Dr. Jurgen Becque is an Associate Professor in Structural Engineering at the University of Cambridge's Department of Engineering. He specializes in cold-formed steel structures, stainless steel structural behavior, and stability analysis, with a focus on local-overall buckling interaction and innovative design methodologies. His work bridges experimental investigations with computational modeling and machine learning applications. Research Interests: Cold-formed steel structural systems Stainless steel column stability Local and overall buckling interaction Mechanics-based design optimization Machine learning for structural behavior prediction Recent publications demonstrate expertise in cross-sectional stability, connection mechanics, and composite systems like UHPC-confined stainless steel columns. His work addresses both monotonic and cyclic loading scenarios, contributing to Eurocode 3 design standards.
Christian Moormann serves as Director and Full Professor of the Institute of Geotechnics at the University of Stuttgart, where he has held his position since 2010. His leadership extends to national and international geotechnical organizations, including serving as Chairman of the German Geotechnical Society (DGGT) since 2022. His educational background includes a distinguished Diplom in Civil Engineering from Leibniz University Hannover (1989-1994), followed by doctoral studies at TU Darmstadt where he earned his Dr.-Ing. with distinction in 2002 for research on soil-groundwater interaction in deep excavations. He completed his habilitation at TU Darmstadt in 2009 on optimization of geotechnical composite structures. Professor Moormann's research spans the critical intersection of theoretical geomechanics and practical engineering applications. His work focuses on material behavior of semi-solid and variable-strength rocks, numerical methods in geotechnics, and reliability analyses for geotechnical composite structures. He has made significant contributions to deep foundation systems, pile-raft foundations, and the application of geosynthetics in construction. His recent work increasingly addresses sustainable applications including near-surface geothermal energy systems and innovative ground improvement techniques. With over 350 publications throughout his career, Moormann's scholarly output demonstrates consistent focus on practical geotechnical challenges. His publication themes reveal evolving emphasis from fundamental soil mechanics to complex system behavior, with growing attention to sustainability and reliability-based design approaches in geotechnical engineering. Professor Moormann holds numerous leadership positions that reflect his standing in the field: Chairman of the German Geotechnical Society (DGGT) since 2022 Head of the "Earth and Foundation Engineering" section of DGGT since 2018 German Delegate to Eurocode 7 Technical Committee (TC 250/SC 7) Chair of the DIN Standards Committee "Piles" (NABau 005-05-07) Member of the Professional Image Committee of ISSMGE His professional activities extend to significant consulting work through his own firm "Prof. Moormann Geotechnik Consult" established in 2010, and leadership of the PÜZ certification office. Moormann serves as an officially appointed expert for earthworks, foundation engineering, and rock engineering. His work on developing practical engineering standards through multiple DIN committees and Eurocode 7 implementation demonstrates his commitment to bridging academic research with practical engineering applications. The Institute of Geotechnics under Professor Moormann's leadership maintains strong connections with industry through its COMMAS program and extensive field testing capabilities. His team actively participates in developing practical engineering solutions for complex geotechnical challenges, particularly in deep foundation systems, excavation support, and sustainable geotechnical applications including geothermal energy systems.
Professor Andrea Frangi is affiliated with the Institute of Structural Engineering at ETH Zurich, where he leads research and teaching in Structural Timber Engineering , Hybrid Structures , and Fire Safety Engineering . Education: Dipl. in Civil Engineering (ETH Zurich, 1995), Ph.D. in Technical Science (ETH Zurich, 2001). His research interests focus on timber structures, hybrid systems, and fire safety. Recent work explores rate-dependent connections, adhesive bonding in timber-mortar composites, and fire resistance of cross-laminated timber. Notable publication trends include: Advancements in strip-reinforced timber beams and epoxy hybrid-adhesives . Fire safety studies on charring rates , compartment fires , and progressive collapse in timber structures. Material testing under cyclic loading , high-speed loads , and moisture exposure . He teaches courses such as Timber Structures I/III , Fire Science , and Structural Fire Design , and collaborates with organizations like Eurocode 5 committees and the International Association for Fire Safety Science.
