PDEng Topology Optimisation with structural and thermal objectives 3D printing

PDEng position to develop topology optimisation for both structural and thermal objectives, to be used to design 3D printed building panels. Candidates have an MSc in Mechanical, Civil, or Aerospace Engineering; have a strong analytical mind; are skilled in C++ and Matlab; and can write well-structured texts in fluent English.

The Department of the Built Environment of the Eindhoven University of Technology offers you a PDEng position to follow a two-year post-master technological designer program, which leads to the degree of 'Professional Doctorate in Engineering' (PDEng). The program consists of first year workshops and a second year design project.



To meet the targets set by the Dutch government to fulfil the Paris Climate agreement (2015), tomorrow's renovation of housing requires extensive research and engineering, made possible by the recent financing of the nationwide research program BTIC. Within this program, it is realized that he renovation of many buildings can take place by stripping their existing facades, and by replacing these facades by new panels that are both structurally sound (to serve as a structural facade) and insulate thermally well. However, as almost every building is unique, this requires custom production, i.e. 3D printing, and a design method that can quickly provide a fitting 3D printable design, which is optimal for structural and thermal behaviour. The PDEng second year design project will develop this design method. It will make use of the existing technology of topology optimisation, extended with the possibility to include several materials (insulation and concrete), and multiple objectives (structural and thermal behaviour). Additionally, specific 3D printing constraints have to be taken into account. The design project will be carried out in the unit of Structural Engineering and Design (https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/structural-engineering-and-design) within the Chairs of Applied Mechanics and Concrete and Masonry Structures, and with additional support from KU Leuven (Prof. M. Schevenels) and the company Witteveen + Bos, The Netherlands.

The first year workshops will be arranged by the Smart Buildings & Cities PDEng program, which contributes to the transition towards smart, intelligent and sustainable cities via new solutions which can only be created through multiscale and transdisciplinary (design) approaches. You will follow technical workshops in which you acquire knowledge concerning important concepts of disciplines other than your own (master) specialism. You will follow these workshops with other trainees (all with different master specialisms). The workshops increase your ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with these other disciplines in multidisciplinary design teams. Furthermore, you will follow workshops on design methods, entrepreneurship and professional skills. This enables you to become a technical designer with a broad technological understanding of energy related disciplines in and engineering environment (mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, building physics and services and ICT). You will excel in your own discipline and you are able to work in multidisciplinary design teams, contributing to design issues outside your own core disciplines; integrating different technologies into new products and concepts; and understanding the commercial aspects of these innovative products and concepts.

• An excellent and highly motivated candidate with an MSc degree in Mechanical, Civil, or Aerospace Engineering.

• Knowledge and experience in: finite element theory, C++ and MATLAB.
• Preferably also experience in topology optimisation.
• An academic attitude to develop new systems and perform applied research with an integral view on what is needed for the future built environment.
• An excellent command of the English language, both in speaking and writing, and structured writing skills in general.

We offer a fulltime PDEng traineeship of two years. The traineeship is a formal employment at the Eindhoven University of Technology according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). Trainees receive a financial compensation according to this standard. Gross montly income: € 1913



Trainees are provided with their own work place in the building of the Department of the Built Environment. The university provides all general modern facilities belonging to first class universities; mediation in housing, excellent sports facilities, language courses, modern digital library facilities etc. For more information please visit http://www.tue.nl/en/.