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Professor Thiru Aravinthan

Professor Thiru Aravinthan
Name Thiru Aravinthan
Position Professor (Structural Engineering)
Section School of Engineering
Office Z449
Location Toowoomba Campus
Phone +61 7 4631 1385
Extension 1385
Email
Qualifications BEng Peradeniya , MEng Saitama , PhD Saitama
Languages Japanese (accredited translator)
Tamil (accredited translator)
Homepage https://research.usq.edu.au/researcher/80w2z/prof-thiru-aravinthan
The views expressed on staff homepages may not reflect the views of the University.

Biography

Professor Thiru Aravinthan is a Professor of Structural Engineering within the School of Engineering and affiliated to the Centre for Future Materials (CFM) at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). After obtaining the BScEng (Hons) degree from the University of Peradeniya in 1991, he pursued his postgraduate studies at Saitama University, Japan obtaining the Master of Engineering and Doctor of Engineering. He then worked as a Senior Research Engineer at DPS Bridge Works, Tokyo for three years and involved in the R&D of the award winning innovative bridge. He joined UniSQ in 2002.

Prof Aravinthan is a Charted Professional Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Australia and a registered Professional Engineer at Oregon State, USA. His expertise includes fibre composites structures, prestressed concrete technology, structural rehabilitation and engineering education. He is actively involved in national and international organisations including Engineers Australia, Composite Australia and Council Member of International Institute for FRP in Construction. He has over 30 years of engineering experience in the industry, research and academia and involved in several industry funded projects. He was awarded the USQ Award for Excellence in Research in 2003 (Early Career) and 2009 (Open Category) and several other teaching excellence awards. He was part of the team that was awarded the prestigious JEC Europe 2014 Innovation Award in the oil and gas category for the development of a novel composite clamp for pipeline repair.

Research Career


  • Construction Materials ( 090503 )
  • Structural Engineering ( 090506 )
  • Materials Engineering ( 091200 )
  • Composite and Hybrid Materials ( 091202 )
  • Polymers and Plastics ( 091209 )
  • Interdisciplinary Engineering ( 091500 )
  • Polymers And Plastics ( 401609 )
  • Construction Materials ( 400505 )
  • Composite And Hybrid Materials ( 401602 )
  • Structural Engineering ( 400510 )
  • Materials Engineering ( 401600 )
  • Civil Engineering ( 400500 )
  • Engineering Education ( 401002 )
  • Engineering Practice ( 401003 )
  • Engineering Practice And Education ( 401000 )

Composites in civil and structural engineering
Strengthening and repair of existing structures
External post-tensioned bridges and structures
Application of high performance concrete and geopolymer concrete
Development of innovative bridges and related design issues
Engineering Education – innovative learning and teaching using web technologies


Engineering Executive (EngExec), Engineers Australia
Chartered Professional Engineer (Civil, Structural, Leadership & Management) and Fellow of Engineers Australia
Registered Professional Engineer (Civil Engineering), Oregon State, USA
APEC Engineer, IntPE(Aus) (Civil Engineering, Leadership and Management, Structural Engineering)


Fellow, Engineers Australia (EA)
Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Member, American Concrete Institute (ACI)
Member, Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA)
Member, Australasian Association of Engineering Education (AaeE)
Member of Council, International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC) (2010-2023)
Member of Board of Directors, Composite Australia (CA) (2009-2012)


  • Centre for Future Materials (CFM)

Teaching


Current courses:
Examiner, CIV4506 - Concrete Structures
Examiner, ENG4110 - Engineering Research Methodology
Examiner, RES9510 - Confirmation of Candidature (Lab)
Moderator, CIV8803 - Mechanics and Technology of Fibre Composites
Moderator, ENG8802 - Advanced Prestressed Concrete

Past involvement:
Examiner/Asst Examiner, CIV3506 - Concrete Structures
Examiner, ENG8411/2 - Research Project and Dissertation (Part A & B)
Examiner/Asst Examiner, CIV2605 - Construction Engineering
Asst Examiner, CIV4508 - Structural Design II
Examiner/Facilitator, ENG2102 - Engineering Problem Solving 2
Asst Examiner, CIV2503, Structural Design I
Examiner, CIV3906, Civil Materials Practice
Asst Examiner, CIV3907, Civil System Practice
Asst Examiner, CIV4908, Civil Design Practice


24 Years


9 Years


Deputy Head of School (Engineering) (March 2023 - )
Head of School & Dean (Engineering) ( (acting) (July 2022 - Feb 2023)
Head of School (Civil Engineering & Surveying) (Jan-Dec 2021)
Associate Dean (Research and Research Training) (July 2013 - Sept 2019)
Director, Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites (July 2014 - Oct 2016)
Associate Dean (Academic) (Mar 2013- July 2013)
Deputy Associate Dean (Research) (Jun 2011- July 2013)
Head of Agricultural, Civil & Environmental Engineering (Dec 2009-Jun 2011)
Associate Dean (Research) (acting) (Jul 2009-Dec 2009)
Deputy Director, Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites (Apr 2007-Oct 2007)

Supervision


  • Construction Materials ( 090503 )
  • Structural Engineering ( 090506 )
  • Composite and Hybrid Materials ( 091202 )
  • Polymers and Plastics ( 091209 )
  • Polymers And Plastics ( 401609 )
  • Construction Materials ( 400505 )
  • Composite And Hybrid Materials ( 401602 )
  • Structural Engineering ( 400510 )
  • Materials Engineering ( 401600 )
  • Civil Engineering ( 400500 )
  • Engineering Education ( 401002 )
  • Engineering Practice ( 401003 )
  • Engineering Practice And Education ( 401000 )