Ali Dalalbashi

Profile

I am an associate researcher in Civil Engineering, specialising in multi-scale experimental analysis, durability assessment of construction materials, and advanced numerical modelling.

In October 2024, I joined the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow, focusing on developing self-sensing, cement-free materials for sustainable construction. My research centres on Textile-Reinforced Smart Mortar (TRSM), a durable, eco-friendly composite designed to enhance masonry structures, including cultural heritage sites. TRSM incorporates natural textile fabrics embedded in lime mortar, reinforced with electrically conductive carbon microfibres (CMF), boosting mechanical strength and self-sensing capabilities for strain measurement and damage detection. This innovation bolsters preventive maintenance strategies and aids in preserving historical structures.

Previously, I was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro in Portugal, where I focused on developing the next generation of modular structures. My research examined the structural performance of steel-based modular systems through advanced numerical modelling.

I earned my PhD from the University of Minho, where I conducted a multi-level investigation into the durability performance of textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) composites. My contributions have been recognised with the Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis Award from The Masonry Society (TMS) and the Outstanding Paper Award from RILEM and the Materials and Structures journal editorial board.

Research interests

Strengthening masonry and concrete structures

Developing smart construction materials

Self-sensing materials

Durability and long-term performance of construction materials

Structural Health Monitoring.

 

Qualifications

• PhD in Structural Engineering, 2022
• MSc in Structural Engineering, 2008
• BSc in Civil Engineering, 2005