Laboratory of Engineering for Maintenance System
As of October 11, 2021
Basic information
Division
Engineering and Policy for Sustainable Environment
* Please go to Courses to see the list of subjects offered by the division.
Laboratory's URL
https://www.eng.hokudai.ac.jp/labo/maintenance/
Faculty members accepting applicants
MATSUMOTO Koji (Assoc. Prof.)
About the laboratory
Description
The main target of our research is to develop a rational and strategic maintenance and management system for infrastructure. It covers inspection technologies, application of new materials, life prediction methods, as well as relatively fundamental topics such as multi-axial bond mechanism of deformed bars, shear problem of reinforced concrete, etc. We aim to contribute to realize a sustainable society.
Organization of research
Our laboratory is composed of two teams which are steered by Dr. MATSUMOTO and Dr. FURUUCHI, respectively. Research activities, seminars, and other events are indivisually conducted in each team. In Dr. MATSUMOTO's team, laboratory seminar is conducted in every month. Mainly B4 and M2 students give a presentation on their research progress as well as optional presentations from the other students in the seminar. We also conduct safety and health assessment at the end of each seminar to check dangerous factors and health problems in the reserch works and daily lives. Basically, both master and doctoral students have a research meeting with the supervisor every two weeks. In the case of doctoral students, we often discuss on the schedule and contents of journal papers.
Our laboratory possesses many experimental facilities. Especially, the Environment Controlled Dynamic Loading System is an unique facility which enables to apply dynamic loadings and control temperature and humidity simultaneously. It is used to evaluate performance of existing structures under the combined effect of mechanical actions such as fatigue and environmental actions such as freeze-thaw cycles. Several workstations are also available in our laboratory. Students joined our team are expected to conduct experimental and/or analytical research works using those experimental facilities and computers.
Ongoing projects
(1) Performance assessment of concrete members under fatigue and freeze-thaw cycles
(2) Investigation of the effect of corrosion on the performance degradation mechanism of concrete structures
(3) Effect of delayed ettringite formation on the cracking behavior and performances of concrete structures
(4) Development of new repair and strengthening methods using advanced materials
(5) Development of a deformation measurement technology by using 3D laser scan
(6) Evaluation of material properties of interface between different materials by nanoindentation
Enrolled students' research topics
Major of the faculty members in our laboratory is structural concrete in civil engineering (basically we don't deal with buildings). The target spatial scale is comparatively wide. Our research covers from several millimeters to several meters which correspond to aggregates, cement paste and their interfaces, mechanical behaviors of concrete, structural performances of concrete members, etc. However, more microscopic target such as cement chemistry and more macroscopic target such as asset management of bridges are not considered to be conducted as research topics. There is not a clear difference of research topics between master and doctoral student.
Information for potential applicants
Applicants' background
We are looking for people with good knowledge in structural mechanics and concrete engineering. Experimental works in our laboratory always need a spirit of cooperation. We expect that the students proactively work together with the others.
Plan to accept applicants
| Application type | Enrollment semester | Master’s course | Doctoral course | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEXT Scholarship (Uniform call) | Oct. 2022 | 〇 | 〇 | |
| MEXT Embassy | 〇 | 〇 | ||
| e3 Special Selection | Oct. 2022 | 〇 | 〇 |
How to apply
Please follow the application procedure for the respective application category announced at the e3 web page.
Accepting Research Students
We do not accept Research students.
Availability of financial support
Please check the e3 web page for information about the scholarships and other financial support.
Inquiries
If you have any inquiries about the application and admission procedures etc., please contact the e3 office. You can submit your application on-line during the "matching period" irrespective of prior contact with potential supervisor(s).