Yaoqing Gong - Structural Engineering - Best Researcher Award

Henan Polytechnic University - China

AUTHOR PROFILE

SUMMARY

Yaoqing Gong is a distinguished academic in civil and structural engineering, currently serving as Chair Professor at Henan Polytechnic University. With over four decades of teaching, research, and engineering practice, the expertise encompasses semi-analytical structural analysis, finite element modeling, and torsional analysis of complex structures. Editorial roles, committee memberships, and national-level research projects illustrate a strong reputation in academia. Recognized by leading institutions in China, including the Ministry of Education and National Natural Science Foundation, the work influences tall building mechanics and computational analysis. Extensive publications and involvement in conference proceedings highlight an active presence in both theoretical and applied engineering domains.

EDUCATION

Completed a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at Tsinghua University, renowned for engineering excellence. Previously earned a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology and a Bachelor’s degree from Ningxia University. The academic progression reflects a deep foundation in engineering sciences, transitioning from mechanical to civil specializations. The multidisciplinary training has significantly shaped advanced research contributions in structural mechanics, particularly in analyzing super-tall buildings and complex beam structures. The educational journey through top-tier Chinese institutions has laid the groundwork for a highly productive academic and research career across decades in civil infrastructure development and modeling.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Began academic career as Assistant Lecturer at Ningxia University, progressing through Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor roles from 1981 to 2001. Since 2001, appointed as Chair Professor at Henan Polytechnic University, leading major initiatives in structural engineering. Held several key academic responsibilities, contributing to curriculum design and research mentorship. A strong connection with national academic bodies such as the Ministry of Education and NSF of China has ensured relevance and impact in teaching and applied research. Professional duties have also extended to evaluating high-level research proposals and participating in national engineering education committees, reflecting trust and leadership in the field.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Core research interests include semi-analytical methods for analyzing dynamic loads on super-tall buildings and long-span bridges, torsional behavior of noncircular beam sections, and structural interactions with elastic subgrades. Work is heavily focused on theoretical mechanics, generalized-area-coordinate systems, and conforming finite element formulations. Special emphasis is placed on dynamic load modeling and the interaction between foundation and superstructures, particularly under spatial or multi-directional loading. Research bridges practical civil infrastructure challenges with computational mechanics innovation, advancing knowledge in constrained torsion and spatial vibration of complex geometries. Integration of analytical theory and real-world applications characterizes all research endeavors and academic outputs.

AWARD AND HONOR

Honored with roles that reflect academic prestige, including Editorial Board Membership in the Journal of Engineering Mechanics (Chinese) and Committee Member of the Mechanics Instruction Committee, Ministry of Education, China. Selected as a referee for high-impact national research proposals under the Department of Engineering & Material Science, NSF of China. Contributions to national research projects and leadership in university-affiliated foundations also serve as testimony to recognition by peers. The ability to influence educational and research standards at national levels is a distinguishing achievement. These roles underscore trust, influence, and merit across China’s academic and engineering science communities.

RESEARCH SKILL

Expert in developing semi-analytical and finite element models for structural analysis under dynamic and complex boundary conditions. Advanced in formulating generalized conforming finite elements and utilizing generalized-area-coordinate systems. Skilled in solving torsional behavior for constrained, variable thickness beams with arbitrary noncircular shapes. Familiar with both theoretical development and application to large-scale infrastructure such as super-tall buildings and bridges. Possesses hands-on design experience, including work with steel tower structures for astronomical observatories. Capable of integrating analytical theory with field application, contributing both to academia and practical engineering. Strong background in mathematical modeling, ODE solvers, and high-performance structural analysis.

