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

Orcid

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.

 

Alireza Rezaeian | Seismic Design | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Alireza Rezaeian | Seismic Design | Best Researcher Award

CEO, sazaninc, Canada

Dr. Alireza Rezaeian is a highly accomplished Structural Civil Engineer with a Ph.D. from Iran University of Science & Technology (IUST). With over two decades of experience, he has worked on diverse projects across Iran, Canada, and the USA. His expertise spans the design and analysis of concrete, steel, and wood structures, as well as seismic behavior and finite element modeling. Dr. Rezaeian has held key roles in engineering firms, including SAZAN Inc., NCK Engineering, and MOGHAVEM SHAHR, where he led structural design teams. His research focuses on seismic performance, moment connections, and energy dissipation in steel structures. He is a published author with numerous citations in reputable journals.

Professional Profile

Google Scholar

Scopus

Education 🎓

Dr. Rezaeian holds a Ph.D. (2010) and an M.Sc. (2002) in Structural Civil Engineering from Iran University of Science & Technology (IUST), Tehran, Iran. He earned his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (1999) from Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran. His academic background laid the foundation for his expertise in structural analysis, seismic design, and finite element modeling.

Experience 💼

Dr. Rezaeian has over 20 years of experience in structural engineering. He has worked with firms like SAZAN Inc., NCK Engineering, and TEG Structures in Canada, focusing on the design and analysis of concrete, steel, and wood structures. In Iran, he served as the Head of the Structural Design Department at MOGHAVEM SHAHR, managing large-scale projects and leading design teams. His roles included reviewing shop drawings, conducting site visits, and coordinating with architects and contractors.

Awards and Honors 🏆

While specific awards are not listed, Dr. Rezaeian’s contributions to structural engineering are evident through his extensive research publications and leadership roles in major engineering projects. His work on seismic behavior and steel structures has been widely cited, reflecting his impact on the field.

Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Rezaeian’s research focuses on the seismic performance of steel structures, including eccentrically braced frames, moment connections, and energy dissipation systems. He has extensively studied the cyclic behavior of composite vertical shear links, panel zones, and ConXL moment connections. His work combines experimental and numerical analyses to optimize structural performance under seismic loads.

Publication Top Notes 📚

  1. Experimental study of cyclic behavior of composite vertical shear link in eccentrically braced frames
  2. Seismic behavior of ConXL rigid connection in box-columns not filled with concrete
  3. Experimental investigation of panel zone in rigid beam to box column connection
  4. Seismic performance of eccentrically braced frame with vertical link using PBPD method
  5. Numerical study of panel zone in a moment connection without continuity plates
  6. Assessment of the seismic behavior of eccentrically braced frame with double vertical link (DV-EBF)
  7. The experimental study of eccentrically braced frames with double vertical links
  8. Investigation of the ConXL moment connection cyclic behavior in box columns without filling concrete with different arrangement of collar bolts
  9. Deviation from target debt ratio, cash flow imbalance and capital structure adjustment
  10. Evaluation of damage index of steel moment resistance frames before and after seismic rehabilitation by steel braces and shear wall
  11. Evaluation of steel plate shear walls based on performance based plastic design
  12. Optimal design of eccentrically braced frames with vertical link (V-EBFs) in order to maximize energy dissipation
  13. Seismic behavior of eccentrically braced frames with composite vertical shear link (CV-EBFs)
  14. Test program on stiffened column bases subjected to cyclic loading
  15. Evaluation of non-linear cyclic behavior of CONXL moment connection with different detail in the column and optimizing the arrangement of bolts
  16. Improvement of seismic behavior of concentrically braced frames making use of fuse elements in brace members
  17. Experimental and Analytical Observations of the Effect of Leveling Nuts on the Stiffened Column Bases Behavior
  18. The influence of national and patriotic Persian epic in the Poetry of Iqbal Lahori
  19. EVALUATION OF DIRECT ANALYSIS METHOD ON HEAVY OIL STRUCTURES BY INCREMENTAL DYNAMIC ANALYSIS

Conclusion 🌟

Dr. Alireza Rezaeian is a distinguished structural engineer with a strong academic background and extensive professional experience. His contributions to seismic design and steel structures have advanced the field, as evidenced by his numerous publications and leadership roles. His work continues to influence both research and practical applications in structural engineering.