Source: Untar Public Relations – VA
The advancement of material innovation in the field of civil engineering continues to show rapid progress. One significant contribution in this area comes from Arif Sandjaya, a lecturer in the Undergraduate Civil Engineering Program at the Faculty of Engineering, Untar, who officially earned his Doctor of Civil Engineering degree as the 92nd doctoral graduate from Untar during the Open Doctoral Promotion Session held on Wednesday (16/7/2025) at the Auditorium, Building M, Untar Campus I.
The session was chaired by the Rector of Untar, Prof. Dr. Amad Sudiro, S.H., M.H., M.Kn., M.M., with Prof. Ir. Sofia W. Alisjahbana, M.Sc., Ph.D., IPU., ASEAN Eng. as the main promoter, and Prof. Ir. Bambang Suryoatmono, Ph.D., IPU. as the co-promoter, who is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering, Parahyangan Catholic University. The event was also attended by an examination panel consisting of academics and professionals in the field of civil engineering.
In his dissertation titled “The Effect of Embossing on the Buckling Behavior of Web Plates in Cold-Formed Steel Beams Subjected to Shear,” Dr. Arif examined the impact of embossing—a technique involving raised patterns on steel plates—on the strength and structural resilience of light steel beams used in construction.
Arif presenting the findings of his dissertation // Source: Untar Public Relations – VA
Embossing techniques are commonly found in the production of cold-formed steel, yet they have not been explicitly accommodated in current structural design standards. Through laboratory testing and numerical simulations using Abaqus software, Dr. Arif found that embossing can enhance the shear strength of steel beams, although it may reduce their stiffness or ability to retain shape.
His research also produced a more representative illustration of stress distribution in light steel plates under lateral pressure—a significant contribution to the development of structural designs based on real-world field conditions.
“This journey was full of challenges, but it also deepened my understanding of steel structural behavior. I hope this research can serve as a foundation for improving the design standards of light steel structures in Indonesia,” said Dr. Arif, who graduated with a perfect GPA of 4.00 and earned the distinction of With High Honors.
Prof. Bambang Suryoatmono expressed his appreciation for Arif’s achievement. “Prof. Sofia and I are very proud. Our hope is that you will not only become an expert in your field, but also uphold integrity and ethics,” he said.
The graduation of Dr. Arif further affirms Untar’s role as an institution consistently producing outstanding academics and researchers, capable of bridging the needs of the industry with the advancement of knowledge in the fields of infrastructure and construction.
(VA/AJ)