HKUST Distinguished Civil and Environmental Engineering Workshop

Abstract

As the most consumed construction material, concrete contributes to 6-8% of global carbon emissions. Meanwhile, cracking, spalling, and steel corrosion challenge the resilience and durability of concrete structures. To address these challenges, ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) materials have been developed. Relative to conventional concrete, UHPC shows superior mechanical performance, damage tolerance, and durability. While UHPC has superior material performance, steel reinforced UHPC structural members often show smaller structural ductility than reinforced concrete.

This workshop will cover the failure mechanisms and recently-developed design methods for UHPC structural members, which include a flexural failure path prediction method and a flexural strength prediction method. These new methods are incorporated into a new optimization framework, which reduces the initial costs and carbon emission while ensuring high ductility of UHPC structural members. This seminar will also cover the fundamentals of finite element simulation of UHPC structures.

Introduction of reporter:

Dr. Shao is an assistant professor at McGill university. Prior to joining McGill, he worked as a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Berkley. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Stanford University and his B.S. degree from Hunan University. His current research focuses on sustainable infrastructure through the development and application of high-performance materials, optimization tools, and autonomous construction methods. His research outcomes have led to over 30 top journal publications and have been adopted by design standards and real-world applications.

Reporter: Prof. Shao Yi

Time: 05/12/2025 (Monday), 09:00-11:00;

Location: Room 6580, Academic Building, HKUST

Host: Prof. Shenghan Zhang

Abstract

Computational Mechanics is an emerging interdisciplinary field that integrates mechanical theory, computer science, and numerical methods. Throughout its development, various methodologies have continuously evolved and converged, gradually forming two main branches: computational solid mechanics and computational fluid mechanics. This lecture focuses on computational solid mechanics methods. Drawing on the speaker’s research expertise and practical computational experience, it delves into representative methods and core technologies, including: Theoretical frameworks (conceptual deconstruction), Nonlinear solution strategies, Meshfree methods, and Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs). By elucidating key concepts and practical techniques, the lecture aims to help participants systematically master the core methodologies of computational solid mechanics and enhance their ability to solve complex solid mechanics problems effectively.

Fundamental readings

It is expected that participants possess fundamental knowledge of the finite element method. As prerequisite reading, the following reference books are recommended:

Hughes TJR, 2000. The Finite Element Method: Linear Static and Dynamic Finite Element Analysis. Dover Publication Inc.

Bathe KJ, 2006. Finite Element Procedures. Prentice Hall.

Reporter: Prof. Xiaodan Ren

Time: 12/08/2025 (Tuesday), 09:00-10:45;

13/08/2025 (Wednesday), 09:00-10:45

Location: Room 2611, HKUST

Host: Prof. Shenghan Zhang

Introduction of reporter: Prof. Xiaodan Ren​​ obtained his Ph.D. from Tongji University in 2011 and is currently Professor and Head of the Department of Structural Engineering at Tongji University’s College of Civil Engineering. With over two decades of expertise in ​​stochastic damage mechanics​​ and ​​nonlinear structural analysis​​, he has authored ​​>120 papers​​ in international journals and was recognized among the ​​top 2% of scientists worldwide​​ (Stanford/Elsevier 2024). His honors include the Shanghai Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award (2012), the ICACM Young Investigator Award (2018), and multiple Shanghai Science & Technology Achievement Awards (First Prize in 2019; Second Prizes in 2020 and 2023). Dr. Ren serves as Subject Editor for Structural Engineering at Engineering Failure Analysis, and holds leadership roles as Director of the Committee of Vibration Mechanics (Shanghai Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics), Council Member of the Association of Building Structures (Architecture Society of China), and Leader of Concrete Task Group of the Joint Committee on Structural Safety (JCSS).

Session1 (14:00-14:45, Thu, 14/08/2025):

Abstract

Session 1 will start with a review of the basics of soil-structure interaction in the context of excavation-induced damage to structures. The session will then highlight experimental centrifuge testing research to understand this SSI problem and to evaluate simulation results. Finally, a new simulation tool will be presented that aims to efficiently enable uncertainty quantification in the prediction of structural damage due to excavation.

Session2 (15:00-15:45, Thu, 14/08/2025):

Abstract

Session 2 will provide an overview of software tools developed at SimCenter (https://simcenter.designsafe-ci.org/). SimCenter develops open-source software tools for natural hazards researchers. The goal is to accelerate research progress through building on the work of other researchers, and disseminating simulation research outputs in an open-source software environment. The session will also highlight case study uses of these tools.

