Purpose

For more than 35 years, the Building Envelope Materials Research (BEMR) Group within the Buildings and Transportation Science Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has been using its expertise in heat, air, and moisture transport to develop and evaluate new building envelope materials and assemblies that reduce energy use, enhance occupant comfort, are moisture durable, and provide grid services. To this end, BEMR collaborates with ORNL researchers, research institutions, and industry partners from numerous fields.

BEMR is seeking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will work in two main projects:

1. Building materials knowledge system (MKS): expert knowledge and direct evidence of building material composition at varying levels of specificity and for various geographies will be identified and codified to develop mathematical models to predict building taxonomies globally using a Bayesian framework. Taxonomies will be based on inter-related properties of material composition as well as other information including the number of floors, height, purpose, and geography. All collected data will be from open source avenues; creation of experimental data may be required to design, build, and test the MKS at various stages of development.

2. Building envelope retrofits: structural components for prefabricated overclad panels will be designed, and prototypes will be assembled, tested, and optimized. Frame components and connections will be designed based on building code requirements and transportation loads. Structural materials will include standard construction materials as well as tailored fiber reinforced composites.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Gather and organize data for the building materials knowledge system using expert knowledge, open source databases, building codes, and other sources.
• Support the development of building material taxonomies.
• Collaborate with researchers to develop a Bayesian framework for the MKS.
• Generate finite element simulation models and perform simulations to design, develop and optimize frame components and connections for overclad retrofit panels.
• Collaborate with researchers on the design and optimization of fiber reinforced composites that will be used in overclad retrofit panels.
• Assist with proposals.
• Publish research outcomes in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports.
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
• Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.