PhD Researcher at Monash University, Australia
Javid Ashrafifar is a highly dedicated and innovative researcher in the field of structural and earthquake engineering. With a strong academic foundation and practical experience in seismic resilience and probabilistic modeling, he has contributed significantly to the advancement of performance-based design and risk-informed decision-making for infrastructure systems. His work spans the life-cycle assessment of civil structures under multiple hazards and the development of efficient frameworks for structural reliability evaluation. As a research associate and academic advisor, Javid combines technical rigor with interdisciplinary insights to solve real-world engineering challenges. His expertise, collaborative spirit, and active participation in both national and international research communities mark him as a promising future leader in civil engineering.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Javid Ashrafifar pursued his MSc in Earthquake Engineering at Sharif University of Technology from 2018 to 2021, achieving a GPA of 17.5/20. His thesis focused on the seismic resilience assessment of aging bridges using the Endurance Time Analysis (ETA) method under the supervision of Prof. Estekanchi. He earned his BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Tabriz in 2018 with a GPA of 17.94/20, completing a research project on the seismic retrofit of reinforced concrete frames using steel plate shear walls. His academic journey began at the National Organization for Exceptional Talents (NODET) where he studied mathematics and physics, graduating with an impressive GPA of 19.50/20. This consistent academic excellence laid the groundwork for his specialized research in seismic performance, risk analysis, and structural modeling.
Experience
Javid’s research experience is both extensive and impactful. Between 2019 and 2021, he served as a Research Assistant at Sharif University, where he worked on seismic fragility and resilience analysis of highway bridges using ETA. He developed finite element models, performed loss and reliability assessments, and explored the effects of multiple hazards including scour and pounding. From 2021 to 2023, he collaborated with Iran’s National Elites Foundation and Urmia University, applying the ETA method to assess seismic risks of metro tunnels and stations, focusing on aging infrastructure and ground motion characteristics. Currently, he is a Research Associate and Advisor at Urmia University, working on uncertainty quantification in seismic fragility of earth slopes, employing advanced tools like FLAC-2D and MATLAB. His professional background is further complemented by teaching and reviewing roles, including as a reviewer for leading ASCE journals and instructor for civil engineering design courses.
Research Interests
Javid’s research interests lie at the intersection of structural engineering and earthquake risk management. He focuses on reliability, risk, and resilience of structures, with an emphasis on performance-based design and probabilistic modeling. His work explores uncertainty quantification and its role in predicting structural performance under extreme events. He is particularly drawn to the development of advanced modeling techniques, such as the Endurance Time Method, for dynamic analysis and life-cycle assessment. His current investigations address the compounding effects of aging, environmental hazards, and material uncertainties on infrastructure resilience.
Awards
Javid’s academic and professional excellence has earned him several prestigious honors. Since 2021, he has been a recognized member of Iran’s National Elites Foundation. In 2018, he ranked 10th in the 23rd National Civil Engineering Olympiad and placed 61st out of 35,000 participants in the national MSc entrance exam. His exceptional undergraduate performance earned him exam-exempt admission into top graduate programs. Earlier, in 2014, he secured the 218th rank in Iran’s national university entrance exam out of over 400,000 candidates. These accolades reflect his strong commitment to academic excellence and his potential for further groundbreaking contributions to civil engineering.
Publications
Javid has contributed to several high-impact journals and conferences. In 2023, he co-authored “Life-cycle seismic fragility and resilience assessment of aging bridges using the endurance time method,” published in Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (Q1, IF=4.25), which is already cited by related articles on seismic design methodologies. He has a paper under revision titled “An efficient framework for rapid lifetime seismic fragility assessment of subway stations,” and another under review on the “Lifetime cost analysis of highway bridges under multiple hazards,” both submitted to leading journals in the field. His conference proceedings include work on probabilistic fire ignition models (2020), reliability-based assessment of steel base plate connections (2021), and seismic fragility of electrical substations (2023). These publications demonstrate his growing influence in the structural engineering community and his ability to address complex multi-hazard problems.
Conclusion
Javid Ashrafifar exemplifies the qualities of a next-generation civil engineer: technically proficient, research-driven, and impact-oriented. His contributions to seismic resilience and structural reliability have practical implications for safer, more sustainable infrastructure systems in hazard-prone regions. By integrating probabilistic thinking with advanced modeling and life-cycle performance assessment, he offers innovative tools for engineers and policymakers alike. His role as a reviewer for prominent engineering journals, coupled with his teaching and mentoring experiences, reflect his commitment to academic service and leadership. As he continues to advance in his career, Javid’s work promises to contribute meaningfully to the global field of earthquake engineering and structural resilience.