Highly motivated Civil Engineering PhD candidate specializing in sustainable materials science and advanced construction technologies. Expert in designing and developing innovative geopolymer materials from recycled construction and demolition waste, significantly contributing to energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. Proven ability to conduct rigorous experimental and numerical investigations, optimize material properties, and publish high-impact research findings in leading journals.
Junior Researcher
Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Summary
Leading innovative materials research for sustainable construction, focusing on geopolymer development and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Highlights
Designed and developed advanced hybrid laminated materials, including Fire-Resistant Geopolymers (FRG) and Smart Geopolymer Composite Materials (SCGM), for enhanced structural performance.
Optimized printable synthesis conditions for geopolymer mortars, leveraging principles from ancient architectural Roman mortars for sustainable construction applications.
Pioneered the design and development of geopolymers from waste ceramic tile and brick, achieving significant energy efficiency gains and reduced carbon emissions through advanced geopolymerization and additive manufacturing.
Utilized advanced characterization techniques (XRD, XRF, FTIR, SEM) to analyze chemical composition and microstructural properties, providing critical insights into energy-efficient building materials.
Developed novel composite materials with improved thermal insulation properties, conducting rigorous experiments to measure performance and durability, contributing to energy-efficient building design.
Optimized printable geopolymer slurry synthesis for additive manufacturing from waste tile and brick powders, enhancing pumpability, extrudability, and buildability parameters during 3D printing applications.
Co-led the EU-funded DEFEAT project (INTEGRATED/0918/0052), developing innovative insulation fire-resistant façades from construction and demolition waste, significantly mitigating environmental impacts.
Contributed to the BAM project (EXCELLENCE/0421/0137), developing Hybrid Laminated Materials (HLM) and Smart Composite Geopolymer Concrete (SCGC) engineered for extreme conditions (blasts, impacts, fires) using sustainable raw materials.
Civil Engineer Trainee
Agia Napa, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Summary
Supported on-site construction and inspection for ten luxurious residential buildings and two high-rise structures, ensuring design compliance and structural integrity.
Highlights
Assisted in cross-checking designs and supervised on-site construction of reinforced structures for 10 luxurious residential buildings and two high-rise structures, ensuring adherence to specifications.
Civil Engineer Trainee
Agia Napa, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Summary
Conducted static analysis, design, and inspection of multi-storey structures, contributing to structural integrity and safety.
Highlights
Performed static analysis, design, and inspection for multi-storey structures, ensuring compliance with engineering standards and safety protocols.
Civil Engineer
Ngara, Tanzania, Tanzania, United Republic of
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Summary
Managed the construction and maintenance of paved and unpaved roads, ensuring project quality and timely completion.
Highlights
Oversaw the construction and maintenance of paved and unpaved roads, ensuring adherence to engineering specifications and project timelines.
Civil Engineer Trainee
Tabora, Tanzania, Tanzania, United Republic of
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Summary
Conducted material and field testing for road construction projects, ensuring quality control and compliance with standards.
Highlights
Performed comprehensive material laboratory testing to ensure quality and compliance with project specifications.
Conducted on-site field materials testing, verifying material integrity and performance for road construction.
Supervised construction activities for both paved and unpaved roads, maintaining quality standards and project progress.
Site Engineer Trainee
Bukoba, Tanzania, Tanzania, United Republic of
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Summary
Oversaw on-site construction and inspection of water treatment plant components, including reservoirs and distribution mains, ensuring project quality and operational readiness.
Highlights
Supervised the construction and inspection of critical water treatment plant components, including intake structures, aeration cascades, pumping stations, filters, reservoirs, chemical facilities, and sludge drying beds.
Managed the construction of extensive distribution mains and pipelines, developed a 2500m³ square reservoir and a 1200m³ round reservoir, and oversaw the construction of staff housing and an administration building.
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Civil Engineering
Courses
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Thermophysical, Mechanical and Fire Performance Characteristics of Novel Sustainable Composites Developed from Recycled Construction and Demolition Waste (Thesis)
Design and Development of Composite Materials with CDW-based Geopolymers Engineered to Withstand High Temperature up to 1050°C
Characterization of Materials using XRD, XRF, FTIR and SEM Techniques
Characterization of Fire-Performance
Numerical Simulation of Composite Materials
Awarded By
International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures (RILEM), FRANCE
Member (Membership number: 43768).