Session 3 and 4 (15:00-15:45, 16:00-16:45, Fri, 15/08/2025)

Abstract

Workshop sessions 3 and 4 will discuss the use of fiber optics sensing (FOS) for experimental laboratory testing and structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure. Session 3 will start with an overview of FOS technology and will then focus on research that makes use of FOS for laboratory testing, with the aim of improving understanding of structural behavior. Session 4 will then discuss the application of FOS in several field monitoring projects, mostly focused on monitoring dynamic response.

Reporter: Prof. Matthew DeJong

Time: 14/08/2025 (Thursday), 14:00-15:45;

Location: Room 2611, HKUST

Host: Prof. Shenghan Zhang

Introduction of reporter: Prof Matthew DeJong is the Ray & Shirley Clough Presidential Chair in Structural Engineering at UC Berkeley, PI and Co-Director of the NHERI SimCenter (https://simcenter.designsafe-ci.org/), and Co-Director of the UC Berkeley Center for Smart Infrastructure (https://smartinfrastructure.berkeley.edu/). His research interests include earthquake engineering, infrastructure sensing and modeling, historic structures, and excavation-induced settlement of structures. He earned his BS from UC Davis and his MS and PhD from MIT. He served as a faculty member at Cambridge University (UK) for 9 years prior to his current appointment.

（1）Uncertainty and Its Characterization

Engineering systems commonly face multiple sources of uncertainty, including structural parameters (e.g., material properties, dimensions, boundary conditions) and environmental loads (e.g., seismic motion, strong winds, ocean waves). This course systematically introduces the fundamental concepts, research motivations, and modeling methods for uncertainty in engineering, emphasizing its critical role in balancing structural safety and cost-effectiveness. The course systematically covers uncertainty modeling and simulation at three levels: Single-variable modeling (parametric and non-parametric methods), Probabilistic dependence modeling between variables (correlation coefficients and copula functions), Spatiotemporal variability modeling (stochastic processes and random field theory). Additionally, commonly used sampling and simulation techniques are introduced. Designed for graduate students and early-career researchers, this course provides a theoretical foundation and practical methodologies for uncertainty quantification, equipping participants to effectively address uncertainty challenges in modeling, assessment, and optimization of complex structural systems.

（2）Uncertainty Propagation: Probability Density Evolution Theory

Under uncertain inputs, the response of engineering structures manifests as a stochastic process with time-evolving probability distributions. The Probability Density Evolution Theory, grounded in the principle of probability conservation, establishes governing equations for the probability density function of system responses, serving as a core theoretical framework for studying uncertainty propagation mechanisms. This course systematically introduces the theory and numerical methods of probability density propagation in structural systems, covering: The complete framework from random event description to state-space description, and the physical background, derivation, and solution methods of the generalized density evolution equation. Aimed at graduate students and researchers with foundational probability knowledge, the course helps participants master uncertainty propagation theory at the probability density level and its practical applications in dynamic response analysis and structural reliability assessment.

Extended readings

Gardiner CW, 2004. Handbook of Stochastic Methods. 3^rd Edn. Springer-Verlag.

Hong HS., & Tang HZ. , 2016. Probabilistic Concepts in Engineering (Jianbing Chen et al., Trans.). China Architecture & Building Press. (Original work published in English)

Li J., & Chen JB, 2023. Stochastic Dynamics of Structures (Mengze Lyu, Trans.). Shanghai Scientific & Technical Publishers.

Reporter: Dr. Mengze Lyu

Time: 08/08/2025, 09:00-11:00

Location: Room 1527, HKUST

Introduction of reporter: Dr. Lyu’s investigations include the development of dimension-reduced probability density evolution equation (DR-PDEE) for probabilistic responses and reliability analysis of high-dimensional nonlinear stochastic dynamical systems, the analytical and numerical methods for the time-variant extreme value distribution of Markov processes, and the applications in structural seismic safety assessment and design optimization. Dr. Lyu has authored a translated book and published 27 peer-reviewed English journal papers, 2 Chinese journal papers, and 12 chapter /conference full papers, with a total of over 360 citations and a single-paper citation record exceeding 40 (Google Scholar H-index 11). He has been invited to deliver two plenary keynote speeches and four invited talks at international and domestic conferences. He has also been involved in organizing 14 mini-symposia of international conferences. Dr. Lyu serves as the deputy secretary-general of the Committee of Random Vibration of the CSVE since 2023, and was selected for Shanghai Postdoctoral Excellence Program in 2022.