Majd Ahmad is a postdoctoral researcher in soil-structure interaction in flood defenses at the Hydraulic Engineering department of TU Delft. His work combines advanced laboratory testing and numerical modeling to strengthen the resilience of flood defense systems in the face of climate change and rising sea levels.

His research focuses on the analysis of soil-structure interaction within dike systems using the finite element method (FEM). This computational approach allows him to model the complex interactions between structural elements and soil under both static and dynamic loading conditions.

In addition, Majd is studying the effects of dike reinforcement on adjacent buildings to understand the mechanisms that may cause structural damage during reinforcement activities. His goal is to provide engineering recommendations that help mitigate such impacts and ensure safer implementation of dike upgrades, especially in built-up areas.

Majd’s mission is to support the development of robust, future-proof dike systems through: i) deepening the understanding of geotechnical behavior under realistic loading conditions; ii) integrating high-quality laboratory data into numerical modeling frameworks; iii) enhancing the reliability of FEM simulations for design and assessment; and iv) contributing to climate-resilient infrastructure strategies.

Through his work, Majd bridges geotechnical engineering with hydraulic and structural disciplines to deliver research with real-world impact on the safety and sustainability of flood defenses.

Majd earned his PhD from Széchenyi István University in Győr, Hungary, in April 2024, graduating with Cum Laude (Distinction). During his time in Hungary, he spent extensive periods in the geotechnical laboratory conducting Resonant Column and Torsional Simple Shear tests to investigate the dynamic behavior of soils. His research focused on developing soil models that capture the stiffening behavior of dry sand under cyclic and irregular loading conditions. To complement the experimental work, he also developed a 3D finite element model in Midas GTS NX to simulate and validate the laboratory results.

He obtained his Master’s degree in Infrastructural Engineering from Széchenyi István University in 2019, and his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Tishreen University in Syria, with a specialization in Geotechnical Engineering. His graduation project focused on the numerical analysis of a pile load test using PLAXIS 2D, which earned him the Al-Basel Award for Distinction.

Majd's research at TU Delft focuses on investigating soil-structure interaction in flood defences, particularly the use of structural elements to reinforce river dikes and the impact of such reinforcements on adjacent buildings. His research areas include:

• Effects of compaction-induced stresses on structural elements
• Influence of cyclic loading on soil-structure systems
• Installation effects of reinforcement structures on nearby buildings
• Numerical modeling for sustainable and robust infrastructure design