Overview
Background
Dr Joe Gattas is as an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland's School of Civil Engineering, where he heads the Folded Structures research group. His research expertise spans various fields, including origami-inspired engineering, computational building design, advanced manufacturing, lightweight and modular structures, and timber engineering. In 2009, Joe obtained his Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Queensland, and in 2013, he completed his Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford, funded by a prestigious John Monash Scholarship. He remains an active participant in the John Monash Scholar community.
From 2016 to 2021, Joe led the Manufacture and Digital Design project stream within the ARC Future Timber Hub. This initiative aimed to support the development of tall timber buildings in the Pacific region. Upon its successful completion, timber industry partners backed the establishment of a new ARC Advance Timber Hub (2022-), designed to accelerate innovation and the adoption of timber in Australian buildings. Joe currently serves as Co-Lead for two research nodes within the new Hub: 1) Manufacturing Innovation, which encompasses projects focusing on the digital design and fabrication of innovative structures and systems; and 2) Value Chain Innovation, which covers projects dedicated to enhancing resource utilization throughout the forest-to-building timber value chain.
Availability
- Associate Professor Joe Gattas is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Engineering, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oxford
Research interests
-
Origami-Inspired Engineering
folded structures; deployable structures; origami and kirigami geometry
-
Computational Building Design
parametric geometry; design automation; digital workflows; 3D scanning
-
Advanced Manufacturing
digital fabrication; robotic construction; hybrid materials; design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA)
-
Structural Engineering
low-cost housing; modular structures; timber structures; timber joints
Works
Search Professor Joe Gattas’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
A semi-automated method for verification and reliability assessment of network-scale bridge asset data
Hodge, Gabrielle and Gattas, Joseph M. (2025). A semi-automated method for verification and reliability assessment of network-scale bridge asset data. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 68 103564, 103564. doi: 10.1016/j.aei.2025.103564
2025
Journal Article
Enhancement of the out-of-plane bending performance of CLT panels using CFRP reinforcement
Bravo, Tomas P., Beltrán, Juan Felipe, Maluk, Cristian and Gattas, Joseph M. (2025). Enhancement of the out-of-plane bending performance of CLT panels using CFRP reinforcement. Engineering Structures, 340 120653, 120653-340. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120653
2025
Journal Article
One-DOF mechanical metamaterials with arbitrary prescribability and rapid reprogrammability of force-displacement curves
Li, Hui, Li, Wei, Yang, Huixin, Gattas, Joseph M., Chen, Qingyang and Li, Yang (2025). One-DOF mechanical metamaterials with arbitrary prescribability and rapid reprogrammability of force-displacement curves. Research, 8 0715, 0715. doi: 10.34133/research.0715
2025
Conference Publication
Design and fabrication of self-shaping steel curved surfaces with lamina emergent torsion arrays
Bahremandi-Tolou, Mahnaz, Gattas, Joseph M. and Luo, Dan (2025). Design and fabrication of self-shaping steel curved surfaces with lamina emergent torsion arrays. 30th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA) 2025, Tokyo, Japan, 22-29 March 2025. Hong Kong, China: Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA).
2025
Journal Article
Timber-Cardboard Web-Core Sandwich panels for lightweight housing applications
Abu-Saleem, Mahmoud and Gattas, Joseph M. (2025). Timber-Cardboard Web-Core Sandwich panels for lightweight housing applications. Structures, 73 108315, 108315. doi: 10.1016/j.istruc.2025.108315
2025
Journal Article
Automated large-scale additive manufacturing of structural formwork with rapid fibre-reinforced polymer tape lamination
Xin, Zhuo-Yang, Zhu, Guan-Qi, Gattas, Joseph M. and Luo, Dan (2025). Automated large-scale additive manufacturing of structural formwork with rapid fibre-reinforced polymer tape lamination. Automation in Construction, 171 105978, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2025.105978
2025
Conference Publication
Mechanical properties of recycled versus new high-density australian hardwoods
Hossy, Duncan, Manshadi, Sadaf, Gattas, Joe and Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike (2025). Mechanical properties of recycled versus new high-density australian hardwoods. 14th World Conference on Timber Engineering 2025 (WCTE 2025), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 22-26 June 2025. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: World Conference On Timber Engineering. doi: 10.52202/080513-0416
2025
Conference Publication
INTERACTIVE PARAMETRIC STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND OPTIMISATION TOOL FOR DESIGN OF FRP-REINFORCED MASS TIMBER BUILDINGS
Bravo, Tomas, Mills, Harry, Maluk, Cristian and Gattas, Joseph M. (2025). INTERACTIVE PARAMETRIC STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND OPTIMISATION TOOL FOR DESIGN OF FRP-REINFORCED MASS TIMBER BUILDINGS. Brisbane, Australia: World Conference On Timber Engineering 2025. doi: 10.52202/080513-0289
2025
Conference Publication
TimberTracker: an open-source web framework for visualising supply and demand in future construction timber value chains
Gattas, Joseph M. and Daniel, Claire (2025). TimberTracker: an open-source web framework for visualising supply and demand in future construction timber value chains. 14th World Conference On Timber Engineering, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 22-26 June 2025. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: World Conference On Timber Engineering 2025. doi: 10.52202/080513-0587
2025
Conference Publication
LAMINATED NODES FOR A ROUND TIMBER STRUCTURE
Baber, Kim, Chen, Canhui and Gattas, Joseph M (2025). LAMINATED NODES FOR A ROUND TIMBER STRUCTURE. Brisbane, Australia: World Conference On Timber Engineering 2025. doi: 10.52202/080513-0109
2025
Conference Publication
Reimagining timber: an integrated approach of resource efficient fabrication process for topologically optimised cross-laminated timber slabs
Wu, Lingju, Bao, Dingwen, Chen, Bowen, Luo, Dan and Gattas, Joseph M. (2025). Reimagining timber: an integrated approach of resource efficient fabrication process for topologically optimised cross-laminated timber slabs. 14th World Conference On Timber Engineering, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 22-26 June 2025. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: World Conference On Timber Engineering 2025. doi: 10.52202/080513-0329
2025
Conference Publication
ALIGNING NEEDS AND SUSTAINABILITY: A CASE STUDY OF BIOBASED TEMPORARY HOUSING
Abu-Saleem, Mahmoud, Baber, Kim, Gattas, Joseph M., Gilbert, Gabin, Bihan, Mathys Le, Rose, Andrew and Ximenes, Fabiano (2025). ALIGNING NEEDS AND SUSTAINABILITY: A CASE STUDY OF BIOBASED TEMPORARY HOUSING. Brisbane, Australia: World Conference On Timber Engineering 2025. doi: 10.52202/080513-0336
2025
Conference Publication
INVENTORY-CONSTRAINED DESIGN METHOD FOR WHOLE TREE USE IN BRANCHING CANOPY STRUCTURES
Feng, Yue, Ren, Hengyi, Baber, Kim, Chen, Canhui, Yuan, Xingfei and Gattas, Joseph M. (2025). INVENTORY-CONSTRAINED DESIGN METHOD FOR WHOLE TREE USE IN BRANCHING CANOPY STRUCTURES. Brisbane, Australia: World Conference On Timber Engineering 2025. doi: 10.52202/080513-0487
2024
Journal Article
Board assignment heuristics for nail laminated out-of-grade timber
Gattas, Joseph M., Reid, Caitlin, Dakin, Tony, Shanks, Jon and McGavin, Robert L. (2024). Board assignment heuristics for nail laminated out-of-grade timber. Australian Journal of Civil Engineering, 1-14. doi: 10.1080/14488353.2024.2403049
2024
Journal Article
Self-locking and stiffening deployable tubular structures
Lee, Ting-Uei, Lu, Hongjia, Ma, Jiaming, Ha, Ngoc San, Gattas, Joseph M. and Xie, Yi Min (2024). Self-locking and stiffening deployable tubular structures. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121 (40) e2409062121, e2409062121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2409062121
2024
Journal Article
Eccentric compression behaviour of hybrid timber-cardboard sandwich columns
Abu-Saleem, Mahmoud and Gattas, Joseph M. (2024). Eccentric compression behaviour of hybrid timber-cardboard sandwich columns. Construction and Building Materials, 440 137365, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137365
2024
Journal Article
Experimental assessment of modal properties of hybrid CFRP-timber panels
