OUR PEOPLE
Academic Credentials
- Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 2025
- M.S., Civil Engineering, University of Stuttgart, 2018
- B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Stuttgart, 2015
Professional Honors
- 1st Place Award – 5th Annual CEGSAC Research Symposium at Purdue University, 2024
- Best Reviewer 2022 Award in the Journal of Materials and Structures
Professional Affiliations
- fib Model Code for Concrete Structures – Task Group 2.5 Bond and material models (member)
- fib Model Code for Concrete Structures – Task Group 2.9 Fastenings to structural concrete and masonry (member)
- American Concrete Institute (ACI) member
Dr. Tonidis is an expert in the performance of concrete buildings under extreme conditions such as earthquakes and fire. He has experience with both large-scale testing and advanced modeling to investigate structural behavior and identify causes of damage or failure. He has also studied methods for improving the safety of existing structures.
During his Ph.D. at Purdue University, Dr. Tonidis led large-scale testing of reinforced concrete buildings to study how they perform during earthquakes, both in their original condition and after retrofitting. He developed advanced performance-based modeling methods to better predict how older buildings respond to seismic forces, especially at critical beam-column connections. His research also produced a practical modeling approach for a retrofit system known as the Fully Fastened Haunch Retrofit Solution (FFHRS), which incorporates realistic simulation of connection behavior. His expertise includes the response of post-installed and cast-in anchorage systems in concrete, as well as the bond behavior between reinforcing steel bars and concrete.
Dr. Tonidis has contributed to international design codes and guidelines, including the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2020. His work provided new design recommendations for lap splices in reinforced concrete members exposed to fire and for the anchorage detailing in beam-column connections under seismic loads.
In addition to his technical and research work, Dr. Tonidis serves as a reviewer for several leading international scientific journals and regularly presents his findings at major engineering conferences worldwide. As a structural consultant, he applies his expertise to deliver practical, resilient, and performance-based solutions for complex concrete structures, bridging advanced analysis with real-world engineering practice.