Bowen Duan | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Bowen Duan | Civil Engineering
| Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate at Harbin Institute of Technology, China.

Bowen Duan is a Ph.D. candidate in Civil Engineering at the School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, under the mentorship of Prof. Jinliang Gao. His research is centered on water distribution networks, particularly the optimization of modeling techniques and advanced leakage detection methodologies. Through integrating data-driven methods and optimization algorithms, he aims to address critical urban water management challenges such as low modeling precision and complex leakage identification. His research output includes journal and international conference publications that reflect both scientific rigor and real-world application. Duan’s recent work has been featured in Energies, emphasizing the relevance of his research to pressing environmental infrastructure issues. He demonstrates a promising trajectory as a future leader in sustainable water management.

🌍 Professional Profile:

Scopus

ORCID

🏆 Suitability for the Best Researcher Award :

Bowen Duan stands out as a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his impactful research in optimizing water distribution networks—an area critical to sustainable urban development. His application of advanced algorithms for leakage detection significantly improves operational efficiency in real-world water systems. Publishing in top-tier journals and presenting at international conferences, he has shown remarkable academic maturity and innovation. His contributions bridge theoretical advancements and practical utility, reflecting both depth and foresight. Despite being at an early stage in his career, his interdisciplinary approach, commitment to solving complex engineering problems, and drive for impactful outcomes underscore his potential to contribute meaningfully to environmental engineering and resource sustainability on a global scale.

🎓 Education :

Bowen Duan is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), one of China’s leading institutions for environmental and engineering sciences. Under the guidance of Prof. Jinliang Gao, his academic focus includes water system modeling, hydraulic simulations, and smart detection technologies. His graduate training emphasizes multidisciplinary learning, combining civil engineering fundamentals with advanced data analytics, systems optimization, and environmental sustainability principles. He has also engaged in national and international academic discourse through conferences and collaborative work. Bowen’s educational background demonstrates strong technical grounding, critical thinking, and a forward-looking perspective essential for tackling complex challenges in water infrastructure and management systems.

🏢 Work Experience :

Bowen Duan has acquired valuable research experience through active engagement in multiple water management projects during his Ph.D. studies at Harbin Institute of Technology. His work involves hydraulic modeling, smart sensing, leakage detection, and intervention strategy analysis in water distribution networks. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at renowned conferences such as the Computing and Control for the Water Industry Conference (CCWI 2023, UK), indicating early international exposure. His ability to combine field data with computational techniques highlights practical problem-solving skills. Bowen is also familiar with simulation software, data acquisition systems, and algorithmic design. His research is informed by both theoretical inquiry and applied engineering, making him a capable young scholar with a growing industry-relevant portfolio.

🔹 Awards and Honors

While specific awards and honors are yet to be disclosed, Bowen Duan has gained notable academic recognition through conference acceptances and journal publications, including in the international journal Energies. His participation in the prestigious 19th Computing and Control for the Water Industry (CCWI) Conference in the UK in 2023 reflects peer recognition of his research relevance and quality. These achievements in a competitive academic environment indicate his rising status in the field of environmental and civil engineering. As a doctoral researcher, he continues to build a record of excellence that could soon be accompanied by formal honors, research grants, or innovation awards. His current trajectory and impactful work strongly suggest a promising candidate for future accolades.

🔬 Research Focus :

Bowen Duan’s research centers on optimizing water distribution networks by enhancing hydraulic modeling precision and leakage detection. His innovative approach combines traditional civil engineering knowledge with modern computational tools—such as data-driven optimization, spatial pressure correlation, and real-time monitoring—to develop more responsive and accurate detection systems. His work tackles key problems including system complexity, modeling inefficiencies, and slow leak identification in urban water supply systems. He has investigated behavioral influences on water-saving in public buildings and contributed insights on psychological interventions. Through international conference presentations and journal articles, Bowen advances both theoretical frameworks and practical applications that enhance urban resilience, sustainability, and water conservation efforts. His contributions position him at the intersection of engineering, data science, and sustainability.

