Professor Ravindra K Dhir OBE BSc PhD CEng MIMMM HonFICT HonFICI FGS

Professor Ravindra K Dhir OBE

Department of Civil Engineering
Honorary Professor of Concrete Engineering

Contact details

Telephone
(+44) (0)121 427 8187
Telephone (2)
(+44) (0) 7968 768884
Fax
Professor Ravindra K Dhir OBE
Email
r.k.dhir@bham.ac.uk
Address
School of Civil Engineering
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

Ravindra Dhir is a researcher and teacher in concrete technology, with specialities in sustainable and durable construction, value-added reuse/recycling/reconstitution of wastes and low energy/low emission cements.

His hallmark has been the building of grand collaborative research with industry, involving SMEs, national/multi-national companies and government departments, and the focus on knowledge dissemination and breaking down citadels such as the adoption of fly ash as a cementitious material, role of cement content in specifying concrete and value-added use of waste materials. Published over 450 books, peer-reviewed technical reports, journal papers/conference papers.

Operating internationally, under the name of "Applying Concrete Knowledge" (www.concreteknowledge.co.uk), he specialises in mentoring construction companies with the aim to give them a cutting edge in a competitive market, and advising on concrete construction failures.

Past president of the Concrete Society, and member of several technical committees, Ravindra serves on the Editorial Board of the Magazine Concrete Research and is the chairman of UKIERI (UK-India Education and Research Initiative) Concrete Congress to develop collaborative research between Indian-UK academics.

Qualifications

  • Honorary Fellow, Indian Concrete Institute, 2009
  • Honorary Fellow, Institute of ConcreteTechnology,1994 
  • Chartered Engineer, 1978
  • Institution of Materials, Minerals and Mining, 1970
  • Fellow of Geological Society, 1969
  • PhD, Engineering, University of Sheffield, 1966
  • BSc, Applied Science, University of Durham, 1962

Biography

Ravindra Dhir qualified with BSc in Applied Science in 1962 from the University of Durham, followed by PhD in Engineering from Sheffield University in 1965. After 2 years of Engineering Management training with the industry, he joined the University of Dundee in August 1967 as Lecturer in Civil Engineering and was promoted to personal chair in Concrete Technology 1992.

In 1988 he established Concrete Technology Unit with a start-up grant of £15k which as Founding Director he developed it into a £15m internationally acknowledged multi-disciplinary Centre of Excellence having state of the art research facilities. He remained as CTU Director until his retirement in August 2008.

His research in concrete construction and sustainability has been innovative, challenging and has always been undertaken in close collaboration with industry and with clear emphasis on dissemination. This won him many awards, honours and recognitions.

1993, Recognition. British Cement Association, for the success of “Concrete 2000”.

1994, Honour. Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of Concrete Technology, for outstanding services to Concrete Technology and ability to relate research to industry. 

1998 and 1999, Awards. Secretary of State for Trade & Industry, for innovative partnership with industry, with particular emphasis on sustainability, industrial innovation and quality of life, as well as dissemination of knowledge.

1998, Honour. Order of the British Empire, Officer Rank, (OBE) for services to concrete technology.

2001, Award. British Cement Association, for targeted technology transfer.

2003, Award. Beacon Award from the RMC Environmental Fund, for sustainability programme.

2008, Recognition. Canadian Society of Civil Engineers, for outstanding contributions to Concrete Science and Technology, Durability of Concrete, Sustainability and Novel Construction Applications.

2008, Recognition. Lord Provost of Dundee, for lifetime academic excellence and commitment to the University and City of Dundee.

2008, Recognition. British Cement Association, British Precast Concrete Federation, British Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the Concrete Centre, for lifetime’s work for the Cement and Concrete Industry.

2009, Honour. Honorary Life-time Fellowship of the Indian Concrete Institute.

2011, Honour. Honorary Member of Construction Chemicals Manufacturers Association.

Professor Dhir has published greatly, with over 450 publications of books, peer reviewed technical reports, journal/conference papers to his name. He has travelled widely (43 countries) to attend, present opening/keynote papers and chair conferences and have served on several technical committees, including the BSI and ACI committees.

Emeritus Professor of Concrete Technology of the University of Dundee, UK, he has also since 2009 held the positions of Honorary/Adjunct Professor at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, Expert for Establishing the Centre for Concrete Construction at National Institute of Technology Jalandhar, Punjab, India and Guest Professor of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.

Teaching

  • Concrete Technology
  • Materials Engineering
  • Structural Materials
  • Forensic Engineering
  • Sustainable Construction Materials
  • CPD Courses in Concrete Science, Technology, Design and Construction (worldwide)

Postgraduate supervision

Supervision of MEng, MSc and PhD students. 

