People

Caesar Abi Shdid

Associate Professor, and Associate Dean

Contact Information

Office: ELRC 6105H
Extension: 2811
Email: caesar.abishdid@lau.edu.lb

Office Hours:
TR 14:00–15:15

Research interests

Analysis and assessment of the structural performance of critical infrastructure facilities, including:

  • The thermal effects on the stresses in composite steel-concrete bridges.
  • The effect of corrosion on the performance of deep drilled shaft foundations.
  • Using analytical and mathematical techniques to process data from advanced sensing technologies to better assess structural performance of in-place deep underground foundations.
  • Experimental testing and numerical analysis of the structural performance of large concrete, prestressed concrete, and steel pipes used in sewer and pipeline networks.

Selected publications

Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers

  1. Abi Shdid, C., Issa, C., and El-Masri, O., (2024) “Numerical Simulation of the Effect of Thermal Stresses on Composite Bridge Decks”. Journal of Structure and Infrastructure Engineering. Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2024.2401370.
  2. Keushkerian, B. and Abi Shdid, C., (2024). “Building a Sustainable Future: Exploring the Nexus Between Climate Awareness and Thermal Insulation Choices in New Home Construction”. Energy Reports Journal, Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.04.061
  3. Azzi, Z., Elawady, A., Irwin, P., Chowdhury, A., and Abi Shdid, C., (2022). “Aeroelastic Modeling to Investigate the Wind-Induced Response of a Multi-Span Transmission Lines System”. Journal of Wind and Structures, Techno Press. https://doi.org/10.12989/was.2022.34.2.231
  4. Azzi, Z., Elawady, A., Irwin, P., Chowdhury, A., and Abi Shdid, C., (2021). “Aeroelastic Modeling to Study the Wind-Induced Response of a Self-Supported Lattice Tower”. Journal of Engineering Structures, Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112885
  5. Hajali, M., and Abi Shdid, C., (2020). “Failure Prediction of PCCP using Nonlinear Finite Element Model in Conjunction with Flow Measurement Devices”. Journal of Structural Concrete, Wiley Blackwell. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/suco.202000238
  6. Andary, A., Abi Shdid, C., Chowdhury, A. G., and Ahmad, I. U., (2019). “Integrated Project Delivery Implementation Framework for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Projects”. Journal of Engineering Construction and Architectural Management, Emerald Publishing. http://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-02-2019-0075
  7. Abi Shdid, C., Andary, A., Chowdhury, A. G., and Ahmad, I. U., (2018). “Project Performance Rating Model for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Public Projects”. Journal of Management in Engineering, ASCE. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000678
  8. Awwad, R., Abi Shdid, C., and Tayeh, R., (2017). “An Agent-Based Model for Simulating the Construction Safety Climate in a Market Environment”. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000612
  9. Nayyeri, S., Hajali, M., and Abi Shdid, C., (2016). “Ring Foundation on Elastic Sub-grade: an Analytical Solution for Computer Modeling using the Lagrangian Multiplier Method”. International Journal of Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, Wiley Blackwell. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/nag.2521
  10. Hajali, M., Alavinasab, A., and Abi Shdid, C., (2016). “Structural performance of buried prestressed concrete cylinder pipes with harnessed joints interaction using numerical modeling”. Journal of Tunneling and Underground Space Technology, Elsevier, 51(1), 11-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2015.10.016
  11. Hajali, M., Alavinasab, A., and Abi Shdid, C., (2016). “Effect of the Number of Broken Wire Wraps on the Structural Performance of PCCP with Full Interaction at the Gasket Joint”. Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice, ASCE, 7(2), pp. 8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)PS.1949-1204.0000219
  12. Abi Shdid, C., and Hajali M., (2015). “Applications of Fast Fourier Transform in the Integrity Evaluation of Deep Foundations: an Innovative Method for Quality Control”. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE. 30(5). http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000520
  13. Abi Shdid, C., and Hajali M., (2015). “Experimental Validation of an Empirical Model for Computing the Diameter of Drilled Shafts during Construction Using CSL Signal Processing”. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE, 30(2), pp. 10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000486
