Rafi L. Muhanna

Rafi L. Muhanna is an Associate Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. He previously held faculty positions at the University of Damascus (1980), Case Western Reserve University, and the University of Maryland (1991–2000). His education includes a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Damascus (1972), and M.S. and Ph.D. in Solid and Structural Mechanics from the Higher Institute for Structure and Architecture, Sofia, Bulgaria (1976 and 1979).

Dr. Muhanna’s research focuses on computational solid/structural mechanics, uncertainty modeling, reliable engineering computing, and structural reliability. He pioneered the development of interval-based methods for reliable engineering analysis and founded the Center for Reliable Engineering Computing (REC). His work includes advancing masonry shell systems without steel reinforcement, which earned the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (1992). He also hosts the biennial NSF-sponsored Reliable Engineering Computing (REC) workshop since 2004.

• Awards: Aga Khan Award, WIPO Golden Prize, UN HABITAT Special Prize.
• Labs/Teams: Director of the Center for Reliable Engineering Computing (REC).
• Grants: NSF-funded projects on interval-based structural damage assessment (e.g., 2016).

His interdisciplinary efforts bridge engineering, mathematics, and computer science to address computational reliability challenges in diverse fields like geotechnology, biomechanics, and environmental engineering.