Tarek Abdoun
Program Head of Civil and Urban Engineering; Professor of Civil and Urban Engineering, NYU Abu Dhabi; Global Network Professor of Civil and Urban Engineering, NYU Tandon
Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi
Education: PhD Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York
Professor Abdoun is the Thomas Iovino Chair Professor, Director, of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Geo-Centrifuge Center, and Global Distinguished Professor at NYUAD.
Professor Abdoun's research interests cover geotechnical engineering, Advanced Field Monitoring, Centrifuge; Full-scale Testing, Soil-Structure Interaction, Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Satellite-Based InSAR Remote sensing, Hurricane loading, and offshore systems.
Professor Abdoun received several awards from professional societies, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Thomas A. Middlebrooks Award for best journal publication, Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Excellence in Research Prize, and the US Army “Commander’s Award and Medal for Public Service.” He is also the recipient of several educational society awards, including the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) north region “Outstanding Teaching Award. He authored over 200 technical publications.
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- Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, Thomas Iovino Chair Professor, Technical Director, RPI's Nees, Geo-Centrifuge Research Center, School of Engineering, Renselaer Polytechnic Institute (Jan 2011-Aug. 2015)
- Interim Department Head, Thomas Iovino Chair Professor, Technical Director, RPI's Nees, Geo-Centrifuge Research Center. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Renssellaer
Renselaer Polytechnic Instutute (Jan 2009-Aug 2010) - Associate Professor and Associate Director, RPI's Nees, Geo-Centrifuge Research Center. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Renssellaer Renselaer Polytechnic Instutute (2006-2009)
- Assistant Professor and Associate Director, RPI's Nees, Geo-Centrifuge Research Center. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Renssellaer Renselaer Polytechnic Instutute (2004-2006)
- Assistant Professor and Manager, RPI's Nees, Geo-Centrifuge Research Center. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Renssellaer Renselaer Polytechnic Instutute (1998-2004)
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- Conduct evaluation of the Vulnerability of Offshore Pipelines to Blast Loading for HESS Co., (2008-2009).
- Consultant, South Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) on the design and construction of a state-of-the-art centrifuge facility. The planned KAIST facility will include a geotechnical centrifuge of 5.0 m radius equipped with 2D shaking table and in-flight robot.
- Review and evaluate the design and performance of 1D shaker and laminar container for US Army Corps of Engineers Centrifuge Facility (largest centrifuge in the world).
- Conduct evaluation of the Offshore Geotechnical Investigation of Wind Farms for General Electric (GE), (2003-2004).
- Consultant, US Army Corps of Engineers on Liquefaction and Seismic Embankment Issues.
- Participated in construction of pile foundations and conduct several pile load tests, (1991-1992).
- Participated in structural and foundation design of multistory building in downtown Cairo, (1991-1992).
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- Spring of 2013, elected Faculty member of Chi Epsilon national Civil Engineering honor society founded in 1922.
- Scientific Committee Member for the 2nd European Conference on FLOODrisk Management, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Nov. 20th-22nd, 2012.
- Appointed member of the international committee for "Safety of Levees, Dams, Shore Protection and Land Reclamation.”
- Elected Member of the NEES Consortium Advisory Committee (2009-2012).
- Elected President of the NEES Equipment Sites Forum (2009-2012).
- Associate Editor, Canadian Geotechnical Journal (2007-2010)
- Member, ASCE Geo Institute Committee for Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics
- Editorial Board Member, for the ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
- Member, Editorial Board for the International Journal of Physical Modeling in Geotechnics
- Member, Editorial Board for the International Journal of Geomechanics & Engineering
- Elected Member of The NY Academy of Science 2008.
- Elected Member of the NEES Equipment Site Operations Committee (SOC) (2004-2009).
- Member, American Society for Civil Engineers
- Member, American Society of Engineering Education
- Member, Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREE)
- Member, NEES Consortium and USUCGER
- Member, Egyptian Society for Civil Engineers
- Review papers submitted for publication in ASCE, ASTM and ASME Journals.
- Participated in NSF proposal review panels.
