Dr Darby's current research interests follow two main themes and he is interested in supervising PhD researchers in both areas.

The first theme involves structural dynamics, most recently investigating perception and acceptability of dynamic motion. This work is supported by the wold-wide unique EPSRC funded VSimulators facility (joint with the University of Exeter), with a tall building sway simulator being located at Bath. Working together with an interdisciplinary team of psychologists, physiologists, building physicists and structural engineers, this will provide the next generation of motion and vibration serviceability criteria.  He has also developed passive methods of reducing the dynamic response of structures, in particular the use of impact dampers and has also been looking at the behaviour of concrete structures under high-rate blast and impact loading, and developing methods to mitigate against brittle failure using advanced composites.

The second theme involves the use of advanced composites in construction. This involves using materials, such as carbon fibre, in strengthening applications, as internal reinforcement for concrete structures, and in new build construction. Most recently he is carrying out work on natural fibre reinforced geopolymers, developing the next generation of advanced composites.  He has led the authorship of the second and third editions of the Concrete Society's TR55, the UK Design Guidance for Strengthening Concrete Structures using Fibre Composite Materials, and is the appointed UK principal expert on Task Group 1 of the Eurocode 2 committee, responsible for drafting European guidelines on strengthening and reinforcing concrete structures using fibre reinforced polymers.

Dr Darby teaches a number of Structures related units across both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, encompassing structural analysis, structural mechanics and advanced concrete design.

Interested in supervising students studying:

• Vibration and motion serviceability of buildings and structures (using the unique VSimulators facility)
• Structural dynamics and vibration control
• Structural strengthening
• Use of advanced composites in concrete structures
• Impact behaviour of structures

Head of the Civil Engineering Group

UK principal expert on Eurocode 2 task group CEN/TC250/SC2/WG1/TG1