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About Dr. Adel Abdelnaby

Abdelnaby holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2012). He has been on the faculty of the Department of Civil Engineering at The University of Memphis since the fall of 2012. His professional experience includes working as a design engineer at ACE Consulting Engineers Moharram-Bakhoum, one of the largest construction and civil engineering companies in the Middle East. Dr. Abdelnaby's research interests are primarily in the areas of structural dynamics, earthquake engineering, structural health monitoring, life-cycle analysis of structures subjected to multiple hazards, application of innovative and smart materials in structures for hazard mitigation, passive and active control of structures, and nonlinear finite element methods. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses related to the behavior and design of steel structures, nonlinear analysis of structural systems, and mechanics of materials.

Dr. Abdelnaby is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), American Concrete Institute (ACI), Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), and American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). He also acts as a reviewer for several journals in structural engineering. Dr. Abdelnaby is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) at multiple states and licensed Structural Engineer (S.E.) at Illinois.

Research Interests

Analytical/Experimental Hybrid Simulation

• Quasi-static and pseudo-dynamic testing and hybrid simulation of full and scaled-structural components, and systems.
• Development of control algorithms, instrumentation, and advanced measurement techniques.

Sustainable construction

• Life-cycle analysis of lifeline structures and buildings as influenced by aging and deterioration under repeated natural hazards.
• Development of sustainability metrics for civil infrastructure.
• Use of advanced materials and structural optimization tools for sustainable construction.

Advanced materials in civil engineering

• Material response characterization through testing.
• Development of constitutive models.
• Implementation of complicated material models in numerical tools for computer simulation.

Structural health monitoring

• Response monitoring of existing bridges and buildings.
• In-service evaluation of structures.

Vulnerability assessment of structures

• Development of vulnerability curves for special and populations of structures under extreme loading conditions.
• Development of loss estimation and mitigation strategies.

Structural stability and design of steel and composite steel/concrete structures

• Establishment of numerical models that incorporate material and geometrical non-linearities and consider structure stability under monotonic, cyclic and earthquake motions.
• Progressive collapse of steel buildings.

Publications [check also Google Scholar]

Journal Publications

- Omranian, E., Abdelnaby, A., Abollahzadeh, G. (2018) " Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of RC Skew Bridges Subjected to Mainshock-Aftershock Sequences," Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (accepted for publication).

- Oygus, R., Toros, C., Abdelnaby, A. (2018) "Seismic Behavior of Irregular Reinforced-Concrete Structures under Multiple Earthquake Excitations," Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 104, pp. 15-32.

- Ismail, A., Abdelnaby, A., Larson, T. (2018) "High-resolution P- and S-wave Seismic Reflection Followed by Engineering Modeling for Geotechnical Site Characterization in Southern Illinois," Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, Vol. 22(4), pp. 375-384.

- Hosseinpour, F., Abdelnaby, A. (2017) "Fragility Curves for RC Frames under Multiple Earthquakes," Journal of Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 98, pp. 222-234.

- Abdelnaby, A. "Fragility Curves for RC Frames Subjected to Tohoku Mainshock-aftershocks Sequences," Journal of Earthquake Engineering (accepted for publication). view article online

- Hosseinpour, F., Abdelnaby, A. (2017) "Effect of different aspects of multiple earthquakes on the nonlinear behavior of RC structures," Soil Dynamic and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 92C, pp. 706-725. (DOI: 10.1016/j.soildyn.2016.11.006). view article online

- Movaghati, S., Abdelnaby, A. (2016) "Advancements in Fragility Analysis using Numerical Calibration Methods for a Horizontally Curved RC Bridge," Engineering Structures, Vol. 125C, pp. 236-243. (DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.07.017). view article online

- Abdelnaby, A., Elnashai, A. (2015) "Numerical Modeling and Analysis of RC Frames Subjected to Multiple Earthquakes," Earthquakes and Structures, An International Journal Vol. 9, No. 5 pp. 957-981. (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/eas.2015.9.5.957). view article online

