ProfessorMahmud Ashraf

I am Professor of Structural Engineering and Director of Work Integrated Learning in the School of Engineering at Deakin University. I take on leadership roles across the School and the University Academic Board, and I mentor early and mid-career researchers as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Internationally, I helped establish the International Research Centre on Bio-composite Materials and Structures, which connects researchers worldwide and convenes a biennial conference on sustainable materials and structures.

My research began with doctoral work at Imperial College London on structural stainless steel, which contributed to the foundations of the Continuous Strength Method (CSM), a deformation-based approach to design. I first studied thin-walled nonlinear metallic structures in stainless steel, high-strength steel and aluminium. I then broadened my research to emerging materials and systems, including 3D-printed metal structures, geopolymer concrete and timber-concrete composites. My current focus is the structural use of renewable, bio-based materials such as timber and bamboo, and their engineered bio-composites. I advocate hybrid structural systems that use each material where it performs best, as a practical route to lower embodied carbon and a net zero built environment.

I lead the Deakin Renewable Materials in Structures Research Group and am a research theme leader in the Deakin Digital Design and Engineering Centre (3DEC). I serve as academic adviser to WoodSolutions and as a member of the INBAR (International Network for Bamboo and Rattan) task force. I am Australia’s representative on ISO/TC 165 (Timber structures) and co-chair the development of several ISO standards for structural engineered bamboo.

My research is funded by the Australian Research Council, AgriFutures, Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) and Australian Forest and Wood Innovation (AFWI). Industry partners include XLam, AKD Softwoods, House of Bamboo and the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA).