Assel Sarsembayeva

Professor, Civil Engineering & Geotechnical Specialist
Astana, KZ.

About

Highly accomplished Professor and Civil Engineering PhD with over 15 years of international experience in geotechnical engineering, specializing in freezing soils, foundation design, and construction materials. Recognized for extensive research (H-index 7, numerous publications, patents) and leadership in developing national construction standards and educational programs. Adept at applying advanced scientific principles to real-world infrastructure challenges, fostering academic excellence, and driving impactful research initiatives.

Work

Shakarim University
|

Professor at Geodesy and Civil Engineering Department

Semey, East Kazakhstan Region, Kazakhstan

Summary

Leading academic and research initiatives within the Geodesy and Civil Engineering Department, focusing on advanced engineering principles and student mentorship.

Highlights

Initiated curriculum development and research programs in advanced Geodesy and Civil Engineering, enhancing departmental offerings.

Mentored graduate and undergraduate students in complex research projects and academic pursuits, fostering next-generation talent.

Contributed to the university's academic reputation through scholarly publications and active participation in professional conferences.

Eurasian National University
|

Associate Professor at Civil Engineering Department

Astana, Astana, Kazakhstan

Summary

Drove advancements in civil engineering education and research, specializing in geotechnical challenges and construction materials, while mentoring students and contributing to national standards.

Highlights

Led multiple research projects on smart foundations in undermined and seismically dangerous territories, securing a significant grant (AP13268861) from the Ministry of Education and Science (2022-2024).

Conducted extensive studies on the interaction of seasonally frozen soils with building foundations, contributing to critical infrastructure resilience and publishing findings in leading journals.

Authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications across Applied Sciences, Infrastructures, and Energies, focusing on heat/mass transfer in freezing soils, pile foundations, and structural monitoring.

Developed and implemented national practical standards for highway exploitation and de-icing chemical application, directly adopted by the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Kazakhstan (2004-2008).

Taught and lectured to diverse student groups, fostering expertise in Geodesy, Geotechnics, and structural design principles (BSI and Eurocode).

World Bank
|

Expert in Modernising Legal and Institutional Framework for Forensics Project

Astana, Astana, Kazakhstan

Summary

Provided specialized expertise to the World Bank on modernizing legal and institutional frameworks for forensics within a significant project.

Highlights

Contributed expert knowledge to a World Bank project focused on modernizing forensic legal and institutional frameworks.

Analyzed and recommended improvements for legislation and institutional structures, ensuring alignment with international best practices.

Collaborated with international teams to develop strategic recommendations for enhanced forensic capabilities and project outcomes.

Eurasian National University
|

Postdoctoral Fellow at Geotechnical Institute; Vice Dean for Research Work

Astana, Astana, Kazakhstan

Summary

Directed research initiatives and managed postdoctoral studies within the Geotechnical Institute, enhancing the university's research output and strategic academic planning.

Highlights

Oversaw research operations as Vice Dean for Research Work, contributing to strategic planning and execution of projects within the Geotechnical Institute.

Conducted advanced postdoctoral research, focusing on critical areas of civil engineering and contributing to the institute's scientific advancements.

Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to analyze complex geotechnical challenges and disseminate research findings through publications and presentations.

Brunel University London
|

Project Administrator (EU Tempus Project)

London, England, UK

Summary

Administered a complex EU Tempus project involving 25 international partners, ensuring efficient coordination and successful project delivery.

Highlights

Coordinated project activities across 25 international partners for the EU Tempus project, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration.

Managed project timelines, resources, and deliverables, achieving objectives within tight schedules and budget constraints.

Facilitated effective communication and reporting among stakeholders, contributing to overall project success and partner satisfaction.

Brunel University London
|

Graduate Teaching Assistant

London, England, UK

Summary

Supported academic instruction and student learning in civil engineering courses, facilitating practical understanding of complex technical concepts.

Highlights

Assisted in delivering lectures and practical sessions for civil engineering students, enhancing comprehension of core concepts.