- Hosseinpour, F., Abdelnaby, A. (2015) "Statistical Evaluation of the Monotonic Models for FRP Confined Concrete Prisms," Advances in Concrete Construction, An International Journal Vol. 3, No. 3 pp. 161-185. (DOI: 10.12989/acc.2015.3.3.161). view article online

- Abdelnaby, A., Frankie, T., Spencer, B. (2014) "Numerical and Hybrid Analysis of a Curved Bridge and Methods of Numerical Model Calibration," Engineering Structures, Vol. 70C pp. 234-245 (D.O.I. 10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.04.009). view article online

- Abdelnaby, A., Elnashai, A. (2014) "Performance of Degrading Reinforced Concrete Frame Systems under Tohoku and Christchurch Earthquake Sequences," Journal of Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 18(7) pp. 1009-1036 (DOI:10.1080/13632469.2014.923796). view article online

- Spencer, B., Chang, C., Frankie, T., Kuchma, D., Silva, P., Abdelnaby, A. (2014) "A Phased Approach to Enable Hybrid Simulation of Complex Structures," Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration, Vol. 13 pp. 63-77 (D.O.I. 10.1007/s11803-014-0240-2). view article online

- Abdelnaby, A., Elnashai, A. (2013) "Integrity Assessment of the Pharos of Alexandria during the AD 1303 Earthquake," Engineering Failure Analysis, Vol. 33c, pp. 119-138. view article online

- Abdelnaby, A., Frankie, T., Spencer, B. (2013) "Numerical Hybrid Simulation Modeling Verification for a 3-Pier Bridge," Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, Vol. 11(5), pp. 48-51. view article online

- Abdelnaby, A., Machaly, E.S., Safar, S., "Parametric Analysis of Plate Girder Web Panels Subjected to Pure Shear", Journal of Engineering and Applied Science, Vol. 54, December 2007. view article online

- Abdelnaby, A., Machaly, E.S., Safar, S., "New Design Rules for Plate Girder Web Panels Subjected to Pure Shear", Journal of Engineering and Applied Science, Vol. 55, February 2008. view article online

- Abdelnaby, A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, PhD Dissertation (2012): Multiple Earthquake Effects on Degrading Reinforced Concrete Structures. view dissertation online

- Toros, C., Oyguc, R., Abdelnaby, A. "Seismic Behavior of Irregular Reinforeced-Concrete Structures under Multiple Earthquake Excitations," (under review).

- Ghaffari, Y., Pezeshk, S., Abdelnaby, A. "Evaluation of Load Increase factor in Progressive Collapse," (in preparation).

- Ismail, A., Abdelnaby, A. (2014) "High Resolution Seismic Investigation of a Structural Failure in South Illinois, USA", submitted for review.

Conference Publications

- Abdelnaby, A., and Elnashai, A. (2010) "Response of RC Buildings under Multiple Earthquakes", the 7th International Conference on Urban Earthquake Engineering & 5th International Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Tokyo, March 2010.

- Abdelnaby, A., Frankie, T., and Spencer, B. (2012) "Hybrid Simulation Modeling of a Curved Bridge", Design and Modeling in Science, Education, and Technology, Orlando, FL.

- Abdelnaby, A. (2012) "Performance of RC buildings under the March 11 Earthquakes in Japan," Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Memphis, TN.

- Abdelnaby, A., and Amr Elnashai (2012) "Response of Degrading RC Frames Under Replicate Motions", the 15th World Conference in Earthquake Engineering, Lisbon, Portugal, September 2012. view article online

- Frankie, T., Abdelnaby, A., Silva, P. (2013) "Hybrid Simulation of Curved Four-Span Bridge: Comparison of Numerical and Hybrid Experimental/Analytical Results and Methods of Numerical Model Calibration," Structures Congress, Pittsburg, PA, pp. 721-732. view article online

- Abdelnaby, A. (2013) "Methods of Bridge Numerical Model Calibration Using Hybrid Simulation," Quake summit, Nevada, Reno. 1

