Dr. Ayah Alkhawaldeh | FRP in Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award
Doctorate at Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan
Profiles:
🎓Early Academic Pursuits
Ayah Ahmad Faris Alkhawaldeh, born on January 25, 1991, in Jordan, has shown a strong commitment to the field of civil engineering from a young age. Her educational journey began at Al-Wesam Golden Educational School in Amman, Jordan, where she excelled in the Science branch of The General Secondary Education (Tawjihi), achieving an impressive average of 90.8%.
Her passion for engineering led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Al-Balqa’a Applied University, where she graduated with an excellent GPA of 3.65/4 in 2013. Her graduation project involved the redesign of the “EDGO OFFICE BUILDING” in Al-Abdali city, Amman-Jordan, showcasing her practical skills and innovative thinking early in her career.
Determined to advance her expertise, Ayah pursued a Master of Science in Civil Engineering/Structures at The University of Jordan, where she graduated in 2016 with a remarkable GPA of 3.92/4. Her thesis, “Rehabilitation of Fire Damaged Short Reinforced Concrete Columns Externally Confined with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP),” laid the groundwork for her future research endeavors.
Ayah’s academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering/Structures from Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2022. Her dissertation, “Strengthening of Heat-Damaged Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Joints using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers,” was distinguished by its high GPA of 4.05/4, earning her the top rank in her cohort. This achievement underscores her dedication to excellence in her field.
🏢Professional Endeavors
Ayah’s professional journey began in 2014 when she worked at Iratec Engineering Company in Wadi Saqra, Jordan. Her experience in the industry provided her with valuable practical insights that complemented her academic knowledge.
In 2016, she embarked on an academic career, joining Al-Balqa’a Applied University as a full-time lecturer. Here, she taught various courses, including Strength of Materials, Structural Analysis, Reinforced Concrete Design, and Pre-stressed Concrete Design, to both bachelor’s and diploma degree students. Her ability to convey complex concepts effectively made her a respected educator.
Ayah continued to expand her teaching portfolio by serving as a part-time lecturer and researcher at Jordan University of Science and Technology from 2017 to 2021. During this period, she taught courses such as Strength of Materials, Structural Analysis, and Materials of Construction Lab. Her involvement in ABET accreditation initiatives demonstrated her commitment to maintaining high educational standards.
Her teaching career also included stints at Al-Ahliyya Amman University, the American University of Madaba, and Arab University College of Technology. At each institution, Ayah’s expertise and dedication were evident in the diverse range of courses she taught, including Earthquake Engineering, Structural Systems, and Design of Steel Structures.
🔬Contributions and Research Focus
Ayah’s research interests center on the rehabilitation and strengthening of reinforced concrete structures, particularly those damaged by fire or heat. Her work on the use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) for strengthening structures has significant implications for enhancing the durability and safety of buildings.
Her recent research has focused on sustainability in construction, as evidenced by her publication on the “Sustainability Evaluation and Life Cycle Assessment of Concretes Including Pozzolanic By-Products and Alkali-Activated Binders.” This work highlights her commitment to environmentally friendly construction practices.
Ayah’s contributions extend to the integration of advanced technologies in construction. Her research on the “Integration of 3D Printing and Machine Learning in Sustainable Construction” explores the feasibility and challenges of adopting these innovative approaches in the industry.
🏆Accolades and Recognition
Throughout her academic and professional journey, Ayah has received numerous accolades that recognize her exceptional contributions to civil engineering. She was awarded a fully funded Ph.D. scholarship from Jordan University of Science and Technology (2017-2021) and an M.Sc. scholarship from the Scientific Research Support Fund at the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research-Jordan (2014-2016).
Her distinguished academic performance earned her the Practice Academic Work License from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, further validating her expertise and commitment to advancing knowledge in her field.
🌍Impact and Influence
Ayah’s research has garnered attention in the academic community, with several of her papers published in refereed journals indexed by Scopus. Her work on “The action of heated RC joints strengthened with a novel strategy combined CFRP and SSEMSM under a quasi-static cyclic load” and the “Response of Overhanging RC Beams Strengthened with Various Schemes of Externally Bonded CFRP Strips” has contributed valuable insights to the field of structural engineering.
Her influence extends beyond academia, as she actively participates in professional organizations such as the Jordanian Engineers Association. Her engagement with industry and academia bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical application, ensuring that her work has a tangible impact on the construction industry.
🌟Legacy and Future Contributions
As Ayah continues her career, her legacy will be defined by her contributions to the field of civil engineering, particularly in the areas of structural rehabilitation and sustainable construction. Her dedication to teaching and research ensures that future generations of engineers will benefit from her expertise and insights.
📖Publications:
Paper Title: The action of heated RC joints strengthened with a novel strategy combined CFRP and SSEMSM under a quasi-static cyclic load
- Authors: Ayah A. Alkhawaldeh, R.Z. Al-Rousan
- Journal: Engineering Structures
- Year: 2024
Paper Title: Harmonizing smart technologies with building resilience and sustainable built environment systems
- Authors: M. Alhassan, Ayah Alkhawaldeh, N. Betoush, L. Amaireh, A. Onaizi
- Journal: Results in Engineering
- Year: 2024
Paper Title: Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainability Characteristics of Built Environment Systems
- Authors: Ayah Alkhawaldeh, N. Betoush, A. Sawalha, M. Alhassan, K. Abdalla
- Journal: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
- Year: 2024
Paper Title: Optimizing Cyclic Response of Non-Ductile RC Joints Subjected to Heat Using Stainless-Steel Expanded Metal Sheet Mesh
- Authors: Ayah A. Alkhawaldeh, R.Z. Al-Rousan
- Journal: Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering
- Year: 2024
Paper Title: The Efficiency of Using Machine Learning Techniques in Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer Applications in Structural Engineering
- Authors: M. Alhusban, M. Alhusban, Ayah A. Alkhawaldeh
- Journal: Sustainability (Switzerland)
- Year: 2024