– READ MORE ABOUT HAYDER –
Hayder’s career and academic history
Hayder obtained his B.Sc. and M. Sc. in civil engineering from the University of Babylon in Iraq in 2009 and 2012 respectively. During his MS studies, he investigated the behavior of concrete-filled steel tube columns strengthened with carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). On 1/18/2022, he successfully defended his Ph.D. in civil/structural engineering from the University of Kansas.
In addition to spending time as a project engineer for HECO, Hayder also has experience as a field civil engineer for the ALWASAYA Company and QC engineer and manager for the TRIARENA Spanish Company. His knowledge and expertise include finite element modeling (FE), forensics investigation, condition assessment, structures health monitoring, structures strengthening, composite materials CFRP, fatigue and fracture, damage detection, and retrofitting in steel bridge structures.
Throughout his time working in the field, Hayder has built an impressive record of success. His original research has spanned nationally relevant topics such as automated bridge inspection, distortion-induced fatigue in steel bridges, and SCC filled steel tubular stub columns has been published and widely cited in his field.
He has been regularly invited to conduct peer review for esteemed journals in the field, including Journal of Bridge Engineering, and journal of Advances in Materials Science and Engineering.
Ash Mountain Wastewater Treatment Systems servicing Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is one of several National Park projects Hayder has lent his structural expertise to. READ MORE
Topic of defense
In his work at the University of Kansas, Hayder investigated methods for crack detection and retrofitting in steel bridges. His PhD dissertation can be broken down into four research topics:
1- Develop Digital Image Correlation (DIC) crack characterization method and Evaluate its ability to characterize complex out-of-plane (OOP) Distortion Induced Fatigue (DIF) crack.
2- Evaluate the predictive capabilities of three Finite Elements (FE) techniques for characterizing DIF cracking propensity and evaluate the impact of component thickness on angles-with-plate efficacy.
3- Examine effectiveness of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strengthening in reducing crack propagation susceptibility and investigate the influence of various modeling parameters on the efficacy of CFRP strengthening.
4- Develop a retrofit for DIF cracks that does not require concrete deck removal and examine its efficacy for the cases that include long web-to-flange cracks, or in cases where cracks may extend beyond the edges of a steel-only retrofit.
Growth and an engineer
As he continues with his career, Hayder will continue to draw upon his experience in damage detection, structural integrity assessment, finite element modeling, experimentation and simulation, and comprehensive technical writing to conduct the conditional assessment, forensic investigation, technical evaluation, and development of mitigatory solutions for different types of infrastructures across the nation. His transferable skills center around collaboration with research team and supervision undergraduate students: Public Speaking, Leadership, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, time and project management.
Hayder’s acknowledgements
- Guidance, patience, and motivation of my advisor.
- Feedback from my committee and peers.
- My family unconditional support and encouragement throughout my education.
- My lovely wife and son for giving me the spirit to follow my dreams.
- Friends and fellow graduate students who shared, helped, and supported me during my Ph.D. study.
- My coworkers at HECO who always support and cheer for me beside the flexible time at HECO that helped me managing my PhD commitments.
“I have a passion for structural engineering. I have always had a dream to earn an advance degree from the US and I strongly believe that if you have the courage to pursue your dream, it will come true.”
Hayder now joins HECO’s growing PhD staff member list which includes Rock (Lin) Xu, George Murgel, and fellow structural engineer Joe Eixenberger. With this incredible accomplishment, Hayder adds to his highly regarded reputation as both a talented engineer and an overall excellent human being. HECO’s staff and clientele are privileged to have Hayder apart of our team and we are looking forward to seeing the continued development of his career!