Provided academic support and guidance to small and large groups, improving student learning outcomes and engagement.

Contributed to the development of teaching materials and assessment strategies, supporting faculty in course delivery.

Kazakh Academy of Transport and Communications
|

Assistant Teacher, Lecturer

Almaty, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan

Summary

Instructed students in foundational civil engineering principles, laying the groundwork for their academic and professional development.

Highlights

Delivered lectures and practical instruction in civil engineering subjects to undergraduate students.

Supported student learning through coursework guidance and assessment preparation, fostering academic success.

Contributed to the academic environment by fostering a strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and practical applications.

Education

Brunel University London
London, England, UK

PhD

Civil Engineering

Courses

Thesis Project: Evaluation of de-icing chemical and moisture mass transfer in freezing soils

Research focus: Chemicals and moisture mass transfer in highway subsoils during freezing periods

Kazakh Academy of Transport and Communications
Almaty, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan

Candidate in Technical Sciences

Civil Engineering

Courses

Dissertation Project: Prevention of winter slipperiness on the roads of Kazakhstan with the use of deicing chemicals

Research focus: Graphical-analytical method (Gibbs rule) for de-icing chemical application rates, humidity-temperature data, effective exposure time for highway winter exploitation

Kokshetau State University
Kokshetau, Akmola Region, Kazakhstan

Bachelor (Hons)

Civil Engineering

Awards

Copyright Certificate No. 40362

Awarded By

State Register of Copyrighted Objects, Republic of Kazakhstan

Copyright for the scientific work 'Calculation of Vapour Migration in Frozen Soils', registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

"Bolashak" International Scholarship

Awarded By

Government of Kazakhstan

Prestigious scholarship supporting full-cost PhD studies in Civil Engineering at Brunel University London, UK.

Brunel University Travel Prize (XVI ECMGE International Conference)

Awarded By

Brunel University London

Awarded to facilitate attendance and presentation at the XVI ECMGE International Conference in Edinburgh, UK.

EU TEMPUS project NETCENG Scholarship

Awarded By

EU TEMPUS

Awarded for participation in the NETCENG project, supporting international academic collaboration.

Second Place Award for Poster Presentation

Awarded By

Berlin Technical University, Germany

Received for outstanding poster presentation at the Summer School for Doctoral students.

Brunel University Travel Prize (IAEG-AGMEP International Conference)

Awarded By

Brunel University London

Awarded to facilitate attendance and presentation at the IAEG-AGMEP international Conference in Turin, Italy.

Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window Scholarship

Awarded By

Erasmus Mundus

Full-cost traineeship scholarship supporting studies at Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, Ankara, Turkey.

Preliminary Patent for Invention No. 17923

Awarded By

Committee on Intellectual Property Rights, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Patent for a 'Device for Measuring the Adhesion Force between Snow–Ice Formation and Road Pavement', registered and applied in experimental road construction.

Publications

The Effect of Heat and Mass Transfer on Pile Foundations in Seasonally Frozen Soils

Published by

Bulletin of D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University

Summary

Research on the thermal and moisture dynamics affecting pile foundations in frozen soil environments.

Performance Evaluation of Fixed-Point DFOS Cables for Structural Monitoring of Reinforced Concrete Elements

Published by

Infrastructures

Summary

Evaluated the efficacy of distributed fiber optic sensing cables for monitoring reinforced concrete structures.

Experimental and Numerical Study of a Cone-Top Pile Foundation for Challenging Geotechnical Conditions

Published by

Appl. Sci.

Summary

Investigated the performance of cone-top pile foundations through experimental and numerical methods.

Field studies of frozen soils composed of alluvial Quaternary deposits

Published by

Technobius

Summary

Conducted field studies to characterize frozen soils in alluvial Quaternary deposits.

