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Dr Iulia Mihai
Teams and roles for Iulia Mihai
Lecturer - Teaching and Research
Overview
Iulia has been a lecturer in the Civil Engineering department at Cardiff University’s School of Engineering since December 2013. She graduated as the top student from Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest in 2008 and subsequently undertook a PhD at Cardiff University on the development of micromechanics based constitutive models for cementitious materials. After successfully defending her PhD thesis in 2012, Iulia spent 2 years as a post-doctoral researcher in Cardiff on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project linked to the Finite Element (FE) company LUSAS.
Research Interests: Fibre reinforced concrete. Micromechanics based constitutive modelling of cementitious materials. Numerical modelling of quasi-brittle materials. Self-healing concrete
Teaching: Finite Element Theory and Practice (MSc), Structural Analysis and Design (Year 2), Design Feasibility (Year 4), Surveying field course, Field Studies of the Natural and Build Environment
Department: Architectural, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Research Group: Materials for Life (M4L)
Publication
2025
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2025. Simulation of autogenous self‐healing in lime‐based mortars. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 49 (1), pp.359-375. (10.1002/nag.3870)
- He, S. et al., 2025. Perspectives on the incorporation of self-healing in the design practice of reinforced concrete structures. Structural Concrete (10.1002/suco.202401045)
- Sayadi Moghadam, S. , Mihai, I. and Jefferson, A. 2025. Rate dependent self-healing model for cementitious materials. International Journal of Solids and Structures 309 113196. (10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2024.113196)
2024
- Sayadi Moghadam, S. , Mihai, I. and Jefferson, A. 2024. Biomimetic materials in construction industry: the necessity of simulation. Presented at: Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023 Cardiff, UK 12-14 July 2023. Published in: Spezi, E. and Bray, M. eds. Proceedings of the Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023. Cardiff: Cardiff University Press. , pp.55-57. (10.18573/conf1.n)
2023
- Sayadi, S. et al., 2023. Effect of microstructure heterogeneity shapes on constitutive behaviour of encapsulated self-healing cementitious materials. Presented at: SMARTINCS’23 Conference on Self-Healing, Multifunctional and Advanced Repair Technologies in Cementitious Systems 22-23 May 2023. Vol. 378.EDP Sciences. (10.1051/matecconf/202337809004)
- Sayadi Moghadam, S. et al. 2023. An enhanced lattice beam element model for the numerical simulation of rate-dependent self-healing in cementitious materials.. Engineering Fracture Mechanics 292 109632. (10.1016/j.engfracmech.2023.109632)
2022
- Bagga, M. et al., 2022. Advancements in bacteria based self-healing concrete and the promise of modelling. Construction and Building Materials 358 129412. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129412)
- Mihai, I. C. , Bains, A. and Grassl, P. 2022. Modelling of cracking mechanisms in cementitious materials: The transition from diffuse microcracking to localized macrocracking. In: Meschke, G. , Pichler, B. and Rots, J. G. eds. Computational Modelling of Concrete and Concrete Structures. Taylor and Francis. , pp.212-217. (10.1201/9781003316404-26)
2021
- Azua-Gonzalez, C. X. , Mihai, I. C. and Jefferson, T. 2021. Micromechanics-driven variational method for diffuse-to-localised fracture in quasi-brittle solids. Presented at: 14th WCCM-Ecomas Congress 2020 Virtual 11-15 January 2021. WCCM-ECCOMAS2020. Vol. 100.Scipedia. (10.23967/wccm-eccomas.2020.200)
2020
- Freeman, B. L. et al. 2020. A specialised finite element for simulating self-healing quasi-brittle materials. Advanced Modeling and Simulation in Engineering Sciences 7 32. (10.1186/s40323-020-00171-4)
- Kerfriden, P. , Claus, S. and Mihai, I. 2020. A mixed-dimensional CutFEM methodology for the simulation of fibre-reinforced composites. Advanced Modeling and Simulation in Engineering Sciences 7 (1) 18. (10.1186/s40323-020-00154-5)
- Maddalena, R. et al. 2020. A crack closure system for cementitious composite materials using knotted shape memory polymer (k-SMP) fibres. Cement and Concrete Composites 114 103757. (10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2020.103757)
2017
- Mihai, I. C. and Jefferson, A. D. 2017. A micromechanics based constitutive model for fibre reinforced cementitious composites. International Journal of Solids and Structures 110-11 , pp.152-169. (10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2017.01.032)
2016
- Jefferson, A. D. et al. 2016. A plastic-damage-contact constitutive model for concrete with smoothed evolution functions. Computers and Structures 169 , pp.40-56. (10.1016/j.compstruc.2016.02.008)
- Mihai, I. C. , Jefferson, A. D. and Lyons, P. 2016. A plastic-damage constitutive model for the finite element analysis of fibre reinforced concrete. Engineering Fracture Mechanics 159 , pp.35-62. (10.1016/j.engfracmech.2015.12.035)
2015
- Jefferson, A. D. and Mihai, I. C. 2015. The simulation of crack opening-closing and aggregate interlock behaviour in finite element concrete models. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering 104 (1), pp.48-78. (10.1002/nme.4934)
2014
- Jefferson, A. D. , Mihai, I. C. and Lyons, P. 2014. An approach to modelling smoothed crack closure and aggregate interlock in the finite element analysis of concrete structures. In: Bícanić, N. et al., Computational Modelling of Concrete Structures. CRC Press. , pp.219-223.
