A little bit about myself
Ahmad Razin Zainal Abidn
I began my career as an academic at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in September 2005, serving as a tutor for the IT Unit in the Faculty of Civil Engineering. During my time in this role, I fully immersed myself in the academic culture of UTM, constantly seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge. In 2008, I was thrilled to be promoted to the position of lecturer after completing my Master’s degree in March of that year.
As a lecturer, I have had even more opportunities to contribute to the development of both my students and the university as a whole, particularly through teaching and supervising IT-related subjects. I find great satisfaction in being a part of the academic community and in continually advancing knowledge in the field of Civil Engineering IT applications. Looking ahead, I am confident that there will always be new and exciting opportunities for me to explore throughout my career as an academic.
My educational background has been instrumental in shaping my passion for Civil Engineering, Computational Structural Mechanics and IT-related construction management. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, with a major in Construction Management, from UTM in 2005. During my studies, I was able to delve into fascinating projects, such as developing an efficient system for appointing contractors using a Decision Support System (DSS). The project challenged me to think critically and creatively about how IT can be used to revolutionize construction management practices.
This experience motivated me to pursue a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering at UTM, where I further honed my expertise in IT-related construction management. For my Master’s research project, I explored the cutting-edge technology of Industrialised Building System (IBS), a component-based construction process that allows for manufacturing-like production. My research involved implementing manufacturing techniques to simulate house production under IBS, with the goal of determining the most efficient method for completing the construction process.
Through these experiences, I have developed a strong foundation in Civil Engineering and a deep understanding of how IT can be used to enhance construction practices. I am passionate about using my skills and knowledge to contribute to the development of new and innovative approaches to construction management. I am excited to continue exploring this field and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of construction.
In fact, my most significant academic achievement is my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from Imperial College London, which I earned in 2013. My research work focused on the implementation of detailed nonlinear finite element analysis (NFEA) and meshless methods, with a particular emphasis on the buckling assessment of steel beams with multiple web openings. The goal was to develop an efficient approach that could balance accuracy, computational efficiency, and practical applicability. To achieve this, I utilized several simplification techniques, such as super-element analysis and rotational spring analogy (RSA) for simplified buckling analysis, which effectively reduced the complexity of the model.
During my doctoral studies, I had the privilege of being supervised by Professor Bassam Izzuddin, a well-known figure in the field of computational mechanics. His invaluable guidance and mentorship allowed me to deepen my understanding of the subject and develop a critical perspective on complex engineering problems. Through this experience, I gained a unique set of skills, including the ability to conduct in-depth research, think analytically, and apply innovative solutions to real-world problems.
I am committed to furthering my research in computational mechanics and contributing to the advancement of this field. I believe that my skills and knowledge can be applied to a wide range of engineering challenges, particularly those related to structural design, optimization, and safety. As an academician, I am dedicated to imparting my knowledge to the next generation of engineers, inspiring them to push the boundaries of what is possible and make a positive impact on society.