📊 Publication Top Notes:

📘 Energy-Efficient Management of Urban Water Distribution Networks Under Hydraulic Anomalies: A Review of Technologies and Challenges
📅 Year: 2025 | 🧪 Journal: Energies | ✍️ Authors: Bowen Duan, Jinliang Gao, Huizhe Cao, Shiyuan Hu
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/en18112877 | 🧷 Publisher: MDPI

📝 Evaluating the Dynamic Psychological and Behavioral Changes of Water-Saving in Public Buildings Under Effective Interventions
📅 Year: 2024 | 📄 Type: Preprint | ✍️ Authors: Bowen Duan, Jinliang Gao, Wenyan Wu, Wenjuan Guo, Jinghui Wang, Shanshan Zhang, Chao Wen, Yuan Tian, Chang Shen
🔗 DOI: 10.22541/essoar.171535804.44094305/v1 | 🧷 Platform: ESSOAr

Frantisek Wald | Fire engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Frantisek Wald| Fire engineering
|Best Researcher Award

 

Prof. Frantisek Wald Czech Technical University, Czech Republic.

Professor František Wald is a leading expert in steel and timber structures at Czech Technical University in Prague. With over three decades of dedicated research in structural steel joints and fire engineering, he has pioneered academic programs in fire safety and led several EU-wide collaborations such as COST TU and Erasmus Mundus SUSCOS. His leadership roles in European technical committees and presidency of the ECCS (2023–2024) reflect his significant influence in civil engineering. His prolific research, international impact, and innovation in structural safety under fire and seismic conditions make him a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work bridges advanced theory and practical design, contributing extensively to safety standards and sustainable construction practices in Europe.


🌍 Professional Profile:

Orcid

Scopus

🏆 Suitability for the Best Researcher Award

Professor František Wald is a pioneering researcher in structural steel joints and fire engineering, with over three decades of impactful contributions to structural safety. His work has advanced European standards through leadership in technical committees (TC10 Joints, TC3 Fire, TC14 FEM) and his role in drafting prEN1993-1-8. As President of ECCS (2023–2024), he strengthened international cooperation in steel construction. He has initiated and led transformative research projects such as FISHWALL and MADESCO, combining theory with real-world application. His academic influence is evident through the creation of comprehensive fire safety programs. With strong citation metrics and global collaborations, Prof. Wald exemplifies excellence in research, education, and innovation, making him a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

🎓 Education 

František Wald pursued his engineering education at the Czech Technical University in Prague, where he laid the foundation for his career in structural engineering. He earned his doctoral degree with a focus on steel structures and fire safety, contributing to the advancement of structural resilience under extreme conditions. Over the years, he expanded his academic influence by establishing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs dedicated to building fire safety, reflecting a commitment to both education and research. His expertise was further refined through collaboration with European academic institutions, shaping international educational programs like the Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Steel Structures (SUSCOS), which he co-developed. His academic background exemplifies a lifelong dedication to technical excellence and educational innovation in structural engineering.

🏢 Work Experience 

Professor Wald has over 30 years of experience in structural engineering, primarily at Czech Technical University in Prague. Since 1992, he has actively contributed to European technical committees including TC10 (Joints), TC3 (Fire), and TC14 (FEM). He also worked on the drafting of prEN1993-1-8, influencing steel joint design standards across Europe. His academic leadership includes establishing multi-level fire safety programs and managing international networks like the COST TU on Fire Engineering. As president of ECCS (2023–2024), he fostered collaboration across Europe’s steel construction community. His consultancy roles and applied research in projects like Steel Hall 4.0 reflect a strong connection to industry. His experience blends academic excellence with real-world application and international research coordination.

🏅 Awards and Honors 

Professor Wald’s distinguished career has been recognized through numerous honors. Most notably, he served as President of the European Convention for Constructional Steelwork (ECCS) from 2023 to 2024, a prestigious role acknowledging his leadership in steel construction research. He has received recognition for his coordination of major European programs including Erasmus Mundus SUSCOS and COST TU networks. His citation impact is substantial, with over 830 citations on Scopus and an h-index of 17, reflecting sustained scholarly influence. His projects have earned competitive funding from EU programs (e.g., RFCS, GACR), demonstrating trust in his innovative approaches to steel structure safety. His awards underscore a career of sustained excellence, international collaboration, and impactful contributions to engineering science.

