Adaptive Tubular Structures
This laboratory develops an analytical solution to predict the characteristics of compressive stress around dowel bars in jointed concrete pavement systems. With the deflection data generated from finite element analysis (FEA), the amplitude and distribution of compressive stress within the dowel slot are precisely predicted.
Corrosion Protection Technology
- To investigate the atmospheric corrosivity in local areas in Hong Kong, and to study the atmospheric corrosion chemicals, corrosion mechanisms, and corrosion rates of exposed steelwork under local environments;
- To investigate various corrosion monitoring methods in buildings and civil engineering structures using internet-based monitoring systems and corrosion sensors;
- To investigate the conventional galvanization method with Zinc, and the innovative modern galvanization process with Zinc and Aluminium alloys as well as the control of coating thicknesses, and surface quality, and the prolonged use of various fluxing solutions;
- To investigate corrosion protection and repair technology including rusts and hydrated iron oxides, rust removal, chemical treatments, service life of rusted steelwork, and service life after repair
Resilient Steel and Smart Structures
- Use of smart materials in earthquake resistant structures;
- Application of energy dissipation bay for resilient-based design of steel frames;
- Applications of shape memory alloys energy dissipation elements in earthquake resilient structures;
- Seismic behaviour of HSS frames
Mechanics and Steel Materials
- Constitutive models for high strength steels under both monotonic and cyclic actions;
- Welding procedure specifications for high strength welded joints using different welding methods;
- Design guide on welding of high strength steels
Soil-structure Interaction with High Performance Construction Materials
- Research publications in reputed journals on the foundation and geotechnical applications of high strength steel and composite structural elements;
- Focused workshops/meetings to discuss with key stakeholders the benefits/precautions of the applications;
- A set of procedures for the installation of fibre optic sensors in foundation and excavation projects, to obtain high resolution and high accuracy strain measurements