![Viviana Novelli](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/6532?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Viviana Novelli
(she/her)
Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor)
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I am Viviana Iris Novelli, an Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) in Civil Engineering at Cardiff University. I hold a PhD in Earthquake Engineering from University College London (UCL), and I have an extensive background in both industry and academia. My career is dedicated to advancing multi-risk decision support tools aimed at reducing human losses and minimizing socio-economic disruptions, especially in Official Development Assistance (ODA) countries.
My Interest
My research is inherently international and multidisciplinary, focusing on the development of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) frameworks for multi-hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides, addressing the effects of these natural hazards on structures and infrastructures. My work involves assessing current and future risks through the development of approaches that can be utilized by stakeholders, and providing decision-making support across multiple disaster stages.
My Research
As the Principal Investigator on several high-profile projects funded by EPSRC and NERC, I lead initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience and sustainability of structures and infrastructure in the face of multi-risk scenarios and climate change. My research is focused on developing advanced decision-support tools and strategies to address the complex challenges posed by natural hazards.
Key Research Objectives:
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Creating a Comprehensive DRR Framework: I am working to develop an integrated Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) framework that addresses a wide range of hazards, including earthquakes, floods, and landslides. This framework aims to provide a cohesive approach to managing these risks, taking into account their interactions and cascading effects. The goal is to ensure that infrastructure and communities are better prepared for and can more effectively respond to these diverse hazards.
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Strengthening Resilience and Sustainability: My projects focus on enhancing the resilience and sustainability of both new and existing structures and infrastructure. This involves evaluating current vulnerabilities and developing innovative solutions to mitigate risks. The research incorporates climate change adaptation strategies to ensure that infrastructure remains effective and durable in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
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Developing Decision-Support Tools: A significant aspect of my work involves creating and refining tools that support decision-making for stakeholders involved in disaster management. These tools are designed to help stakeholders make informed decisions throughout all stages of disaster management, from preparedness and response to recovery and mitigation.
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Engaging Stakeholders: I place a strong emphasis on engaging with stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and industry partners. By fostering collaboration and communication, my research aims to ensure that the developed frameworks and tools are practical, relevant, and effectively address the needs of those who will use them.
Publication
2024
- Marangu, J. M. et al. 2024. Durability of ternary blended concrete incorporating rice husk ash and calcined clay. Buildings 14(5), article number: 1201. (10.3390/buildings14051201)
- Harirchian, E., Aghakouchaki Hosseini, S. E., Novelli, V., Lahmer, T. and Rasulzade, S. 2024. Utilizing advanced machine learning approaches to assess the seismic fragility of non-engineered masonry structures. Results in engineering 21, article number: 101750. (10.1016/j.rineng.2024.101750)
2023
- Kafodya, I., Basuroy, D., Kululanga, G., Marangu, J. M., Maddalena, R. and Novelli, V. I. 2023. Mechanical performance and physico-chemical properties of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) in Malawi. Buildings 13(3), article number: 740. (10.3390/buildings13030740)
2022
- Goda, K. et al. 2022. Scenario-based earthquake risk assessment for central-southern Malawi: The case of the Bilila-Mtakataka Fault. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 67, article number: 102655. (10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102655)
2021
- Giordano, N. et al. 2021. Seismic fragility models for typical non-engineered URM residential buildings in Malawi. Structures 32, pp. 2266-2278. (10.1016/j.istruc.2021.03.118)
- Novelli, V. I., De Risi, R., Ngoma, I., Kafodya, I., Kloukinas, P., Macdonald, J. and Goda, K. 2021. Fragility curves for non-engineered masonry buildings in developing countries derived from real data based on structural surveys and laboratory tests. Soft Computing 25, pp. 6113-6138. (10.1007/s00500-021-05603-w)
