Evaluating the Durability of Additively Constructed Structures

Overview

The Infrastructure Materials Group at the Engineering Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST) is seeking qualified persons (U.S. Citizens preferred) to develop test and material
standards to assess the durability of Additively Constructed elements through accelerated weathering,
multi-scale mechanical testing, and non-destructive testing.

This PREP Researcher associate should have knowledge of robotic systems, additive manufacturing and
construction, evaluating cementitious materials and concrete structures with expertise in the following
areas: concrete/ cement characterization, instrumented mechanical testing for strain evolution,
structural health monitoring, and material damage analysis or modeling. The researcher should also
have a working knowledge of current building codes and testing standards used in the United States.
If selected, you will play a significant role in the development of new test methods and design guidance
for additive construction as well as be part of NIST’s Additive Construction by Extrusion (ACE)
Consortium, which includes working with NIST staff and external partners on planning and executing
experimental research. These findings, if warranted, will lead to proposing guidance, codes, and/or
standards provisions for improved resilience of additively constructed structures.

Qualifications

• US citizens preferred; currently living in the United States.
• A master’s degree or higher in mechanical, Civil, or Materials Engineering background, or a related science field with an emphasis on multi-scale structural testing.
• Hands-on laboratory experiences on mechanical characterization, nanoindentation, TGA, DSC, FTIR spectroscopy, AFM, optical microscopy
• Experience using analysis software (e.g., Excel, Origin)
• Experience using R or Python for database and data analysis is a plus
• Experience in AutoCAD, RHINO, and Grasshopper
• Experience in Ansys, Abaqus, or other FEM modeling software is a plus
• Ability to work with real-time event data at scale.
• Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to analyze data.

Research Proposal

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Review literature and test results from previous investigations.
• Perform print operations on 7-axis multi component mortar robot printer.
• Assist in PLC and other system integration of pumps, fixtures, and various sensors associated with printing operations.
• Characterize mechanical performance of cast and printed elements.
• Prepare samples for microscopy investigations.
• Present results in the group and other related meetings, writing protocols, and technical reports.
• Ensure that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived.