Doctor of Philosophy Oct 2022 – Sep 2026

Geomechanics, AGH University of Krakow Poland

Master of Engineering Oct 2017 – Feb 2020

Tunnel and Underground Space Engineering, Tehran Polytechnic Iran

Bachelor of Engineering Oct 2013 – Sep 2017

Mining Engineering (Rock Mechanics), Hamedan University of Technology Iran

• Rock Mechanics; Mining Geomechanics; Experimental Investigation; Geotechnical Engineering.

• Multi-scale Numerical Simulation [FEM | XFEM | DEM | SPH | Peridynamics] ==> (ABAQUS | Ansys LS-DYNA | PLAXIS | FLAC | PFC | LAMMPS | LIGGGHTS | YADE). 

Visiting Ph.D. Researcher, University of A Coruña, Spain Apr 2026

Rock fracture testing (WST, pCT) and Digital Image Correlation (DIC)

Visiting Ph.D. Researcher, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany 2024- 2025

Rock fracture testing (pCT, SCB, NBD, SR) and numerical simulations (FEM, Peridynamics)

Visiting Ph.D. Researcher, Istanbul Technical University, Turkey 2024

Lab-scale sand dynamic compaction testing and numerical simulations (FEM, SPH, SPG, DEM)

Teaching Assistant, Tehran Polytechnic, Iran 2016-2019

Mechanics of Materials I, Steel and Concrete Structures

Top 10 PhD Student Award, NAWA STER Competition 2023-2025

Ranked 6th in 2024 and 4th in 2025 among ~ 900 PhD students.

Increased Scholarship for Best Doctoral Students, IDUB Competition 2023-2025

Awarded for two consecutive years.

Best PhD Student of the Faculty 2024-2026

Awarded for two consecutive years.

Research Visit Grant, NAWA STER Program 2025

Ranked 2nd in a university-wide competition.

Research Visit Grant, NAWA PROM Program 2026

Ranked 2nd after shortlisting and interview, EU-funded.

Peer Reviewer for International Journals, Elsevier and Springer Nature 2025 - Present

Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering | Scientific Reports | Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory | Granular Matter | Discover Applied Sciences | Mechanics of Time-Dependent Materials.

1. Hajivand Dastgerdi, R.*, Salimi, M., Wichtmann, T., & Malinowska, A. "Peridynamic simulation of rock cutting under a TBM disc cutter". In Computational Methods and Information Models in Tunneling (EURO:TUN 2025) Conference, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria, 22-25 September 2025. [Proceedings & Presentation]

2. R. Hajivand Dastgerdi*, A. Moayedi Far, Balkaya, M, Malinowska, A. “Installation of a Space Safety Targeted Shield on the Lunar and Martian Surfaces”. 8th Space Resources Conference: Path to Lunar Sustainability. AGH UST, Krakow, Poland. 21–23 May 2025, [Poster]

1. Hajivand Dastgerdi, R.*, Salimi, M., Wichtmann, T., Sarfarazi, V., & Malinowska, A. (2026). "A simple loading fixture for Mode I rock fracture toughness testing using pCT specimens". Geotechnical and Geological Engineering.

2. Fu, J., Haeri, H., Sarfarazi, V., Hajivand Dastgerdi, R. (2026). "Novel direct measurement of Mode I fracture toughness in brittle geomaterials using the Internal Edge-Notched Ring (IENR) test: Insights from coupled experimental and numerical studies". Journal of Materials Research and Technology.

3. Hajivand Dastgerdi, R.*, Sarfarazi, V., & Malinowska, A. (2026). "On the application of a PD-FEM approach for concrete fracture simulation using LS-DYNA". Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory.

4. Hajivand Dastgerdi, R.*, & Malinowska, A. (2025). "Experimental and numerical insights into the Semi-Circular Bend (SCB) test for tensile strength estimation in rock-like materials". Materials.

5. Hajivand Dastgerdi, R.*, Salimi, M., Wichtmann, T., & Malinowska, A. (2025). "Peridynamic modeling of rock cutting under a TBM disc cutter using LS-DYNA". Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory.

6. Hajivand Dastgerdi, R.*, & Malinowska, A. (2024). "A simplified calibration procedure for DEM simulations of granular material flow". Materials.

7. Hajivand Dastgerdi, R.*, Malinowska, A., & Balkaya, M. (2025). "Evaluating several meshless methods for soil impact analysis in dynamic compaction applications". Transportation Infrastructure Geotechnology.

8. A. Khan, Y. Fang, Y. Jiang, R. Hajivand Dastgerdi*. (2025). “Damage Analysis of a Tunnel Under Rigid and Deformable Impactors”. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering.

9. R. Hajivand Dastgerdi, M. Zamani*, D. Knez, K. Kazemi. (2023). “Comparing Several Different Numerical Approaches for Large Deformation Modeling with Application in Soil Dynamic Compaction”. Transportation Infrastructure Geotechnology.

10. R. Hajivand Dastgerdi*, M. khalatbari, A. Rezaeipour, M. Faisal Waqar, A. Malinowska. (2023). “Investigating the Efficiency of Micropiles in the Stability of Soil Slopes; a Case Study”. Journal of Computational Applied Mechanics.

11. R. Hajivand Dastgerdi*, N. Bahrami, K. Kazemi, M. Faisal Waqar, A. Malinowska. (2024). “Numerical Study for Optimal Design of Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) Walls”. Engineering Transactions.

12. R. Hajivand Dastgerdi*, A. Khan, K. Kazemi, M. Kowalski, A. Malinowska. (2024). “Investigation of Box Shape Effects on Soil Direct Shear Test”. Journal of Structural Mechanics.

13. M. Tarafrava, A. khan, S. Shokri, B. Shokati, A. Emadi, A. Moayedi Far, R. Hajivand Dastgerdi*. (2025). “Modeling and Simulation Techniques of TBM Tunneling in Soft and Shallow Grounds: A Case Study of Tehran Metro Line 6”. Engineering and Applied Science Research journal.

14. M. Mohammadi, R. Hajivand Dastgerdi*, B. shokati, D. Mohammadi. “Comparative Analysis of Support Methods for TBM Entrance Walls”. International Journal of Mining and Geo-Engineering.

15. Hajivand Dastgerdi, R., Hajivand Dastgerdi, B., Sarfarazi, V., & Shokri, S. (2026). “Effect of gabion stone morphology on the impact performance of RC gabion-shielded walls: A coupled FEM-DEM study”. Soils and Rocks. [Under revision].

16. Hajivand Dastgerdi, R.*, Ostrowski, L., Sarfarazi, V., & Malinowska, A. (2026). "A new loading configuration for Mode I rock fracture toughness testing using Short Rod specimens". International Journal of Fracture. [Under review]

17. Hajivand Dastgerdi, R.*, Muñoz-Ibáñez, A., Delgado-Martín, J., Sarfarazi, V., & Malinowska, A. (2026). "Direct rock fracture energy determination using cylindrical WST specimens and a simplified loading configuration". Scientific Reports. [Under revision]