Research Topics

Throughout his current work at LAU and his previous work at Northwestern University and Sandia National Laboratories, Dr. Tabbara has focused on computer simulations (or modeling) of physical engineering problems. This has included developing new numerical techniques, writing various special purpose codes, and applying industry-standard (or off-the-shelf) codes to a wide range of problems. Research topics include: quasi-static and dynamic fracture, strain localization, projectile penetration of targets, FRP wrapped concrete columns, structural analysis and design, material modeling of actively confined concrete under compression, post-earthquake survival of archeological monuments, flow of water over spillways, stability of earth slopes, and transport of air pollutants.

Selected Journal Publications

1. Rocking, wobbling and overturning of the multidrum columns of Baalbek under periodic pulses, Mazen Tabbara, Gebran Karam, Josiane Jello, and Charbel Beaino, Journal of Seismology, 2021, 25(5), 1209-1226
2. Localization and Confinement Efficiency in Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastic-Confined Materials, Gebran Karam, and Mazen Tabbara, ACI – Structural Journal, 2020, 117 (6)
3. Parametric Investigation of the Effects of Localization and Slenderness on the Stress–Strain Response and Confinement Efficiency in FRP-Wrapped Concrete Cylinders, Mazen Tabbara and Gebran Karam, Applied Sciences, 2020, Online
4. Rocking Blocks Stability under Critical Pulses from Near-Fault Earthquakes Using a Novel Energy Based Approach, Gebran Karam and Mazen Tabbara, Applied Sciences, 2020, Online
5. Experimental, numerical and theoretical investigation of the rocking response of Baalbek columns under harmonic excitations, M. Tabbara and G. Karam, Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 2019, Online
6. Random particle model for fracture of aggregate or fiber composites, Z. Bazant, M. Tabbara, M. Kazemi and G. Pijaudier-Cabot, ASCE Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 1990, 116 (8), p. 1686-1705
7. A new method of analysis for slender columns, Z. Bazant, L. Cedolin, and M. Tabbara, ACI Structural Journal, 1991, 88 (4), p. 391-401
8. H-adaptive finite element methods for dynamic problems, with emphasis on localization, T. Belytschko and M. Tabbara, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 1993, 36 (24), p. 4245-4265
9. Finite element derivative recovery by moving least square interpolants, M. Tabbara, T. Blacker, and T. Belytschko, Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 1994, 117, p. 211-223
10. Element-free Galerkin methods for static and dynamic fracture, T. Belytschko, Y. Y. Lu, L. Gu and M. Tabbara, International Journal of Solids and Structures, 1995, 32 (17), p. 2547-2570
11. Element-free Galerkin methods for wave propagation and dynamic fracture, Y. Y. Lu, T. Belytschko and M. Tabbara, Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 1995, 126, p. 131-153
12. Dynamic fracture using element-free Galerkin methods, T. Belytschko and M. Tabbara, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 1996, 39, p. 923-938
13. A computational method for quasi-static fracture, M. Tabbara and C. M. Stone, Computational Mechanics, 1998, 22 (2), p. 203-210
14. Simulations of the penetration of 6061-T6511 aluminum targets by spherical-nosed VAR 4340 steel projectiles, T. L. Warren and M. Tabbara, International Journal of Solids and Structures, 2000, 37, p. 4419-4435
15. Computational modeling of flow over an ogee spillway, J. Chatila and M. Tabbara, Computers & Structures, 2004, 82, p. 1805-1812
16. Corner effects in CFRP-wrapped square columns, G. Karam and M. Tabbara, Magazine of Concrete Research, 56(8), 2004, p. 461-464
17. Confinement effectiveness in rectangular concrete columns with FRP wraps, G. Karam and M. Tabbara, ASCE Journal of Composites for Construction, 2005, 9(5), p. 388-396
18. Computational simulation of flow over stepped spillways, M. Tabbara, J. Chatila and R. Awwad, Computers & Structures, 2005, 83(27), p. 2185-2268
19. Hoek-Brown Strength Criterion for Actively Confined Concrete, G. Karam and M. Tabbara, ASCE Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2009, 20(3), p. 110-118

Academic degrees

Ph.D., Structural Engineering, Northwestern University, USA, 1990
M.S., Structural Engineering, Stanford University, USA, 1982
B.E., Civil Engineering, American University of Beirut, Lebanon, 1981