Civil and Environmental Engineering

Dr James A Quinn is a Research Associate in Composite Design and Testing at The University of Edinburgh and a member of the MATTERS Group, where his role focuses on connecting innovative research to practical applications.

He is experienced in many aspects of composite testing, with current research interests in multifunctional composite materials and structures. Building on his background in asset maintenance of thick marine composite structures, he is also involved in:

• electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance in composite structures
• multifunctional composite materials and structures
• non-destructive testing (particularly of thick fibre-reinforced polymer structures)
• mechanics of thick or large composites including sandwich structures
• fracture mechanics of polymer composites
• repair of polymers and polymer-composites.

I am an academic and university teacher at the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh. My expertise lies in structural engineering, sustainability, and advanced technologies with a strong focus on resilience and innovation in civil infrastructure. Throughout my academic career, I have contributed significantly to both teaching and research, leading projects that address contemporary engineering challenges using experimental and computational methodologies. My current research initiatives involve the integration of AI-driven methods for structural health monitoring, sustainable construction materials, and innovative structural solutions aimed at enhancing infrastructure sustainability and resilience.

PgCAP, Academic Practice, University of Edinburgh, UK (2025)

Associate Professorship (Docentlik) by the Interuniversity Council of Turkey (ÜAK) 2013

Associate Professorship by Ministry of Education, Albania (2013)

Ph.D. in Structural Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia (2008)

M.Sc. in Structural Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia (2002)

B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, University of Gaziantep, Turkey (1998)

Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng), Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)

Member of the Union of Chambers of Engineers and Architects of Turkey, Chamber of Civil Engineers.

Conceptual Design and Sustainability for Civil Engineers (CDSCE3)

Engineering Principles 1

Behaviour and Design of Structures 2

Prior Academic Teaching Roles

Reinforced Concrete Fundamentals (5) Structural Analysis (5) Structural Mechanics (5) Reinforced Concrete Structures (5) Bridge Engineering (3) Structural Design II (3) Solid Mechanics (4)

Graduate Courses:

Behavior of RC Members and Structures (4)Bridge Assessment (3) Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design (4) Advanced Structural Design (4)

_{*Number in brackets indicates the number of times the course has been taught.}

My research involves experimental and numerical investigations of reinforced concrete structures, earthquake-resistant buildings, and historical masonry structures. I have extensive expertise in the performance assessment of composite precast slab structures, unreinforced masonry buildings, and historical structures under static and dynamic loads. Additionally, I focus on developing innovative composite precast lightweight slabs, advanced assessment and repair techniques for reinforced concrete (RC) buildings and bridges, and masonry structures. My current projects include strengthening techniques for unreinforced masonry structures and studying the effects of anchorage on the axial strength of fiber-reinforced polymer confined rectangular columns. Additionally, my recent research involves bridge inspection using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and knowledge graphs for structural health monitoring, as well as the development of sustainable low-carbon bricks utilizing water-based polymeric binders and recycled aggregates.

• Structural performance assessment and AI-driven structural health monitoring
• Earthquake-resistant design
• Historical masonry structures
• Sustainable and innovative construction materials.

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Nikolas Ringas is a current PhD research student at the School of Engineering, The University of Edinbugh, under the supervision of Dr Yuner Huang and Prof Dilum Fernando. He gained his BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of West Attica in 2016 and his MEng (Hons) in Civil Engineerig from the University of Edinburgh in 2020, with his thesis focusing on the calibration of a continuum damage mechanics model for low-cycle fatigue of metals.

Then, he worked for The University of Edinburgh as a Research Assistant on a research programme funded by Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) through the iCon challenge fund, where he conducted experiments on the fastener behaviour on sheathed light-gauge steel structures. His current research focuses on the experimental investigation of the behaviour observed in sheathed cold-formed steel frames under severe in-plane and out-of-plane loading conditions. This comes in parallel to a numerical investigation with the purpose of quantifying the influence of composite action in sheathed CFS frames lateral behaviour.

• 2020 - MEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering, The University of Edinburgh
• 2016 - BSc in Civil Engineering, University of West Attica

• Member, International Association for Bridge & Structural Engineering (IABSE)
• Graduate Member, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), Advance HE
• Nominee for Student Tutor of the Year - EUSA Teaching Awards (2022), EUSA Teaching Awards 2023

• Tutor, Steel Structures 4
• Tutor, Concrete Structures 4
• Tutor, Structural Engineering Design Project 5
• Tutor, Structural Mechanics 2
• Tutor, Culture and Performance in the History of Construction

https://mazdias.wordpress.com

Dr Dias obtained his bachelor’s in physics at the State University of São Paulo, Brazil. Four years later, he commenced a MSc in theoretical physics from his alma mater. In 2012, he obtained his PhD degree from the University of Massachusetts, USA, where he researched on the mechanics of origami structures and growth mechanisms. Dr Dias has worked as a researcher on a broad range of topics in structural engineering and applied mathematics at Brown University School of Engineering (USA), Aalto University (Finland), and the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics at KTH (Sweden). Before joining the University of Edinburgh, Dr Dias was an Associate Professor of mechanical engineering at Aarhus University in Denmark, where he lead his research group 'Mechanical Metamaterials and Soft Matter’.

• Ph.D. in Physics (2012), University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
• M.Sc. in Physics (2007), Theoretical Physics Institute – IFT, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
• B.Sc. in Physics (2004), State University of São Paulo – UNESP, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil

• Theoretical mechancis
• Soft condensed matter physics
• Applied mathematics
• Differential geometry
• Dimensionally reduced models and structures (beams, rods, plates, and shells)
• Stability theory
• Mechanical metamaterials (Auxetic structures, origami, kirigami, etc)
• Biomechanics
• Fluid-structure interactions

Mankind cannot survive without potable water. Despite this, our potable water resources are becoming more polluted due to human activity (e.g., mining, industry and agriculture), rendering them unfit for consumption. Additionally, water scarcity is becoming more common with over 1/3 of the world’s population living in water stressed countries. In order to guarantee our survival, processes that allow obtaining clean potable water are crucial.

Nanofiltration (NF) membrane processes are increasingly popular as they supply high quality water, including drinking water, from water resources of varied quality. This process is commonly used in Scotland and Scandinavian countries, treating freshwater from lakes and reservoirs in order to produce drinking water. Membranes are however known to foul due to an accumulation of contaminants on the membrane surface which reduce quality and flow of permeated water, increasing operational and energy costs and reducing membrane life. Current cleaning regimes, which are mostly chemical based, are inefficient and they require process downtime. They can also modify the properties of the membrane, ultimately reducing its life.

This project will build upon our work [1, 2] focused on assessing and identifying which foulants and parameters affected membrane lifetime in water treatment in Scotland. The aim is to further understand fouling formation on the membrane surface, namely looking at the interplay between different relevant foulants like Natural Organic Matter, soluble and particulate Fe and Mn, as well as biofouling, in order to inform the design of more efficient cleaning strategies to prolong membrane life.

1. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EW00495C
2. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.4c00630

The research is rewarding and challenging, so applicants should have (or be close to obtaining) a 1^st class or 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geosciences, Microbiology or a related subject.

Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.

Applications are welcomed from self-funded students, or students who are applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or elsewhere

Competition (EPSRC) funding may be available for an exceptional candidate. Link below for the further details.

Further information and other funding options.