Interested in supervising further research projects in the area of:

  • Sustainability and Recycling of Waste Materials, as Cement Component, Filler and Aggregate
  • Development of Performance Based Specifications for Strength and/or Durability of Concrete using Composite Cements
  • Development of Sustainable Low Energy and Low Carbon Cements
  • Durability of Structural Concrete

Research

In collaboration with government departments, academic institutions and industry internationally, as means of maximising dissemination to practice, Professor Dhir has been, and is, pursuing both fundamental and practical research, specialising in:

  • Sustainable concrete construction, 
  • Appropriate use of materials, 
  • Performance based specifications, 
  • Low energy and low emission cements  
  • Recycling, reuse and reconstitution of waste materials as valuable and sustainable resource, 
  • Durability of structural concrete in various exposures. 

An advocate of zero waste, he believes that this should be achieved at zero loading of the environment impact and add value to their use.

Publications

A full publication list available at:  www.concreteknowledge.co.uk

Journal Papers

      2017

  1. Silva, R V,  de BritoJ, LynnC J and R. K. Dhir (2017). Use of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ashes in alkali-activated materials, ceramics, and granular applications: A review. Waste management (in press).
  2. Silva R V, de Brito J, Lye C Q and Dhir R K (2017). The role of glass waste in the production of ceramic-based products and other applications: A review. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids (in press).
  3. McCarthy M J, Zheng L, Dhir R K and Tella G (2017). Dry-processing of long-term wet-stored fly ash for use as an addition in concrete. Cement and Concrete Composites (in press).
  4. McCarthy M J, Tittle P and Dhir R K (2017). Corrosion of reinforcement in concrete containing wet-stored fly ash. Cement and Concrete Composites
    (in press)
  5. Elgalhud A A, Dhir R K and Ghataora G S (2017). Chloride ingress of concrete: limestone addition effect. Magazine of Concrete Research, (in press).
  6. Lynn C J, Dhir R K and Ghataora G S (2017). Municipal incinerated bottom ash use as a cement component in concrete. Magazine of Concrete Research 69(10), pp 512-525.  
  7. 7.     Lynn C J, Ghataora G S and Dhir R K (2017). Municipal Incinerated Bottom Ash (MIBA) Characteristics and Potential for Use in Road Pavements and Geotechnical Applications. International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology, 10 (2), 185-201.   
  8. Lye C Q, Dhir R K and Ghataora G S (2017). Deformation properties of concrete using glass cullet fine aggregate. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Structures and Buildings, 170 (5), pp 321-335.
  9. Silva, R V, de Brito J and Dhir R K (2017). Availability and processing of recycled aggregates within the construction and demolition supply chain: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, pp 598-614.
  10. Elgalhud A A, Dhir R K and Ghataora G S (2017). Carbonation resistance of concrete: limestone addition effect. Magazine of Concrete Research, Volume 69, Issue 2, pp. 84-106.

    2016

  11. Lynn C, Ghataora G S, Dhir R K (2016). Environmental Impacts of MIBA in Geotechnics and Road Applications, Institution of Civil Engineers Journal: Environmental Geotechnics, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/jenge.15.00029.
  12. Cardoso R, Silva R V, de Brito J and Dhir R K (2016). Use of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste in geotechnical applications - A literature review, Waste Management, 49, pp 131-145.
  13. Lynn C J, Dhir R K and Ghataora G S. (2016) Municipal incinerated bottom ash characteristics and potential for use as aggregate in concrete. Elsevier – Construction and Building Materials, 127(30), pp 504-517.
  14. Elgalhud, A. A., Dhir R K and Ghataora, G. S. (2016). Limestone addition effects on concrete porosity. Cement and Concrete Composites, 72, pp.222-234.
  15. Lye CQ, Dhir R K and Ghataora GS (2016). Shrinkage of recycled aggregate concrete. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Structures and Buildings, 169(12), pp 867-891.
  16. Lynn C, Dhir R K and Ghataora G S. (2016). Sewage Sludge Ash Characteristics and Potential for Use in Bricks, Tiles and Ceramics, Water Science & Technology, 74(1), pp17-29.
  17. Lye CQ, Dhir R K and Ghataora GS (2016). Elastic modulus of concrete made with recycled aggregates, ICE Proceedings: Structures and Buildings,169 (5), pp314-339.
  18. Silva R V, de Brito J, Evangelista L and Dhir R K (2016). Design of reinforced recycled aggregate concrete elements in conformity with Eurocode 2, Construction and Building Materials 105, pp 144-156.
  19. Lye CQ, Dhir RK and Ghataora GS (2016). Carbonation resistance of GGBS concrete, ICE Journal: Magazine of Concrete Research, 68 (18), pp 936-969.
  20. Silva R.V, de Brito, J and Dhir R K (2016): Establishing a relationship between the modulus of elasticity and compressive strength of recycled aggregate concrete, Journal of Cleaner Production, 112-4, pp2171- 2186.
  21. Silva R V, de Brito J and Dhir R K (2016): Performance of cementitious renderings and masonry mortars containing recycled aggregates from construction and demolition wastes, Construction, and Building Materials, 105, pp 400-415.
  22. Lye C Q, Dhir R K and Ghataora G S (2016). Lye C Q, Dhir R K and Ghataora G S (2016). CreepStrain of recycled aggregate concrete, Construction and Building Materials, 102, pp 244-259.

