Structural assessment of reused steel members for construction applications

About this opportunity

Applicants for this opportunity must be eligible for Omani Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation funding.

Reusing steel members from existing buildings, bridges, and industrial structures can reduce construction waste and embodied carbon. However, wider use of reused steel is limited by uncertainty about residual structural capacity, especially when members have corrosion, local damage, deformation, previous holes, welds, or other service-related deterioration.

This PhD project will investigate methods for assessing the structural performance of reused steel members for construction applications. The research may include damage characterisation, material testing, structural testing, finite element modelling, and data-driven assessment methods. The project will focus on how different forms of damage affect residual capacity and how engineers can make reliable reuse decisions.

The expected outcome is a practical assessment framework to support safer and more confident reuse of steel members in construction.

Location

The University of Waikato, Hamilton Campus

Scholarship value

Funding package includes a University of Waikato PhD tuition fee waiver for up to 4 years, plus Ministry-funded support paid directly to the student, including a monthly stipend of AU$3,000, annual study allowance of AU$1,350, and one-off project allowance of AU$4,420.

Eligible for applicants who are eligible for funding through the Ministry of Higher Education in Oman.

Applicants should have a background in civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or a closely related field.

Experience or interest in steel structures, structural testing, finite element modelling, durability assessment, or data-driven methods would be advantageous.