Magd Abdel Wahab
Magd Abdel Wahab | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Scholar, professor, head of applied mechanics, Islamic imam |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Computational mechanics, material fatigue, damage mechanics, structural dynamics, fracture mechanics |
| Notable work | Logic and Islam Part I: Faith Issues: Answers to Current Questions; Logic and Islam Part II: Scientific Issues; Mechanics of Adhesives in Composite and Metal Joints; Finite Elements In Fracture Mechanics; Dynamics and Vibration: An Introduction |
Magd Abdel Wahab is a Belgian scholar, professor, and head of applied mechanics at Ghent University, also holding an honorary professorship at Yuan Ze University in Taiwan. He directs the Applied Mechanics Research Group within Laboratory Soete. Wahab is a distinguished contributor to computational mechanics research and additionally fulfills duties as an Islamic imam.
With over 800 published articles and technical documents in Solid Mechanics and Structural Dynamics, his work has accumulated upwards of 21,000 citations. His investigations primarily address material fatigue, durability, damage mechanics, structural vibration and dynamics, as well as fracture mechanics. Among his authored works are Logic and Islam Part I: Faith issues: Answers to current questions, Logic and Islam Part II: Scientific issues, Mechanics of Adhesives in Composite and Metal Joints, Finite Elements In Fracture Mechanics, and Dynamics and Vibration: An Introduction. He has also served as editor for 25 volumes.
Education
Wahab received his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering (1988) and Master of Science in structural mechanics (1991) from Cairo University in Egypt. He earned his PhD specializing in structural mechanics at KU Leuven, Belgium, in 1995, followed by a Doctor of Science degree awarded by the University of Surrey in 2008.
Career
Starting as an Assistant Lecturer in Finite Element Analysis at KU Leuven (1995–1999), Wahab then progressed to Lecturer and Senior Lecturer roles in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Surrey until 2008. Subsequently, he was appointed professor of civil engineering at Xios University College Limburg until 2009 before assuming his current position as Full Professor at Ghent University.
Research
Wahab’s research expertise encompasses finite element modeling, computational mechanics, fretting fatigue phenomena, material durability, damage and fracture analysis, alongside structural dynamics and vibration studies.
Computational mechanics
Wahab’s group developed a nonlinear transient analysis technique for smart piezoelectric functionally graded material (FGM) plates by integrating generalized shear deformation theory with an isogeometric analysis (IGA) framework. This approach accounts for thermo-piezoelectric coupling effects and utilizes the Newmark time integration method. Material properties are modeled through thickness variations based on Mori-Tanaka schemes combined with rule of mixtures. Validation was achieved through numerical case studies.
Their research also addressed static behavior, free vibration characteristics, and dynamic control mechanisms for piezoelectric composite plates equipped with sensors and actuators. Employing Higher Order Shear Deformation Theory (HSDT) alongside IGA enabled highly continuous displacement fields and demonstrated effective system performance.
An additional contribution introduced a streamlined four-variable shear and normal deformation theory (sSNDT) for analyzing static, dynamic, and buckling responses of FGM isotropic and sandwich plate structures. By applying the Galerkin weak formulation with IGA utilizing NURBS basis functions, smooth displacement distributions were ensured. Multiple examples confirmed this method’s robustness.
For size-dependent investigations of functionally graded carbon nano-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) nanoplates, Wahab utilized IGA combined with generalized higher-order shear deformation theory (GHSDT). The findings revealed enhanced precision compared to alternative numerical techniques.
Furthermore, his team explored the geometrically nonlinear transient response of FGM nanoplates considering size effects through IGA integrated with HSDT. The study incorporated nonlocal elasticity models across varying volume fracture exponents, producing numerical outcomes that validated the approach’s accuracy.
Material Fatigue
Wahab and his team devised methods to extract dynamic bending stiffness from the modal properties of reinforced concrete beams, establishing a connection between stiffness deterioration and the extent and position of damage. Their investigation into the fatigue performance of CFRP/epoxy lap-strap joints under diverse environmental influences revealed that fatigue resistance remained stable until nearing the glass transition temperature (Tg), at which point the fatigue threshold load significantly declined. The absorption of moisture lowered the adhesive's Tg, and the failure location demonstrated strong sensitivity to temperature variations. Crack growth within the lap-strap joint frequently induced crack propagation into the strap adherend, resulting in intricate mixed-mode fracture patterns. Additionally, Wahab conducted a comprehensive review of 222 publications on fatigue in adhesively bonded joints spanning from 1975 to 2011, identifying pivotal areas for future investigation.