🔬 Research Focus 

Professor Wald’s research centers on the behavior of steel structures under fire and dynamic loads, with a focus on structural joints, resilience, and safety design. His work integrates experimental analysis, numerical modeling, and probabilistic methods to improve fire resistance and joint performance. He has led major EU projects such as FISHWALL, MADESCO, and DYNAFIRE, addressing seismic, fire, and structural challenges in industrial steel buildings. As a long-standing member of technical committees, he helps shape European design standards. He is also deeply involved in developing advanced modeling techniques (e.g., LMSTRAIN) and structural optimization through AI (e.g., MADESCO). His research is grounded in real-world impact, bridging theoretical development with design innovation for safer and more sustainable infrastructure.

📊 Publication Top Notes:

  • Title: Determination of design plastic strain limit for notched structural steel tensile specimens
    Authors: Kirill Golubiatnikov, Abhishek Ghimire, František Wald, Vojtěch Stančík
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Alexandria Engineering Journal
    DOI: 10.1016/j.aej.2025.02.075

  • Title: Calibration of the Induction Heating System for Dynamic Compression Test
    Authors: T. Jankowiak, W. Szymkuć, M. Malendowski, K. Cabová, J. Šejna, V. Mózer, F. Wald
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Experimental Techniques
    DOI: 10.1007/s40799-025-00807-3

  • Title: Fire Protection of Steel Beam by OSB Claddings—A Fire Experiment and Numerical Models
    Authors: Jakub Šejna, Vojtěch Šálek, Stanislav Šulc, Kamila Cábová, Vít Šmilauer, Slávek Zbirovský, Milan Jahoda, František Wald
    Year: 2025
    Journal: Fire and Materials
    DOI: 10.1002/fam.3260

  • Title: Numerical Design Calculation of Fin Plate Connections in Fire
    Authors: Batuhan Der, Frantisek Wald, Martin Vild
    Year: 2024
    Book Chapter: in Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
    DOI: 10.1007/978-981-97-1972-3_60

  • Title: The influence of sandwich panel cladding on horizontal structure stiffness
    Authors: Břetislav Židlický, Jiří Mareš, František Wald
    Year: 2024
    Journal: Thin-Walled Structures
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2024.111771

  • Title: Application of hybrid cement in passive fire protection of steel structures
    Authors: Jakub Šejna, Stanislav Šulc, Vít Šmilauer, Pavel Reiterman, František Wald
    Year: 2024
    Journal: Journal of Structural Fire Engineering
    DOI: 10.1108/JSFE-01-2023-0007

  • Title: Analytical resistance of the laterally offset rectangular hollow sections connections under concentrated force
    Authors: Svitlana Kalmykova, František Wald
    Year: 2023
    Journal: Structures
    DOI: 10.1016/j.istruc.2023.105484

  • Title: Optimisation of fatigue solution for welded T-stub joints by grading of FAT classes and correction of mean stress effect
    Authors: Kirill Golubiatnikov, Frantisek Wald, Martin Vild, Josef Holomek
    Year: 2023
    Journal: Structures
    DOI: 10.1016/j.istruc.2023.105582

  • Title: Weld size and resistance in rectangular hollow section T-joints
    Authors: Petr Jehlicka, Frantisek Wald
    Year: 2023
    Journal: Heliyon
    DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22689

  • Title: The partial fire protection of steel members: a comparative study
    Authors: Jakub Šejna, Patrik Dobrovolný, František Wald
    Year: 2023
    Journal: Journal of Structural Fire Engineering
    DOI: 10.1108/JSFE-01-2023-0001

  • Title: Emissivity of hot-dip galvanized surfaces in future development of EN 1993-1-2
    Authors: Batuhan Der, Sylvie Raszková, František Wald, Gisèle Bihina, Christian Gaigl, Vasile Rus, Mikko Malaska
    Year: 2022
    Journal: Journal of Structural Fire Engineering
    DOI: 10.1108/JSFE-11-2021-0070