Aalto University: Fabian and Jaakko Ahvenainen Foundation Awards Grants for 2023
The Fabian and Jaakko Ahvenainen Foundation of the Aalto University School of Engineering awarded master’s theses in the field of bridge engineering or in the field of structural engineering and building physics completed in 2023 and and awarded grants to support postgraduate studies at Aalto University. The application period for grants was from December 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024.
The grants of EUR 3 000 were awarded in the field of structural engineering and building physics to Eemil Heiskanen, M.Sc. (Tech.) and to Paula Romakkaniemi, M.Sc. (Tech.).
The grants of EUR 4 500 were awarded in the field of bridge engineering to Yifu Lan, PhD (Tech.) and in the field of structural engineering and building physics to Klaus Viljanen, PhD (Tech.).
The grant ceremony was held on 11 April 2024.
Eemil Heiskanen
The behavior of a massive concrete slab cast in two parts as a composite structure
The thesis aimed to find out the implications of a horizontal construction joint on the composite behavior of a massive concrete slab. The research was conducted by analyzing the effects of heat release due to cement hydration, stresses caused by non-uniform shrinkage and creep, as well as the transfer of post-tensioning force. The thesis brought out results to be directly utilized in design and construction of massive concrete slabs.
Paula Romakkaniemi
Condition assessment of reusable structural materials and components
My master’s thesis studies the condition assessment of reusable load-bearing concrete structures, with the main focus on the technical properties to be known to assure the suitability for reuse and to verify the compliance. It presents the needed properties and suggests methods to achieve those during condition assessment and presents the suggested framework for the assessment process in general.
Yifu Lan
Algorithmic Advancements in Drive-by Inspection Methods Towards Intelligent Bridge Monitoring
Traditional methods necessitate many sensors installed on the bridge, which results in high costs and maintenance requirements; they are no longer the optimal choice for bridge health monitoring. This work delves into the drive-by bridge inspection method that utilizes vehicles equipped with sensors as an alternative approach. The purpose is to develop algorithmic solutions for vehicle-based bridge health monitoring, extracting key bridge modal parameters and precisely identifying bridge damage. It addresses prevalent challenges and provides innovative algorithms that propel the drive-by bridge inspection method closer to real-world application, paving the way for a practical and economical bridge health monitoring system.
Klaus Viljanen
Hygrothermal performance of wood-framed, mineral-wool-insulated walls and roofs with low thermal transmittance
The thesis utilizes both extensive experiments and numerical simulations to address the moisture safety of well insulated building envelopes in Nordic climate conditions. The study focuses on the drying performance of external walls as well as on the hygrothermal conditions in the ventilation cavities of walls and roofs.
Fabian and Jaakko Ahvenainen Fund
The Fabian and Jaakko Ahvenainen Fund awards grants and recognition awards annually to Master’s degree students and post-graduate students of the Aalto University School of Engineering as well as persons who recently completed their Master’s or postgraduate degrees and familiarized with bridge engineering or structural engineering and building physics in their studies at Aalto University.