  14. Hajali, M., Alavinasab, A., and Abi Shdid, C., (2015). “Effect of the Location of Broken Wire Wraps on the Failure Pressure of Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipes”. Journal of Structural Concrete, Wiley Blackwell, 16(2), 297-303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/suco.201400070
  15. Abi Shdid, C., and Younes, C., (2015). “Validating a New Model for Rapid Multi-Dimensional Combined Heat and Air Infiltration Building Energy Simulation”. Journal of Energy and Buildings, Elsevier. 87(1), 185-198. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.11.038
  16. Abi Shdid, C., and Hajali M., (2014). “Structural Capacity Reduction of Drilled Shaft Foundations due to Corrosion in Longitudinal Bars”. Journal of Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, Taylor and Francis, 11(11), 1537-1546. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2014.979428
  17. Nayyeri, S., Abi Shdid, C., and Esmaeily, A.,(2014). “Experimental and Numerical Analysis of the Tensile Test on the A633 HSLA Steel Plate Specimens with Edge Crack”. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, SSRG, 1(7), 76-88.
  18. Hajali, M. and Abi Shdid, C., (2014). “Cross-hole Sonic Logging and Frequency Tomography Analysis of Drilled Shaft Foundations to Better Evaluate Anomalies Locations”. Deep Foundations Institute Journal, DFI, 8(1), 27-38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/TBC14Z.0000000001
  19. Younes, C., and Abi Shdid, C., (2014). “An Enhanced Model for Combined Heat and Air Infiltration Energy Simulation”, Journal of Building Physics, SAGE, 38(3), 262-286. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1744259113501643.
  20. Hajali, M., and Abi Shdid, C., (2013). “Determination of the Two-Dimensional Plastic Zone Shape and SIF at the Crack Tip Using RKPM”. Journal of Iron and Steel Research International, Elsevier. 20(12), 103-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1006-706X(13)60223-X.
  21. Younes, C., and Abi Shdid, C., (2013). “A Methodology for 3-D Multiphysics CFD Simulation of Air Leakage in Building Envelopes”, Journal of Energy and Buildings, Elsevier, 65(10), 146-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.05.050
  22. Hajali, M., and Abi Shdid, C., and Nejadpak, A., (2013). “Comparison between Visibility and Diffraction Criteria on SIF and J-integral Value for Mode I Crack Using RKPM”. Journal of Structures, Hindawi Publishing, Vol. 2013, Article ID 978684, pp. 10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/978684
  23. Hajali, M., and Abi Shdid, C., (2012). “Behavior of Axially Loaded Drilled Shaft Foundations with Symmetric Voids outside and inside the Caging”. Deep Foundations Institute Journal, DFI, 6(2), 3-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/dfi.2012.006
  24. Hajali, M. and Abi Shdid, C., (2012). “Contribution of the Side Resistance and Tip Resistance on the Total Axial Load Capacity of Drilled Shaft Foundations”. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 17, 2685-2696.
  25. Younes, C., Abi Shdid, C., and Bitsuamlak, G., (2012). “Air Infiltration in Building Envelopes: A Review”. Journal of Building Physics, SAGE, 35(3), 267-302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1744259111423085.
  26. Abi Shdid, C., Mirmiran, A., and Wang, T., (2011). “Uplift Capacity and Impact Resistance of Roof Tiles”. Practice Periodicals on Structural Design and Construction, ASCE, 16(3), 121-129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SC.1943-5576.0000081
  27. Huang, P., Mirmiran, A., Chowdhury, A., Abi Shdid, C., and Wang, T., (2009). “Performance of Roof Tiles under Simulated Hurricane Impact”. Journal of Architectural Engineering, ASCE, 15(1), 26-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1076-0431(2009)15:1(26)
  28. Flood, I., Raja R. Issa, and Abi Shdid, C., (2007). “Rapid Multi-Dimensional Simulation of Transient Heat-Flow in Buildings Using Neural Network-Based Coarse-Grain Modeling”. Journal of Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing, AI-EDAM, Cambridge University Press, pp. 18.
  29. Flood, I., Abi Shdid, C., Raja R. Issa, and Katram, N., (2007). “Developments in Coarse-Grain Modeling of Transient Heat-Flow in Buildings”. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE, 21(5), 379-382. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2007)21:5(379)
  30. Abi Shdid, C., Ansley, M., and Hamilton, H.R., (2006). “Visual Rating and Strength Testing of 40-Year Old Precast, Prestressed Concrete Piles”. Journal of the Transportation Research Board, TRB, 1975(1), 3-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.3141/1975-03
  31. Flood, I., Raja R. Issa, and Abi Shdid, C., (2004). “Simulating the Thermal Behavior of Buildings Using Artificial Neural Networks-Based Coarse-Grain Modeling”. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE, 18(3), 207-214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2004)18:3(207)

