Chito Villanueva | Earthquake Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr Chito Villanueva | Earthquake Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Student at Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippines

Chito M. Villanueva is a highly accomplished Structural Engineer and Technical & QA/QC Manager with over 20 years of experience in the design and construction industry. Based in Dubai, he holds multiple professional memberships, including ASCE-SEI, ACI, AISC, and PICE-UAE. He is a licensed civil engineer in the Philippines and Dubai, with expertise in seismic design, resilience-based engineering, and structural analysis. Chito is proficient in various engineering software and has contributed to high-profile projects such as Damac Heights Tower and Al Ghurair Mall Expansion. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, specializing in Structural Engineering. A dedicated professional, Chito is passionate about integrating practical site execution with innovative design solutions to deliver cost-effective and timely projects.

Professional Profile

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Education 🎓

Chito Villanueva is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, specializing in Structural Engineering (2022–present). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Technological Institute of the Philippines, Manila (1998–2003), where he graduated as a scholar of Makati. His technical foundation was laid at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati City (1993–1998), where he completed his high school education with a focus on Industrial Drafting Technology, earning him four consecutive Top 10 Technical awards. Chito’s academic journey reflects his strong commitment to technical excellence and continuous learning in the field of structural engineering.

Experience 💼

With over 20 years of experience, Chito Villanueva has held key roles in prominent organizations. Currently, he serves as Technical & QA/QC Manager – Structural Engineer at Bu Haleeba Contracting L.L.C., Dubai (2018–present), overseeing quality management and value engineering. Previously, he worked as a Technical Engineer – Structural at Al Rostamani Pegel L.L.C. (2016–2017) and as a Structural Engineer at Arabtec Construction L.L.C. (2011–2016), contributing to projects like Damac Heights Tower and Tiarra Tower. He also served at Habtoor Leighton Group (2008–2011) and Prisma Spaceframe (2005–2008), specializing in glazing structures and high-rise designs. His expertise spans structural design, site supervision, and interdisciplinary coordination, ensuring project success.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Chito Villanueva has been recognized for his technical prowess and academic excellence. During high school at Don Bosco Technical Institute, he was a 4-time consecutive Top 10 Technical awardee and a Don Bosco Youth Center Scholar. He graduated as a scholar of Makati during his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at the Technological Institute of the Philippines. His professional achievements include holding a Dubai Municipality License (U/L) and being an IRCA CQI Certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9001:2015. Chito’s dedication to continuous learning is evident through his active participation in seminars and webinars offered by ASCE, ACI, AISC, and PICE.

Research Focus 🔍

Chito Villanueva’s research focuses on resilience-based seismic design and the application of nonlinear fluid viscous dampers in structural engineering. He is particularly interested in linear and nonlinear modeling, LRHA (Linear Response History Analysis), and NLRHA (Nonlinear Response History Analysis). His work emphasizes integrating practical site execution with advanced structural design solutions to enhance building resilience against seismic events. Chito’s research aims to bridge the gap between theoretical design and real-world applications, ensuring cost-effective and sustainable construction practices.

Publication Top Notes 📚

  1. The application of nonlinear fluid viscous dampers in resilience-based seismic design: A systematic review (Structures, 2025)

Conclusion 🌟

Chito M. Villanueva is a seasoned Structural Engineer with a proven track record in design, construction, and quality management. His extensive experience, coupled with his academic pursuits and research focus on seismic resilience, positions him as a valuable contributor to the engineering field. Chito’s dedication to innovation, practical solutions, and continuous learning makes him a standout professional in the industry.

 

Pengfei Ma | Earthquake Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pengfei Ma | Earthquake Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Reacher, Lanzhou Institute of Technology, China

Pengfei Ma is an Associate Professor in Structural Engineering at Lanzhou Institute of Technology, China. Born on November 2, 1991, in Gansu, he is currently working toward completing his Doctoral Degree at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology (XAUAT), with an expected graduation date of July 2024. His research interests focus on seismic performance, masonry structures, and structural reinforcement using advanced materials. He has an impressive track record with numerous patents related to concrete structures and shear testing devices. He has received multiple academic accolades for his groundbreaking work in earthquake engineering and structural innovation. His research aims to develop cost-effective and efficient methods for retrofitting damaged buildings, especially in earthquake-prone areas.

Profile

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Education

Pengfei Ma completed his Bachelor’s Degree at Shaanxi University of Technology. He further pursued his Master’s and Doctorate at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology (XAUAT). His academic journey is focused on Structural Engineering, with a special emphasis on the seismic performance and repair techniques for masonry structures. His doctoral research investigates advanced methodologies for reinforcing and repairing damaged buildings, particularly using ferrocement overlays and composite materials. Throughout his academic career, he has been involved in numerous research projects and has contributed significantly to enhancing the understanding of structural behavior in seismic conditions. As a highly motivated researcher, he continuously explores innovative solutions in earthquake engineering, seeking both academic and real-world applications.

Awards and Honors

Pengfei Ma’s contributions to the field of earthquake engineering have earned him significant recognition. He received the First Prize of the 2022 Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology Science and Technology Award, which is a testament to his impactful research in seismic performance and structural reinforcement. Additionally, he earned the First Prize of the 2021 Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology Doctoral Scholarship, highlighting his academic excellence and dedication. His outstanding report at the 2020 Jiangsu Province Postgraduate Smart Infrastructure Academic Innovation Forum earned him the First Prize for Excellent Report, reflecting his ability to communicate complex research in a compelling manner. These awards underscore his commitment to advancing the field of structural engineering, particularly in earthquake-resistant design and rehabilitation techniques.

Research Focus

Pengfei Ma’s primary research focus lies in the field of Earthquake Engineering, specifically the seismic performance and retrofit of masonry structures. He investigates innovative reinforcement techniques, such as grout-injected ferrocement overlays and composite materials, to improve the resilience of buildings in earthquake-prone regions. His work also explores the failure modes of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures and the bond behavior between composite materials and substrates like brick and concrete. Additionally, he is involved in developing practical applications for structural retrofitting, such as rapid repair methods for earthquake-damaged structures. His ongoing work has significant implications for enhancing the earthquake resistance of existing buildings, with a particular emphasis on cost-effective and sustainable solutions to protect both lives and property.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Experimental investigation on the in-plane seismic performance of damaged masonry walls repaired with grout-injected ferrocement overlay 🏗️
  2. Assessment of failure mode and seismic performance of damaged masonry structures retrofitted with grout-injected ferrocement overlay reinforcement (GFOR) 🧱
  3. Numerical analysis of different influencing factors on the in-plane failure mode of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures 📊
  4. Discussion on Calculation Method of Magnification Factor of Toggle-Brace-Viscous Damper 🔧
  5. An investigation of bond behavior between composite materials (CFRP, GWMM, KPGC) and substrates (Brick and Concrete) for strengthening existing masonry structures 💪
  6. Identifying damage in shear panel dampers using Gaussian curvature mode difference 📉