Agathoklis Giaralis

Khalifa University of Science and Technology

agathoklis.giaralis@ku.ac.ae

United Arab Emirates

Working Groups: WG2

ORCID

Scientific Expertise
Civil engineering

Scientific Background
I am a world-leading expert in structural vibrations suppression and monitoring in civil engineering structures, with a PhD on Computational Structural Dynamics from Rice University, TX, USA, funded by a Fulbright Scholarship. Currently, I am an Associate Professor at Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi leading the S3I research group on Smart Sustainable Structures and Energy Infrastructure, and Visiting Professor at City, University of London. On-going research in S3I explores the use of innovative vibrations mitigation technology and optimization-driven structural design to reduce the embodied carbon of slender structures through minimization of construction materials usage. Applications include tall buildings, highway bridges and offshore wind turbines. Latest research publications show that several hundreds of tons of steel and concrete can be saved in the design of new structures and in the retrofit of existing structures by using vibration control devices to meet design constraints in wind and earthquake prone areas.

Motivation
Based on recent research results summarized above, I have become to realize the necessity of advocating and raising with stakeholders of the civil/construction sector the feasibility of reducing embodied carbon through innovative vibration suppression technologies to achieve ever more slender, sustainable, material efficient, and aesthetically pleasing structures while meeting safety requirements against current and future adverse environmental loads. This requires stronger engagement with stakeholders and policymakers which aligns perfectly with the scope and tasks of WG2 of this COST action. This became clear to me after meeting with Rand Askar earlier this year in Abu Dhabi who briefed me on the work undertaken in this COST action and kindly invited me to join WG2.