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Master graduation project Willy Naessens

As a company, we are always searching for perfection, even so in the optimization of the design of our elements. In relation to that, we have the following topic for a graduation project.

Willy Naessens Nederland is a building contractor that is specialized in making buildings (distribution centres, office buildings etc.) using precast elements. These elements are made in our own concrete factories that are located in Belgium. Willy Naessens Nederland is part of the Willy Naessens Group with branches in Belgium, France, Denmark and Romania.
The stability of structures built by Willy Naessens is based on fixed columns that are connected to large concrete foundation blocks, making it an unbraced structure. In the case of a foundation on piles, these foundation blocks are supported by two, three or four piles. The foundation of the structure is very important as it, not only, supports the total load of the building, it also secures the overall stability of the structure and contributes to its total stiffness (in relation to the second-order effect).
As a company, we are always searching for perfection, even so in the optimization of the design of our elements. In relation to that, we have the following topic for a graduation project.

Calculation methods of shear forces in multiple-pile foundation caps.
Strut-and-tie models vs the deep beam theory

Typically 3- or 4-piles foundation blocks are compact concrete constructions. The Eurocode (NEN-EN 1992-1-1) gives us two different ways to calculate the required reinforcement. 
- Calculation using strut-and-tie models.
- Calculation using the deep beam theory.
Surprisingly, there are differences in the outcome of the different calculation methods, especially because the element doesn’t know which method is used, it acts according to the laws of physics.
It is noted that the biggest difference is found in the calculation of shear forces.
The idea of Willy Naessens is to learn why these differences occur in both calculation methods and which one corresponds most with the real behaviour of pile caps, or whether it is necessary to design a new method.
Furthermore, we would like to learn the influence of the different parameters (concrete class, shape, position of reinforcement, etc.)
This project starts with a literature study of force action within compact concrete structures (deep beams, cantilevers, pile caps etc). Then testing will be needed to generate data. Testing needs to be done at the University, testing samples can be provided by Willy Naessens.

The student is welcome at our office to work on their graduation, in fact we prefer that because then they get to know the company and a working environment. 

Results of the research study can be published. The general idea is that the results of the study will be applied in the projects of Willy Naessens Nederland (and maybe beyond the borders by our colleagues in Belgium, France, Denmark and Romania). 

Contact
If you have any interest or want to know more, please contact:
Suzan Dorgelo, suzan-d@willynaessens.nl
Tijn Valk, tijn-v@willynaessens.nl

If you want know the company and what we do, please check our website:
www.willynaessens.nl 

Interested?

The contact for this job posting is Suzan Dorgelo.