Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
Prof 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 assessment of concrete structures and the use of advanced composites for structural retrofit. 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.
Teaching interests
Dr Darby teaches a number of Structures related units across both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, encompassing structural analysis, structural mechanics and advanced concrete design.
Willing to supervise doctoral students
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
- Assessment of existing concrete structures
Other responsibilities
Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange
UK principal expert on Eurocode 2 task group CEN/TC250/SC2/WG1/TG1
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 22 Finished
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Nonlinear resistance and robustness of combined wind-wave energy power station structural systems
Wang, J. (PI), Darby, A. (CoI) & Pelecanos, L. (CoI)
31/03/22 → 31/08/24
Project: Research council
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Research study in Creative Design Teaching
Darby, A. (PI) & Ibell, T. (CoI)
17/01/22 → 30/09/24
Project: UK charity
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Sustainable Technologies Business Acceleration Hub
Coley, D. (PI), Darby, A. (CoI) & Walker, P. (CoI)
1/10/17 → 31/03/21
Project: EU Commission
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VSIMULATORS: Human Factors Simulation for Motion and Serviceability in the Built Environment
Darby, A. (PI), Coley, D. (CoI), Du, J. (CoI), Natarajan, S. (CoI) & Walker, I. (CoI)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/05/17 → 30/06/21
Project: Research council
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A practical two parameter model of pile-soil gapping for prediction of monopile offshore wind turbine dynamics
Williams, S., Pelecanos, L. & Darby, A., 31 Mar 2024, In: Geotechnique. 74, 3, p. 265-280 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Citations (SciVal)143 Downloads (Pure) -
Assessment of shear capacity of bridge beams with non-standard anchorage-an experimental study
Nuti, E., Darby, A., Evernden, M., Bennetts, J., Shave, J. D. & Valerio, P., 12 Jul 2024, Bridge Maintenance, Safety, Management, Digitalization and Sustainability - Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management, IABMAS 2024. Jensen, J. S., Frangopol, D. M. & Schmidt, J. W. (eds.). Boca Raton, U. S. A.: CRC Press, p. 3801-3808 8 p. (Bridge Maintenance, Safety, Management, Digitalization and Sustainability - Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management, IABMAS 2024).Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Chapter in a published conference proceeding
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Effects of wind-induced vibrations in tall buildings on cognitive work performance, comfort, and wellbeing of the occupants
Heshmati, K., Shahabpoor, E., Darby, A., Walker, I. & Ghanbari, S., 5 Jul 2024, In: Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2647, 25, 252032.Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (SciVal) -
Realising the reserve capacity in existing reinforced concrete columns
Mei, X., Hawkins, W., Darby, A. & Ibell, T., 1 May 2024, In: Structures. 63, 10 p., 106360.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (SciVal) -
Freeze Thaw Behaviour of Hemp Reinforced Geopolymer
Lu, Y., Darby, A., Heath, A. & Ke, X., 8 Feb 2023. 4 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Datasets
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Research Data Supporting "Experimental investigation of reinforced concrete T-beams strengthened in shear with externally bonded CFRP sheets"
Foster, R. (Creator), Brindley, M. (Creator), Lees, J. (Creator), Ibell, T. (Creator), Morley, C. (Creator), Darby, A. (Creator) & Evernden, M. (Creator), University of Bath, 17 Jun 2016
DOI: 10.15125/BATH-00210
Dataset