Zhou Ji | FRP reinforced concrete structure | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering

Zhou Ji | FRP Reinforced Concrete Structure | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | Nanjing Forestry University | China

Zhou Ji is a dedicated civil engineering researcher specializing in steel–concrete composite structures and marine or offshore concrete systems, with extensive academic and practical expertise in structural performance and durability. As a doctoral researcher at Guangxi University under Professor Zongping Chen, Zhou has contributed significantly to the understanding of mechanical behaviors, bond characteristics, and seismic performance of advanced composite materials. Zhou has led one Guangxi postgraduate education innovation project and participated in six national and provincial-level research programs focusing on areas such as high-temperature damage assessment, corrosion-resistant marine concrete, and long-lifespan transport hub structures. The research has resulted in 9 SCI-indexed papers and 10 EI-indexed papers as the first author, including publications in high-impact journals like Engineering Structures, Construction and Building Materials, and Journal of Composites for Construction-ASCE. Zhou’s studies on CFRP-steel composite bars in coral sea-sand seawater concrete have provided key insights into bond behavior, structural strength, and post-fire performance, contributing to sustainable marine construction. In addition to academic publications, Zhou has secured four national patents and participated in developing a Guangxi provincial standard. Recognition of excellence includes numerous national and provincial scholarships and awards, such as the Liu Huixian Earthquake Engineering Award and multiple National Scholarship distinctions. The research achievements reflect a deep commitment to advancing composite structural technologies that enhance resilience and sustainability in coastal infrastructure. With a strong foundation in both experimental and numerical analysis, Zhou continues to explore innovative materials and design approaches that address environmental challenges in modern civil engineering. 409 Citations, 16 Documents, and an h-index of 11

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Chen, Z., Zhou, J., Jing, C., & Tan, Q. (2021). Mechanical behavior of spiral stirrup reinforced concrete filled square steel tubular columns under compression. Engineering Structures, 226, 111377.

Chen, Z., Xu, W., & Zhou, J. (2022). Mechanical performance of marine concrete filled CFRP–aluminum alloy tube columns under axial compression: Experiment and finite element analysis. Engineering Structures, 272, 114993.

Chen, Z., Li, S., Zhou, J., Xu, R., & Dai, S. (2022). Flexural behavior of GFRP bars reinforced seawater sea sand concrete beams exposed to marine environment: Experimental and numerical study. Construction and Building Materials, 349, 128784.

Chen, Z., Pang, Y., Xu, R., Zhou, J., & Xu, W. (2022). Mechanical performance of ocean concrete-filled circular CFRP–steel tube columns under axial compression. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 198, 107514.

Zhou, J., Chen, Z., Chen, Y., Song, C., Li, J., & Zhong, M. (2022). Torsional behavior of steel reinforced concrete beam with welded studs: Experimental investigation. Journal of Building Engineering, 48, 103879.

Azunna Sunday | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Civil Engineering

Mr. Azunna Sunday | Structural Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral Researcher | Housing research centre | Malaysia

Mr. Azunna Sunday Ugochukwu has established a strong professional and research background in civil and structural engineering, with notable expertise in sustainable construction materials, structural analysis, and project management. His career includes extensive work in both academic and industrial settings, where he contributed to the design and execution of major infrastructure projects such as residential complexes, university facilities, religious centers, and extensive road networks across Nigeria. At Universiti Putra Malaysia, his research has focused on innovative materials for civil engineering applications, including coconut shell, palm kernel shell, recycled bricks, granite powder, and rubberized geopolymer concrete, leading to multiple publications in reputable international journals. His scholarly contributions span experimental and review studies, addressing compressive strength, stress-strain behavior, and dynamic response of advanced concrete materials, demonstrating his capacity to integrate environmental sustainability with engineering performance. Beyond research, Azunna has engaged in professional workshops on structural modeling, design, and detailing, sharing expertise with institutions such as Federal Polytechnic Bauchi and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University. His memberships with COREN, the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, and the Nigerian Society of Engineers affirm his commitment to professional standards and development within the engineering community. With experience as an assistant structural engineer, assistant project manager, and doctoral researcher, he has consistently demonstrated versatility in applying theoretical knowledge to practical engineering challenges. His skill set includes advanced structural design software, AutoCAD, drone operation, and engineering instrumentation, underscoring his technological adaptability. The scope of his executed projects—from institutional buildings to healthcare facilities and leisure parks—highlights his versatility and capacity to manage diverse engineering assignments effectively. His growing academic output, combined with practical project delivery, positions him as a significant contributor to advancing civil engineering knowledge and practice. Engr. Azunna Sunday Ugochukwu has achieved 120 Citations, 8 Documents, and 5 h-index.

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Featured Publications:

Azunna, S. U. (2019). Compressive strength of concrete with palm kernel shell as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate. SN Applied Sciences, 1(4), 342.

Azunna, S. U., Aziz, F. N. A. A., Rashid, R. S. M., & Bakar, N. B. A. (2024). Review on the characteristic properties of crumb rubber concrete. Cleaner Materials, 12, 100237.

Azunna, S. U., Aziz, F. N. A. A., Cun, P. M., & Elhibir, M. M. O. (2019). Characterization of lightweight cement concrete with partial replacement of coconut shell fine aggregate. SN Applied Sciences, 1(6), 649.

Azunna, S. U., Aziz, F. N. A. A., Bakar, N. A., & Nasir, N. A. M. (2018). Mechanical properties of concrete with coconut shell as partial replacement of aggregates. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 431(3), 032001.

Azunna, S. U., Aziz, F. N. A. B. A., Al-Ghazali, N. A., Rashid, R. S. M., & Bakar, N. A. (2024). Review on the mechanical properties of rubberized geopolymer concrete. Cleaner Materials, 11, 100225.