Sebastian Kaminski - Bio-based materials in seismic areas - Best Researcher Award

Arup - United Kingdom

SEBASTIAN KAMINSKI: STRUCTURAL ENGINEER 🌍

Sebastian Kaminski is a seasoned Structural Engineer with sixteen years of experience in designing reinforced concrete, steel, masonry, timber, and bamboo structures. His expertise spans various international building codes, and he collaborates closely with architects, contractors, and humanitarian organizations to deliver cost-effective, practical design solutions. Sebastian’s work has taken him across the globe, leaving a positive impact in communities from Central America to Southeast Asia.

SUSTAINABLE HOUSING ADVOCATE 🏡

A passionate advocate for low-cost, sustainable housing, Sebastian has focused on using local materials and traditional building techniques. His work in developing nations, including projects in Haiti, Nepal, and Ecuador, integrates environmentally friendly technologies. Through fieldwork and community engagement, he helps create housing and schools that are resilient and affordable, ensuring that local communities are actively involved in the design and construction processes.

BAMBOO STRUCTURAL SPECIALIST 🎋

Sebastian is a recognized expert in the structural use of bamboo. He has delivered international training on bamboo construction and co-authored the 2021 ISO Bamboo Structural Design Code. His work promotes the appropriate use of bamboo in construction, enhancing its role as a sustainable building material. Sebastian’s guidance on bamboo has been crucial in post-disaster reconstruction efforts, particularly in earthquake-affected regions.

POST-EARTHQUAKE RECONSTRUCTION EXPERT 🌪️

With extensive field experience in post-earthquake reconstruction, Sebastian has contributed significantly to rebuilding efforts in Haiti, Nepal, and Ecuador. He provides technical support to humanitarian organizations and has worked closely with the Shelter Cluster in Ecuador and Nepal. His designs emphasize resilience and sustainability, focusing on rebuilding homes and infrastructure that can better withstand future natural disasters.

GLOBAL TRAINER & EDUCATOR 📚

Sebastian has conducted numerous training courses on timber and bamboo construction across continents, including Asia, Africa, and Latin America. His educational efforts aim to spread knowledge of sustainable building materials and best practices in structural engineering. His workshops and seminars have empowered builders and engineers with the skills needed to use timber and bamboo effectively.

INNOVATOR IN BAMBOO HOUSING 🛠️

Sebastian’s innovation in bamboo housing extends to new affordable housing projects, particularly in the Philippines and India. He collaborates with NGOs and bamboo specialists to develop affordable, durable housing solutions. By using locally sourced materials and modern engineering techniques, he is helping to scale bamboo construction for widespread use in low-income communities.

AUTHOR & PUBLISHER ✍️

As a prolific author, Sebastian has published numerous papers and design guides on bamboo construction and low-cost housing. His co-authored works, such as "Structural Use of Bamboo" and "A Low-Cost Vernacular Improved Housing Design," are highly regarded in the field of civil engineering. These publications provide essential insights into the structural use of bamboo, enhancing global understanding of this renewable material.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Title: Lessons Learnt from the 2009 Padang Indonesia, 2011 Tōhoku Japan and 2016 Muisne Ecuador Earthquakes
Authors: Chian, S.C., Wilkinson, S.M., Whittle, J.K., Kaminski, S., Lopez, J.
Journal: Frontiers in Built Environment
Year: 2019

Title: Bamboo Reinforced Concrete: A Critical Review
Authors: Archila, H., Kaminski, S., Trujillo, D., Zea Escamilla, E., Harries, K.A.
Journal: Materials and Structures/Materiaux et Constructions
Year: 2018

Title: Structural Use of Bamboo. Part 4: Element Design Equations
Authors: Kaminski, S., Lawrence, A., Trujillo, D., Feltham, I., López, L.F.
Journal: Structural Engineer
Year: 2017

Title: Structural Use of Bamboo Part 3: Design Values
Authors: Kaminski, S., Lawrence, A., Trujillo, D., Feltham, I., López, L.F.
Journal: Structural Engineer
Year: 2016

Title: Structural Use of Bamboo Part 2: Durability and Preservation
Authors: Kaminski, S., Lawrence, A., Trujillo, D., King, C.
Journal: Structural Engineer
Year: 2016