    2015

  23. Lynn C J, Dhir R K, Ghataora G S and West R P (2015). Sewage sludge ash characteristics and potential for use in concrete, Construction and Building Materials, 98, pp767-779.
  24. Lye C Q, Dhir R K and Ghataora G S (2015). Carbonation resistance of fly ash concrete. ICE Journal Magazine of Concrete Research, 67, pp1150-1178.
  25. Silva R V, Neves R, de Brito J and Dhir R K (2015). Carbonation behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete, Cement and Concrete Composites, 62, pp22-32.
  26. Lye C Q, Dhir R K and Ghataora G S (2015). A critical review of carbonation of fly ash concrete and its consequences. Magazine of Concrete Research (in press).
  27. Silva R, de Brito J and Dhir R K (2015). Prediction of the shrinkage behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete: A review. Construction and Building Materials, 77,
    pp 327-339.
  28. Lye C Q, Koh S K, Mangabhai R and Dhir R K (2015). Use of copper slag and washed copper slag as sand in concrete: a state-of-the-art review. Magazine of Concrete Research, 67, pp 665-679
  29. Dhir R K (2015). Aggregate – a question of responsible use (Editorial). Magazine of Concrete Research, 67, pp 541-542.
  30. Silva, R.V.; de Brito, J.; Dhir R K (2015). Comparative analysis of existing prediction models on the creep behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete. Engineering Structures, 100, pp 31-42.
  31. McCarthy M J, Csetenyi L J, Halliday J E and Dhir R K (2015). Evaluating the effect of recycled aggregate on damaging AAR in concrete. Magazine of Concrete Research, 67, pp 598-610.
  32. Collery D J, Paine K A and Dhir R K (2015). Establishing rational use of recycled aggregates in concrete: a performance related approach. Magazine of Concrete Research, 67, pp 559-574.
  33. Silva R, de Brito J and Dhir R K (2015). Tensile strength behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 83, pp 108-118.
  34. Silva R, de Brito J, Neves R and Dhir R K (2015). Prediction of chloride ion penetration of recycled aggregate concrete. Materials Research, 18 (2), pp 427-440.

    2014
  35. Silva R, de Brito J and Dhir R K (2014). The influence of the use of recycled aggregates on the compressive strength of concrete: a review. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 19 (7), pp 825-849.
  36. Silva R, de Brito J and Dhir R K (2014). Properties and composition of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste suitable for concrete production. Construction and Building Materials, 65, pp 201-217.
  37. Meddah M S, Lambachyia M C and Dhir R K (2014). Potential use of binary and composite limestone cements in concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 58, pp 193-205.

    2012

  38. Halliday, J. E., Jones, M. R., Dyer, T. D. and Dhir R K (2012). Potential use of UK sewage sludge ash in cement-based concrete, Proceedings of the ICE: Waste and Resource Management. 165, 57-66.
  39. McCarthy M J, Csetenyi L J, Sachdeva A and Dhir R K (2012). Fly ash influences on sulfate- heave in lime-stabilised soils. Proc. Institution of Civil Engineering: Ground Improvement, Vol. 165, No. 3,147-158.
  40. McCarthy M J, Dhir R K, Talisman S and Ashraf M K (2012). Influence of Self-Compacting Concrete on the Lateral Pressure on Formwork. Proc. Institution of Civil Engineering: Structures and Buildings, Vol 165, No. 3, March 127-138.
  41. Dhir R K, McCarthy M J and Bai J (2012). Harnessing fly Ash potential for developinghigh strength and high durability concrete. Indian Concrete Journal, February,Vol. 86, No. 2, 17-25
  42. McCarthy M J, Csetenyi L J, Sachdeva A and Dhir R K (2012). Identifying the role of fly ash Properties for minimising sulphate-heave in lime stabilised soils. Fuel, Vol. 92, 27-36.
  43. McCarthy, M J, Csetenyi, L.J., Sachdeva, A. and Dhir R K (2012). Controlling swelling in lime-stabilised sulfate-bearing soils using fly ash. Ground Engineering, January 29-31

    2011
  44. Dyer, T.D., Halliday, J.E., and Dhir R K (2011). Hydration chemistry of sewage sludge ash (SSA) used as a cement component. ASCE Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 23, 648-655.