Awarded By
Institute of Concrete Technology, UK
Member (Membership number: S1363). Link: https://theict.org.uk/
Awarded By
Frederick University
Awarded for significant contributions and positive impact on the community.
Awarded By
Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET), UK
Associate Member (Membership number: 1101085139).
Awarded By
Frederick University
Recognized for outstanding academic performance in the Master of Science in Structural Engineering program.
Awarded By
Frederick University
Awarded a scholarship for doctoral studies in Civil Engineering, recognizing academic merit and research potential.
Awarded By
Frederick University
Received a scholarship for Master of Science studies in Structural Engineering.
Published by
Construction and Building Materials
Summary
Analyzed the mechanical behavior of alkali-activated materials made from construction and demolition waste under fire conditions.
Published by
Springer in Journal of Materials and Structures
Summary
(Under Review) Explored the development and validation of an innovative hybrid laminate material for enhanced blast and fire protection of structures.
Published by
Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Green Construction 2023, ICGC
Summary
Presented the development and implementation of an automated prototype for sorting construction and demolition waste.
Published by
Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Green Construction 2023, ICGC
Summary
Investigated the adhesive bond strength of fire-resistant thermal insulation composite geopolymer materials made from construction and demolition waste.
Published by
Proceedings of fib Symposium 2023, Building for the future: Durable, Sustainable, Resilient
Summary
Showcased the design and preliminary results of novel blast and fire-resistant composite materials.
Published by
Proceedings of TMS 2023 152nd Annual Meeting
Summary
Presented findings on new eco-friendly inorganic polymeric materials for passive fire protection in structures.
Published by
Journal of Building Engineering
Summary
Investigated the high-temperature performance of geopolymers derived from construction and demolition waste, contributing to sustainable building materials research.
Published by
Waste Management
Summary
Developed and evaluated deep learning methods for real-time detection of construction and demolition waste, enhancing waste management efficiency.
Published by
Proceedings of International Conference on Regeneration and Conservation of Structures (ICRCS)
Summary
Presented research on developing an innovative insulation fire-resistant material derived from construction and demolition waste.
Geopolymers, Waste Utilization, Additive Manufacturing, 3D Printing, Recycled Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), Eco-friendly Technologies.
Static Analysis, Risk and Reliability Analysis, Bridge Design, Multi-storey Structures.
Research Project Management, Deadline Management, Time Management, Planning, Independent Work.
Scientific Writing, Journal Publications, Conference Presentations, Peer Review, Academic Publishing.
Quantitative Research Methods, Statistical Analysis, Data Interpretation.
Slurry Synthesis Optimization, Rheological Investigation, Additive Manufacturing Parameter Optimization.
On-site Supervision, Quality Control, Structural Inspection, Design Compliance.
Paved Roads, Unpaved Roads, Material Testing (Laboratory & Field).
Intake Structures, Aeration Cascades, Pumping Station Houses, Rapid Gravity Sand Filters, Clearwater Reservoirs, Chemical Facilities, Sludge Sedimentation Tanks, Sludge Drying Beds, Distribution Mains and Pipelines.
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Docs.
Zoom.
HOLOBIM, SAP2000, SHIMI SAFE, MASTER SERIES, PROTA.
Rheotex, Simplify 3D, Comsol Multiphysics.
XRD (X-ray Diffraction), XRF (X-ray Fluorescence), FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), Pore Size Distribution Analysis, Thermal Conductivity Testing, Fire Performance Testing.
Composite Materials Simulation, Finite Element Analysis, Monte Carlo Simulation.
PhD Supervisor, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Frederick University, 7 Yianni Frederickou Street Pallouriotissa, 1036 Nicosia, Cyprus. Tel.: +357.22.394.394 (ext. 46126). Email: d.nicolaides@frederick.ac.cy
Associate Professor, Head of Department of Civil Engineering, Frederick University, 7 Yianni Frederickou Street Pallouriotissa, 1036 Nicosia, Cyprus. Tel.: +35799209797. Email: eng.cp@frederick.ac.cy
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Frederick University, 7 Yianni Frederickou Street Pallouriotissa, 1036 Nicosia, Cyprus. Email: eng.oc@frederick.ac.cy