Bravo, Tomas P., Gattas, Joseph M., Bravo, Felipe, Astroza, Rodrigo and Maluk, Cristian (2024). Experimental assessment of modal properties of hybrid CFRP-timber panels. Construction and Building Materials, 438 137075. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.137075
2024
Journal Article
A novel framework for set-based steel connection design automation
Wang, Yuyu, Bottazzi, Vitor Santos and Gattas, Joseph Michael (2024). A novel framework for set-based steel connection design automation. Computers and Structures, 298 107366, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.compstruc.2024.107366
2024
Journal Article
Manufacture and structural performance of modular hybrid FRP–timber thin-walled beams
Cui, Weiqi, Gattas, Joseph M. and Heitzmann, Michael T. (2024). Manufacture and structural performance of modular hybrid FRP–timber thin-walled beams. Construction and Building Materials, 435 136705, 1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136705
2024
Journal Article
Curved surface form-finding with self-shaping perforated plates
Bahremandi-Tolou, Mahnaz, Wang, Chenhao, Gattas, Joseph M. and Luo, Dan (2024). Curved surface form-finding with self-shaping perforated plates. Architectural Intelligence, 3 (1) 17. doi: 10.1007/s44223-024-00059-y
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Joe Gattas is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Database Management, Verification, and Cost Optimisation Tools for Parametric Steel Connection Design
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dorival Pedroso
-
Doctor Philosophy
Hybrid Timber-Cardboard Sandwich Structural Composites for Low-Cost and Bio-Based Temporary Housing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Chien Ming Wang
-
Doctor Philosophy
An Integrated Approach to Design and Construction of Waste Wood
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dan Luo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving the quality, robustness and completeness of bridge asset records with LiDAR data integration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Rebecca Gravina
-
Master Philosophy
Investigating optimal log steaming conditions to improve veneer quality for plantation-grown Eucalyptus nitens
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Michael Heitzmann
-
Doctor Philosophy
Architecture in reconfiguration with computing: Prefabricated timber discrete building components
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fred Fialho Leandro Alves Teixeira
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of engineered recycled hardwood and natural fibre composite products
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa Ottenhaus
-
Doctor Philosophy
Robotic FRP fabrication for large scale customizable structure
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Michael Heitzmann, Dr Dan Luo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Retrofitting damaged bridge components with hybrid FRP composites to promote re-use and sustainability
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Rebecca Gravina
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing environmentally responsive facades by self-assembly timber modules
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dan Luo
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Downscale testing methods for characterising dynamic and static structural behaviours of mass timber and hybrid timber floor systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cristian Maluk
-
2024
Master Philosophy
Optimisation of timber selection in low-rise residential building wall frame construction
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa Ottenhaus
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Mouldless Manufacture and Performance of Hybrid FRP-Timber Thin-Walled Structures
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Michael Heitzmann
-
2021
Master Philosophy
Tension strap assembly methods for lightweight and high-speed timber construction
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Mechanics of digitally-fabricated hinges for folded steel structures
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sritawat Kitipornchai
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Structural performance and digital fabrication of low-cost folded sandwich structures
Principal Advisor
-
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Hybrid Glulam-FRP Beam with Improved Fire Performance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cristian Maluk
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Fire analysis of load-bearing bamboo structures
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cristian Maluk
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Behaviour of Hybrid FRP-Timber Thin-walled Cee section Columns: an Experimental and Numerical Investigation
Associate Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Hybrid Timber-Concrete Floor Panel Systems with a Novel Hollow Core Construction
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Joe Gattas directly for media enquiries about their areas of expertise.
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: