Leandro FM Sanchez

Leandro FM Sanchez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Ottawa. His research focuses on sustainable concrete materials and concrete durability, particularly internal swelling reactions such as alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR). He actively contributes to international standards and modeling for concrete evaluation and design.

His research interests include:

• Alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR)
• Durability and mechanical properties of concrete
• Diagnosis and prognosis of aging civil infrastructure
• Management and rehabilitation of structures
• Design, characterization, and performance of sustainable and innovative materials

Professor Sanchez has co-authored over 170 publications in concrete durability and contributes to standard testing protocols and numerical modeling. His work shows a strong trend toward predictive modeling, long-term performance assessment, and sustainability in civil materials.

His scientific awards include:

• VANIER PhD Scholarship (2010)
• NSERC Early Career Research Award (2016)
• FRNF Exploration Grant (2019)
• Ontario Ministry of Engineering Distinguished Early Career Research Award (ERA, 2021)
• Faculty of Engineering Early Career Researcher Award (ECRA, 2023)

He is actively involved in research leadership, serving as Associate Chair of RILEM TC AAR and ACI Committee 221, and is the Chair of the 17th International Conference on Alkali-Aggregate Reaction in Concrete (ICAAR 2024) in Ottawa. He has secured competitive research grants including NSERC, FRNF, and institutional awards. He serves as a reviewer for major journals in the field and contributes to national and international research policy and standardization.

He leads a research group focused on concrete durability and sustainable infrastructure, collaborating with international experts and institutions on long-term infrastructure resilience and performance modeling.