Mr Ahmad Alhamdan

(he/him)

BASc, MASc

Research

My research focuses on the development of low-carbon, high-performance concrete through the integration of recycled materials and supplementary cementitious binders. As part of the Resilient Structures and Construction Materials (RESCOM) group at Cardiff University, I work at the intersection of structural engineering and material sustainability, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of concrete without compromising durability, especially in aggressive environments.

Sustainable Concrete Mix Design

I am currently developing novel concrete mixtures that incorporate recycled plastics, including thermoset and thermoplastic waste, as partial aggregate replacements. These are combined with SCMs such as fly ash, silica fume, and rice husk ash to reduce reliance on Portland cement and enhance long-term performance.

Durability in Challenging Conditions

My work includes extensive laboratory and field-based testing to evaluate how these low-carbon systems perform under harsh exposure scenarios, focusing on shrinkage, porosity, strength, and long-term durability.

Heritage and Natural Materials Research

I have also contributed to a Historic England project examining the performance of traditional and bio-based materials in heritage construction. This work supports sustainable conservation strategies through evidence-based material evaluation.

Toward Circular and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

By integrating recycled content, alternative binders, and exposure-based testing, my research supports the development of climate-resilient, resource-efficient construction practices for both modern and heritage contexts.

Teaching

I lead tutorials, conduct lab demonstrations, and handle grading for the following courses:

• EN2400: Structural Analysis and Design
• EN3302: Structural Analysis
• EN3311: Concrete Materials and Structures