Peer-Reviewed Conferences Proceedings

  1. Azzi, Z., and Abi Shdid, C., “Seismic Behavior of Unreinforced Concrete Masonry Infill Walls”. Proceedings of the Eleventh International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference (ISEC-11), pp. 6, July 2021. https://doi.org/10.14455/ISEC.2021.8(1).STR-02
  2. Abi Shdid, C., and El Masri, O., “Effect of Transient Thermal Gradient on Stresses in Composite Bridges”. Proceedings of the tenth International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference (ISEC-10), pp. 6, May 2019. https://doi.org/10.14455/ISEC.res.2019.65
  3. El Masri, O., and Abi Shdid, C., “Effect of the Presence of Pre-Service Construction Cracks in Concrete Decks on the Thermal Profile of Composite Steel-Concrete Bridges in Cold Regions”. Proceedings of the ASCE 2017 Congress on Technical Advancement, pp. 1-12, September 2017.
  4. Tayeh, R., Awwad, R., and Abi Shdid, C., “An Agent-Based Framework for Simulating Contractors’ Safety Behavior”. Proceedings of the ASCE 2016 Construction Research Congress (CRC 2016), pp. 2679-2688, June 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/9780784479827.267
  5. Abi Shdid, C. and Andary, E., “Improving the Delivery Process of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Public Projects through the use of IPD Principles: A Case Study”. Proceedings of the 2016 AWWA Utility Management Conference (UMC 2016), pp. 11, February 2016.
  6. Abi Shdid, C. and Hajali, M., “The Effect of the Size and Orientation of Corrosion Damage on the Residual Strength of Steel Pipes: Analytical Validation of a Numerical Model”. Proceedings of the ASME 2015 Pressure Vessels & Piping Division Conference (PVP 2015), pp. 8, July 2015.
  7. Abi Shdid, C. and Hajali, M., “Detecting Location of Construction Defects in Drilled Shafts Using Frequency Tomography Analysis of Cross-hole Sonic Logging”. Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference of Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (ICCCBE), pp. 9, June 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/9780784413616.214
  8. Hajali, M. and Abi Shdid, C., “Contribution of Side Resistance and Tip Resistance on the Total Axial Load Capacity of Drilled Shaft Foundations”. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference On Case Histories In Geotechnical Engineering and symposium, pp 15, April 2013.
  9. Hajali, M. and Abi Shdid, C., “Evaluation of the Mode I Plastic Zone Size at the Crack Tip Using RKPM and FEM”. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Crack Path, pp 9, September 2012.
  10. Hajali, M. and Abi Shdid, C., “Finite Element Evaluation of Modal Stresses in Cantilever Highway Sign Structures under Wind Loading”. Proceedings of the 2012 ASCE ATC-SEI Advances in Hurricane Engineering Conference, ASCE, pp 32, October 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/9780784412626.086
  11. Hajali, M. and Abi Shdid, C., “Effect of Dilation Parameter on the Stress Intensity Factor at the Crack tip Using RKPM”. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Crack Path, pp 15, September 2012.
  12. Younes C. and Abi Shdid, C., “True Multiphysics Simulation of Air Leakage in Building Envelopes”. Proceedings of the 2012 Engineering Mechanics Institute and 11th ASCE Joint Specialty Conference on Probabilistic Mechanics and Structural Reliability (EMI/PMC 2012), pp 16, June 2012.