Dr. Joseph Ndogmo is a Senior Academic Councillor in civil service for life at the Chair of Metal Construction at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), working under Prof. Martin Mensinger. He has been with the Chair since December 2005, initially as a Research Assistant, then as an Academic Councillor on probationary civil service status from November 2007 to June 2009, and as an Academic Councillor in civil service for life from July 2009 to June 2014, before being promoted to his current position as Senior Academic Councillor in July 2014. Dr. Ndogmo's educational background includes: Primary school in Yaoundé, Cameroon (1972-1978) High school in Batouri and Mbouda, Cameroon (1978-1985) Studies in Mathematics/Computer Science at the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon (1985-1986) Language course at the Herder Institute in Leipzig (1986-1987) Diploma in Engineering (Dipl.-Ing.) from the Friedrich List University of Transport in Dresden, majoring in road construction with specialization in bridge construction (1987-1992) Doctorate (Dr.-Ing.) from Technical University of Munich with thesis on "On the safety and economic reinforcement of bulging web plates of solid-wall girder bridges taking fatigue into account" (awarded November 27, 1997) Training as an international welding engineer at SLV Munich (January-April 2008) Dr. Ndogmo's research focuses on structural engineering with particular expertise in steel and composite bridge construction. His primary research interests include: Overall stability of steel composite bridges Plate and shell buckling phenomena External reinforcement elements for composite bridges Buckling verification according to Eurocode 3 standards Welding technology applications in structural engineering His work bridges theoretical structural mechanics with practical engineering applications, particularly in the context of bridge construction and maintenance. Dr. Ndogmo has made significant contributions to the understanding of buckling behavior in stiffened plates under various loading conditions, with numerous publications addressing both theoretical aspects and practical implementation of Eurocode standards. Dr. Ndogmo's recent publications (2016-2024) demonstrate a consistent focus on buckling analysis of steel structures, particularly in bridge applications. His work shows increasing sophistication in analyzing complex loading scenarios including biaxial stresses and eccentric load introduction. He has made notable contributions to the implementation of Eurocode 3 standards, particularly Part 1-5 on plate buckling. His research combines experimental testing with numerical analysis, providing practical insights for structural engineers. Professional memberships include: VSVI (Association of Road Construction and Traffic Engineers in Bavaria) DVS (The Connection Specialists) Technical Working Group 8.3 (Plate buckling) Working Group EN 1993-1-5 Working Group EN 1993-1-14 CEN / TC 250 / SC 3 / WG22 Dr. Ndogmo is actively involved in teaching at TUM, with courses including Assessment and preservation of historic steel structures, Welding Technology, Composite building and bridge construction, and Plate buckling and steel bridge construction. He also serves as a municipal councilor in Erdweg since 2014 and previously ran as a mayoral candidate in 2017 (finishing second with 32.4% of the vote).
John Dalsgaard Sørensen is a Professor and Head of Research Group at the Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, within the Faculty of Engineering and Science. He leads the Risk, Resilience, Safety, and Sustainability of Systems Research Group and is affiliated with the Danish Centre for Risk and Safety Management. His research focuses on structural safety, wind turbine reliability, probabilistic design, and risk assessment of infrastructure systems. He has supervised 13 PhD students and contributed to over 600 publications. Key research areas include wind turbine structural integrity, fatigue analysis of offshore and onshore structures, probabilistic design standards (e.g., Eurocodes), and risk-based decision-making for infrastructure. He leads projects like Windscanner (remote sensing for wind measurements) and MANTIS (cyber-physical maintenance systems). Collaborations span academia and industry, addressing challenges in energy systems, civil infrastructure, and safety engineering. His work emphasizes practical applications of advanced modeling techniques, such as Bayesian networks and stochastic simulations, to enhance reliability and reduce operational costs. He is actively involved in standardization efforts for structural design and serves on boards like Energi- og MiljøData Fonden. Recent activities include presenting at international conferences and advising on media debates related to structural safety.
