Stefan Megnet has been rewarded for his graduation project at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), faculty of Structural Engineering. He conducted a series of four-point bending tests to investigate the influence of the strain-hardening on the bending strength and rotation capacity of welded I-section beams. The results of these research were deployed to validate numerical models and put in use to re-evaluate the cross-sectional classification according to Eurocode 3 and the rules for design against local buckling.
Stefan shares the winning honours with Nils Rittich. Nils graduated at the RWTH Aachen University with a thesis on the numerical investigations of preloading procedures of bolted assemblies. Nils carried out these investigations of the modified torque method (to achieve a general level of preloading, as well as the combined method (to gain a minimal level of preloading). He evaluated various parameters and tightening conditions and assessed their influence. Based on the research, recommendations are supplied for future analysis, including additional methods for calculating connections.
Both winners were announced and venerated at a well-attended online ceremony, last Thursday 21th April. They were selected by an international professional jury, out of 23 submissions by master students, graduated between 1 March 2021 and 1 March 2022 at various technical universities from all over the world.
The DOSS Award is an initiative of Delft University of Technology and Bouwen met Staal (Dutch Steel Construction Institute). It aims public recognition and appreciation to graduation projects which incorporate and represent the features and benefits of steel for structural application. Submitted thesis can relate to engineering and research as well as product development or a combination of these.
The annual DOSS Award is supported by SNS (Samenwerkende Nederlandse Staalbouw), ECCS, Severfield, Zeman, Voortman Steel Group and Steel Design Series.