    2010
  45. Paine K A and Dhir R K (2010). Recycled aggregates in concrete: A performance related approach. Magazine of Concrete research, 62 (7), 519-530.
  46. Dhir R K and Paine P A (2010). Value added sustainable use of recycled and secondary aggregates in concrete. Indian Concrete Journal, 84 (3), 7-26.
  47. Paine K A and Dhir R K (2010). Research on new applications for granulated rubber in concrete. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Construction Materials, 163 (1), 7-17.
  48. Dhir R K, Csetenyi L J, Dyer T D and Smith G W (2010). Cleaned oil-drill cuttings for use as filler in bituminous mixtures. Construction and Building Materials. Vol 24, 322-325.
  49. Dyer, T.D. and Dhir R K (2010). Evaluation of powdered glass cullet as a means of controlling harmful alkali-silica reaction, Magazine of Concrete Research, 62, 749-759.

    2009/2008

  50. Dhir R K, Dyer, T.D., and Tang, M.C. (2009) Alkali-Silica Reaction in Concrete Containing Glass, Materials and Structures, 42, 1451-146.
  51. Dyer, T.D., Halliday, J.E., and Dhir R K (20009) Influence of solid solutions on chloride leaching from waste forms, Proceedings of the ICE – Waste and Resources Management, 159, 131-139.
  52. Dhir R K, McCarthy M J, Caliskan S and Ashraf M K (2009). Concrete pressure on formwork: Influence of cement combinations and Superplasticizing admixtures. Magazine of Concrete Research, Vol 61, No 6, 407-417.
  53. Dhir R K, Dyer T D, and Tang M C (2009). Alkali-silica reaction in concrete containing glass. Materials and Structures, Vol 42, 1451-1462.
  54. Dhir R K, Newlands M D and Koorapaty R B (2009). Measuring the compressive Strengthof Concrete to BS EN 12390-3. Concrete, Vol 43, No 1, 44-46.
  55. Newlands M D, Paine K A, Vemuri N A and Dhir R K (2008). A linear test method for determining early-age shrinkage of concrete. Magazine of Concrete Research, Vol 60, No 12, 747-757.
  56. Dhir R K and Hewlett P C (2008). Cement: A question of responsible use. Concrete, Volume 42, Number 7, 40-42, plus correspondence, Concrete, Vol 42, October, pp 11-12.

Peer-Reviewed Conference Papers

  1. Dhir R K and Lye C Q Keynote Paper (2015). Pozzolanic Materials Use In Concrete: Carbonation And Carbonation-Induced Corrosion Assessment, NIT Jalandhar, India, November 2015, 80-87.
  2. Dhir R K (2013). Closing Paper. Viewing high performance cement and concrete research through a wide-angle lens. Proc. Int. Conf. Fine, Ultra-fine and Nano-based materials in concrete, NIT Jalandhar, India, March, 317p.
  3. Dhir R K, Paine K A, de Brito J M C L, Etxeberria M, Ho N Y, Poon C S and Tam V W Y (2011). Use of recycled/secondary aggregates in concrete: An overview. New developments in Concrete Construction. Shroff Publishers, March,157-186.
  4. Paine K A, Dhir R K, Halliday J E, Zheng L, Collery D J and Rai H S (2011). Use of recycled and secondary aggregates in concrete: Engineering and environmental considerations. Concrete for High Performance Sustainable Infrastructure, Shroff Publishers, March, 77-86.
  5. Newlands M D, McCarthy M J, Dhir R K and Singh S P (2011). Cement combinations and performance: Effects of cement type on carbonation. New Developments in Concrete Construction, Shroff Publishers, March, 85-98.
  6. Newlands M D and Dhir R K (2011). Barriers to progressing concrete fit for the 21st Century.  New Developments in Concrete Construction, Shroff Publishers, March, 125-134.
  7. Dhir R K, McCarthy M J and Bai J (2011). Use of fine fly ash in developing high performance concrete. New Developments in Concrete Construction, Shroff Publishers, March, 183-196.
  8. McCarthy M J, Dhir R K and Newlands M D (2011). Combining durability and sustainability in material selection for concrete. Concrete for High Performance Sustainable Infrastructure, Shroff Publishers, March, 277-291.
  9. Jones M R, McCarthy M J, Newlands M D and Dhir R K (2010).  Green concrete: Balancing performance and embodied CO2.  Institute of Concrete Technology, ICT Yearbook, 39-50.
  10. Vemuri, N. A., Newlands, M. D., Paine, K. A. and Dhir R K (2009). Early-age shrinkage of CEM I and fly ash combinations using a new linear test method. Int. RILEM Workshop on Concrete Durability and Service Life Planning Haifa, Israel..
  11. Paine, K. A., Collery, D J and Dhir R K (2009). Strength and deformation characteristics of concrete containing coarse recycled and manufactured aggregates. Proc. 11th Int. Conf. on Non-Conventional Materials and Technologies, Bath, UK. Paper No. 84. BRE CICM, September.
  12. Dhir R K. (2008). Keynote Paper. Specifying concrete durability: Are we getting there? Proc. Joint Symp. Concrete and Bridge and Infrastructure Research in Ireland. NUI Galaway 4-5 December.