Ali Nazari - Sustainable Engineering - Best Scholar Award

Sharif University of Technology - Iran

AUTHOR PROFILE

SCOPUS

CURRENT ROLE AND EXPERIENCE

Ali Nazari is an experienced Teaching Assistant with a strong background in construction materials and structural analysis. He has served at prestigious institutions such as Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran, where he assisted in teaching courses on Construction Materials and Concrete Technology under the supervision of Dr. Mohammadhasan Ramesht and Dr. Vahab Toufigh. He also held a Teaching Assistant position at the University of Mazandaran in Babolsar, Iran, focusing on Structural Analysis under the guidance of Dr. Mahdi Nematzadeh.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Ali’s research interests are diverse and impactful, encompassing Rehabilitation and Strengthening Techniques for Existing Structures, Application of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP), and Polymer Concrete. He is also dedicated to Nondestructive Testing and Structural Health Monitoring using Ultrasonic Techniques, Laboratory Testing of Structural Components, and the Application of Green Construction Materials. Additionally, Ali explores Structural Fire Engineering and the integration of Machine Learning into structural analysis.

HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Ali has been recognized for his academic excellence, ranking in the top 1% out of approximately 148,429 participants in the National Post-Secondary University Entrance Exam in Iran in September 2017. He also ranked 27th in the nationwide M.Sc. Civil Engineering program entrance exam among over 30,000 candidates in October 2021. His leadership skills were evident when he served as the Secretary of the University of Mazandaran Students' Scientific Association in the Department of Civil Engineering from December 2020 to August 2021.

RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS

Ali has made significant contributions to the field of civil engineering through his research. He co-authored a paper with Nematzadeh and Tayebi in 2022, titled “Post-fire impact behavior and durability of steel fiber-reinforced concrete containing blended cement–zeolite and recycled nylon granules as partial aggregate replacement,” published in the Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. In 2024, he collaborated with Toufigh on a paper examining the effects of elevated temperatures and re-curing on concrete containing rice husk ash, which appeared in Construction and Building Materials. Ali also presented a conference paper on the compressive strength analysis of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete using a machine learning approach at the Second International Congress of Civil Engineering, Architecture, Building Materials, and Environment.

APPLICATION OF GREEN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Ali is passionate about sustainable construction practices, particularly the application of green construction materials. His research focuses on developing eco-friendly solutions and incorporating materials like blended cement-zeolite and recycled nylon granules to enhance the durability and environmental impact of construction projects.

NONDSTRUCTIVE TESTING AND STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING

Ali’s expertise extends to nondestructive testing and structural health monitoring, utilizing advanced ultrasonic techniques. His work in this area aims to improve the safety and longevity of structures by identifying and addressing potential issues without causing damage.

PERSONAL INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

Outside of his professional and academic pursuits, Ali enjoys a variety of activities that enrich his life. He is an avid reader and translator, enjoys computing, and has a keen interest in research. His hobbies also include swimming, bicycle riding, art, photography, and traveling, all of which contribute to his well-rounded personality and diverse skill set.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Effects of elevated temperatures and re-curing on concrete containing rice husk ash

Authors: Nazari, A., Toufigh, V.
Year: 2024
Journal: Construction and Building Materials, 439, 137277

Spatiotemporal deep learning approach for estimating water content profiles in soil layers

Authors: Fazel Mojtahedi, F., Ghaffari, M.A., Rahmati, S., Sadeghi, H., Vanapalli, S.K.
Year: 2023
Conference: E3S Web of Conferences, 382, 22003

Use of InSAR data for measuring land subsidence induced by groundwater withdrawal and climate change in Ardabil Plain, Iran

Authors: Ghorbani, Z., Khosravi, A., Maghsoudi, Y., Javadnia, E., Nazari, A.
Year: 2022
Journal: Scientific Reports, 12(1), 13998

Correction to: Comparison of Soil Strength Parameters in a Small and Large Scale Direct Shear Test (Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation, 10.1007/978-3-030-01665-4_41)

Authors: Mojtahedi, S.F.F., Rezvani, S., Nazari, A.
Year: 2019
Journal: Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation, pp. C1–C3

Correction to: Comparison of Soil Strength Parameters in a Small and Large Scale Direct Shear Test (Recent Advances in Geo-Environmental Engineering, Geomechanics and Geotechnics, and Geohazards, Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation, 10.1007/978-3-030-01665-4_41)

Authors: Mojtahedi, S.F.F., Rezvani, S., Nazari, A.
Year: 2018
Journal: Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation, pp. C1–C3