Dr Kambiz (Kami) Rakhshanbabanari

PhD

Pronouns: He/him
  • Lecturer in Construction Engineering and Management
  • Deputy Programme Leader, Construction Engineering Management (CEM) BSc

Research groups and centres

Publications
ORCiD Google Scholar
Portrait photograph of staff member, Kami Rakhshanbabanari

Research and expertise

I am a Lecturer in Construction Engineering and Management. I have more than fifteen years of professional and managerial experience in the Oil and Gas industry (operating at the mega project level - multi-billion USD, supporting plant, services, infrastructure and building works), and have extensive practical research experience in applied Data Science in engineering and medical sciences, energy efficiency & sustainability in residential and commercial buildings, building energy & performance assessment, LCA, and building structure reuse since 2011.

My research focuses on the innovative integration of computer vision, machine learning, and deep neural networks to advance the field of sustainable building design and management. I am particularly interested in leveraging these technologies for detecting building damage, predicting thermal performance, and enhancing energy efficiency. My work encompasses the application of IR thermography, Bayesian Networks, and Gaussian Processes to optimise building operations, ensuring occupant comfort, and maintaining high standards of indoor air quality, particularly in care homes. A significant aspect of my research is promoting a circular economy in the building sector, utilising machine learning methods for resource optimisation. I also explore the potential of thermographic 3D modelling in understanding building dynamics. My interests extend to the integration of renewable energy resources, advanced HVAC systems, and the assessment of thermal comfort. Additionally, I am engaged in studying the economic aspects of building engineering, including life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle cost analysis (LCCA), and the principles of Whole-Building Design, to contribute to the development of more sustainable and efficient built environments.

Current research activity

I am interested in the research relating to:

  • Integration of computer vision and machine learning for building damage detection
  • Utilisation of IR thermography to predict buildings' thermal performance
  • Advancing circular economy in the building sector through machine learning techniques
  • Focusing on energy efficiency improvements in buildings
  • Integrating renewable and sustainable energy resources into building designs
  • Studying thermal comfort and its impact on building design
  • Exploring engineering economics related to sustainable building practices
  • Conducting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)
  • Emphasising the Whole-Building Design approach for sustainable development

Recently completed research projects

Recent publications

  • Morsali, S, Rakhshanbabanari, K, Osmani, M, Cavalaro, S, Castro-Díaz, M, Parker, B, Sparkes, J, Needham, P, Newport, S, Sands, M, Massey, A (2024) Life cycle assessment of plasterboard production: a UK case study, Sustainability, 16, pp.1-22, ISSN: 2071-1050
  • Rakhshanbabanari, K., & Gorse, C. (2023). Sustainable and operational assessment. In C. Gorse & B. Olimpia Drotleff (Eds.), Guide to Sustainability in the Built Environment (pp. 91–105). The Chartered Institute of Building, CIOB
  • Gorse, C., Clement, T., Piroozfar, P., & Rakhshanbabanari, K. (2023). Life Cycle Analysis of embodied and operational carbon and energy. In C. Gorse & B. Olimpia Drotleff (Eds.), Guide to Sustainability in the Built Environment (pp. 143–161). The Chartered Institute of Building, CIOB
  • Wheen, C.-L., Rakhshan, K., & Fletcher, M. (2023, August 30). The impact of roof design on embodied carbon and BIPV energy of a primary school building - An LCA-based study on the embodied carbon and PV generated energy of seven roof designs on a two-form entry primary school in Leeds, UK.
  • Kambiz Rakhshan, Daneshkhah, A., and Morel, J.-C. (2023) ‘Stakeholders’ Impact on the Reuse Potential of Structural Elements at the End-of-Life of a Building: A Machine Learning Approach’. Journal of Building Engineering 106351. (Q1, IF 7.144) (Open Access) (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106351)
All publications

Teaching

I contribute to learning and teaching activities across the Schools programmes including:

Undergraduate

  • Construction Project Delivery (CVB115)
  • Digital Construction Management (CVB129) (Module Leader)
  • Strategic Commercial Management (CVC029)
  • Carbon Modelling and Management (CVC128) (Module Leader)
  • Cost Planning and Management (CVC131)

Postgraduate

  • Principles of Project Management (CVP323) (Module Leader)

Enterprise

Recently completed projects

Short courses

  • Level 1 Infrared Thermography
  • One Click LCA

Profile

With a career that began in the Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical industries, I transitioned from an engineer and project manager role to the academic world, leveraging my industry experience to maintain strong ties through consultancy and research. At the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Dubai, my research focused on construction design, building assemblies, and maintenance, leading to numerous high-impact journal publications. This work was crucial in advancing energy efficiency and comfort in Dubai's building sector.

My research made significant strides in the performance evaluation of Dubai villas, particularly in addressing thermal bridges. Additionally, I conducted the first life cycle analysis (LCA) of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in the UAE. My doctoral research was a pioneering effort in optimising building sustainability through the reuse of structural components, informed by my expertise in construction technology and waste management. Utilising advanced machine learning techniques, I developed guidelines for practitioners to evaluate the reusability of structural elements, making a groundbreaking contribution to the field.

At the Leeds Sustainability Institute (LSI) at Leeds Beckett University (LBU), my focus was on enhancing building sustainability in the UK. My work involved evaluating new and old buildings, requiring an in-depth understanding of construction methods, design management, and project management. I was actively involved in projects with DESNZ and Innovate UK, employing techniques like Coheating and IR inspections to assess retrofit measures and conducting occupant comfort studies.

In collaboration with the CIOB, I co-authored the "Building Performance and Evaluation Guide", published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in January 2023. This guide is a significant contribution to CIOB's professional development initiatives. I also contributed to ‘Guide to Sustainability in the Built’ published by the CIOB in October 2023 that supports Construction Managers in sustainable project delivery.

Key collaborators

My research and enterprise activities are conducted with a range of academic and stakeholder partners, including:

  • UKGBC
  • DESNZ
  • Leeds Beckett University
  • University College London
  • University of Salford
  • University of Maine