Education and training

RWTH Aachen University

–

  • Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Civil Engineering – Advanced Computational Methods in Civil Engineering

  • Aachen, Germany

Advanced computational methods in civil engineering, with a focus on computational mechanics, continuum and material mechanics, numerical methods, finite element modelling, structural analysis, composite structures, and nonlinear analysis. The interdisciplinary programme combines civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and mathematical methods for the analysis and simulation of innovative structures and materials.

  • Level in EQF: EQF level 7

Portsaid University

–

  • Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Civil Engineering

  • Portsaid, Egypt

Civil engineering, with a broad foundation in structural engineering, mechanics and materials, including structural analysis, reinforced concrete and steel structures, soil and foundation engineering, and construction engineering.

  • Level in EQF: EQF level 6

Work experience

  • University of Kassel – Institute for Structural Engineering (IKI), Structural Concrete

  • Kassel, Germany

Research Associate – Doctoral Research in Structural Engineering

–
  1. Scientific research on carbon-reinforced concrete structural systems within the SFB/TRR 280 research programme (30 hours/week – 75%)
  2. Literature research and scientific processing of research work packages
  3. Conception and development of structural experiments and experimental setups
  4. Planning, conducting, and evaluating structural experiments
  5. Numerical modelling to investigate structural behaviour
  6. Development of models describing load-bearing and deformation behaviour
  7. Consideration of construction principles and manufacturing techniques
  8. Scientific reporting and preparation of research results for publications and doctoral qualification
  9. Contribution to scientific publications, presentations, conferences, and collaboration within the research consortium
  10. Teaching and research support (8 hours/week – 20%), including teaching in structural concrete, supervision of student exercises, projects and theses, and preparation of technical documentation
  11. Administrative and committee activities (2 hours/week – 5%)

  • RWTH Aachen University – Chair and Institute of Structural Concrete (IMB)

  • Aachen, Germany

Research Associate – Doctoral Research in Structural Engineering

–
  1. Research on the load-bearing and deformation behaviour of concrete structures, including their interaction with non-metallic reinforcement (70% of working time)
  2. Literature research and scientific processing of research topics
  3. Conception and development of structural experiments and experimental setups
  4. Planning, conducting, and evaluating structural experiments
  5. Numerical modelling to investigate structural behaviour
  6. Development of verification concepts, construction principles, and manufacturing techniques
  7. Development of design models and construction rules
  8. Scientific reporting and documentation
  9. Presentation and publication of research results in scientific journals and at conferences
  10. Teaching and research support (15% of working time)
  11. Administrative and committee activities (15% of working time)

  • Schüßler-Plan GmbH

  • Nürnberg, Germany

Project Engineer

–
  1. Project Engineer (39 hours/week)
  2. Independent and quality-oriented execution of assigned project tasks
  3. Preparation and processing of engineering and planning tasks according to applicable standards, regulations, and client requirements
  4. Development of technical solutions for project-specific requirements
  5. Technical coordination and communication with project team members
  6. Preparation and review of project documentation and technical documents
  7. Coordination and management of project-relevant information and data
  8. Support of quality management and compliance with project requirements

  • RWTH Aachen University – Chair of Structural Analysis and Dynamics (LBB)

  • Aachen, Germany

Student Research Assistant

–
  1. Student Research Assistant (6 hours/week)
  2. Research activities: Analysis of 3D truss structures
  3. Teaching activities: Support for the courses Plates and Shells and Nonlinear Structural Analysis
  4. Administrative and organisational support for teaching and research activities

  • RWTH Aachen University – Institute of Applied Mechanics (IFAM)

  • Aachen, Germany

Student Research Assistant

–
  1. Administrative and organisational support for a scientific conference
  2. Support with conference organisation and on-site coordination
  3. Assistance with general organisational tasks and communication related to the conference

  • KP-Engineering (DYWIDAG-Prestressing International GmbH, Middle East Branch)

  • Kuwait , Kuwait

Structural Engineer – Post-Tensioning Engineer

–
  1. Preparation and support of structural calculations for prestressed and post-tensioned concrete structures
  2. Review of formwork and reinforcement drawings for prestressed concrete structures
  3. Development of structural models and numerical analyses using engineering software (ETABS, RAM Concept Design)
  4. Structural analysis and verification of prestressed concrete structures
  5. Inspection of construction works to ensure compliance with design specifications and applicable standards

  • Dar Al-Benaa (Engineering Office)

  • Kuwait, Kuwait

Structural Engineer

–
  1. Preparation of construction drawings for building projects
  2. Technical-office work, including preparation of contractual documents and review of technical drawings
  3. Support in the design and technical review of building projects
  4. Review and follow-up of project schedules
  5. Coordination of technical documentation related to construction projects

  • Delta University for Science and Technology – Faculty of Engineering

  • Mansoura, Egypt

Lecturer in Civil Engineering

–
  1. Teaching of Structural Analysis and Steel Bridges, including preparation of lectures and teaching materials and academic support for students in the Civil Engineering Department


  • Damietta Port Authority

  • Damietta, Egypt

Structural Engineering Intern

–
  1. Practical training in structural and civil engineering activities
  2. Observation and support of engineering and construction activities
  3. Familiarisation with structural drawings, construction processes, and engineering practice

Skills

Office Software

  • Microsoft Office

CAD/BIM and Engineering Software

  • AutoDesk Cad
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Autodesk Civil3d
  • Autodesk Robot structural analysis
  • Bentley RAM Concept
  • CSI-ETABS
  • InfoGraph