  13. Hajali, M. and Abi Shdid, C., “Fracture Behavior of ASTM A633 Steel Plate Specimens with Edge Crack at Tensile Test”. Proceedings of the 2012 Engineering Mechanics Institute and 11th ASCE Joint Specialty Conference on Probabilistic Mechanics and Structural Reliability (EMI/PMC 2012), pp 10, June 2012.
  14. Hajali, M. and Abi Shdid, C., “Three-Dimensional Finite Element Nonlinear Static Analysis of a Drilled Shaft Subjected to Axial Load”. Proceedings of the 2012 Engineering Mechanics Institute and 11th ASCE Joint Specialty Conference on Probabilistic Mechanics and Structural Reliability (EMI/PMC 2012), pp 10, June 2012.
  15. Hajali, M. and Abi Shdid, C., “Determination of the Stress Intensity Factor at the Crack Tip Using RKPM Abstract Accepted”. Proceedings of the 46th U.S. Rock Mechanics /Geomechanics Symposium, pp 10, June 2012.
  16. Hajali, M. and Abi Shdid, C., “A Nondestructive Testing Technique for Continuous Measurement of Drilled Shaft Diameter during Construction”. Proceedings of the ACI Fall 2011 Convention, October 2011.
  17. Hajali, M. and Abi Shdid, C., “Evaluation of Highway Sign Structures and Modeling on SAP2000 for Wind Loading”. Proceedings of the Spring 2011 ACI Convention, April 2011.
  18. Flood, I., Issa, R., and Abi Shidid, C., “Rapid Simulation of Building Physical Processes Using the Coarse-Grain Method: A Transient Heat Flow Case Study”. Proceedings CONVR 2005, Dawood, N. (Ed.) (CD-ROM), Durham, UK, Sept., 4-6, 2005, pp. 8.
  19. Flood, I., Issa, R., and Abi Shidid, C., “Developments in Hyper Real-Time Simulation of Transient Heat-Flow in Buildings”. Proceedings International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering, ICCCBE, 10, Weimar, Bauhaus-Universität, June 2004, pp. 11.
  20. Flood, I., Abi Shdid, C., and Issa, R., “Course-Grain Method for Simulating the Thermal Behavior of Buildings”. Proceedings of the ASCE Fourth Joint International Symposium on Information Technology in Civil Engineering, ASCE, pp 14, 2003.
  21. Flood, I., and Abi Shdid, C., “Dynamic-Neural Modeling of the thermal behaviour of buildings”. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Engineering Computational Technology, pp. 12, Civil-Comp press, Egmond-aan-Zee, Netherlands, Sept., 2-4, 2003.

Professional Society Memberships

  1. Member, American Concrete Institute (ACI), 2006 - present
  2. Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2005 - present
  3. Member, Prestressed/Precast Concrete Institute (PCI), 2005 - present
  4. Life Member, American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), 2004 - present
  5. Member, Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), 2005 - present
  6. Member, Construction Institute (CI), 2005 - present
  7. Affiliate Member, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), 2012 – present

Professional Licenses and Certifications

  1. Professional Engineer (PE Civil), Florida. License No. 70860
  2. Structural Engineer (SE), Florida. License No. 70860
  3. Professional Engineer, Lebanon. License No. 34869
  4. OSHA Construction Safety, U.S.A. License No. 600596059

Academic degrees

Ph.D., Building Construction, University of Florida, USA, 2004. (Minor in Structural Engineering)
M.E., Civil Engineering, University of Florida, USA, 2005. (Structural Engineering)
M.S., Building Construction, University of Florida, USA, 2001.
B.E., Civil Engineering, Lebanese American University, Lebanon, 1999.