
Dr Eleni Toumpanaki
MEng, MSc, PhD
Expertise
Eleni is researching sustainable construction materials, such as timber and fibre reinforced polymers, with a focus on resilience, durability and sustainability, and with a holistic approach ranging from nano- to building scale.
Current positions
Senior Lecturer
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Contact
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Biography
Eleni is researching sustainable construction materials, such as timber and fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs), with a focus on resilience, durability and sustainability. She has supported the career progression and personal development of 10 doctoral researchers and postdocs. She has served as an Associate Editor in the ASCE Journal of Composites for Construction and Structures. She is the Programme Director for the MSc Structural Engineering.
Short Biography
2005-2010: Diploma in Civil Engineering (3+2 years) graduated with a University medal
Structures and Earthquake Engineering
National Technical University of Athens
2010-2011: MSc in Structural Steel Design and Sustainable Development
Imperial College London
2011-2015: PhD in Civil Engineering (received a scholarship by the Onassis Foundation)
University of Cambridge
2015-2017: Structural Engineer
Foster + Partner
2017-2019: Postdoctoral Research Associate
University of Cambridge
2019-present: Lecturer in Civil Engineering
University of Bristol
2021 - present: Fellow of Higher Education Academy
2023 - present: Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
Research interests
- Timber engineering
- Innovative timber connections
- Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) structures, including natural fibres such as flax and synthetic fibres such as carbon, glass, and basalt.
- Ageing and durability of structures.
- Retrofit with FRPs and biobased materials
- Mechanical recycling of FRPs in concrete and civil engineering applications
- Disproportionate collapse resistance of timber structures
- Vibrational performance of structures
- Circular economy of timber structures
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
Fire performance of Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) for railway pedestrian bridges
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
01/09/2025 to 01/09/2029
Load-resisting mechanism and intelligent design methodology for connections in large-span steel-timber hybrid structures
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
01/01/2025 to 01/01/2027
Natural fiber-reinforced composites embedded with optical sensors for next-generation sustainable pedestrian footbridges
Principal Investigator
Description
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are gaining popularity over steel and concrete materials in bridge construction due to their lightweight nature, ease of assembly, corrosion resistance, and reduced foundational requirements. Although…Managing organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
01/09/2024 to 01/01/2028
Fire performance of fibre reinforced concrete
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
01/11/2023 to 01/11/2027
Durability of Glass and Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer rods in low carbon concrete
Principal Investigator
Description
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional steel reinforcement in the construction industry due to their superior durability performance. FRP bars exhibit non-corrosive properties, effectively…Managing organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
01/10/2023 to 31/10/2026
Thesis supervisions
Publications
Recent publications
29/04/2026Non-woven flax/bio-epoxy composite laminates for pedestrian and cycle bridge decks
Design and modelling of woven flax/bio-epoxy textile composite laminates for bridge decks
Special issue editorial
Structures
COST Action HELEN – Holistic Design of Taller Timber Buildings
EngineeringHolistic Design of Taller Timber BuildingsGerhard
Damage and Repair of Tall Timber Buildings
Holistic Design of Taller Timber Buildings
Teaching
Current Units
CADEM0015: Design Project (Unit Director)
CENGM0075: Advanced Structural Materials and Design (Unit Director)
CADE20001: Sustainable Architecture and Design
CENG30007: Research Project 3
Past Units
AENGM0010: Smart Material (AY 2022-24): Unit Director
CENGM0062: Design Project (AY 2022-2024)
CENG20020: Structural Materials and Design (AY 2019-2025)
CENGM0077: Research and Professional Skills (AY 2025-2026)