- Assadollahi, A., Abdelnaby, A. (2014) "Improved Student Understanding of Materials and Structures through Non-Traditional Laboratory Project," American Society of Engineering Education (Southeastern Section), Macon, GA. view article online

- Abdelnaby, A., Raji, F., Yohannes, A., Naimi, A., Mishra, S., Golias, M. (2014) "Impacts of the 1811-1812 Earthquakes on Existing Transportation Networks in Memphis Area." Tenth U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Anchorage, AK. view article online

- Hosseinpour, F., Abdelnaby, A. (2015) "Statistical Investigation of the Behavior of FRP Confined Concrete Prisms Based on Experimental Data," Structures Congress, Portland, OR, pp. 2260-2271.

- Movaghati, S., Abdelnaby, A. (2015) "Semi-rigid Steel Connection with Self-centering System," Structures Congress, Portland, OR.

- Hosseinpour, F., Abdelnaby, A. (2015) "Statistical Evaluation of the Compressive Strength Models for FRP Confined Concrete Rectangular Prisms using Experimental Data," Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Boston, MA.

- Movaghati, S., Abdelnaby, A. (2015) "Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Semi-rigid Connections with and without Self-centering Devices," Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Boston, MA.

- Ghaffari, Y., Pezeshk, S., Abdelnaby, A. (2015) "Improved Value for Load Increase Factor in Disproportionate Collapse," Structures Congress, Portland, OR.

- Movaghati, S., Abdelnaby, A. (2016) "Use of self-centering system to retrofit steel flexible moment connections," Geo-Structures Congress, Phoenix, AZ.

- Hosseinpur, F., Abdelnaby, A. (2016) "Inelastic behavior of structures under multiple earthquakes," Geo-Structures Congress, Phoenix, AZ.

- Rostamiam, M., Abdelnaby, A. (2016) "Reliability analysis of steel frames under earthquake loading using Meta-models," Joint Engineering Mechanics Institute and Probablistic Mechanics & Reliability Conference, Vanderbilt, TN.

- Abdelnaby, A. (2010) "Material Model Implementation in Zeus-NL", Mid America Earthquake Center, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, http://code.google.com/p/zeus-nl/wiki/06MaterialModelImplementation

- Abdelnaby, A. (October, 2011) "Earthquake Magnitude and Energy Release", AAAEA Newsletter, Chicago, IL.

Current and Previous Students

Sepehr Movaghati (PhD ~ 2016)
email: smvghati@memphis.edu
research topic: Semi-rigid Steel Connections with Self-Centering Devices

Farid Hosseinpour (PhD ~ 2017)
email: hosseinpour.farid@gmail.com
research topic: Multiple Earthquake Effects on reinforced concrete Structures

Ehsan Omranian (PhD ~ 2017)
email: eomranian@gmail.com
research topic: Fragility Analysis of RC Bridges Subjected to Repeated Earthquakes

Mehdi Rostamian (PhD ~ 2017)
email: rostamian.eng@gmail.com
research topic: Reliability analysis of steel frames under earthquake loading using Meta-models

Varshitha Avula (MSc ~ 2016)
email: vyavula@memphis.edu
research topic: Innovation in Design and Analysis of Steel Connections

Colton Baker (MSc ~ 2017)
email: cbaker7@memphis.edu
research topic: Nondestructive Testing of Infrastructure using GPR

Charles Armour (MSc ~ 2016, co-advised)
email: carmour1@memphis.edu
research topic: Optimization of Drilled Shafts

Sean Pezeshk (MSc ~ 2016, co-advised)
email: smpzeshk@memphis.edu
research topic: Post-tensioned Wood Frames

Cagatay Toros (MSc ~ 2015, co-advised: ITU)
email: cagataytoros@gmail.com
research topic: Capacity Assessment of 3D RC Structures under Multiple Earthquake Excitations

Opportunities for Prospective Students

Teaching and research assistant positions are available. Dr. Abdelnaby welcomes inquires from students interested in pursuing a graduate study in Civil Engineering at The University of Memphis. Preference will be given to students who are interested in a PhD degree (having an MS degree is not required).

