Fae Azhari

Assistant Professor

Background

Fae Azhari received her BSc and MASc degrees in Civil engineering from Isfahan University of Technology and the University of British Columbia, respectively. After working in the industry for a few years, she returned to school and completed her MEng degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at the University of California, Berkeley, and her PhD in Structural Engineering and Mechanics at the University of California, Davis.
Fae is interested in structural health monitoring (SHM) and prognosis of engineering systems. Her main areas of research are twofold: (I) sensor development and assessing the performance of novel sensing devices, and (II) developing decision-making frameworks that use probabilistic models to translate collected data into meaningful information and efficient remedial strategies for various infrastructure systems.

Education and Designations

PhD Structural Engineering & Mechanics | University of California, Davis
MEng Industrial Engineering & Operations Research | University of California, Berkeley
MASc Civil Engineering | University of British Columbia
BASc Civil Engineering | Isfahan University of Technology

Cross-Appointed with the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

Research Interests

Structural health monitoring

Sensor development

Intelligent structures and systems

Computer simulations coupled with field and laboratory testing

Decision analytics

Teaching

Course Code	Title & Description	Session	Day(s)	Start Time	End	Section
CIV1199H	Special Studies in Civil Engineering - Structural Health Monitoring	Fall 2023	Tues	13:00	15:00	LEC0101
MIE270H	Material Science Materials Science Course offered by the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering		Scheduled by the Office of the Faculty Registrar.

News Mentions

Connaught New Researcher awards support innovation in smart bridge decks

Prof. Fae Azhari, cross-appointed with CivMin and MIE, has received funding through the Connaught New Researcher awards for smart bridge decks. Azhari relates her research: Cracks, corrosion, and other defects are becoming an all too familiar sight in our aging concrete infrastructure. Concrete bridge decks are especially susceptible to deterioration due to ageing, chloride-induced corrosion, […]

Concrete check-up: Fae Azhari develops diagnostics for critical infrastructure

This story originally appeared on U of T Engineering News. Canada will spend $125 billion on infrastructure maintenance and expansion in the next 10 years. Professor Fae Azhari (MIE, CivE) is helping stretch those dollars farther by keeping our buildings, bridges, roads and reservoirs safe and structurally sound for longer. Azhari’s research focuses on structural […]

Two new faculty members join Civil and, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Collaboration is the key to success and the driving factor behind the hiring of two new professors that are cross-appointed with the Departments of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Civil Engineering. Professors Marianne Touchie (CivE, MIE) and Fae Azhari (MIE, CivE) joined the Faculty at the beginning of July. Professor Touchie completed a BASc and PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on improving the energy performance and indoor environmental quality of existing buildings to make them more comfortable, healthy and sustainable through comprehensive retrofits. Professor Azhari holds degrees in Civil Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology and University of British Columbia, Industrial Engineering from UC Berkeley, and Structural Engineering and Mechanics from UC Davis. She specializes in structural health monitoring (SHM) of engineering systems. U of T Engineering spoke with the new professors to find out more about their research and what they’re looking forward to at U of T: Fae Azhari Could you explain the focus of your research? My work focuses on SHM of engineering systems. Similar to the way a doctor would point out when an organ is malfunctioning in a patient’s body during regular check-ups, SHM is able to diagnose and locate any anomalies in an engineering system. Since this diagnosis happens at a very early stage, the remedial procedure will usually be timely and cost effective. My goal is to address some of the gaps in the succession of tasks from sensor development to implementation and decision making. Why did you choose U of T? Long before pursuing academia, I visited Toronto and the campus here. The historical feel and the intellectual vibe stayed in my mind. I’m so happy to be working here now. My research field is multidisciplinary, and having access to the many great resources, facilities, colleagues and mentors at U of T will be extremely valuable in advancing my research and career. What are you most looking forward to in your new position? I like the sense of collegiality at U of T and look forward to effective collaborations with other researchers. As a new professor, what one piece of advice would you give to new students? At university you are often your own teacher so expect to be treated that way. Try to be proactive and do not be afraid to ask questions. What do you hope to accomplish in your new position/during your time at U of T Engineering? I hope to one day truly ‘profess’ my subject.; to understand the old and new bodies of knowledge in such a way that I can properly judge their significance and place in the grand scheme of things. Marianne Touchie Could you explain the focus of your research? My research focuses on the question of how do we improve the quality of our indoor environment as we strive for greater energy efficiency? Making buildings more comfortable and healthy often come at an energy cost. Why did you choose U of T? U of T is my alma mater so I am well aware of the significance and impact of the research done here and I am looking forward to collaborating with so many talented colleagues and students in both the lab and the classroom. What are you most looking forward to in your new position? With a cross appointment between Civil Engineering and Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, I’m excited to bring together students from across disciplines. As a new professor, what one piece of advice would you give to new students? Allow yourself to wrestle with a problem before asking for help. It is effortless to use Google or message someone to find an answer. But this process doesn’t improve your own ability to problem solve, think critically or take your own position on an issue. During your time at U of T you will gain plenty of technical knowledge but transferable skills like problem solving will be of the most valuable after graduation. What do you hope to accomplish in your new position/during your time at U of T Engineering? Within Civil Engineering, I would like to continue growing the Canadian Centre for Building Excellence (CCBE) with Professors Kim Pressnail and Jeffrey Siegel into a world-renowned research centre for healthy, energy efficient buildings. I would also like to create stronger links through multidisciplinary design courses which will give students an opportunity to tackle today’s important problems with colleagues from a variety of technical backgrounds.

Two new faculty are cross appointed with CivE and MIE

Collaboration is the key to success and the driving factor behind the hiring of two new professors that are cross-appointed with the Departments of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Civil Engineering. Professors Marianne Touchie (CivE, MIE) and Fae Azhari (MIE, CivE) joined the Faculty at the beginning of July. Professor Touchie completed a BASc and […]

Contact

Fae Azhari, PhD, P.Eng
Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering
University of Toronto
35 St. George St.
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M5S 1A4

Office: MC314

Tel: 416-978-2534
Fax: 416-978-6813

azhari@mie.utoronto.ca