- Freddi, F. et al. 2021. Observations from the 26th November 2019 Albania earthquake: the earthquake engineering field investigation team (EEFIT) mission. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 19, pp. 2013-2044. (10.1007/s10518-021-01062-8)
2020
- Tallett-Williams, S. et al. 2020. Correction to: Site amplification in the Kathmandu Valley during the 2015 M7.6 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 18(13), article number: 6117. (10.1007/s10518-020-00930-z)
2019
- Novelli, V. I. and D'Ayala, D. 2019. Use of the knowledge-based system LOG-IDEAH to assess failure modes of masonry buildings, damaged by L'Aquila Earthquake in 2009. Frontiers in Built Environment 5, pp. -., article number: 95. (10.3389/fbuil.2019.00095)
- Kloukinas, P., Novelli, V., Kafodya, I., Ngoma, I., Macdonald, J. and Goda, K. 2019. A building classification scheme of housing stock in Malawi for earthquake risk assessment. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, pp. -. (10.1007/s10901-019-09697-5)
- Kloukinas, P., Kafodya, I., Ngoma, I., Novelli, V., Macdonald, J. and Goda, K. 2019. Strength of materials and masonry structures in Malawi. Presented at: 7th International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation (SEMC 2019), Cape Town, South Africa, 2-4 September 2019Advances in Engineering Materials, Structures and Systems: Innovations, Mechanics and Applications: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation (SEMC 2019), September 2-4, 2019, Cape Town, South Afr. CRC Press
- Novelli, V., Ngoma, I., Kloukinas, P., Kafodya, I., De Risi, R., Macdonald, J. and Goda, K. 2019. Seismic vulnerability assessment of non-engineered masonry buildings in Malawi. Presented at: 7th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Crete, Greece, 24-25 June 2019 Presented at Papadrakakis, M. and Fragiadakis, M. eds. pp. 5375-5385., (10.7712/120119.7311.18869)
2015
- Novelli, V. I. and D'Ayala, D. 2015. LOG-IDEAH: LOGic trees for identification of damage due to earthquakes for architectural heritage.. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 13, pp. 153-176. (10.1007/s10518-014-9622-0)
- Bosiljkov, V., D'Ayala, D. and Novelli, V. 2015. Evaluation of uncertainties in determining the seismic vulnerability of historic masonry buildings in Slovenia: use of macro-element and structural element modelling.. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 13, pp. 311-329. (10.1007/s10518-014-9652-7)
- Novelli, V. I., D'Ayala, D., Makhloufi, N., Benouar, D. and Zekagh, A. 2015. A procedure for the identification of the seismic vulnerability at territorial scale. application to the Casbah of Algiers. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 13(1), pp. 177-202. (10.1007/s10518-014-9666-1)
2014
- Rossetto, T. et al. 2014. The value of multiple earthquake missions: the EEFIT L’Aquila Earthquake experience. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 12(1), pp. 277-305. (10.1007/s10518-014-9588-y)
Articles
- Marangu, J. M. et al. 2024. Durability of ternary blended concrete incorporating rice husk ash and calcined clay. Buildings 14(5), article number: 1201. (10.3390/buildings14051201)
- Harirchian, E., Aghakouchaki Hosseini, S. E., Novelli, V., Lahmer, T. and Rasulzade, S. 2024. Utilizing advanced machine learning approaches to assess the seismic fragility of non-engineered masonry structures. Results in engineering 21, article number: 101750. (10.1016/j.rineng.2024.101750)
- Kafodya, I., Basuroy, D., Kululanga, G., Marangu, J. M., Maddalena, R. and Novelli, V. I. 2023. Mechanical performance and physico-chemical properties of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) in Malawi. Buildings 13(3), article number: 740. (10.3390/buildings13030740)
- Goda, K. et al. 2022. Scenario-based earthquake risk assessment for central-southern Malawi: The case of the Bilila-Mtakataka Fault. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 67, article number: 102655. (10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102655)
- Giordano, N. et al. 2021. Seismic fragility models for typical non-engineered URM residential buildings in Malawi. Structures 32, pp. 2266-2278. (10.1016/j.istruc.2021.03.118)
- Novelli, V. I., De Risi, R., Ngoma, I., Kafodya, I., Kloukinas, P., Macdonald, J. and Goda, K. 2021. Fragility curves for non-engineered masonry buildings in developing countries derived from real data based on structural surveys and laboratory tests. Soft Computing 25, pp. 6113-6138. (10.1007/s00500-021-05603-w)
- Freddi, F. et al. 2021. Observations from the 26th November 2019 Albania earthquake: the earthquake engineering field investigation team (EEFIT) mission. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 19, pp. 2013-2044. (10.1007/s10518-021-01062-8)
- Tallett-Williams, S. et al. 2020. Correction to: Site amplification in the Kathmandu Valley during the 2015 M7.6 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 18(13), article number: 6117. (10.1007/s10518-020-00930-z)
- Novelli, V. I. and D'Ayala, D. 2019. Use of the knowledge-based system LOG-IDEAH to assess failure modes of masonry buildings, damaged by L'Aquila Earthquake in 2009. Frontiers in Built Environment 5, pp. -., article number: 95. (10.3389/fbuil.2019.00095)
