Lecturer - Paul Kassabian

Paul Kassabian's photo

Paul Kassabian

Lecturer

Education

  • M.A., M.Eng, 1997, Cambridge University, UK
  • S.M. 2003, MIT

Work Experience

  • Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger 2003-present
  • Flint & Neill Partnership 1997-2001
  • Watson Steel Fabricators 1999-2000

Licensed

P.E. Massachusetts, USA
Chartered Structural Engineer, UK
Chartered Civil Engineer, UK

Work Interests

Paul is a structural engineer at Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger in Boston and works on a range of projects such as art installations, design competitions, buildings, and large-scale structures. Prior to moving to the U.S, Paul worked in the UK designing a range of distinctive bridge structures including Lockmeadow footbridge in Kent. He also worked at Watson Steel as Deputy Project Manager for the fabrication and erection of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge for WilkinsonEyre Architects which won the UK Building of the Year Award 2002.

Teaching Interests

Paul is interested in improving students’ qualitative understanding of structural behavior; he teaches one graduate level course each term at MIT.

The fall term course is “Structural Systems” and provides students with an understanding of the full range of structures and structural forms. The course is not about in-depth analysis but can be viewed as a pre- and post- course to typical structural analysis courses - as such, it fills a void that exists in most structural engineering curricula. Paul uses personal case studies to teach the students how to conceive a structural form and consider its various options (as is typical in early stage conceptual design with architects) and to understand assembly and construction methods that are intrinsic to the real behavior of the final structure.

The spring term course is “Steel Design” and is taught in the same sequence as the design of an actual structure. Starting with the overall structural system, continuing with the components of the system (floor systems, frames, beams) and finishing with the details (welding, bolting, galvanizing, painting etc.). Paul uses examples from his own designs and from time working at a steel fabricator to cover design requirements and construction/cost considerations.

Selected Publications

  1. Butterworth, K., Carr, D., and Kassabian, P.E., "Gateshead Millennium Bridge: Fabrication, Assembly and Erection," Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Bridge Engineering, Spring 2003.
  2. Firth, I.P.T., and Kassabian, P.E., "The Ribble Way Bridge - Characteristics of a Three-Way Arch," Arch '01, Third International Conference on Arch Bridges, Paris, France, 2001.
  3. Kassabian, P.E., You, Z., and Pellegrino, S., "Retractable Roof Structures," Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Structures and Buildings, February 1999.
  4. Kassabian, P.E., "Retractable Structures," International Colloquium on Structural Morphology, International Association of Shell and Spatial Structures, United Kingdom, 1997.