Daniele Casagrande is an Assistant Professor of Wood Engineering at the University of Trento, Italy, and an Adjunct Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Ottawa, affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and the Department of Civil Engineering. His expertise lies in the seismic performance and structural dynamics of timber-based systems. Education: Ph.D. in Civil and Mechanical Structural Systems Engineering, University of Trento, Italy Postgraduate Diploma in Seismic Behavior of Structures, University of Trieste, Italy M.Sc., University of Trento, Italy BASc., University of Trento, Italy His research focuses on the seismic behavior of timber structures , including dynamic response, timber connections under cyclic loading, hybrid wood-steel systems, and the development of simplified analytical and numerical models for lateral load analysis. He has contributed to innovative designs for post-emergency timber housing and conducted full-scale vibration table tests and laboratory experiments on shear walls and mechanical connections. Daniele is actively involved in international standards development, serving on the Italian Committee on Timber Structures and contributing to the revision of Eurocode 5 and the timber chapter of Eurocode 8 . He currently leads a working group within the COST CA20139 action on holistic design of tall timber buildings, focusing on accidental load scenarios. Professional Engagement: Member, Italian Committee on Timber Structures Working Group Leader, COST CA20139 (Accidental Loads in Tall Timber Buildings) Collaborator in national and international research projects (e.g., University of Ottawa and National Research Council of Italy) Participant in professional training courses and seminars for civil engineers He has published in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, with research impacting both academic and practical applications in structural timber engineering.
Brian Solan is a Lecturer in Foundation Engineering at the Belfast School of Architecture & the Built Environment, Ulster University. His expertise spans foundation engineering, structural engineering, and environmental resilience, with particular focus on infrastructure stability under extreme conditions. Dr. Solan received his education at: Regional Technical College Dundalk (now Institute of Technology) - Civil Engineering studies beginning in 1986 Queen's University Belfast - BEng Honours (1st Class) in June 1991 Queen's University Belfast - PhD in Structural Engineering in 1996 Dr. Solan's research interests center on foundation engineering and infrastructure resilience. His work examines working platform design, traffic loading of infrastructure structures, implementation of Eurocode 7 standards, and the impact of extreme weather flooding on historic arch structures. He has expanded his research into environmental engineering, particularly wastewater treatment and sustainable methods for removing contaminants from water systems. His interdisciplinary approach bridges traditional civil engineering with contemporary environmental challenges, addressing critical infrastructure needs in the face of climate change. Dr. Solan's recent publications demonstrate a shift toward environmentally focused research while maintaining his foundation in structural engineering. His work increasingly addresses the intersection of infrastructure engineering and environmental sustainability, with particular attention to wastewater treatment technologies, emerging contaminants, and climate change adaptation for built heritage. This evolution reflects broader trends in engineering research toward more sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions. Dr. Solan has received recognition for his work, including: Adrian Long Award (December 3, 2020) Royal Society Travel Scholarship for collaborative work with Professor Robert Ettema at the University of Colorado Dr. Solan has been actively involved in research funding and collaboration. He served as Principal Investigator for the 'Short-span bridge scour under submerged flood flow conditions' project (2015-2017) and was a Co-Investigator on the 'Infrastructure Compromise Avoidance' project (2018-2020). His research has attracted funding supporting both structural engineering and environmental sustainability initiatives. He contributes to the academic community through peer review activities, including for the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Ground Improvement journal. Dr. Solan maintains professional affiliations with the Institution of Engineers of Ireland and is a graduate member of the Institution of Structural Engineers. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action. His research bridges traditional engineering disciplines with contemporary environmental challenges, positioning him at the intersection of infrastructure resilience and sustainable development.
Paolo Riva is a Full Professor of Structural Engineering at the Department of Design and Technologies of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Bergamo. He has served as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (2009-2012) and Director of the Department of Engineering at the same university since 2012. His expertise lies in seismic engineering and structural analysis of reinforced concrete structures. Professor Riva graduated in Civil Engineering from Politecnico di Milano in 1984 and earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada in 1987. He began his academic career as a researcher at the University of Brescia (1991-2001), became Associate Professor there in 2001, and joined the University of Bergamo as Full Professor in 2005. His primary research interests focus on the seismic behavior of reinforced concrete structures, particularly structural walls and prefabricated structures. He also specializes in seismic retrofitting of historic buildings, nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete structures, and fire behavior of reinforced concrete structures. His work bridges theoretical analysis with practical applications for enhancing structural safety in earthquake-prone regions. Professor Riva's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on seismic damage assessment, structural retrofitting solutions, and sustainability in structural engineering. His research often addresses practical challenges in post-earthquake scenarios, including damage identification through advanced monitoring techniques and development of innovative retrofit strategies for existing structures. A notable trend is his increasing emphasis on integrating sustainability principles into seismic retrofitting practices. Seismic Reliability of Structures (WP3 - Reluis), 2022, 24 months Structural vulnerability models for natural hazards and industrial cascading effects, 2024, 33 months Sustainable Approaches For Earthquake Resistant_REhabilitation solutions for the BUILT environment, 2024, 15 months Professor Riva has directed all these research projects as Scientific Director. His expertise has been recognized through appointments to post-seismic emergency commissions following major earthquakes in Italy, where he provided critical guidance on intervention methods for seismic repairs and improvements for public and monumental buildings.