Courses Taught
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Embark on a transformative journey of inquiry and exploration in “Gamified Learning”. Can the art and science of video games transcend digital boundaries to forge a better world and drive social impact? Students are invited to undertake an interdisciplinary exploration, unraveling the connections between gaming, education, and societal impact. Beyond the craft of video game development, the course is designed to lead students through the theoretical foundations underpinning gamified learning experiences, from game-based learning to the psychology of play. We ask: How can gamified learning empower us to understand and impact the world around us? This course, featuring six modules and culminating in a collaborative video game project. This journey aims to equip students not only with the skills to create games but also to explore the profound impact of gamified learning on the world around them. The course project doesn't require prior programming skills. Students use online game creation tools (StudyCrafter, Scratch Game Design, Unity, etc.) to create their own game. Are you ready to grapple with these big questions and explore the transformative potential of gamified learning?
Previously taught: Spring 2024, Fall 2024
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Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Tarek Abdoun - TR 09:55 - 11:10 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Core Curriculum > Arts, Design, and Technology
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Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
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2 credits
Designed as a first course in the mechanics of materials, this course introduces students to the basic concepts of stress and strain in the normal and tangential directions, and the two dimensional transformations of stress and strain. Topics include stress-strain relationships for members subject to axial forces, torsion, bending moments, and shear forces.
Prerequisite: ENGR-UH 2011
Previously taught: Spring 2 2017, Spring 2 2018, Spring 2 2019, Spring 2 2020, Spring 2 2021, Spring 2 2022, Spring 1 2022, Spring 1 2023, Spring 2 2023, Spring 1 2024, Spring 2 2024
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Spring 1 2025;
7 Weeks
Mohamed Moustafa - MW 09:55 - 11:10 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 1 2025;
7 Weeks
Mohamed Moustafa - M 14:10 - 16:50 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2 2025;
7 Weeks
Kemal Celik - MW 09:55 - 11:10 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2 2025;
7 Weeks
Kemal Celik - M 14:10 - 16:50 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Bioengineering
- Majors > Civil Engineering
- Majors > General Engineering
- Majors > Mechanical Engineering
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Spring 1 2025;
7 Weeks
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This course introduces soil mechanics and foundation engineering, including origin of soils; phase relationships; classification of soils; permeability; effective stress; seepage; consolidation; shear strength; slope stability; and bearing capacity. Design in geotechnical engineering is introduced and parameters affecting design are discussed.
Prerequisites: ENGR-UH 2211 and ENGR-UH 2212
Previously taught: Fall 2018, Fall 2020, Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Fall 2024
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Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
F 14:20 - 17:00 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Tarek Abdoun - TR 08:30 - 09:45 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Civil Engineering
- Majors > General Engineering
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Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
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2 credits
Exposing students to the elements of the research necessary to solve many of the pressing world challenges is key to their educational experience. It builds their appreciation for the fundamental knowledge they are garnering through their undergraduate education, and delineates the methodologies needed to go from a simple hypothesis into an innovative solution through a process of searching, learning, testing, documenting, patenting, and publishing. Students perform a review of the relevant literature, undertake a mentored research project, and present their findings through a report and oral presentation. The final report must be submitted to the faculty mentor. The oral presentation is delivered in a public honor's research seminar in the final week of the semester. Students who decide to pursue the Engineering Honor's program must work with their research advisor to submit a two-page proposal for the approval of the program head before the beginning of the semester and preferably by the end of the of engineering honors seminar course. The program heads will communicate the approved proposals to the Associate Dean. Only students with approved proposals can register for the course.
Prerequisite: Senior standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.6
Previously taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Marwa Chafii - M 14:10 - 16:50 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Bioengineering
- Majors > Civil Engineering
- Majors > Computer Engineering
- Majors > Electrical Engineering
- Majors > General Engineering
- Majors > Mechanical Engineering
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
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2 credits
This course introduces the development of foundation engineering, including site exploration, soil sampling, interpretation of boring logs, bearing capacity of footings, settlement of structures, lateral earth pressure. Design of retaining walls, design of braced excavations and sheet pile walls; and design of deep foundations are covered.
Prerequisite: ENGR-UH 3412
Previously taught: Fall 2 2016, Spring 1 2022, Spring 1 2023, Spring 2 2024, Fall 2 2024
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Fall 2 2025;
7 Weeks
Rita Sousa - MW 08:30 - 09:45 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2 2025;
7 Weeks
Rita Sousa - F 14:20 - 17:00 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Civil Engineering
- Majors > General Engineering
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Fall 2 2025;
7 Weeks