José Adolfo Sainz-Aja

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José Adolfo Sainz-Aja Guerra holds a degree in Civil Engineering (Roads, Canals, and Ports) from the University of Cantabria (2014), an International Master’s degree in Technology, Rehabilitation, and Building Management (2015), and a Master’s degree in Integrity and Durability of Materials, Components, and Structures (2019). He earned his PhD in Civil Engineering Models from the University of Cantabria (2021) with a thesis titled Recycling of Traditional Track for the Manufacture of Slab Track, awarded Outstanding Cum Laude, with an International Mention and Extraordinary Doctorate Award.

Since January 2015, he has worked as a researcher at LADICIM, participating in various projects focused on special concretes, structural integrity, finite element analysis, and the application of artificial intelligence. His research centers on improving material durability, sustainability in construction, structural optimization, and mitigating the impact of climate change on industry and infrastructure.

He has published 39 articles in JCR-indexed journals (20 in Q1 and 17 in Q2), 6 book chapters, and has made 27 contributions to scientific conferences. His h-index is 16, with over 1,000 citations, reflecting a significant impact in the scientific community. His international experience includes a 10-month Erasmus at FEUP (Portugal), a 3-month predoctoral stay at Heriot-Watt University (United Kingdom), and the award of the Augusto González Linares Postdoctoral Fellowship, during which he developed predictive models of mechanical behavior using machine learning.

Research Lines

  • Development of sustainable and recycled concretes using industrial waste materials.
  • Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in predicting neutron embrittlement in nuclear environments.
  • Advanced numerical simulation of railway infrastructures combining finite elements and machine learning techniques.
  • Structural optimization to improve the lifecycle of infrastructures.
  • Durability analysis of materials under extreme environmental conditions.

Featured Publications

  • ‘Parametric analysis of railway infrastructure for improved performance and lower life-cycle costs using machine learning techniques.’ Sainz-Aja, J.A., Ferreño, D., Pombo, J., Carrascal, I., Casado, J., Diego, S., Castro, J.. Advances in Engineering Software, 2023, 175, 103357.
  • ‘Macro- and micro- properties of multi-recycled aggregate concrete.’ Thomas, C., de Brito, J., Cimentada, A., Sainz-Aja, J.A.. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020, 245, art. no. 118843.
  • ‘Self-compacting recycled aggregate concrete using out-of-service railway superstructure wastes.’ Sainz-Aja, J.A., Carrascal, I., Polanco, J.A., Thomas, C., Sosa, I., Casado, J., Diego, S.. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2019, 230, art. no. 104386.
  • ‘Dynamic calibration of slab track models for railway applications using full-scale testing.’ Sainz-Aja, J.A., Pombo, J., Tholken, D., Woodward, P.. Computers and Structures, 2020, 228, art. no. 106180.
  • ‘Aging of recycled aggregates mortars by drying-wetting cycles.’ Sainz-Aja, J.A., Carrascal, I., Polanco, J.A., Cimentada, A., Thomas, C., de Brito, J.. Construction and Building Materials, 2021, art. no. 124934.

Active Projects