People

Rita Awwad

Associate Professor

Contact Information

Office: Bassil 302
Extension: 2437
Email: rita.awwad@lau.edu.lb

Office Hours:
MWF 9:00-10:00

Research interests

Dr. Awwad’s research interests include but are not limited to:

  1. Modelling and simulation of construction bidding dynamics and complexities,
  2. Understanding and analyzing contractor’s risk behavior and bidding strategies,
  3. Simulation of dispute resolution dynamics in the construction field taking into account the different social behavioural characteristics of contract parties.
  4. Sustainable construction patterns and tradeoffs.

Selected publications

Peer-reviewed journal papers

  1. Awwad, R., and Ammouri, M. (2019) “The Evolution of Bid Prices under Various Price-Driven Bid Selection Methods: An Owner’s Perspective”, ASCE Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000803, 33(2).
  2. Awwad, R., Abi Shdid, C., and Tayeh, R. (2017). “Agent-Based Model for Simulating Construction Safety Climate in a Market Environment”, ASCE Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering. 10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000612 , 05016003.
  3. Awwad, R., Barakat, B., and Menassa, C. (2016). “Understanding Dispute Resolution in the Middle East Region from Perspective of Different Stakeholders”, ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000465 , 05016019.
  4. Asgari S., Awwad, R., Kandil A., and Odeh, I. (2016) “Impact of considering need for work and risk on performance of construction contractors: An agent-based approach”, Automation in Construction, 65, 9-20.
  5. Awwad, R., El Souki, O., and Jabbour, M. (2016) “Construction safety practices and challenges in a Middle Eastern developing country”, Safety Science, 83, 1-11.
  6. Awwad, R., (2015) “Evolutionary Simulation of Contractors’ Learning and Behavior under Two Bid Tendering Approaches”, ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000400, 04015041.
  7. Awwad, R., Asgari S., and Kandil A. (2014) “Developing a Virtual Laboratory for Construction Bidding Environment using Agent-Based Modeling”, ASCE Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000440, 04014105.
  8. Ioannou, P., and Awwad, R. (2010). “Below-Average Bidding Method”, ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(9), 936 – 946.
  9. Tabbara, M., Chatila, J., and Awwad, R. (2005). “Computational Simulation of Flow over Stepped Spillways”, Elsevier Computers and Structures, 83(27), 2215 – 2224.

Peer-reviewed conference proceedings

  1. Awwad, R. and El Khoury, K. (2019). “Sustainability Patterns and Tradeoffs through a Graphical Sustainability Index”, Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies (SCMT5), Kingston University, London, UK, July 14-17, 2019.
  2. Awwad, R. and Karam, J. (2019). “Disputed Risks in Construction”, Proceedings of the 10th International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference (ISEC 10), Chicago, Illinois, USA, May 20-25, 2019.
  3. Awwad, R., and Ammoury, M. (2018). “Comparison of Various Competitive Bidding Methods from an Owner’s Perspective”, Proceedings of the 2018 ASCE Construction Research Congress (CRC), New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, April 2-5, 2018.
  4. Awwad, R., Atallah, S., and Menassa, C. (2018). “Influence of Collaborative Behavior on Claim Negotiation”, Proceedings of the Second European and Mediterranean International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference (EURO-MED-SEC-2), Beirut, Lebanon, July 23-28, 2018.
  5. Tayeh, R., Awwad, R., and Abi Shdid, C. (2016). “An Agent-Based Framework for Simulating Contractors’ Safety Behavior”, Proceedings of the 2016 ASCE Construction Research Congress (CRC), Puerto Rico, USA, May 31 – June 2, 2016. 
  6. Barakat, B., Awwad, R., and Menassa, C. (2015). “Review of Construction Dispute Resolution Practices in the Middle East: Causes and Methods”, ISEC 8 Proceedings, Parramatta, Australia, November 23-28, 2015.
  7. Zankoul, E., Khoury, H., and Awwad, R. (2015). “Evaluation of Agent-Based and Discrete-Event Simulation for Modeling Construction Earthmoving Operations”, Proceedings of the 32nd International Symposium for Automation and Robotics in Construction and Mining (ISARC), Finland, June 14-18, 2015.
  8. Awwad, R., Jabbour, M., and El. Souki, O. (2014). “Safety Practices in the Lebanese Construction Market: Contractors’ Perspective”, Proceedings of the 31st International Symposium for Automation and Robotics in Construction and Mining (ISARC), Sydney, Australia, July 9 -11, 2014.
  9. Awwad, R., and Ammoury, M. (2013). “Surveying BIM in the Lebanese Construction Industry”, Proceedings of the 30th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction, Mining and Petroleum Industries, Montreal, Canada, August 11 -15, 2013.
  10. Awwad, R., and Ioannou, P. (2012). “The Second Low Bid Method”, Proceedings of the 29th International Conference CIB W78 on Applications of IT in the AEC Industry, Beirut, Lebanon, October 17-19, 2012.
  11. Awwad, R., and El Khoury, K. (2012). “Assessment of Sustainable Construction in Lebanon”, Proceedings of the 29th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction, Eindhoven, Netherlands, June 26-29, 2012.
  12. Awwad, R., and Ioannou, P. (2012). “A Risk-Sensitive Markup Decision Model”, Proceedings of the 2012 ASCE Construction Research Congress (CRC), West Lafayette, Indiana, May 21-23, 2012.
  13. Awwad, R., and Ioannou, P. (2009). “Less than Average Bid Method”, Proceedings of the 2009 Construction Research Congress (CRC), ASCE, Seattle, WA, April 5-7, 2009.
  14. Awwad, R., and Ioannou, P. (2007). “Floats in Repetitive Scheduling Method”, Proceedings of the 2007 Construction Research Congress (CRC), ASCE, Grand Bahamas Island, Bahamas, May 6-8, 2007.
  15. Awwad, R., Behzadan, A., and Tsimhoni, O. (2006). “Comparative Analysis of Process Interaction and Activity Scanning Approaches in Simulation of Construction Operations”, Proceedings of the 2006 Winter Simulation Conference, IEEE, Monterrey, CA, Dec. 3-6, 2006.
  16. Issa, C., Awwad, R., and Sfeir, A. (2005). “Numerical Modeling of Plain Concrete Beams Strengthened with Externally Bonded CFRP”, Proceedings of the 2005 ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering, Cancun, Mexico, July 12-15, 2005.

Professional memberships

  • Member, Fulbright Alumni Association of Lebanon (FAAL), since 2014
  • Member, Construction Research Congress (ASCE CRC), since 2012.
  • Member, Construction Institute (ASCE CI), since 2008.
  • Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), since 2008.
  • Member, Lebanese Order of Engineers and Architects, since 2004.

Academic degrees

  • Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, January 2010
  • M.S. in Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, April 2008
  • M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, April 2005
  • B.E. in Civil Engineering, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon, July 2004