Bearing Capacity of Precast Concrete Joint Micropile Foundations in Embedded Layers: Predictions from Dynamic and Static Load Tests according to ASTM Standards

Published by

Infrastructures

Summary

Analyzed bearing capacity of micropile foundations using dynamic and static load tests aligned with ASTM standards.

Design of Conical Foundations with Increased Bearing Capacity in Areas of Undermined Soils

Published by

Applied Sciences (Switzerland)

Summary

Developed innovative designs for conical foundations to enhance bearing capacity in challenging undermined soil conditions.

Numerical modelling micro piles and evaluation of the o-cell test results

Published by

News of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Series of Geology and Technical Sciences

Summary

Performed numerical modeling of micropiles and analyzed o-cell test results for geotechnical applications.

Accumulation of moisture in winter at the base of the road due to the forces of cryosuction on the example of monitoring a highway in Astana, Kazakhstan

Published by

Smart Geotechnics for Smart Societies

Summary

Monitored moisture accumulation in highway subsoils in Astana, Kazakhstan, due to cryosuction during winter.

Evaluation of the Structural Health Monitoring Results of the Applied Fiber Optics in the Pile-Raft Foundations of a High-Rise Building

Published by

Applied Sciences (Switzerland)

Summary

Assessed structural health monitoring data from fiber optics in pile-raft foundations of high-rise buildings.

Heat and Mass Transfer by Vapour in Freezing Soils

Published by

Energies

Summary

Investigated the mechanisms of vapor-phase heat and mass transfer in freezing soil systems.

Languages

English
Kazakh
Russian
Turkish

Skills

Geotechnical Engineering

Soils for Engineering Purposes, Geodesy, Geotechnics, Freezing Soils, Highway Subsoils, Pile Foundations, Foundation Design, Soil Mechanics, Geotechnical Database Development.

Structural Engineering

Structure and Concrete Laboratories, Steel Design (BSI & Eurocode), Masonry Design (BSI & Eurocode), Concrete Design (BSI & Eurocode), Reinforced Concrete Design (BSI & Eurocode), Structural Monitoring.

Construction & Materials

Kazakhstani Construction Code and Regulations, Surveying, Geology, De-icing Chemicals, Pavement Materials, Asphalt Concrete Mixtures, Road Pavement Design.

Research & Academia

Teaching and Lecturing (Small & Large Groups), Curriculum Development, Research Methodology, Scientific Writing, Publication, Postdoctoral Research, Dissertation Supervision.

Project Management

Project Delivery (Tight Schedules & Budget), Project Administration, International Project Coordination (25+ partners), Grant Management.

Data Analysis & Software

Data Analysis, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint), Graphical-Analytical Method.

Professional Skills

Teamwork, Work Under Pressure, Communication Skills (All Levels), Planning and Organisational Skills, Cross-functional Collaboration.

References

Philip Collins

BSc, MSc, PhD, Associate Dean Student Welfare / Senior Lecturer in Geology and Geotechnical Engineering and UG Course Director (Civil Engineering), Dep. of Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering, Brunel University London. Email: philip.collins@brunel.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0)1895 266082

Tatiana Kalganova

PhD, Lecturer, Intelligent Systems / ERASMUS coordinator / Director of ECE International Partnerships, Industrial placement coordinator, Brunel University London. Email: tatiana.kalganova@brunel.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0)1895 266752

Ilyias Zhumadilov

PhD, Associated Professor of Civil Engineering, Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Geodesy. Email: f001.kz@mail.ru, Tel: +7 707 6594961

Projects

Development of structures of smart foundations in undermined and seismically dangerous territories

Summary

Research grant (AP13268861) from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan focused on developing innovative foundation structures for challenging geotechnical environments.

Study of interaction of seasonally frozen soils of foundations with foundations of buildings and structures

Summary

Research conducted at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University focusing on the complex interactions between seasonally frozen soils and various building foundation types.

National Practical Standards for Highway Exploitation

Summary

Development and approval of national standards and guidelines for highway exploitation and winter maintenance in Kazakhstan, adopted by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.