- Jefferson, A. D. et al. 2014. Finite element crack width computations with a thermo-hygro-mechanical-hydration model for concrete. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering 18 (7), pp.793-813. (10.1080/19648189.2014.896755)
- Mihai, I. C. , Jefferson, A. D. and Lyons, P. 2014. Constitutive modelling of fibre reinforced cementitious composites based on micromechanics.. Presented at: EURO-C 2014 Conference St. Anton am Arlberg; Austria 24th - 27th March 2014. Computational Modelling of Concrete Structures. Vol. 1.Taylor and Francis.
2013
- Mihai, I. C. and Jefferson, A. D. 2013. A multi-asperity plastic-contact crack plane model for geomaterials. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 37 (11), pp.1492-1507. (10.1002/nag.2094)
- Mihai, I. C. and Jefferson, A. D. 2013. Smoothed contact in a micromechanical model for cement bound materials. Computers & Structures 118 , pp.115-125. (10.1016/j.compstruc.2012.11.002)
2012
- Mihai, I. 2012. Micromechanical constitutive models for cementitious composite materials. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
2011
- Mihai, I. C. and Jefferson, A. D. 2011. A material model for cementitious composite materials with an exterior point Eshelby microcrack initiation criterion. International Journal of Solids and Structures 48 (24), pp.3312-3325. (10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2011.08.001)
Articles
- Bagga, M. et al., 2022. Advancements in bacteria based self-healing concrete and the promise of modelling. Construction and Building Materials 358 129412. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129412)
- De Nardi, C. et al. 2025. Simulation of autogenous self‐healing in lime‐based mortars. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 49 (1), pp.359-375. (10.1002/nag.3870)
- Freeman, B. L. et al. 2020. A specialised finite element for simulating self-healing quasi-brittle materials. Advanced Modeling and Simulation in Engineering Sciences 7 32. (10.1186/s40323-020-00171-4)
- He, S. et al., 2025. Perspectives on the incorporation of self-healing in the design practice of reinforced concrete structures. Structural Concrete (10.1002/suco.202401045)
- Jefferson, A. D. and Mihai, I. C. 2015. The simulation of crack opening-closing and aggregate interlock behaviour in finite element concrete models. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering 104 (1), pp.48-78. (10.1002/nme.4934)
- Jefferson, A. D. et al. 2016. A plastic-damage-contact constitutive model for concrete with smoothed evolution functions. Computers and Structures 169 , pp.40-56. (10.1016/j.compstruc.2016.02.008)
- Jefferson, A. D. et al. 2014. Finite element crack width computations with a thermo-hygro-mechanical-hydration model for concrete. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering 18 (7), pp.793-813. (10.1080/19648189.2014.896755)
- Kerfriden, P. , Claus, S. and Mihai, I. 2020. A mixed-dimensional CutFEM methodology for the simulation of fibre-reinforced composites. Advanced Modeling and Simulation in Engineering Sciences 7 (1) 18. (10.1186/s40323-020-00154-5)
- Maddalena, R. et al. 2020. A crack closure system for cementitious composite materials using knotted shape memory polymer (k-SMP) fibres. Cement and Concrete Composites 114 103757. (10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2020.103757)
- Mihai, I. C. and Jefferson, A. D. 2017. A micromechanics based constitutive model for fibre reinforced cementitious composites. International Journal of Solids and Structures 110-11 , pp.152-169. (10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2017.01.032)
- Mihai, I. C. , Jefferson, A. D. and Lyons, P. 2016. A plastic-damage constitutive model for the finite element analysis of fibre reinforced concrete. Engineering Fracture Mechanics 159 , pp.35-62. (10.1016/j.engfracmech.2015.12.035)
- Mihai, I. C. and Jefferson, A. D. 2011. A material model for cementitious composite materials with an exterior point Eshelby microcrack initiation criterion. International Journal of Solids and Structures 48 (24), pp.3312-3325. (10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2011.08.001)
- Mihai, I. C. and Jefferson, A. D. 2013. A multi-asperity plastic-contact crack plane model for geomaterials. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 37 (11), pp.1492-1507. (10.1002/nag.2094)
- Mihai, I. C. and Jefferson, A. D. 2013. Smoothed contact in a micromechanical model for cement bound materials. Computers & Structures 118 , pp.115-125. (10.1016/j.compstruc.2012.11.002)
- Sayadi Moghadam, S. et al. 2023. An enhanced lattice beam element model for the numerical simulation of rate-dependent self-healing in cementitious materials.. Engineering Fracture Mechanics 292 109632. (10.1016/j.engfracmech.2023.109632)
- Sayadi Moghadam, S. , Mihai, I. and Jefferson, A. 2025. Rate dependent self-healing model for cementitious materials. International Journal of Solids and Structures 309 113196. (10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2024.113196)
Book sections
- Jefferson, A. D. , Mihai, I. C. and Lyons, P. 2014. An approach to modelling smoothed crack closure and aggregate interlock in the finite element analysis of concrete structures. In: Bícanić, N. et al., Computational Modelling of Concrete Structures. CRC Press. , pp.219-223.
