Professorship for Structural Engineering and Composite Structures
Structural members made up of two or more different materials are known as composite elements. The main benefit of composite elements is that the properties of each material can be combined to form a common acting construction element. Thereby, better performances of the construction component will be reached concerning bearing capacity, sustainability and resource-efficiency.
In research and teaching the focus of Prof. Schäfer is especially on composite constructions in steel and concrete and the holistic approach to bring together the elements from structural engineering, building materials, construction methods and design.
Profile
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Schäfer studied at the University of Wuppertal. After his study, he worked as PhD-student in the department of steel and composite structures at University of Wuppertal, supervised by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hanswille. There he was involved in the implementation of the National Codes for composite constructions. Furthermore, he did researches for international companies. The focus of his investigation was primarily on composite systems and fire design. Main topic was the research on composite beams and the evolution of design rules for slim-floor girders. He finished his doctoral thesis with distinction in 2007.
During his post-doctoral professional activities as technical manager in the construction industry, he was involved in projects in Germany, France and Luxembourg. He led project teams for the realization of building projects in “design & building”, he was responsible for the development of alternative structural solutions and the junction of structural design and execution.
At the end of 2013, Schäfer started at the University of Luxembourg. In July 2017, he received a full-professorship for Structural Engineering and Composite Structures.
Today he continues the research about composite structures in steel and concrete at the University of Luxemburg in collaboration with INCEEN (Institute of Civil Engineering & Environment at the University of Luxemburg) and other research institutes. Furthermore, he is strongly engaged in further development of the European Design Codes for Composite Structures in Steel and Concrete (EuroCode 4).
As course director for the bachelor in Civil Engineering – constructive civil engineering – Schäfer is involved in the organization of the study course at the University of Luxemburg and the support and consultancy of the students. In addition to that, he is active in the continuing development of the course program. Schäfer appreciates the exchange with students as well as bringing them forward in their study and professional life.