PUBLICATIONS TOP NOTED

Published in prestigious journals such as Composite Structures, Engineering Structures, European Journal of Mechanics/A Solids, and MethodsX. Key contributions include innovative constrained torsional analysis, theories for stocky beams with noncircular cross-sections, and finite element formulations for thick plate-shell elements. Authored books like “Structural Mechanics” and “Tall Building Structures on Elastic Subgrade,” which serve as foundational texts in Chinese structural engineering education. Presented work at global conferences including the World Congress on Computational Mechanics. Collaborated with notable researchers on interdisciplinary projects, ensuring international visibility. Research outputs continue to shape methodologies used in modern civil engineering and computational structural mechanics.

Title: Composite stocky box girders of variable thickness in high-support expressways: Constrained torsional analysis
Authors: [Not specified]
Journal: Engineering Structures (2021)

Title: An innovative method for surmounting the constrained torsional problems of stocky beams with arbitrary noncircular cross-sectional shapes and with arbitrary elastic material properties
Authors: [Not specified]
Journal: MethodsX (2021)

Title: The torsional centre position of stocky beams with arbitrary noncircular cross-sectional shapes and with arbitrary elastic material properties
Authors: [Not specified]
Journal: European Journal of Mechanics A: Solids (2021)

CONCLUSION

Yaoqing Gong’s contributions span theoretical development, practical design, high-level academic mentorship, and national-level advisory roles. Strong expertise in civil and structural engineering mechanics is demonstrated through sustained publications, impactful research funding, and leadership roles within Chinese engineering education. The emphasis on semi-analytical methods and computational mechanics provides critical solutions for modern engineering problems such as super-tall structures, complex torsional analysis, and elastic subgrade interaction. Through integration of teaching, research, and applied science, continues to influence both academic frameworks and infrastructure practices. The profile stands as a model of excellence in civil engineering innovation, research integrity, and academic leadership.

Lewis John Gooch - Structural Engineering - Best Researcher Award

The University of Newcastle - Australia

AUTHOR PROFILE

SCOPUS
ORCID
GOOGLE SCHOLAR

SUMMARY

Lewis John Gooch is a dedicated civil engineer and postdoctoral research associate specializing in structural reliability and masonry design. With academic and professional experience in seismic performance analysis, numerical modelling, and experimental mechanics, Lewis contributes to advancing safer, more resilient infrastructure. His work intersects engineering theory, laboratory experimentation, and practical design, producing high-impact research publications and real-world engineering solutions. Recognized with numerous academic and industry awards, Lewis has established strong collaborative ties with research institutions and industry stakeholders. His career reflects a strong commitment to engineering excellence, scholarly advancement, and impactful industry engagement within the Australian civil and structural engineering landscape.

EDUCATION

Lewis completed his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at The University of Newcastle, focusing on stochastic assessment and structural reliability of unreinforced masonry walls under shear loading. Prior to this, he earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) with University and Faculty Medals, demonstrating exceptional academic performance. He also pursued the Academic Career Preparation Pathway, gaining university teaching competencies. These educational milestones have equipped him with expertise in structural mechanics, probabilistic modelling, and engineering pedagogy, forming a strong foundation for his academic and professional career. His academic training continues to inform his research into innovative and reliable construction design methodologies.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Lewis currently serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Technology Sydney, leading efforts to calibrate masonry design standards under ARC Discovery Project DP220102758. Concurrently, at The University of Newcastle, he contributes to infrastructure performance through digital image correlation and laboratory test development. Formerly a structural engineer at Lindsay Dynan, he managed complex assessments of bridges, concrete structures, and scaffolding systems. These roles demonstrate a seamless transition from professional engineering to high-level research, with responsibilities including supervision of students, development of experimental methods, and national code contributions—showcasing a rare blend of academic insight and practical engineering skill.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Lewis's research explores the intersection of structural engineering, material behaviour, and probabilistic modelling. His primary focus is on the performance of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures under seismic and wind loads. He develops stochastic models to simulate spatial variability and uses finite element analysis to evaluate structural response. Additionally, he investigates material uncertainties, structural reliability, and safety factor calibration within Australian design codes. His interests extend to experimental validation using high-resolution testing methods. Lewis aims to reduce risk in civil infrastructure through improved understanding of material properties and modelling uncertainties—providing engineering solutions backed by scientific rigour and innovation.

