Professor | Iran University of Science and Technology | Iran
Dr. Ali Reza Tolou Kian, Assistant Professor of Rail Structure and Track Engineering at the Iran University of Science and Technology, is a specialist in railway track mechanics whose expertise encompasses ballast behavior, sleeper performance, rail corrugation detection, vibration attenuation, and structural connections. His professional background includes university-level teaching, research leadership, and prior experience assisting in construction project management, supported by advanced skills in experimental modal analysis, geotechnical and structural testing, and numerical modeling using FEM-based platforms. Dr. Tolou Kian has made substantial contributions to railway engineering through studies on sand-contaminated ballast, dynamic sleeper behavior, tire-derived aggregate applications, geogrid-reinforced ballast, and large-scale direct shear performance, resulting in numerous publications in high-impact international journals. He has supervised several graduate theses focused on rail corrugation monitoring, structural health assessment, ballast contamination effects, and vibration control, demonstrating strong academic mentorship. His professional activities include membership in the Tehran Construction Engineering Organization, reviewing for multiple international journals and conferences, and contributing to the design and development of specialized laboratory equipment. His research impact includes 310 citations, 13 publications, and an h-index of 10.
Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar
Featured Publications
Sadeghi J., Toloukian A., Zarei M.A., Khani N., Improvement of ballast behavior by inclusion of tire-derived aggregates with optimum size. Constr. Build. Mater., 2025, 458, 139530.
Sadeghi J., Kian A.R.T., Ghiasinejad H., Moqaddam M.F., Motevalli S., Effectiveness of geogrid reinforcement in improvement of mechanical behavior of sand-contaminated ballast. Geotext. Geomembr., 2020, 48(6), 768–779.
Tolou Kian A.R., Sadeghi J., Zakeri J.A., Large-scale direct shear tests on sand-contaminated ballast. Geotech. Eng., 2018, 171(5), 451–461.
Sadeghi J., Tolou Kian A.R., Shater Khabbazi A., Improvement of mechanical properties of railway track concrete sleepers using steel fibers. J. Mater. Civ. Eng., 2016, 28(11), 04016131.
Tolou Kian A.R., Sadeghi J., Zakeri J.A., Influences of railway ballast sand contamination on loading pattern of pre-stressed concrete sleeper. Constr. Build. Mater., 2020, 233.
Dr. Ali Reza Tolou Kian’s research advances the safety, resilience, and sustainability of railway infrastructure through innovative improvements in ballast behavior, sleeper performance, and track vibration mitigation. His work bridges scientific rigor with industry needs, delivering practical solutions that enhance railway durability, reduce maintenance costs, and support modern transportation development. He envisions railway systems that are smarter, more efficient, and engineered through data-driven experimentation and advanced material technologies.