Leroy Gardner

Leroy Gardner is Professor of Structural Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London, Faculty of Engineering. He leads a major research group focused on steel structures and is actively involved in teaching, industry training, and advisory roles. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE), and the Institution of Structural Engineers (FIStructE).

His research centers on structural testing, numerical modeling, and the development of design methods for steel structures, with a strong emphasis on innovative techniques such as wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), 3D printing, and advanced analysis. Key materials under investigation include stainless steel, high-strength steel, cold-formed steel, and aluminum alloys. His work spans structural stability, fire performance, composite systems, and sustainable construction.

The recent body of publications (2023–2025) reveals a consistent focus on metal additive manufacturing, structural performance under extreme conditions, and advanced design methodologies such as the Continuous Strength Method (CSM) and geometrically nonlinear analysis (GMNIA). Topics include residual stresses, buckling, fatigue, and hybrid construction, indicating a highly active and forward-looking research program.

• Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
• IABSE Prize (2017)
• ASCE Shortridge Hardesty Prize (2021)
• Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE)
• Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers (FIStructE)
• Imperial President's Excellent Research Team Prize (2024)

Prof. Gardner leads the Steel Structures Group at Imperial, comprising about 20 doctoral and post-doctoral researchers. He has co-authored over 400 technical papers and four textbooks. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of two international journals and on the editorial boards of five others. He chairs multiple IStructE and BSI committees and is the UK National Representative on the European Working Group for EN 1993-1-1. His research is supported by industry collaboration and national funding, contributing directly to design standards and codes. Future work continues to focus on digital fabrication, sustainability, and resilience in steel construction.

The Steel Structures Group is a leading research team in structural engineering, recognized with the 2024 Imperial President's Excellent Research Team Prize. The group conducts experimental, numerical, and theoretical research on steel and composite structures, with a strong focus on innovation in manufacturing, design, and sustainability. Projects include metal 3D printing, fire-safe design, and hybrid structural systems.