Dr Rabee Shamass
Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering

Summary

I am Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering, College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences at Brunel University London. Before joining Brunel, I was a Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering at London South Bank University (LSBU) from July 2017 to December 2023. I was research assistant at Brunel University London from 2016 to 2017 working on composite concrete-steel structures and multi-scale numerical analysis of long flexible risers. I received my PhD in Civil Engineering and MSc in Advanced Engineering Design from Brunel University London in 2017 and 2011, respectively. Moreover, I received my BSc from Damascus University in the subject of Civil Engineering-Structural Engineering in 2007 followed by one-year further study in Structural and Seismic Engineering at the Higher Institute for Earthquake Research and Studies.

I am passionate about teaching and find joy in sharing knowledge with others. Teaching is not merely a profession for me; it is a calling that allows me to contribute to the growth and development of my students.  I have experience in teaching various modules for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. At my previous position, I taught Mathematics, Structures, Construction Technology, Design, AutoCAD and Revit, Finite Element, Stress Analysis, Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. My teaching experience is characterized by a commitment to innovation and the integration of online methods to enhance the learning experience. Over the years, I have continually evolved my pedagogical approach to meet the changing needs of students in the digital age.

I am deeply passionate about research, driven by a curiosity to explore innovative solutions and advance engineering field. My commitment is rooted in addressing real-world challenges, from investigating novel materials to promoting sustainable designs. I have a good record of publications in leading international journals in the area of Civil Engineering. My research indicates that I have a growing and consistent reputation in the research areas of instability of shell structures, stainless steel structures, fibre-reinforced polymers, fatigue performance, reinforced concrete, numerical modelling, sustainable construction materials, composite structures, utilization of construction and industrial waste materials, seismic performance of structures, and the application of machine learning (ML) in structural/civil engineering. I always explore new and novel construction materials that can be used in structures to enhance their environmental and economical performance. My goal is to propose efficient design guidance and recommendations that can help the engineering community and support our mission to ensure sustainable, cost effective and safe use of construction materials. Currently, I am interested in low-carbon concretes and cementitious materials (e.g. Alkali-activated concretes; calcinated clay cements), carbon sequestration in concrete, and machine learning in interdisciplinary research way.

I was awarded as co-investigator Royal Society fund (International exchange 2021) to develop modular interlocking bricks and blocks with the entire waste using 3D printing plastic moulds. Furthermore, I had MSc research grant from Institution of Structural Engineering to use Novel Basalt FRP Macro fibres and rebars in low carbon concrete, and to conduct life-cycle analysis of BFRP in Alkali activated concrete. I had undergraduate research grant from Institution of Structural Engineering to use Novel Basalt FRP dowels in ground slabs application. In 2022, I received another research funding from IStrcutE to investigate the use of aggregates made from carbon dioxide in ground slabs applications. In 2021 I received Global Challenge Research Fund to study the use of basalt fibre reinforced polymer in Moroccan coastal infrastructures exposed to high corrosion. In 2020 I received funding from the Department of Civil and Building Services at LSBU to study the mechanical, thermal, acoustic and fire behaviour of agglomerated cork boards for applications in the construction sector. Additionally, I led several consultancy contracts including: Sustainable and durable reinforced concrete structures using Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer funded by Innovate UK; the use of basalt products as sustainable materials in construction; the behaviour of strawbales used in the built environment in Gambia; mechanical properties of Bamboo fibre reinforced epoxy composite used for lunch boxes; mechanical property testing of BFRP; pull-out behaviour of BFRP bars with modified surface funded by Innovate UK.

Qualifications

 Professional Development Course for External Examiners, Advanced HE, UK

Postgraduate Certificate Academic Practice, City University London

PhD in Civil Engineering, Brunel University London, UK

MSc Advanced Engineering Design, Brunel University London, UK

Higher Diploma, Structural and earthquake Engineering Damascus University, Syria.

BSc Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering [First Class Honours], Damascus University, Syria