Hèrm Hofmeyer is an Associate Professor in the Department of the Built Environment at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He enthusiastically focuses on two types of research. The first, Computational Structural Design, involves the application of Computer Science to building structures and their design process. Unique developments include automated zoning, iterative structural grammars, stabilization, generation of conformal geometries, simulations of co-evolutionary design processes, and structural and topology optimization. Applying the high scientific standards of Applied Mechanics, these developments are verified with additional implementations, genetic algorithms, and case studies from practice. The second type of research is related to the application and further development of the finite element method for structural engineering. Using experimental data and theories, dedicated finite element models are developed to obtain in-depth knowledge on structural behavior. Recent research focusses on: the direct strength method for web-crippling and bending of cold-formed steel sections, two-way coupled CFD fire and thermomechanical FE analyses, two-scale models for structures with bolt and screw connections, the glass or concrete provided shear resistance of (high-rise) steel frames; and topology optimization of concrete structures for 3D printing.

Hèrm Hofmeyer (1972) obtained an MSc in Computer Aided Structural Design/Applied Mechanics in 1994. Parallel to a part-time job as a responsible lecturer in architectural design studios, he was awarded a PhD in Applied Mechanics/Steel Structures in 2000. He was a visiting PhD student at Universität Stuttgart, Germany (Prof. E. Ramm) and QUT Brisbane, Australia (Prof. M. Mahendran). After his PhD, he became part-time Assistant Professor and unit board member Research Affairs, and part-time Specialist and Project Leader at ABT consulting engineers. Since 2006, he is a full-time Associate Professor with ‘Ius Promovendi’, the right to award PhD's, and was unit vice-chair up to 2016. Hèrm was also a visiting scholar at the Université de Liège, Belgium (Prof. J.-P. Jaspart), and RWTH Aachen, Germany (Prof. P. Russell). Over 45 scientific articles, 75 scientific conference contributions, and 75 MSc-theses have been published, of which several awarded. Hèrm acts as reviewer for ISI journals; is member of conference scientific committees; and serves as jury member for (inter)national research foundations. Nine PhD and two PDEng positions have been obtained via external research funds, and he has additionally supervised two government-financed PhDs as a co-promotor. He received a University Teaching Qualification with highest distinction for 7 out of 8 criteria, and received the Department's Bronze Award ‘MSc lecturer 2016’, and Gold Awards 'BSc lecturer 2019' and 'MSc lecturer 2022'. Finally, he is member of EAISI, ECCS-TC7, CIB-W78, and the Graduate School Engineering Mechanics.

"Computer Science and Applied Mechanics are radically different from structural artefacts and their design process, similar to a CPU being fundamentally different from a programming language. Interestingly, their skillful application provides tremendous insights in the artefacts, and even more important, enlights the design processes that create them"