Research project title
Project 4 - Characterization of the durability of innovative concretes under multiphysics loads to ensure the resilience of reinforced concrete structures
Education level
Master or doctorate
Director/co-director
Director: Jean-philippe Charron
End of display
March 31, 2026
Areas of expertise
Concrete: materials and structures
Unit(s) and department(s)
Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering
Conditions
Procedures to apply to one of the available positions
- Submit a detailed resume and introductory letter outlining your file and justifying your interest in the project;
- Submit all your university transcripts (digital version);
- Submit an evaluation from a reference professor at your home institution or from a supervisor from one of your work experiences. The evaluation should detail your profile (grades, student or worker profile, potential in materials and structures research);
- Provide your level on French or English language exams if one of these languages is not your first language;
- All documents must be compiled into a single PDF file untitled with your last name;
- The files received will be evaluated over the next few weeks/month. If your profile is among the most interesting, I will then ask you to apply officially to Polytechnique. You will then need to provide similar information (with 3 external evaluations this time) and indicate my name as a contact person for your file be forwarded directly to me for decision;
- Applications received will be evaluated over the next few weeks. I will confirm acceptance or rejection of your application;
- If your application is accepted, I will then ask you to formally apply to Polytechnique. You will then need to provide similar information (this time with 3 external assessments) and indicate my name as the contact person so that your file can be forwarded directly to me for a decision.
Detailed description
Subject
Approximately 40% of Canadian bridges are in either poor or fair condition. Reinforced concrete (RC) bridges are particularly affected by the combination of multiphysics loads to which they are subjected, such as the increasing traffic loads, more numerous freeze-thaw cycles with climate changes and the increasing de-icing salt (chloride) applications. These combined multiphysics loads have led to more severe and rapid deterioration of RC bridges in Canada, which now require major public investment for their maintenance and replacement. The research project will include experimental studies with unique devices developed at Polytechnique to evaluate: (a) impacts of cracks on chloride diffusion and water permeability in ordinary concretes, fiber reinforced concrètes and self-healing concretes, (b) effects of constant, cyclic loadings and freeze-thaw cycles on these coefficients, (c) impacts of concrete repairs on diffusion and permeability of RC. These durability coefficients will be correlated with sound, micro and macrocracked RC under various combinations of loads and will provide unique databases and benchmarks. Moreover, they will confirm the extended durability of novel fiber reinforced concretes and self-healing concretes for bridges under multiphysics loadings. Numerical models will also be developed, calibrated with test results and used to predict the effects of multiphysics loadings on the long-term durability of bridge slabs.
Academic and linguistic requirements
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, or equivalent (3 to 4 years of an engineering degree)
- Master's degree in civil engineering, or equivalent (Master 2, or other)
- Minimum knowledge of French or English required by Polytechnique :
Experience and skills required
- Advanced knowledge of concrete properties, mechanical behavior and durability
- Advanced knowledge of the design of reinforced concrete structural elements
- Basic knowledge of structural modeling principles
- Basic knowledge of structural analysis and/or design software
- Indepth knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
- Basic laboratory experience (test protocol, measurement methods)
- Experience of writing research report and scientific paper (for PhD or PostDoc)
- Courses and training available to acquire required skills
Accommodation
- Work accommodations based on the candidate's personal circumstances: family commitments, experience, disability.
Financing possibility
For students working full-time on their research project, full funding is available according to policies at Polytechnique Montreal (level of education, achievement of performance requirements).
Additional funding may be available by participating in teaching activities at Polytechnique Montreal.