- Mihai, I. C. , Bains, A. and Grassl, P. 2022. Modelling of cracking mechanisms in cementitious materials: The transition from diffuse microcracking to localized macrocracking. In: Meschke, G. , Pichler, B. and Rots, J. G. eds. Computational Modelling of Concrete and Concrete Structures. Taylor and Francis. , pp.212-217. (10.1201/9781003316404-26)
Conferences
- Azua-Gonzalez, C. X. , Mihai, I. C. and Jefferson, T. 2021. Micromechanics-driven variational method for diffuse-to-localised fracture in quasi-brittle solids. Presented at: 14th WCCM-Ecomas Congress 2020 Virtual 11-15 January 2021. WCCM-ECCOMAS2020. Vol. 100.Scipedia. (10.23967/wccm-eccomas.2020.200)
- Mihai, I. C. , Jefferson, A. D. and Lyons, P. 2014. Constitutive modelling of fibre reinforced cementitious composites based on micromechanics.. Presented at: EURO-C 2014 Conference St. Anton am Arlberg; Austria 24th - 27th March 2014. Computational Modelling of Concrete Structures. Vol. 1.Taylor and Francis.
- Sayadi, S. et al., 2023. Effect of microstructure heterogeneity shapes on constitutive behaviour of encapsulated self-healing cementitious materials. Presented at: SMARTINCS’23 Conference on Self-Healing, Multifunctional and Advanced Repair Technologies in Cementitious Systems 22-23 May 2023. Vol. 378.EDP Sciences. (10.1051/matecconf/202337809004)
- Sayadi Moghadam, S. , Mihai, I. and Jefferson, A. 2024. Biomimetic materials in construction industry: the necessity of simulation. Presented at: Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023 Cardiff, UK 12-14 July 2023. Published in: Spezi, E. and Bray, M. eds. Proceedings of the Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023. Cardiff: Cardiff University Press. , pp.55-57. (10.18573/conf1.n)
Thesis
- Mihai, I. 2012. Micromechanical constitutive models for cementitious composite materials. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
Research
Contracts
| Title | People | Sponsor | Value | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resilient Materials For Life (RM4L) |
AD Jefferson, DR Gardner, M Harbottle, IC Mihai, RE Davies, A Paul with Bradford University, Cambridge University and University of Bath |
EPSRC | £4,837,625 | 03/04/2017- 02/04/2022 |
| Two-scale numerical simulations for fibre reinforced cementitious composites | IC Mihai | EPSRC | £124,674 | 16/10/2017-15/07/2019 |
| Engineering Microbial-Induced Carbonate Precipitation via Meso-Scale Simulations |
AD Jefferson, IC Mihai with Newcastle University and University of Bath |
EPSRC | £54,008 | 01/05/2019-30/04/2022 |
Supervised Students
| Title | Student | Status | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finite element simulation of micro and macro cracks in quasi-brittle materials | AZUA-GONZALEZ, Carlos | Current | PhD |
| Numerical simulation of fibre reinforced composite materials | BAINS, Amrit | Current | PhD |
Teaching
Finite Element Theory and Practice (MSc)
Structural Analysis and Design (Year 2)
Design Feasibility (Year 4)
Surveying field course (Year 1)
Field Studies of the Natural and Build Environment (Year 2)