Professor Abdy Kermani serves as Professor and Director of the Centre for Timber Engineering within the School of Engineering and The Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University. With over 80 research outputs spanning nearly two decades, his work focuses on advancing timber engineering practices and sustainable construction methodologies. His research portfolio includes significant contributions to timber frame construction, structural analysis, and innovative timber applications in building systems. Professor Kermani's research interests center on timber engineering with particular emphasis on structural performance, racking behavior in timber framed walls, vibration analysis of timber floors, and innovative applications of timber in bridge construction. His work bridges theoretical analysis with practical applications, addressing critical challenges in sustainable construction and building performance. Through his leadership at the Centre for Timber Engineering, he has developed methodologies for assessing timber structural elements and implemented innovative design approaches for timber construction systems. Analysis of Professor Kermani's 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on timber structural performance, with particular attention to racking resistance in timber framed walls, vibration characteristics of timber floors, and innovative applications of timber in structural systems. His research demonstrates a progression from fundamental structural analysis toward practical implementation of timber engineering solutions, with increasing emphasis on computational modeling and optimization techniques in recent years. KTP Simpson Strong Tie (2007-2012): £191,048 - Developed structural elements for timber frame market providing racking resistance KTP Diageo Plc (2007-2011): £213,688 - Optimized whisky cask design POC: Composite Insulated Beams (2004-2009): £179,881 James Jones & Sons Ltd (2004-2006): £70,429 - Secured European Product Approval for timber products Oregan Timber Frame Ltd (2004-2006): £69,596 - Developed integrated manufacturing strategy Professor Kermani has supervised numerous doctoral students including Roshan Dhonju (Racking performance of platform timber framed walls), Ahmed Mohamed (Photogrammetric techniques for evaluating timber properties), Eleni Tsechelidou (Investigating gaps in civil engineering education), Zaihan Jalaludin (Water vapour sorption behaviour of wood), and Kenneth Leitch (Development of a hybrid racking panel). His leadership extends to the Centre for Timber Engineering, where he directs research initiatives focused on advancing timber construction technologies and promoting sustainable building practices through innovative engineering solutions.
Professor Antony Darby holds a faculty position in the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering at the University of Bath , where he serves as Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange . His research focuses on structural dynamics and concrete structure assessment, supported by facilities like the world-unique VSimulators (a collaboration with the University of Exeter). He works with interdisciplinary teams to address motion serviceability criteria and develops passive vibration control methods using impact dampers. Expert in structural strengthening with advanced composites (e.g., carbon fiber) Lead author of Concrete Society’s TR55 design guidance UK principal expert on Eurocode 2 committee for FRP guidelines His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to sustainable cities and climate action. Recent publications span topics like structural stone scaling, offshore wind foundations, and occupant comfort in tall buildings. He actively supervises doctoral students and engages in industry knowledge exchange activities.
