Abstract

Andre Brault recently joined the University of Cambridge as a Research Associate in the Concrete & Composite Structures Group (CCSG) under the supervision of Professor Janet Lees. Prior to arriving in the UK, Andre completed his PhD at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, where his research focused on using distributed fibre optic sensors to monitor reinforced concrete structures. His PhD supervisor was Dr. Neil Hoult, a familiar name to many in the Structures Group (he did his PhD with Professor Janet Lees and a Postdoc with Professor Campbell Middleton).

In this talk, Andre will summarize his PhD research. Specifically, he’ll discuss the development of sensing techniques for measuring distributed reinforcement strain profiles, distributed bending deflections, and crack widths. The techniques developed are able to capture structural behaviour in more detail than possible before, which will be demonstrated by investigating the results of lab experiments and results from a load test performed on a reinforced concrete building in Ottawa, Canada. Comprehensive data sets of this nature have the potential to provide critical information for optimising structural elements and improving assessment moving forward. Finally, as Andre has just arrived in Cambridge, he will also use his presentation as an opportunity to introduce himself to the Structures Group.