Ala' Abu Taqa

I am a PhD holder lives in Qatar. Currently, I am an assistant professor at Aqaba University of Technology at Aqaba- Jordan. I have been assigned on the online courses at the civil engineering department where the lectures are given via Zoom meetings. However, I am traveling to Aqaba to be with the students during their first, second and final exams.

I am teaching the following courses: Fluid mechanics, Hydrology, Hydraulics, Design of reinforced concrete course, Steel design course, Structural Analysis, Design of Steel Structures, Modelling techniques, Research Methodologies and Technical writing, Supervision on graduation projects.

Teaching Experience: 

Nov. 2020- Current: Assistant Professor, Engineering Department (Munib & Anjela Al-Masri), Aqaba University of Technology, Aqaba- Jordan. 

• Teaching the following courses online to the engineering department’s students and physical presence with the students during the first, second and final exams:

1. Fluid mechanics
2. Hydrology course
3. Hydraulics course 
4. Design of reinforced concrete course
5. Steel design course 
6. Structural Analysis. 
7. Design of Steel Structures. 
8. Modelling techniques 
9. Research Methodologies and Technical writing
10. Supervision on graduation projects. 

Sep. 2008- Sep. 2009: Teaching Assistant, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.

• Mechanics of Materials: Prepared homework solutions; and mid-term projects with final solutions.
• Lab Instructor (Concrete Lab): Graded exams and reports.
•  

April. 2015- 2018: Mentor (UREP), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

• The title of the project is “Basalt fibers for durable self-compacting concrete”. 
• The main goal of the research is to provide research-based recommendations for the use of SCC reinforced with basalt fibers in Qatar, to perform laboratory tests according to ASTM standards to collect data to determine/validate the mechanical properties and constructability of SCC reinforced with basalt fibers, such as, workability, compressive strength, tension strength, etc. and to optimize the volume fraction to be added to SCC. 

 

Feb. 2013- March 2014: Mentor (UREP), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

• The title of the project is “Structural Behavior of Self-Compacting Concrete Elements”. 
• The main goal of the research is to study the splitting tensile strength, the shear capacity and the long-term deflection of reinforced concrete elements made of self-compacting concrete, and propose modification for the ACI code equations related to those terms.

Current and Accomplished Researches:

1. December. 2020- December, 2021: Postdoctoral scholar PDRA 5-0228-19001, Qatar Foundations, Doha, Qatar.

• The title of the project is "The Utilization of TBM Muck and Substation Excavation Wastes Generated in Qatar for Construction Applications "
• The research is the first attempt at characterizing the use of tunnel boring machine (TBM) muck generated from Doha Metro Project in Qatar for construction applications. 

 

1. November. 2015- 2019: Postdoctoral associate NPRP 6-280-2-117, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

• The title of the project is " Mimicking Self-Healing Mechanisms of Living Organisms in Reinforced Concrete Structures"
• The main goal of the research is to test the hypothesis that dual-action healing can drastically improve the self-repairing properties of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The dual-action healing will be obtained by combining concrete prepared with microcapsules self-healing agents with different types of steel reinforcement including Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) reinforcement.

 

1. April. 2015- Current: Research Mentor (UREP), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

• The title of the project is “Basalt fibers for durable self-compacting concrete”. 
• The main goal of the research is to provide research-based recommendations for the use of SCC reinforced with basalt fibers in Qatar, to perform laboratory tests according to ASTM standards to collect data to determine/validate the mechanical properties and constructability of SCC reinforced with basalt fibers, such as, workability, compressive strength, tension strength, etc. and to optimize the volume fraction to be added to SCC. 

 

1. Feb. 2013- March 2014: Research Mentor (UREP), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

• The title of the project is “Structural Behaviour of Self-Compacting Concrete Elements”. 
• The main goal of the research is to study the splitting tensile strength, the shear capacity and the long-term deflection of reinforced concrete elements made of self-compacting concrete, and propose modification for the ACI code equations related to those terms. 

1. Sep. 2012- June 2015: Research Assistant NPRP (basis of doctorate), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

• The title of the project is " Elastic Properties of nanocomposite Cementitious Materials " (part of NPRP “Nanocomposite and Multifunctional Cementitious Materials for Fracture-Resistant Concrete Structures”).
• The main goal of the research is to explore the integration of carbon nanofiber (CNF) and carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforcements in cementitious materials for achieving significant and simultaneous enhancements in their strength and ductility, with special emphasis placed on quantifying and controlling both dispersion and interfacial bond of these carbon nano filaments in the cement paste.
• The main duty is to Develop and conduct novel multiscale theoretical and computational modeling of CNF/CNT-cement composite that can be used to guide the design of superior nanocomposite cement.
• This is carried out using the sophisticated non-linear 3D finite element analysis package, ABAQAS.

 Future Direction and Potential of Work:

1. Submitting proposal for the upcoming cycles of NPRP and ECRA programs (funded by Qatar Foundations, QNRF) dealing with using some waste materials as composite reinforcement and computational modelling of the composite behaviour. 
2. Submitted proposal (with collaboration of University of Houston) to Texas Department of Transportation Annual Research Project (USA) on the Direct Determination of Cement Composition by X-Ray Diffraction.
3. Submitted two funding proposals (with collaboration of University of Houston) to Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, PCI (USA) with the following titles:
4. Computational modelling of behaviour of Precast Concrete Double Tee Beams Reinforced with Basalt Mesh
5. High Strength CNT/CNF Foamed Concrete for Precast Panels

EDUCATION

Sep. 2011- 2015 Ph.D., Civil Engineering 

Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

Dissertation: “Elastic Properties of nanocomposite Cementitious Materials ”,

Advisor: Dr. Ramzi Taha, Ph.D, Professor and chair, Department of Civil & Architectural Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.

Co-advisor: Dr. Ahmed R. Senouci, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Associate Professor, Department of Construction Management, University of Houston, Houston.

Co-advisor: Dr. Rashid K. Abu Al-Rub, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Sep. 2006- Feb. 2010  M.Sc., Civil Engineering

University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.

Dissertation: “Structural Analysis and Design using Computer Software: Benefits and Risks”,

Advisor: Raed M. Samra, Professor,

Department of Civil Engineering,

University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.

Aug. 2002- June 2006  B.Sc., Civil Engineering

University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.

“Ranked 2nd among 86 students for the academic year 2005-2006.”

Department of Civil Engineering,

University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Mechanics of Novel Micro/Nano Materials (e.g, nanocomposites,).
• Cementations Materials modeling and testing at various scales.
•  Novel Material simulation using non-linear finite element analysis packages, (e.g. ABAQAS).
• Hydraulic engineering
• Computational Modeling and analysis using commercial software.