- Kloukinas, P., Novelli, V., Kafodya, I., Ngoma, I., Macdonald, J. and Goda, K. 2019. A building classification scheme of housing stock in Malawi for earthquake risk assessment. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, pp. -. (10.1007/s10901-019-09697-5)
- Novelli, V. I. and D'Ayala, D. 2015. LOG-IDEAH: LOGic trees for identification of damage due to earthquakes for architectural heritage.. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 13, pp. 153-176. (10.1007/s10518-014-9622-0)
- Bosiljkov, V., D'Ayala, D. and Novelli, V. 2015. Evaluation of uncertainties in determining the seismic vulnerability of historic masonry buildings in Slovenia: use of macro-element and structural element modelling.. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 13, pp. 311-329. (10.1007/s10518-014-9652-7)
- Novelli, V. I., D'Ayala, D., Makhloufi, N., Benouar, D. and Zekagh, A. 2015. A procedure for the identification of the seismic vulnerability at territorial scale. application to the Casbah of Algiers. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 13(1), pp. 177-202. (10.1007/s10518-014-9666-1)
- Rossetto, T. et al. 2014. The value of multiple earthquake missions: the EEFIT L’Aquila Earthquake experience. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 12(1), pp. 277-305. (10.1007/s10518-014-9588-y)
Conferences
- Kloukinas, P., Kafodya, I., Ngoma, I., Novelli, V., Macdonald, J. and Goda, K. 2019. Strength of materials and masonry structures in Malawi. Presented at: 7th International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation (SEMC 2019), Cape Town, South Africa, 2-4 September 2019Advances in Engineering Materials, Structures and Systems: Innovations, Mechanics and Applications: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation (SEMC 2019), September 2-4, 2019, Cape Town, South Afr. CRC Press
- Novelli, V., Ngoma, I., Kloukinas, P., Kafodya, I., De Risi, R., Macdonald, J. and Goda, K. 2019. Seismic vulnerability assessment of non-engineered masonry buildings in Malawi. Presented at: 7th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Crete, Greece, 24-25 June 2019 Presented at Papadrakakis, M. and Fragiadakis, M. eds. pp. 5375-5385., (10.7712/120119.7311.18869)
- Novelli, V. I. and D'Ayala, D. 2019. Use of the knowledge-based system LOG-IDEAH to assess failure modes of masonry buildings, damaged by L'Aquila Earthquake in 2009. Frontiers in Built Environment 5, pp. -., article number: 95. (10.3389/fbuil.2019.00095)
- Kloukinas, P., Novelli, V., Kafodya, I., Ngoma, I., Macdonald, J. and Goda, K. 2019. A building classification scheme of housing stock in Malawi for earthquake risk assessment. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, pp. -. (10.1007/s10901-019-09697-5)
- Novelli, V. I. and D'Ayala, D. 2015. LOG-IDEAH: LOGic trees for identification of damage due to earthquakes for architectural heritage.. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 13, pp. 153-176. (10.1007/s10518-014-9622-0)
- Bosiljkov, V., D'Ayala, D. and Novelli, V. 2015. Evaluation of uncertainties in determining the seismic vulnerability of historic masonry buildings in Slovenia: use of macro-element and structural element modelling.. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 13, pp. 311-329. (10.1007/s10518-014-9652-7)
- Novelli, V. I., D'Ayala, D., Makhloufi, N., Benouar, D. and Zekagh, A. 2015. A procedure for the identification of the seismic vulnerability at territorial scale. application to the Casbah of Algiers. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 13(1), pp. 177-202. (10.1007/s10518-014-9666-1)
Research
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EXTERNAL RESEARCH INCOME |
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2024-2025 |
PI - NERC urgency funding. EEFIT mission: September 2023 Morocco earthquake (£85K). |
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2024-2026 |
PI - EPSRC Early career researcher collaborations for global development. SMART-H: SMART-Health-care facilities towards resilient, green, and sustainable medical systems (£200K). https://gow.epsrc.ukri.org/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/Y00177X/1 |
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INTERNAL RESEARCH INCOME |
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2024-2025 |
PI - Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) fund - Global Challenges Research (GCRF). Towards a Robust Future: Assessing and Addressing Climate-Induced Risks in Malawi. (£40K).
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2024-2025 |
PI - Cardiff University and the University of Waikato. SUSTAIN3D: Revolutionising Sustainable Construction for Resilient Communities with 3D Printing and Mining Tailings (£10K).
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2021-2022 |
PI - Engin Covid-19 Early Career Academic (ECA) School funding (£8.0K).
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2021-2022 |
Co-I. DURALAB. Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) fund (£340.0K).