If you are interested, please contact Dr. Abdelnaby from the contact information provided above. Please see Department's website for more information regarding the application and admission process: https://www.memphis.edu/ce

Teaching

Courses Taught as an Assistant Professor (University of Memphis)

• Nonlinear Analysis of Structures
• Structural Analysis II and Introduction to Finite Element Method
• Earthquake Resistant Design
• Mechanics of Materials
• Mechanics of Materials Lab
• Design of Steel Structures
• Intermediate Design of Steel Structures
• Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures

Courses Taught as a TA (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Cairo University)

• Fundamentals of Earthquake Engineering (course was taught on-campus and online),
• Steel Structures I,
• Steel Structures II,
• Steel Bridges,
• High Rise Steel Buildings,
• Steel Structures and Bridges Senior Graduation Project

Teaching Honors and Awards

A. Engaged Learning Fellowship:
Dr. Abdelnaby was awarded the Engaged Learning Fellowship. The funding from this fellowship was used to redesign his undergraduate steel design class (CIVL 3131) for spring 2015, to a practice-oriented course with the objective of developing strong ties between the University of Memphis students and local structural engineering consultants in the Memphis Area. The interaction between local engineering professionals and University students is considered a win/win situation for both the University of Memphis and the community.

B. American Institute Steel Construction Educator Workshop
Dr. Abdelnaby was awarded to attend the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Educator Workshop. This award includes all travel expenses to the workshop including travel, teaching aids and materials, meals and hotel. Dr. Abdelnaby shared his experience in teaching undergraduate and graduate classes on steel behavior and design. The workshop was held in Chicago on July 30-31, 2014.

Testing Facility

Multi-Axial Testing and Simulation (MAT-SIM) Facility

The following is a description of the features of the MAT-SIM facility at the University of Memphis. The facility is designed and established by Dr. Abdelnaby in 2013. The facility is funded by FedEx Institute of Technology through the research and innovation grant, which the applicant was its only Principle Investigator.

MAT-SIM Facility Overview
In the MAT-SIM facility at the University of Memphis, full- and small-scale structures or structural sub-assemblages are tested under complex loading and deformation states at multiple connection points on the structural specimen, including the connection between the structure and its foundation.

Principle Components and Information
The MAT-SIM facility includes (Figure 1 and Figure 2):

1. Two Linear (ShoreWestern) Actuators capable of imposing any displacement and/or force on structural components. The force and stroke capacities of the actuators are +/- 24 kips and +/- 10 inches. The tests conducted by these actuators could be displacement control, force control or mixed (displacement and force) mode control.
2. One dynamic actuator5.5 kip (25 kN) fatigue rated, oversized non-metallic bearings, one-piece, double ended 1¾ inch (44.4 mm) alloy piston rod, and concentrically mounted internal LVDT. Trunnion and swivel dual mounting.
3. Strong reaction frame: The facility is equipped with a strong reaction steel frame which enables testing of full-scale sub-structures. The frame can handle high static and dynamic forces with minimal/negligible deformations. The actuators are mounted to the strong frame (as shown in Figure 2) at one end and to the tested specimen at the other end. The strong reaction frame provides almost infinite stiffness and strength and enables testing of stiff specimens of high force capacities.
4. An 11 gpm (ShoreWestern) pump: the pump provides actuators with oil to impose force and/or displacement.
5. ShoreWestern Controller: the controller controls the flow of oil from the pump to the actuator to achieve the targeted displacement and/or forces during the test. The controller software is capable of imposing static as well as dynamic target forces/displacements to the tested specimen with very high precision.
6. Data acquisition system (DAQ): include advanced measurement systems of strains, displacements and slippage at critical locations of the specimen. The DAQ consists of the software (from National Instruments) which is capable of not only recording the test data but also post-process the data and provide results in different formats. The software can handle up to 80 channels. DAQ also includes strain gauges, potentiometers, LVDTS and load cells. Data Acquisition system also includes high resolution cameras and image processing software capable to capture deformation on the micro-scale of the tested structural component.