[email protected]

Lecturer, Researcher

Field of Research: Structural Mechanics

Subject Taught: Structural Dynamics, Finite Element Method, Matrix Stiffness Method, Plate and Shells, Trusses, Frames

Years of Experience: 16

Rafael Castro-Triguero received his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineer at University of Granada in 2002. During a short period, he developed consultant activities in a Building and Construction company. After that, he got a position at University of Cordoba in the Department of Mechanics. First years of teaching were not very productive in terms of research production. Furthermore, there was no research group in the Department of Mechanics, and he did his PhD Thesis at University of Seville. Structural shell finite element development was the background of his Thesis. During his PhD he visited two important Universities: Lund and Thessaloniki. It was at Thessaloniki University where he met Prof. Demosthenes Talaslidis. Rafael could learn from Prof. Talaslidis relevant numerical techniques related to the finite element method. They published several Conference papers, but unfortunately Prof. Talaslidis passed away before they published some Journal papers they were working on. Finally, he defended his PhD in 2008 with Cum Laude honours. After his PhD, he decided to join a research group to collaborate. He found in Prof. Rafael Gallego Sevilla research group (“Mechanic of Solid and Structures” TEP-167 at University of Granada) a good possibility to increase his research publications. Prof. Castro has intensively collaborated with this group as a formal member. Prof. Castro also established good research relationships with some important researchers at different Universities during several research stays (Prof. Michael Friswell at Swansea University, Prof. Filippo Ubertini at Perugia University, etc.…). Thanks to these collaborations numerous research projects and journal publications were developed, and an experimental-numerical laboratory started at University of Cordoba with high value equipment. The great research opportunity was thanks to a FPU fellowship (held by Enrique García Macías, now in our research group) and a National Retos Project related to Nano-carbon smart sensors (in collaboration with University of Málaga and University of Seville). PhD Enrique García Macías was co-supervised by Prof. Castro and they have published more than 14 journal papers together. Prof. Castro has published 23 papers, he has been the Main Researcher of several Projects in collaboration with companies, and he has been prometed to Associate Professor position since October 2019.

University of Córdoba

Escuela Politécnica Superior de Córdoba (EPSC)

Spain

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