Damage Evaluation
Wahab examined how temperature variations affect modal parameters in a prestressed concrete highway bridge by employing drop weight impact tests and ambient vibration measurements, complemented by finite element analysis to interpret shifts in natural frequencies. In research addressing the long-term reliability of adhesively bonded joints involving aluminum, composites, and dissimilar substrates exposed to humid conditions, failure mechanisms were simulated using a cohesive zone model (CZM). Joints made from dissimilar materials experienced substantial residual stresses due to differing thermal expansion coefficients, which led to an overestimation of residual strength because degradation was accelerated by these residual stress-enhanced processes.
Contributions to Islamic Studies
In addition to his engineering work, Wahab has actively contributed to Islamic scholarship. Over two decades, he has served as an Associate Imam and delivered Friday sermons and lectures at mosques across the UK and Belgium. He is also the author of two books: Logic and Islam Part I: Faith Issues: Answers to Current Questions and Logic and Islam Part II: Scientific Issues (2020).
Awards and Honors
- 2025 – Ranked #2 Nationally in Metallurgical & Materials Engineering by AD Scientific Index
- 2025 – Research.com Leader Award in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- 2025 – National Rank #3 in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering by Research.com
- 2025 – Global Rank 229 in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering by Research.com
- 2024 – Included among top 2% of scientists globally by Stanford University and Elsevier
- 2024 – National #2 Ranking in Engineering and Computer Science by ScholarGPS
- 2024 – Recognized as Highly Ranked Scholar in Engineering and Computer Science by ScholarGPS
- 2024 – Research.com Leader Award in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- 2024 – National #3 Ranking in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering by Research.com
- 2024 – World Rank 319 in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering by Research.com
- 2023 – Listed among top 2% scientists worldwide by Stanford University and Elsevier
- 2023 – Highly Ranked Scholar in Engineering and Computer Science according to ScholarGPS
- 2023 – Leader Award recipient for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Research.com
- 2023 – National Ranking #3 for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering on Research.com
- 2023 – Global Rank 491 for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering per Research.com
- 2022 – Recognized among top 2% scientists globally by Stanford University and Elsevier
- 2022 – Distinguished as Highly Ranked Scholar in Engineering and Computer Science by ScholarGPS
- 2022 – Designated High-Level Foreign Talent in China
- 2021 – Included among top 2% scientists worldwide by Stanford University and Elsevier
- 2015 – Awarded Medal of Honour in Belgium for exceptional teaching and professional contributions
- 2008 – Recipient of Egyptian Society & Student Union award at University of Surrey, UK
- 2007 – Granted SCEPTrE Fellowship from Surrey Centre for Excellence in Professional Training and Education
- 2005 – Honored with Teaching and Learning Prize at University of Surrey, UK
Books
- Logic and Islam Part I: Faith Issues—Responses to Contemporary Questions (2019) ISBN 978-9463385824
- Logic and Islam Part II: Scientific Topics (2020) ISBN 978-9463388580
- Adhesive Mechanics in Composite and Metallic Joints (2014) ISBN 978-1605950969
- Fracture Mechanics Using Finite Element Methods (2010) ISBN 978-3838304014
- Introduction to Dynamics and Vibrations (2008) ISBN 978-0470723005
Selected Articles
- Wahab, M. A., & De Roeck, G. (1999). Application of modal curvature techniques for detecting damage in bridges: a case study involving actual damage. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 226(2), 217–235.
- Loh, W. K., Crocombe, A. D., Wahab, M. A., & Ashcroft, I. A. (2005). Modeling unusual moisture absorption, swelling behavior, and thermal properties of rubber-modified epoxy adhesives. International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives, 25(1), 1–12.
- Khatir, S., Tiachacht, S., Le Thanh, C., Ghandourah, E., Mirjalili, S., Abdel Wahab, M. (2021). Enhanced artificial neural network leveraging arithmetic optimization algorithm for damage evaluation in functionally graded composite plates. Composite Structures 273, 114287.
- Phung-Van, P., Abdel-Wahab, M., Liew, K. M., Bordas, S. P. A., & Nguyen-Xuan, H. (2015). Higher-order shear deformation theory applied in isogeometric analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite plates. Composite Structures, 123, 137–149.
- Nguyen, H. X., Nguyen, T. N., Abdel-Wahab, M., Bordas, S. P., Nguyen-Xuan, H., & Vo, T. P. (2017). Refined quasi-three-dimensional isogeometric analysis of functionally graded microplates based on modified couple stress theory. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 313, 904–940.