PROFESSOR, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro / UFRJ / COPPE, Brazil
Romildo Dias Toledo Filho is a Brazilian engineer and academic specializing in Civil Engineering, particularly in concrete structures and new materials. He is a full professor at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), where he also contributes to the Postgraduate Program in Civil Engineering. Toledo Filho holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from PUC-Rio and has gained extensive international experience through a postdoctorate at Technische Universität Dresden in Germany. With a strong focus on sustainable and innovative construction materials, he has led significant research on bio-concretes, recycled materials, and composites, contributing to advances in structural durability and performance. He is also a recognized figure in the academic community, having received numerous awards and honors for his research in materials science, concrete technologies, and sustainable construction practices.
Profile
Strengths for the Award
- Academic Excellence and Expertise:
- Romildo Dias Toledo Filho is a highly accomplished professional in the field of Civil Engineering, with a strong focus on structural engineering, materials science, and sustainable construction. His Ph.D. (1997) and postdoctoral research (2010) have equipped him with significant expertise in the development of new materials, particularly in the areas of concrete, fibers, and biocomposites.
- His deep knowledge of sustainable construction materials, particularly bio-concretes and recycled aggregates, aligns perfectly with current trends in sustainable development.
- Outstanding Contributions to Research:
- Toledo Filho has made significant contributions to engineering research, with a focus on new material development, durability, and structural performance. His published work spans numerous high-impact journals and covers innovative topics such as bamboo bio-concrete, recycled concrete, and self-sensing materials.
- He has co-authored papers on cutting-edge topics, such as the use of bamboo, jute, and sisal fibers in concrete, fire performance of bio-concretes, and advancements in sustainable concrete mixtures, showcasing both theoretical and experimental research expertise.
- His recent works on “magnetic nanoparticles for oil and gas industry applications” and “the fire performance of wood bio-concrete” further demonstrate his versatility and ability to address interdisciplinary challenges.
- Mentorship and Leadership:
- Romildo Dias Toledo Filho has been an influential mentor, having guided numerous graduate and post-graduate students. He has consistently earned accolades for mentoring high-quality dissertations and theses, reflected in the numerous awards his students have won under his supervision.
- His leadership in guiding research teams, securing grants, and his role as a member of prestigious committees (e.g., INBAR Bamboo Construction Task Force) show his ability to lead and impact research communities at both national and international levels.
- Recognition and Awards:
- Toledo Filho has received multiple prestigious awards throughout his career, including the “Cientista do Nosso Estado” by FAPERJ (2013, 2016), “Luiz Alfredo Falcão Bauer” award, and “Vale-CAPES de Ciência e Sustentabilidade”. These accolades highlight his influential role in advancing civil engineering research and his contributions to the development of sustainable engineering practices.
- His research outputs have been consistently recognized by professional bodies such as IBRACON, AEERJ, and CAPES.
- Collaborations and Impact:
- His involvement in international collaborations (e.g., Technische Universität Dresden, China’s INBAR) and contributions to industry-sponsored research projects demonstrate his ability to bridge academic research with real-world applications.
- Toledo Filho has played a key role in the development of innovative materials and techniques that have practical applications in construction, offering solutions that enhance sustainability and durability in infrastructure.
Areas for Improvement
- Broader Dissemination of Research:
- While Toledo Filho’s work is well-respected in specialized journals, there may be an opportunity to further increase the visibility of his research by engaging more extensively with broader media platforms, interdisciplinary conferences, and public policy forums. This would help extend the reach and applicability of his findings, particularly in terms of policy-making for sustainable construction.
- Increased Industry Partnerships:
- Toledo Filho’s research has notable industrial relevance, particularly in the development of bio-concretes and sustainable construction materials. Strengthening partnerships with industry leaders and fostering more collaborative projects could help accelerate the real-world adoption of his innovations.
- Focus on Practical Application:
- While Toledo Filho’s work is highly academic and theoretically sound, translating some of his research into more practical, easily adoptable technologies for small-to-medium construction firms could have a broader impact. Increased emphasis on field trials or pilot projects could help bring his research to a more applied audience.
