and safety of rammed earth structures in Australia.

More information HERE