AWARD AND HONOR

Lewis has earned multiple prestigious accolades for academic and industry excellence. These include the University Medal and Faculty Medal from The University of Newcastle, along with consistent recognition on the Dean’s Merit and Commendation Lists. He has received industry awards such as the Engineers Australia Prize, Douglas Partners Prize for Applied Geotechnics, and Steel Reinforcement Institute of Australia Award. These distinctions highlight his exceptional performance in both technical proficiency and academic scholarship. His awards reflect a career marked by excellence in geotechnics, water engineering, structural analysis, and masonry design, positioning him as a rising leader in civil engineering research.

RESEARCH SKILL

Lewis demonstrates expertise in high-resolution digital image correlation, finite element modelling, and stochastic analysis of masonry structures. He is proficient in developing and validating experimental testing methods, including shear and tensile strength characterization. He applies statistical models to quantify material variability and risk in structural performance, contributing to design standard calibration. His experience in software tools for structural simulation and data interpretation supports comprehensive model validation. Furthermore, he provides supervision and technical mentorship across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His research skillset reflects a deep integration of theoretical understanding, practical experimentation, and computational engineering, essential for advancing structural reliability.

PUBLICATIONS TOP NOTED

Lewis has authored influential journal articles and conference papers in leading engineering venues. Noteworthy publications include studies on mortar friction coefficients, URM shear wall behaviour, and statistical assessment of clay brick masonry—appearing in journals like Construction and Building Materials, Journal of Structural Engineering, and Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering. His work is widely cited for advancing knowledge in masonry design, model uncertainty, and stochastic structural analysis. He has also presented internationally on life-cycle monitoring and structural safety. His contributions play a critical role in refining seismic design methods and improving structural resilience, bridging academic research with engineering practice.

Title: Accuracy of stochastic finite element analyses for the safety assessment of unreinforced masonry shear walls
Authors: Lewis J. Gooch, Mark G. Stewart, M. J. Masia
Journal: Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems

Title: Experimental characterisation of the friction coefficient of mortar bed joints in clay-brick masonry
Authors: Lewis J. Gooch, Mark J. Masia, Mark G. Stewart, Michele Spadari
Journal: Construction and Building Materials

Title: Experimental Testing of Unreinforced Masonry Shear Walls and Comparison with Nominal Capacity Predictions
Authors: Lewis J. Gooch, Mark J. Masia, Mark G. Stewart, Md. Akhtar Hossain
Journal: Journal of Structural Engineering

Title: Model accuracy for the prediction of unreinforced clay brick masonry shear wall resistance
Authors: Lewis J. Gooch, Mark G. Stewart, Mark J. Masia
Journal: Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering

Title: Spatial Correlation of Flexural Tensile Bond Strength in Unreinforced Masonry Walls
Authors: Lewis J. Gooch, M. J. Masia, Mark G. Stewart, C. Collard
Journal: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering

Title: Statistical assessment of tensile and shear properties of unreinforced clay brick masonry
Authors: Lewis J. Gooch, Mark J. Masia, Mark G. Stewart, Chee Yin Lam
Journal: Construction and Building Materials

CONCLUSION

Lewis John Gooch exemplifies the qualities of a modern structural engineering researcher: analytically rigorous, experimentally adept, and industry-aware. His commitment to enhancing infrastructure resilience through advanced modelling and testing informs both academic discourse and practical design. Recognized for academic excellence and industry contribution, Lewis's career continues to evolve through impactful research, scholarly publications, and teaching. With his focus on masonry structures and structural reliability, he contributes meaningfully to national design standards and global understanding of risk-informed engineering. His trajectory highlights a promising future as a thought leader in civil engineering innovation and infrastructure safety assessment.