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2021-2022 |
PI. Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) fund - Global Challenges Research (GCRF) Fund. Project: “Limestone Calcined Clay Cement: a low-cost construction material to realise a resilient and sustainable built environment in Malawi” (£8.5K). |
Teaching
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2020 – present |
Concrete Structures and Materials (Credit 10) |
BEng/MEng, Year 3. 60-80 students |
40 hours per year |
Module Leader |
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2022 – present |
3rd year Projects (Credit 30) |
BEng/MEng, Year 3. 150-180 students |
30 hours per year |
Module Leader |
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2020 – present |
Structural Analysis and Design (Credit 40) |
BEng/MEng, Year 2. 50-180 students |
80 (Interactive classroom activities) |
Co-Module Leader |
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2021 – present |
Design Feasibility (Credit 10) |
MEng, Year 4. 50-60 students |
50 hours per year (1 week of field work) |
Co-Module Leader |
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2020 – 2021 |
Construction Management (Credit 10) |
BEng/MEng, Year 3. 150-180 students |
30 hours per year (1 week of field work) |
Co-Module Leader |
Biography
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EDUCATION |
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2013 - 2017 |
Ph.D. in Earthquake Engineering. University College London (UCL) – UK. |
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2007 - 2008 |
M.Sc. in Earthquake Engineering (MEEES). University of Patras and University School of Advanced Studies IUSS Pavia - Greece and Italy. |
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2000 - 2006 |
M. Eng., and B.Eng. (first-class honour) in Building Engineering. Università Federico II, Naples – Italy. |
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TEACHING QUALIFICATION |
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2021 - 2022 |
FHEA – Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
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INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE |
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2020 - 2022 |
DISGLAIR Early Career Lectureship. Cardiff University. School of Engineering. |
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2022 -Present |
Consultant - Structural Engineer. World Bank. Building Regulation for Resilience Program (BRR). |
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2020 -Present |
Consultant - Structural Engineer. Heritage impact assessment. World Bank. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. International Development Association. |
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2015 - 2017 |
Structural Seismic Engineer. AECOM – UK. Seismic evaluation and retrofitting design of buildings in Africa, Middle East, and Europe for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Departments for the International Developments (DFID) projects. |
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2014 - 2015. |
Vulnerability Specialist. Department for International Development (DFID) in Kathmandu - Nepal. Review of the seismic vulnerability assessment methods for hospitals and medical facilities. |
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2013 - 2014. |
Seismic Vulnerability Specialist. UNDP-JORDAN RFP/2012/19 - Jordan -. Integrated Risk Assessment for Petra Development and Tourism Region. |
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2012 - 2013. |
Seismic Vulnerability Specialist. Building and Civil Engineering Institute ZMRK - Slovenia - Vulnerability assessment of the historic centre of Idrija in Slovenia. |
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AMMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE |
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3-year Tutor (150 hours), Module coordination, Timetables, Project coordination, Exam Boards. Tutees (30 hours). |
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Personal Tutor: Conduct regular meetings with personal tutees, offering both pastoral support and academic advice upon request. |
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Module leader/Co-Module leader: Prepare teaching and learning material and resources for the students, process module marks in SIMS, participate in boards of examinations and boards of studies. |
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Professional memberships
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2022 – Present |
Fellow (FHEA): Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. |
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2022 – Present |
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2022 – Present |
World Bank Member of the Building Regulation for Resilience (BRR) Group. |
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2021 – Present |
World Bank Member of the Integrated Urban and Tourism Development (PIUTD). |
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2018 – Present |
Management Committee of Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team. |
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2006 – Present |
Chartership as a Structural Engineer in Italy |
Academic positions
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2018 –2019. |
University of Bristol - UK - Research Associate. Research area: Earthquake impact on non-engineered masonry houses in East African countries. Funded by the EPSRC-GCRF Reference: EP/P028233/1. |
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2010 - 2012. |
University of Bath - UK - Research Assistant Research area: Seismic vulnerability of historic city centres in Mediterranean countries. Funded by FP7-ENVIRONMENT Reference: ENV-2009-1. |
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2009 - 2010 |
EUCENTRE Foundation - Italy - Researcher Assistant Research area: Seismic assessment of risk scenarios for the evaluation of the performance of structure and infrastructures in Italy. |
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2006 - 2007. |
Università Federico II, Naples - Italy - Researcher Assistant Research area: Gravitational analyses of reinforced concrete buildings in Campania, Italy. Funded by DPC-ReLUIS Theme 10. |
Committees and reviewing
- Frontiers in Built Environment
- Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering
- MDPI - Buildings Editorial Office
Supervisions
I am currently available to supervise MSc and PhD students in the areas of:
1) implementing integrated risk mitigation and management framework for multi-hazard chains (e.g., earthquakes, windstorms, and landslides),
2) numerical and experimental assessment of sustainable, recyclable-waste, innovative materials and optimised structural forms to address climate change and meet the 2050 Net Zero carbon emissions target,
3) advanced computational analysis for structural solutions to support the maintenance, repair, retrofitting and adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and
4) implementing life cycle assessment to authentically indicate environmental performance of structural systems.
If you are interested, email to NovelliV@cardiff.ac.uk