Books: Conference Proceedings

  1. Dhir R K, Singh S P, Bedi R and Goel S (2015). Concrete Research Driving Profit and Sustainability, Excel India Publishers, New Delhi, India.
  2. Dhir R K, Singh S P and Goel S (2013). Innovations in Concrete Construction, New Delhi, Excel India Publishers, 312p.
  3. Dhir R K and Newlands M D (2011). New Developments in Concrete Construction, India, Shroff Publishers, 277p.
  4. Newlands M D and Dhir R K (2011). Concrete for High Performance Sustainable Infrastructure, India, Shroff Publishers, 291p.
  5. Dhir R K, Chana P, Caliskan S and Lavingia R (2008). Concrete for Fire Engineering, UK, IHS BRE Press, 332p.
  6. Dhir R K, Hewlett P C, Csetenyi L and Newlands M D (2008). Role for Concrete in Global Development, UK, IHS BRE Press, 910p.
  7. Dhir R K, Newlands M D, Dyer T D and Tang M C (2008). Designing Concrete for the Visual Environment, UK, IHS BRE BRE Press, 212p.
  8. Dhir R K, Harrison T A, Zheng L and Kandasami S (2008). Concrete Durability: Achievement and Enhancement, UK, IHS BRE Press, 970p.
  9. Dhir R K, Newlands M D, Jones M R and Halliday J E (2008). Precast Concrete: Towards Lean Construction, UK, IHS BRE Press, 466p.
  10. Dhir R K, Newlands M D, McCarthy M J and Paine K A (2008). Harnessing Fibres for Concrete Construction, UK, IHS BRE Press 434p.

Peer-Reviewed Technical Reports

  1. Dhir R K and Bai J (2011). High Volume Fly Ash Concrete: Literature Survey. Report. ACK/0611/2. UK Quality Assurance Ash, 82 p.
  2. Dhir R K, Newlands M D, McCarthy M J, Zheng L and Halliday J E (2010), Innovative Cement Combinations for Concrete Performance. Report CTU/5009. EPSRC and Industry, 179 p.
  3. Dhir R K (2009). Washed Copper Slag: Use as Fine Aggregate in Concrete. Report HS/ACK/103909. Holcim Ltd, 11p.
  4. Dhir R K (2009). Newlands M D and El-Sobky N. Develop Comprehensive State of the Art Capabilities. KTP Technical Report No KTP001698 with Ian Farmer & Associates, 13 p.
  5. McCarthy M J, Halliday J E, Csetenyi L J and Dhir R K (2009). Alkali Silica Reaction Guidance for Recycled Aggregates in Concrete. WRAP Technical Report No MRF 108 (CTU/4909), Waste and Research Action Programme, Banbury, 58 p.
  6. Dhir R K, Dyer T D, Tang M C, Cui Y and Wang L (2009). Realising a High-Value Sustainable Recycling Solution to the Glass Cullet Surplus – Closing the Loop. Report CTU/4809. DTI and Industry, 163 p.
  7. McCarthy M J, Jones M R, Zheng L and Dhir R K (2009). New Approach to Fly Ash Processing and Applications to Minimise Wastage to Landfill. Defra Contract WRT 395. Report CTU/4608. DEFRA and Industry, 143 p.