Education
Romildo Dias Toledo Filho completed his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at PUC-Rio (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro) in 1997, under the guidance of Khosrow Ghavami. His research focused on the durability, toughness, and resistance of fiber-reinforced mortars and concretes. Prior to his Ph.D., he earned a Master’s in Civil Engineering at PUC-Rio in 1986, under the supervision of Pedrito Rocha Filho, exploring the compressibility and behavior of soil materials. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), completed in 1983. Later, Toledo Filho pursued a postdoctoral research at Technische Universität Dresden in Germany from 2009-2010, supported by CAPES, where he further developed his expertise in advanced materials for sustainable construction.
Experience
Romildo Dias Toledo Filho is a Titular Professor at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), where he has worked since 1999. At UFRJ, he is involved in the Postgraduate Program in Civil Engineering, where he contributes to the development of cutting-edge research on sustainable building materials. He has been associated with the Associação Brasileira de Parques Tecnológicos e Incubadoras de Empresas (ANPROTEC) since 2024. Throughout his career, Toledo Filho has collaborated internationally, including a postdoctoral stint at Technische Universität Dresden in Germany (2009-2010). He is known for his work on fiber-reinforced concrete, bio-concretes, and the use of recycled materials in construction. As a researcher, he has led multiple projects funded by CAPES and FAPERJ, aiming to improve concrete’s durability and sustainability. His academic and practical contributions have cemented his position as a leader in Brazil’s civil engineering community.
Awards and Honors
Romildo Dias Toledo Filho has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to civil engineering research. In 2023, he was awarded Menção Honrosa for several projects related to bio-concrete and sustainable construction materials at the 12th SIAC at UFRJ. These included works on bio-concrete with bamboo, eco-friendly bricks, and the use of recycled materials. He also won Cientista do Nosso Estado by FAPERJ (State of Rio de Janeiro Research Support Foundation) in 2016, 2013, and 2010. His research on sustainable materials and concrete technology earned him the “Luiz Alfredo Falcão Bauer” award for excellence in concrete research in 2009, alongside several mentions for his outstanding doctoral and master’s students’ work. In 2018, he was inducted as a Titular Member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and is also part of the INBAR Bamboo Construction Task Force.
Research Focus
Romildo Dias Toledo Filho’s research primarily focuses on the development and application of sustainable construction materials. His work explores bio-concretes, a type of concrete incorporating organic materials such as bamboo and jute fibers, and investigates their physical and mechanical properties for structural applications. He has a significant interest in recycled aggregates, particularly from construction waste like recycled concrete powder and ceramic aggregates, aiming to improve concrete performance while minimizing environmental impact. His expertise also extends to the study of pozzolanic materials, such as rice husk ash, in enhancing the durability and sustainability of concrete. Additionally, he works on the integration of advanced composites in civil engineering, focusing on fiber-reinforced concrete for improved toughness and resistance. Toledo Filho is passionate about developing materials that reduce the carbon footprint of construction, as well as promoting durability and long-term performance in concrete structures.
Publications
- “Enhancing mortar performance: A comparative study on particle size of recycled concrete powder and metakaolin in binary and ternary blends” 🏗️
- “Effect of hot water and corona discharge treatments on the bonding behavior of jute fibers in polyester matrix” 🌱
- “Improving mortar properties using traditional ceramic materials ground to precisely controlled sizes” 🏛️
- “Numerical Modeling of Cathodic Protection for Sustainable Cementitious Materials Incorporating Rice Husk Ash” 🔋
- “Experimental investigation on the fire performance of wood bio-concrete using Cone Calorimeter” 🔥
- “Influence of Recycled Concrete Powder on Rheology of Printable Cement-Based Matrixes” 🖨️
- “Effect of Moisture on Electrical Resistivity and Self-Sensing Behavior of a Cement Paste” 💧
- “A Comprehensive Experimental Study on the Physical Performance and Durability of Bamboo Bio-Concrete” 🎋
- “Short Jute Fiber Reinforced Cement Mortar for Out-of-Plane Strengthening of Masonry Prisms” 🧱
- “A Comprehensive Approach for Designing Low Carbon Wood Bio-Concretes” 🌍
Conclusion
Romildo Dias Toledo Filho is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work in the field of Civil Engineering, especially regarding sustainable materials and innovative construction technologies, has made significant contributions to both academic research and real-world applications. His numerous awards, leadership in mentoring, and extensive publication record underscore his stature as a leader in his field.The areas for improvement are minor compared to the depth and breadth of his contributions. With some additional focus on broader dissemination and industry partnerships, Toledo Filho’s work could have even greater societal impact. Given his outstanding qualifications, leadership, and continued innovation, he is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award.