Faculty

The Department's teaching and research are delivered by three core faculty members whose combined training spans IIT Roorkee, IISc Bengaluru, NIT Srinagar, the University of Sheffield, the University of Edinburgh and Shaqra University (Saudi Arabia). The profile of Dr. Asif Hussain Shah appears under People → Head / Coordinator; individual profile pages are also available at Faculty Profiles.

Dr. Zubair Rashid Wani

Assistant Professor | Academic Coordinator | Assistant Executive Engineer
Ph.D. (NIT Srinagar) · Visiting Fellow, University of Edinburgh, UK
Email: zrwani@cukashmir.ac.in

A structural engineering researcher specialising in large-scale experimental testing, vibration control, uncertainty quantification and reliability-based design. Former Research Scientist at the University of Edinburgh and C. V. Raman/IoE Postdoctoral Fellow at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Holds a granted Indian patent and a published patent application, and is Principal Investigator of the HEFA CSR research project. Serves as University Nodal Officer for Planning and Development and as Campus Development Officer (Estates and Stores), overseeing ₹40 crore of infrastructure creation in liaison with the Project Management Consultant.

Education

Professional Experience

Research Interests

• Structural dynamics, vibration control and seismic engineering
• Large-scale experimental testing — shake table and servo-hydraulic systems
• Structural reliability, uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis
• Assessment, repair and structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure
• Machine learning applications in structural engineering

Doctoral Research Highlight

Ph.D. research implemented novel integrated adaptive control strategies on a five-storey steel-framed structure using multiple magnetorheological (MR) dampers for seismic protection — carried out on the largest shake table in India at IIT Roorkee — using state-of-the-art digital image correlation to monitor structural response under dynamic loads.

Postdoctoral Work

• University of Edinburgh: MAXBLADE project on composite structural components for tidal energy systems; vibration mitigation using tunable metamaterials; set up a structural engineering laboratory with a hydraulic heat press for infused GFRP and adhesive layers.
• IISc Bengaluru: real-time hybrid simulation and system identification for MR-damper-controlled frames under biaxial loading; reliability and uncertainty methods for controller–structure interaction; collaboration with INSTRON on a multi-hazard (fire/earthquake) laboratory building.

Courses Taught at CUK

Structural Dynamics (with MATLAB-based demonstrations: continuous systems and PDE modelling, SDOF/MDOF forced vibration, Newmark-beta and Central Difference time integration, response spectra) · Machine Learning in Structural Engineering (feature design, regression, perceptron, SVM, kernels, model validation)

University Responsibilities

As Nodal Officer for Planning and Development, he coordinates the planning, technical appraisal and phased implementation of the University's capital works programme — processing the Campus Master Plan, technical scrutiny of tender drawings, DPRs and estimates, coordination with the Project Management Consultant and executing agencies including NBCC and NPCC, appraisal of deviation and extra-item claims as Member Secretary of the relevant committees, and ensuring compliance with IS 456, IS 1893 and IS 13920 for a Seismic Zone V site. As Campus Development Officer, he oversees creation, upkeep and administration of the built estate and central stores across the Tulmulla and Arts campuses, including site supervision, quality assurance, material testing and maintenance planning.

Academic Network

Collaborations with Prof. Nikolaos Nikitas (University of Leeds), Prof. Dilum Fernando (University of Edinburgh), Prof. C. S. Manohar (IISc Bangalore) and Prof. Ehsan Noroozinejad Farsangi (Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Iran / UBC).

Mr. Suhail Ahmad Ahanger

Assistant Professor | M.Tech Coordinator | Assistant Executive Engineer
Ph.D. (Pursuing, NIT Srinagar) · Specialisation: Earthquake Engineering
Email: suhailahanger@cukashmir.ac.in

A civil and structural engineer with professional experience spanning academia, public infrastructure development, engineering consultancy and university administration. Prior to joining the Central University of Kashmir, he served as Assistant Professor under the World Bank-funded TEQIP-III programme at IUST and later as Junior Engineer in the Jal Shakti Department under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He qualified GATE in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Education

Professional Experience

Public Infrastructure Delivery — Jal Jeevan Mission

• Part of the design and execution team for the Jal Jeevan Mission, the national programme to provide safe drinking water through household tap connections to all rural households
• Designed Ground Service Reservoirs of varying capacities under a project portfolio worth ₹700 crore
• Designed and executed components of the Water Supply Scheme for Government Medical College Doda under the Deposit Contribution Scheme — ₹3.22 crore
• Chairman of the Forest Clearance team processing forest clearance requests for vital JJM projects on the PARIVESH portal

Research Interests

• Seismic behaviour of masonry-infilled reinforced concrete frames
• Machine learning for classification of building damage due to seismic forces
• Macro and micro infill modelling
• Microstructure of pozzolana-based cement concrete
• Source sustainability of drinking water supply schemes

Courses Taught

Structural Dynamics · Earthquake Resistant Design · Design of Bridge Structures · Design of Industrial Structures · Concrete Technology · Reinforced Concrete Design · Advanced Concrete Design · Matrix Methods of Structural Analysis · Continuum Mechanics · Bridge Engineering & Design

Postgraduate Research Supervised

• Seismic Damage Assessment of Srinagar City using RADIUS and GIS (2021)
• Full Replacement of Cement with Alccofine and Fly Ash in Geopolymer Concrete (2020)
• Effects of Curing Regimes on Mechanical Characteristics of Pozzolan-based Cement Concrete (2020)
• Influence of Pozzolanic Materials on Mechanical Properties and Durability of Self-Compacting Concrete with Recycled Concrete Aggregate (2020)
• Retrofitting of Beams Using CFRP — Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (2018)

Administrative Leadership

• AICTE Nodal Officer (University level) — coordinates AICTE statutory approvals, compliance and submissions; the University secured AICTE approval for its Engineering & Technology and Management programmes; enabled AICTE PG Scholarships of ₹12,400 per month, approval for an AICTE Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department, and registration of eligible PhD scholars under the AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) Scheme.
• NIRF Nodal Officer (University level) — coordinates the University's participation in the National Institutional Ranking Framework, compiling and validating data from all Schools, Departments and administrative sections.
• AISHE Nodal Officer (University level) — coordinates annual All India Survey on Higher Education submissions and serves as liaison with the Ministry of Education.
• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana Nodal Officer — coordinates implementation within the University and promotes rooftop solar energy infrastructure.