Research
Structural Mechanics
During his PhD studies Stelios worked mainly on the geometric modelling of interactive and localized buckling and post-buckling response in sandwich struts and beam-columns with thin stiff plates and a softer core. Furthermore he has also worked in the modelling inhomogeneous ovalization in elastic thin-walled tubes and kink banding in layered elastic structures. His work included the development of mathematical models accounting for the geometric nonlinearities of the structures mentioned above and their solution. Validation of these models was carried by comparison with experimental results published in the literature or bespoke numerical simulations performed.
Stelios has founded the Functionally Optimized Structures Group which focuses on:
Stelios is currently a Marie Curie Intra-European Fellow at Cranfield University's Centre of Offshore Renewable Energy Engineering. His project, INSIST, deals with the investigation of structural integrity and stability of steel metal foam sandwich structures.
Stelios has founded the Functionally Optimized Structures Group which focuses on:
- Buckling mode interaction in sandwich structures with graded property cores,
- Stability analysis laminated of composites
- Experimental and analytical characterisation of metal and hybrid metal foams,
- Structural stability and Integrity of metal foam sandwich panels.
Stelios is currently a Marie Curie Intra-European Fellow at Cranfield University's Centre of Offshore Renewable Energy Engineering. His project, INSIST, deals with the investigation of structural integrity and stability of steel metal foam sandwich structures.
Engineering Sustainability
Sustainable development is at the heart of Civil Engineering and early on during his research career Stelios has looked into the application of Biomimicry in Structural Design as a means for developing sustainable engineering solutions. His article titled "The load bearing duct: Applying Biomimicry principles in structural design" won the Trevithick Prize as the Best paper in Engineering Sustainability by the Institution of Civil Engineers. Stelios is currently looking into ways to quantify this methodology and create a framework for integrated design engineering solutions using biomimetic principles .
Furthermore Stelios holds interest in sustainable construction using low- or zero-carbon materials and has supervised MEng/BEng dissertations on lightweight earthquake resistant housing in rural El Salvador, Whole life cycle of rammed earth housing in England and Hemcrete.
Furthermore Stelios holds interest in sustainable construction using low- or zero-carbon materials and has supervised MEng/BEng dissertations on lightweight earthquake resistant housing in rural El Salvador, Whole life cycle of rammed earth housing in England and Hemcrete.
Teaching of Structural Analysis
Following the Johnson and May report on the teaching of structural analysis, there is growing acceptance that new approaches to learning for students of structural engineering are needed. Graham Owens, former IStructE President, puts ‘Greater emphasis on improving understanding of the behaviour of structures and their materials’ at the top of the list of needed key changes in structural engineering curricula. Stelios is currently working with Expedition Engineering (UK) and other academics in the field of structural analysis on a project funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering National HESTEM programme to develop online tutorials for a software tool with the purpose which has significant potential to enhance such understanding. This tool, the so-called "Push Me Pull Me" is found on the Expedition Workshed website and can be used freely. An initial use of the tutorials to current students in the UK had produced promising results and a potentially positive outcome from this project could feed into other disciplines of engineering education.
The project has finished successfully and the case study presented to RAEng/HESTEM has been selected for publication. You can view the case study here. Furthermore his paper on the teaching of Y1 Integrated Design has received a Commendation for Excellence in Structural Engineering Education by the IStructE in 2015.
The project has finished successfully and the case study presented to RAEng/HESTEM has been selected for publication. You can view the case study here. Furthermore his paper on the teaching of Y1 Integrated Design has received a Commendation for Excellence in Structural Engineering Education by the IStructE in 2015.