Theses

You are interested in the future of construction and civil engineering?

Through your studies in the fields of concrete and masonry construction, structural analysis or mechanics, you have gained the fundamentals of structural engineering. Would you now like to rethink these concepts and contribute your own ideas? Then you’ve come to the right place! A thesis in the field of “Digital Structures with Mineral Materials” offers you the opportunity to help shape the world of civil engineering of tomorrow.

Requirements:

• completed relevant courses in structural engineering, structural concrete, statics, structural mechanics, and/or construction informatics.
• For Master’s theses: Successful completion of the module “Additive Manufacturing of Concrete Structures”
• ECTS requirements according to FPSO: Bachelor’s (min. 90 ECTS), Master’s (min. 120 ECTS)

How do I apply?

There are two options when choosing a topic for your thesis:

• A topic from the list of Bachelor’s and Master’s theses topics (below).
• A topic of your own choice, based on/related to one of the current research projects of the professorship.

Send an email to the relevant supervisor listed in the call for applications or, as a general application, to David Scheidt. Please attach your current ‘Transcript of Records’. If you prefer a topic of your own choice, include a brief summary (approx. one A4 page) of your proposed topic for the thesis. 

Procedure:

A project typically starts with an elaboration of the project proposal into an ‘Exposé’. This document forms the basis of your thesis and sets out the research question, the methodological approach, structure of the thesis, and the planning. It identifies specific needs (e.g. experiments) and project management risks (if applicable). 

The project proceeds with a literature study to provide context and a theoretical foundation to the work. The main phase of the research consists of experimental work, analytical or numerical modelling, programming, results analysis, and so on. Finally, the work is reported inf form of the written thesis. After presentation and defense in a final submission meeting, the thesis project is considered completed.

Registration of the thesis occurs by the supervisor in consultation with the candidate. After registration, you will have five months (for a Bachelor’s thesis) or six months (for a Master’s thesis) to complete the thesis. During the project, you will regularly discuss your progress with your supervisor.

Literature Study:

An excellent starting point for your literature study on topics related to 3D concrete printing is www.3dcp.fyi, a curated, exhaustive database that offers a detailed look at the State of the Art in 3D-printing in the construction industry.