Luca Susmel is a Professor of Structural Integrity and Transforming Lives Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University. His expertise spans static, dynamic, and fatigue assessment of engineering materials and structures, with a focus on notched, welded, and 3D-printed components. He has authored over 350 publications, including 165+ peer-reviewed articles and a seminal book on multiaxial fatigue. His research has earned a high h-index and top 2% global scientist recognition. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics and has developed multiaxial fatigue-assessment software. Education and Career: Susmel has held academic roles at institutions including the University of Padova, Trinity College Dublin, and the University of Sheffield. His work bridges theoretical and experimental investigations, validated through systematic experiments. Notable projects include fatigue assessment of cast iron water pipes and hydrogen effects on metallic materials. Research Interests : Multiaxial fatigue, additive manufacturing materials, fracture mechanics, welded joints, notch fatigue, and fatigue life prediction. His methodologies include critical distance theory and advanced stress analysis approaches. Grants and Projects : Led numerous projects funded by EC, trusts, and private companies. Key areas include HyDeploy (hydrogen pipeline safety) and FRAMED (fatigue assessment of welded joints). Awards : Top 2% global scientist (Clarivate Analytics), Transforming Lives Fellow, high h-index recognition.
Professor Stephen Hicks is a Professor in Civil Engineering and Leader of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Discipline Stream at the School of Engineering, University of Warwick. He has held senior roles in research institutes like the Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA) and the Steel Construction Institute (SCI), contributing to national and international standards development. Education: PhD (University of Cambridge, 1998), BEng (University of London, 1993) Research focuses on composite steel-concrete structures, structural reliability, and vibration serviceability. He leads teaching modules including ES3E1 Design Project and ES2C2 Civil Engineering Design. Key projects include Eurocode 4 revisions and steel-concrete composite systems development. Grants include leadership on Steel-CLT composite design (WSP UK) and EU-funded Eurocode 4 standardization projects. He chairs CEN Subcommittee SC4 for Eurocode 4 and contributed to Australasian standards like AS/NZS 2327. Engaged in governance roles with organizations such as EPD Australasia and Steel Construction New Zealand.
Bert Snijder is a Full Professor and holds the Chair of Structural Design (Steel Structures) at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). His research focuses on the strength, stability, and fatigue of steel structures, with applications in buildings and bridges. He is also active in structural systems, connections, cold-formed sections, composite/hybrid structures, and high-strength steel applications. Key expertise: Civil and structural engineering, finite element analysis, structural design Active in UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable infrastructure and education His recent work explores advanced computational methods for fatigue crack analysis, AI-driven crack detection in steel bridges, and Eurocode 3 adaptations for high-strength materials. He contributes to international standards through his leadership in Eurocode 3 committees and the European Convention for Constructional Steelwork. Scientific contributions include: Development of adhesively bonded repair techniques for steel joints Machine learning frameworks for crack segmentation Experimental validation of Eurocode 3 failure mechanisms
Professor Gianluca Ranzi is a Professor in the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney, serving as Chairman of the Centre for Advanced Structural Engineering. His expertise spans structural engineering, architectural science, and heritage conservation, with a focus on sustainable building technologies. He leads research on composite materials, energy-efficient structures, and the mitigation of urban heat islands. Research Interests: His work addresses the behavior of concrete and composite steel-concrete structures, building energy management systems, and heritage conservation strategies for twentieth-century concrete structures. He develops adaptive systems to enhance indoor comfort and building functionality while reducing energy consumption. Publications: Ranzi has authored/edited key texts including Design of Prestressed Concrete to Eurocode 2 (2017) and Structural Analysis: Principles, Methods and Modelling (2015). His recent articles explore topics like lithium slag composites, P2P energy trading, and dynamic characterization of historic structures. Teaching: He teaches courses such as CIVL3511/CIVL9511 (Basics of Integrated Building Engineering) and CIVL5531 (Advanced Integrated Building Engineering). Supervises PhD/Master's students on projects like composite brick-concrete construction and crack control in shotcrete linings. Affiliations: Member of Standards Australia committees (BD-002, BD-032), American Concrete Institute (ACI), and the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE).
Paolo Ruggeri is an Associate Professor at the Department of SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM), Ancona, Italy. His research focuses on Geotechnical Engineering , Slope Stability , Seismic Risk Assessment , and Soil-Structure Interaction , with particular emphasis on landslide dynamics, port infrastructure resilience, and tunnel construction impacts. Selected trends from his 15 most recent publications include: Analysis of coastal and harbor structures (quay walls, dykes) Investigations into seismic and rainfall-induced slope failures Advancements in soil-structure interaction modeling Environmental sustainability of geotechnical works Comparative studies on tunnel design approaches (Eurocodes)
