Nangyaley Khan

Profile

A PhD student in the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds, specializing in Structural Engineering.  Has done Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 2019 from the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar, Pakistan, and Master of Science in Structural Engineering in 2023 from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.

His professional experience includes serving as a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at UET Peshawar for one year.  Also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant during master’s program at NUST Islamabad.  Before that had served as a Site Supervisor with National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) for a year.

His master's research focused on the durability, mechanical performance, and self-healing efficiency of fungi-based recycled aggregate concrete. This study involved utilizing fungi as a self-healing agent and incorporating recycled aggregates produced by crushing waste concrete into coarse aggregates. These aggregates were treated with fungi before being used in concrete. The findings demonstrated a significant enhancement in the durability and mechanical performance of recycled aggregate concrete, along with improved crack-healing efficiency.

In addition to his master’s research, have contributed to other projects in sustainable construction materials, which have been published in reputable academic journals. These projects include the incorporation of unhygienic and non-degradable waste materials into asphalt concrete to improve the performance of road pavements. Another notable project involved chemically treating bamboo to enhance its mechanical performance and bonding with concrete. This chemically treated bamboo was used as reinforcement in concrete beams, and the results indicated an improvement in the structural performance of bamboo-reinforced concrete beams.

His PhD research is aimed at exploring the behavior and compatibility of fungi as self-healing agents in alkali-activated materials. This research aims to reduce reliance on ordinary Portland cement, which is a significant source of CO₂ and greenhouse gas emissions during its production. Alkali-activated binders will serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional cement, while fungi will be utilized for self-crack repair and matrix densification through microbial-induced calcite precipitation.

Research interests

Green Concrete | Alkali Activated Binders | Bio Cementation | Bio-Based Sustainable Concrete | Bio-Based Self-Healing Concrete | Advanced Material Testing and Characterisation | Nanomaterials | Bacteria/Fungi Cultivation and Treatments | Bio-Calcium Cementitious Materials | Construction Waste Recycling

His previous research focused on the development of sustainable and innovative construction materials, while his current research interests align closely with advancing environment friendly practices in civil engineering. He is particularly interested in the development of green concrete, a sustainable alternative to traditional materials that emphasizes reducing the environmental impact of construction industries. His previous work has explored various approaches in improving the durability and performance of materials in the field of construction, including incorporation of construction and non-biodegradable wastes.

Bio-cementation and self-healing approaches are another area of great interest to him. He says to be fascinated by the potential of microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, to facilitate calcite precipitation for enhanced material strength and crack repair.

His research also delves into alkali-activated materials as a sustainable alternative to ordinary Portland cement, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with cement production. Investigating the compatibility of biological agents, such as fungi, for densification and self-healing applications is central to his PhD work. He is deeply interested in the characterization of materials to understand their chemical and microstructural properties.

By integrating waste management strategies, material characterization techniques, and bio-engineering innovations, his research aims at contributing to the broader goal of creating sustainable, durable, and high-performance materials for the construction industry.

Qualifications

• BS Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar
• MS Structure Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad