Nordine Leklou | 3D printing | Research Excellence Award

Posted on by Civil Engineering Awards

Professor Nordine Leklou | 3D printing | Research Excellence Award

Full Professor | Nantes University | France

Professor Nordine Leklou is a distinguished researcher in Civil Engineering at Nantes Université, specializing in the durability, pathologies, and sustainable development of construction materials. He holds an Habilitation in Civil Engineering (2017) and a PhD in Civil Engineering (2008), complemented by advanced engineering and research training at INSA Toulouse. Throughout his academic career, he has contributed extensively to the innovation and optimization of eco-materials derived from industrial and plant co-products, including studies on ion transfer mechanisms and advanced technologies such as 3D printing for earthen construction. His scientific portfolio demonstrates a strong international standing with more than 75 publications in top-tier peer-reviewed journals, over 50 conference communications, and 3 patents, supported by a citation record exceeding 1200 citations and an h-index of 17. He plays an influential role in shaping future expertise through the supervision of 22 doctoral candidates, 8 postdoctoral fellows, and 11 research-oriented master’s students. His academic leadership extends to key governance positions, currently serving as the Deputy Director of the University Institute of Technology of Saint-Nazaire. His participation in major national research initiatives such as ANR MODEVIE, Recybéton, and FastCarb illustrates his commitment to decarbonized construction and circular economy strategies for the built environment. Professor Leklou’s collaboration network spans Europe, Africa, and beyond, notably contributing to breakthroughs in additive manufacturing using earth-based materials and the development of bio-composites with enhanced mechanical and hygrothermal behaviors. His research contributes directly to sustainable urban development, reduced CO₂ emissions, and improved resilience of built structures under aggressive environmental conditions. Through academic influence, technological advancement, and strong interdisciplinary cooperation, he continues to drive innovation at the interface of material science and civil engineering, benefiting both the scientific community and society at large.

Research Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar
Publications

Printing with earth: Characterizing local soils for sustainable 3D construction. Materials and Structures / Materiaux Et Constructions. Article – Open access.

Experimental evaluation of the time lag and decrement factor of a raw earth wall for various climates: Comparison of different methods. Journal of Building Engineering. Article – Open access.

Mechanical properties of 3D-printed earth-based materials considering two printable soils. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. Article – Open access.

Experimental assessment of the dynamic hygrothermal and mechanical behavior of compressed earth block walls in a tropical humid climate. Buildings. Article – Open access.

Leveraging machine learning (ML) to enhance the structural properties of a novel alkali activated bio-composite. Journal of Composites Science. Article – Open access.

Effects of thermal activation on mechanical performance and sustainability of slag-based geopolymers. Materials. Article – Open access.

Kundan Yadav – Construction Materials – Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges Award

Posted on by Civil Engineering Awards

Mr. Kundan Yadav | Construction Materials | Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges Award

Research Scholar | Lovely Professional University | Nepal

Mr. Kundan Yadav has established a strong research and professional profile in the field of civil engineering and construction management with a focus on sustainable practices, low-carbon materials, and resilient infrastructure solutions. His work integrates both academic research and practical implementation, spanning hydropower, bridges, urban water supply, sanitation systems, and building construction. A key area of his research revolves around eco-friendly materials, particularly the use of supplementary cementitious materials, plastic bricks, and biochar as innovative alternatives to reduce carbon emissions and promote circular construction. Publications in peer-reviewed journals highlight his exploration of carbon quantification methods and best practices for emission reduction, reflecting a commitment to advancing sustainability in construction. Professionally, Kundan Yadav has taken progressive roles from Site Engineer to Project Manager, contributing to projects funded by organizations like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, ensuring quality control, safety compliance, and project efficiency. His leadership in managing hydropower retrofitting, bridge construction, trauma center building, and large-scale infrastructure projects demonstrates expertise in structural stability, resilience, and sustainable project delivery. By combining technical knowledge in AutoCAD, Staad Pro, MS Project, MATLAB, and sustainability assessment with practical construction management skills, he bridges the gap between theory and practice. His work emphasizes transforming waste into valuable construction resources, reducing environmental impact, and promoting innovation in materials science. The consistent focus on resilience and carbon reduction showcases his vision of sustainable infrastructure development tailored to the needs of South Asia, where rapid urbanization demands eco-conscious solutions. Through both research and professional practice, Kundan Yadav contributes to advancing civil engineering toward a future that prioritizes environmental sustainability, efficient resource utilization, and long-term durability of infrastructure systems, marking him as a significant contributor to sustainable construction research and practice.

Profile: Google Scholar
Featured Publications:

  1. Sustainable development by carbon emission reduction and its quantification: An overview of current methods and best practices. (2023). Cited by 21.

  2. Transforming waste into innovation: A review of plastic bricks as sustainable construction materials. (2024). Cited by 13.

  3. Sustainable solutions: Exploring supplementary cementitious materials in construction. (2025). Cited by 7.

  4. Comparative study of biochar and charcoal and their application in the construction industry. (2024). Cited by 5.

  5. Waste water characteristics and its management in and around HSTU campus of Bangladesh. (2021).