Visualization and Graphic Design

  • Paraview (basic)
  • Inkscape
  • CorelDRAW

Programming Languages and Tools

  • Python
  • LaTeX
  • MATLAB (Entry)
  • Git/GitHub

3D Modeling and Design

  • Blender
  • Rhinoceros 3D (Rhino)

Digital Skills Test results

Information and data literacy

Advanced

Level 6

Communication and collaboration

Advanced

Level 6

Digital content creation

Advanced

Level 6

Safety

Intermediate

Level 4

Problem solving

Advanced

Level 6

Results from a self-assessment based on The Digital Competence Framework 2.1

Language skills

Mother tongue(s)

Arabic

Other language(s)

Listening Reading Spoken interaction Spoken production Writing

English

C1: Proficient user
C1: Proficient user
C1: Proficient user
C1: Proficient user
C1: Proficient user

German

B2: Independent user
B2: Independent user
B2: Independent user
B2: Independent user
B2: Independent user
Certificates and diplomas
B2-Telc Certificate

Publications

A Holistic Approach for Carbon-Reinforced Concrete Structures Using Modular Design and Homogenization Techniques

2025 https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105016463531?origin=resultslist Herrmann et al. (2025), fib Symposium 2025, Antibes-France, 16-18 June 2025, pp. 2339–2351.

Peer-reviewed conference paper

Authors: Marja-Lisa Herrmann, Domen Macek, Leonie Charlotte Josefine Mester, Finn Döpke, Aya Ragab, Viviane Adam, Hagen Holthusen, Tim Brepols, Simon Cornelius Klarmann, Sven Klinkel Journal Name: fib International Symposium on Concrete Structures: Extend Lifetime, Limit Impacts Volume, Issue and Pages: 2339–2351 Publisher: Fédération internationale du béton (fib)

Interlocking Dry Joints to Assemble CFRP-Reinforced Modular Component – Pilot Study and Performance Testing

2026 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/413974224_Interlocking_Dry_Joints_to_Assemble_CFRP-Reinforced_Modular_Component-Pilot_Study_and_Performance_Testing Ragab et al. (2026), 7th fib Congress 2026, Lisbon-Portugal, 15–19 June 2026, pp. 1760–1769.

Peer-reviewed conference paper

Authors: Aya Ragab, Lore Zierul, Birgit Beckmann, Viviane Adam Journal Name: 7th fib Congress 2026 Volume, Issue and Pages: pp.1760-1769 Publisher: Fédération internationale du béton (fib)

Fresh-in-fresh Fiber Optic Sensor Embedding for Monitoring Yarn Behavior in Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete: A Feasibility Study

2026 https://smar-2026.org Ragab et al. (2026), SMAR 2026, Dresden, Germany, 26–28 August 2026, accepted for presentation and publication in the proceedings; forthcoming.

Peer-reviewed conference paper

Authors: Aya Ragab, Till Janiak, Lore Zierul, Kira Heins, Birgit Beckmann, Viviane Adam Journal Name: SMAR 2026 – 8th Conference on Smart Monitoring, Assessment and Rehabilitation of Civil Structures Publisher: Elsevier

Dry Interlocking Joint for CFRP-Reinforced Modular Component: Tensile Testing with Computed Tomography and Digital Image Correlation

2026 https://fibphdsymp2026.boku.ac.at/ Ragab et al. (2026), 16th fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering, Vienna, Austria, 9–11 September 2026, accepted for publication in the proceedings; forthcoming.

Peer-reviewed conference paper

Authors: Aya Ragab, Frank Liebold, Szymon Grzesiak, Lore Zierul, Christoph de Sousa, Matthias Pahn, Birgit Beckmann, Viviane Adam Journal Name: 16th fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering

Stability assessment of thin-walled carbon-reinforced concrete elements with alternating and conventional grid reinforcement

2026 https://fiblisbon2026.pt Zierul et al. (2026), 7th fib Congress 2026, Lisbon-Portugal, 15–19 June 2026, pp.1780-1789.

Peer-reviewed conference paper

Authors: Lore Zierul; Aya Ragab; Viviane Adam; Birgit Beckmann Journal Name: 7th fib Congress 2026 Volume, Issue and Pages: pp.1780-1789 Publisher: Fédération internationale du béton (fib)

Using in-situ computer tomography for crack development inside carbon-reinforced hollow core beams – comparison with DIC

2026 https://smar-2026.org Zierul et al. (2026), SMAR 2026, Dresden, Germany, 26–28 August 2026, accepted for presentation and publication in the proceedings; forthcoming.

Peer-reviewed conference paper

Authors: Lore Zierul; Szymon Grzesiak; Frank Liebold; Aya Ragab; Matthias Pahn; Hans-Gerd Maas; Viviane Adam; Birgit Beckmann Journal Name: SMAR 2026 – 8th Conference on Smart Monitoring, Assessment and Rehabilitation of Civil Structures Publisher: Elsevier

Conferences and seminars

Supervision of Student and Thesis Projects

–
Aachen

Doctoral Academy Seminar

Project Management - Leading Interdisciplinary Teams

–
Online - Aachen

Doctoral Academy Seminar

Good Scientific Practice for Doctoral Researchers

–
Online - Dresden

Doctoral Academy Seminar

Time Management

–
Online - Aachen

Doctoral Academy Seminar

Free Speech and Presentation

–
Aachen

Doctoral Academy Seminar

Coping with Stress at the University and Beyond

–
Online - Aachen

Doctoral Academy Seminar

Planning My Doctoral Studies

–
Online - Aachen

Doctoral Academy Seminar

7th fib Congress

–
Portugal - Lisbom

Conference - Fédération internationale du béton (fib)

Networks and memberships

Kuwaiti Engineers Society

Kuwait

Egyptian Engineers Society

Damietta, Egypt