From the bike town to the Sunshine State
His training path begins in Münster, where he initially completes an apprenticeship as a carpenter. Kampmann then studied civil engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Munster, where the concrete becomes an integral part of his career. He obtained his diploma with a focus on structural engineering through research work in which he made it possible to “determine self-compacting concrete mixtures on the basis of raw material properties”.
Instead of staying in the bike town, the graduate engineer is drawn to Florida, the so-called Sunshine State. At the Florida State University Kampmann is doing a Master of Science in civil engineering. In his master’s thesis, he deals with the characteristic properties of Florida concrete – a specific concrete mixture – for incorporation into local standards or use in road surfaces.
researchers and leaders
His dissertation does not divert Raphael Kampmann from the prepared path: he stays in the Sunshine State and his passion for concrete technology does not dry up. At Florida State University, Kampmann is writing his doctoral thesis on “The influence of the compression interface on the failure behavior and the influence of scale on concrete test specimens”.
The specialization in fracture mechanics of concrete building materials also accompanies the engineer in his further work as laboratory manager of four research institutions, which together form the “Civil Laboratory for Construction Material”. Here, Kampmann gathers extensive experience in the certification of building products, in materials research, component testing and laboratory management and organization. In Lübeck, the engineer sees: “(…) the opportunity to further develop my applied scientific career in the areas of building material development and materials research (…)”
It depends on the composition
Raphael Kampmann is not only a passionate researcher, but also a teacher. As an undergraduate, graduate student, visiting professor, assistant professor and associate professor, he has spent instructive years imparting knowledge. Through his teaching activities, Kampmann developed courses and study materials for which he extensively used digital methods and laboratory courses. “Today, difficult concepts of spatial mathematics and physics can be presented visually in a simple way,” says Kampmann about his teaching methods. “Appropriate e-learning techniques enable me to communicate ideas and backgrounds effectively.”
“Best Teacher Ever”
In order to consolidate their knowledge in the long term, practice is another important teaching component for students. “Only through independent development and experience can content be understood in the long term,” says Kampmann. It is a pleasure for him to prepare his students for practical laboratory experiments. “My heart breaks when I watch them apply their knowledge (…). No lecture can attract as much attention as a well-prepared laboratory experiment (…)” is how the engineer describes his teaching experience. Bram Stoker’s philosophy is even more important to him: “We learn from failure, not from success!”
His commitment to students has already paid off. Raphael Kampmann has received a total of nine teaching awards in seven years, including the Distinguished Teaching Award from Florida State University. In addition, he is from American Society of Civil Engineers been voted “Young Engineer of the Year”. His students describe him as very strict and demanding, but also as the “Best Teacher ever.”
Kampmann is enthusiastic about his new job as a professor at the TH Lübeck:
I am sure that the engineers of tomorrow will continue to shape our society and enrich our community through the development and improvement of building materials, structural elements and modern structures. It is an absolute pleasure for me to accompany and shape future engineering as a professor.