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PhD (Queensland University of Technology)
Dr Tatheer Zahra’s research is inspired by energy absorbing memory foams used in shoes, replicating these to develop sustainable 3D printed reinforcement for application in civil structures, and protecting them from collisions and impact. Her experimental research on small-scale designed geometries has already proven to enhance impact resistance, results highlighted in the World Economic Forum and receiving worldwide interest. Dr Zahra’s ambitious research agenda is to use these sustainable materials at large-scale and replace conventional carbon intensive materials in the construction industry.
Tatheer is also investigating the performance of various kind of masonries such as interlocking mortarless masonry, brick masonry and reinforced concrete masonry. Her experimental and numerical studies have shown that masonry has potential as an environmentally friendly construction materials with less wastage and quicker construction time. She is a member of Standards Australia BD-004 Committee to outline the design guidelines for masonry.
She teaches civil engineering materials and design of concrete and masonry structures to the undergraduates at QUT. She has been lecturing different civil engineering units across various national and international universities for about 14 years with outstanding student feedback. Tatheer is passionate about her teaching with maximised students learning experience and engagement. She enthuses in-class and online students for learning by challenging them to understand new and difficult topics using case studies and authentic examples. Tatheer received Vice Chancellor’s and faculty’s award for student learning excellence for her positive student engagement and learning experiences in 2021.
Research areas: Within the broad field of structural engineering research, Tatheer has focused on the following areas:
- Structural behaviour of Mortarless masonry
- Assessment of ancient masonry arch bridges
- Reinforced masonry and concrete
- Auxetic materials and composites for structural protective application
Her research entails experimental tests, field investigations, computer modelling and simulations.
Additional information
- 2014 – present: Academic and Researcher, QUT. Currently, Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
- 2012 – 2014: Assistant Professor, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan
- 2007 – 2011: Lecturer, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan
- 2000 – 2004: Design Engineer, AA Associates - Engineering Consultants and Planners, Pakistan
Selected list of projects undertaken Tatheer's research outcomes are of immediate relevance to masonry industry and she is collaborating with industry to promote mortarless masonry, reinforced masonry for better earthquake resistance and for assessing safety of ancient masonry arch bridges. In Pakistan, she investigated the seismic behaviour of RC buildings, condition assessment of concrete buildings and performance of different cements in marine environment. A selected list of projects undertaken include:
- Application of 3D Printed Auxetic Composites for Seismic Retrofitting of Masonry Columns
- Collaboration with Concrete Masonry Association Australia to promote teaching and research in masonry
- Serviceability of ARTC Masonry Arch Bridges
- Case studies on the design of reinforced masonry buildings
- Experimental Investigation on Mortarless Masonry Walls
- Experimental investigation on concrete and masonry shear walls for different reinforcement arrangements
- Testing performance of chairs in restraining vertical bars of RM walls
- Mix design of coral concrete
- Response of Underground Transport Tunnels to Internal Blast and Mitigation Using Materials Technology
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor David Thambiratnam, Professor Tommy Chan - An Investigation On The In-Plane Performance Of Shear Walls For Low To Moderate Seismic Regions
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor David Thambiratnam