Associate Professor at Shahrood University of Technology, Iran
Dr. Seyed Mehdi Tavakkoli is a distinguished scholar in structural and computational engineering 🏗️📊, serving as Associate Professor at Shahrood University of Technology, Iran. With a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering – Structures from Iran University of Science & Technology 🎓, he has pioneered research in isogeometric analysis, structural topology optimization, and continuum mechanics. His prolific academic career includes over 30 peer-reviewed journal publications 📝, mentorship of MSc and Ph.D. students, and international collaboration at the University of Bath, UK 🌍. Dr. Tavakkoli is highly skilled in MATLAB, Python, and leading structural software tools 💻, blending theory with practical applications. His innovative contributions to damage detection, shape optimization, and smart materials position him as a leading voice in modern civil engineering 🔍🏅. He is deeply committed to advancing research, education, and global knowledge exchange.
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🎓 Education
Dr. Seyed Mehdi Tavakkoli holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering – Structures from Iran University of Science & Technology 🎓, where he specialized in isogeometric analysis and topology optimization using NURBS basis functions. Guided by renowned experts like Prof. Behrooz Hassani and Prof. Ali Kaveh, his dissertation laid the foundation for integrating computational geometry with structural optimization. His education blends strong mathematical rigor, numerical methods, and engineering design 🧠📐. Earlier degrees were equally grounded in high academic achievement, with a consistent focus on advanced mechanics and structural systems. His academic journey demonstrates a fusion of innovation and precision, making him an expert in structural modeling, finite elements, and smart structural systems. Dr. Tavakkoli’s education has positioned him as a forward-thinking engineer capable of solving complex multi-scale problems 🏗️🔍.
📊Professional Experience
Dr. Tavakkoli has over 15 years of academic and international research experience. He currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Civil Engineering Department at Shahrood University of Technology 🏛️, where he teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in structural analysis, finite element methods, and optimization. From 2013–2014, he worked as a Research Associate at the University of Bath, UK 🇬🇧, where he developed nonlinear models of piezoelectric-bistable laminates for energy harvesting. His teaching record is distinguished by the design of curricula focused on mechanics, computational methods, and structural systems. He has supervised numerous MSc and PhD theses, bringing theoretical insight into practical applications 📘👨🔧. His professional journey reflects a balanced commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global collaboration 🌍📊.
🔬 Research Interests
Dr. Tavakkoli’s research lies at the intersection of computational mechanics, structural optimization, and smart materials. He specializes in isogeometric analysis, finite element modeling, and topology optimization of structures, particularly for energy-efficient and damage-tolerant design systems 🧮⚙️. His recent studies include multiscale modeling, couple stress theory, level-set methods, and elastoplastic material behavior in structural systems. He has also contributed to damage detection using time-domain responses and modal expansion methods. His work is regularly published in high-impact journals like Engineering with Computers, Computer-Aided Design, and Finite Elements in Analysis and Design 📑📈. Passionate about integrating theory and real-world solutions, his research advances fields such as additive manufacturing, structural health monitoring, and sustainable civil engineering systems 🌱🏗️.
🏅 Awards and Honors
Dr. Tavakkoli’s sustained contributions to civil and structural engineering have earned him recognition as a prolific researcher in computational design and optimization. While formal award titles are not explicitly listed, his continuous publication in top-tier international journals and collaborations with leading institutions, including the University of Bath, reflect his scholarly impact 🏆🌍. His research papers—cited widely in structural optimization and computational mechanics—have influenced both academia and industry. His role as a supervisor and project leader in complex optimization frameworks also underlines his academic leadership. The innovative nature of his work in isogeometric topology optimization is gaining increasing recognition across structural engineering circles, positioning him as a thought leader in the evolving landscape of smart and sustainable design systems 🧠🛠️.
🛠️ Research Skills
Dr. Tavakkoli possesses deep expertise in structural modeling, numerical methods, and advanced optimization techniques. He is proficient in programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, Visual Fortran, and Visual Basic 👨💻. His computational skillset includes structural analysis software like ETABS, SAP2000, and SAFE, alongside core platforms like AutoCAD and MS Office. His research utilizes isogeometric and finite element methods, multiscale modeling, and optimization algorithms including ant colony and level-set techniques 🔄📊. His capabilities also extend to damage detection and nonlinear modeling of smart materials. This combination of practical software fluency and high-level theoretical modeling makes him highly adaptable for modern engineering challenges—especially in the development of smart, safe, and efficient structural systems ⚡🏗️.
📝Publications Top Note
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Title: Structural topology optimization using ant colony methodology
Authors: A. Kaveh, B. Hassani, S. Shojaee, S.M. Tavakkoli
Year: 2008
Citations: 210
Source: Engineering Structures, 30(9), 2559–2565
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Title: An isogeometrical approach to structural topology optimization by optimality criteria
Authors: B. Hassani, M. Khanzadi, S.M. Tavakkoli
Year: 2012
Citations: 169
Source: Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 45(2), 223–233
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Title: Simultaneous shape and topology optimization of shell structures
Authors: B. Hassani, S.M. Tavakkoli, H. Ghasemnejad
Year: 2013
Citations: 100
Source: Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 48(1), 221–233
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Title: An isogeometrical approach to structural level set topology optimization
Authors: H.A. Jahangiri, S.M. Tavakkoli
Year: 2017
Citations: 88
Source: Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 319, 240–257
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Title: Application of isogeometric analysis in structural shape optimization
Authors: B. Hassani, S.M. Tavakkoli, N.Z. Moghadam
Year: 2011
Citations: 74
Source: Iranian Science, 18(4), 846–852
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Title: An isogeometrical approach to error estimation and stress recovery
Authors: B. Hassani, A. Ganjali, M. Tavakkoli
Year: 2012
Citations: 37
Source: European Journal of Mechanics A: Solids, 31(1), 101–109
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Title: Isogeometric shape optimization of three dimensional problems
Authors: B. Hassani, M. Khanzadi, S.M. Tavakkoli, N.Z. Moghadam
Year: 2009
Citations: 33
Source: 8th World Congress on Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 1–5
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Title: Isogeometric topology optimization of structures by using MMA
Authors: S.M. Tavakkoli, B. Hassani, H. Ghasemnejad
Year: 2013
Citations: 27
Source: International Journal of Optimization in Civil Engineering, 3(2), 313–326
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Title: Free vibration of functionally graded thick circular plates: An exact and three-dimensional solution
Authors: M.Z. Roshanbakhsh, S.M. Tavakkoli, B.N. Neya
Year: 2020
Citations: 25
Source: International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 188, 105967
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Title: Structural damage detection in plane stress problems by using time domain responses and topology optimization
Authors: F. Damghani, S.M. Tavakkoli
Year: 2023
Citations: 2
Source: International Journal of Optimization in Civil Engineering (IJOCE), 13(2)
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Title: An analytical study on piezoelectric-bistable laminates with arbitrary shapes for energy harvesting
Authors: S.M. Tavakkoli, P.M. Weaver, C.R. Bowen, D.J. Inman, H. Alicia
Year: 2015
Citations: 2
Source: [Not specified, likely conference proceedings or journal]
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Title: Topology optimization of space structures using ant colony method
Authors: S.M. Tavakkoli, L. Shahryari, A. Parsa
Year: 2013
Citations: 2
Source: International Journal of Optimization in Civil Engineering, 3(3), 359–370
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Title: Channels flow modeling by using isogeometric analysis
Authors: R. Amini, R. Maghsoodi, N.Z. Moghaddam, S.M. Tavakkoli
Year: 2016
Citations: 1
Source: Journal of Solid and Fluid Mechanics, 5(4)
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Title: Size-dependent topology optimization for eigenfrequency maximization of microplates using consistent couple stress theory
Authors: M.Z. Roshanbakhsh, S.M. Tavakkoli
Year: 2025
Source: Advances in Engineering Software, 206, 103941
🧾 Conclusion
Dr. Seyed Mehdi Tavakkoli exemplifies a rare blend of academic depth, technical precision, and forward-thinking research in structural engineering. With over three decades of cumulative experience across teaching, research, and international collaboration, he has become a key contributor to the evolving landscape of computational civil engineering 📘🌐. His isogeometric approach, grounded in rigorous mathematics and real-world applications, continues to influence emerging scholars and professionals alike. Whether through supervising doctoral candidates, publishing high-impact research, or exploring optimization in additive manufacturing, his work consistently pushes the boundary of what’s possible in engineering design. Dr. Tavakkoli stands out not only as a researcher but as a mentor, innovator, and thought leader of 21st-century structural systems 🏅🚀.