Dr Zhaohui Huang

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• BEng., Fujian Forestry College, China, 1982.
• PhD., University of Central Lancashire, UK, 1995.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning for University Lecturers, University of Sheffield, UK, 2003.
• Full membership of the American Society of Civil Engineers, 2007.

Academic Career

• Assistant Lecturer, Lecturer, Fujian Forestry College, 1982-1990.
• Visiting Research Fellow, Silsoe Research Institute, AFRC, 1990-1991.
• Research Fellow, University of Sheffield, 1996-2004.
• Lecturer, University of Sheffield, 2004-2011.
• Reader, Brunel University, 2011-now.

Research Interests

• Thermal and structural behaviour of buildings under fire conditions.
• Building behaviour subject to the impact of fire, explosion and earthquake.
• Nonlinear computational mechanics.
• Development of multi-level/multi-scale modelling which can be used to predict macroscopic properties of materials, starting from the atomic scale for the design of new super insulation and fire protection materials for buildings.

Current Research

Grant Title: Modelling localized fracture in composite floors at elevated temperatures
Funding Body: EPSRC (EP/I031553/1)
Dates: from 1/02/12 to 31/01/15
Principal Investigator
Grant value: £290,201

Grant Title: Computer modelling of steel and composite structures in fire (PhD project)
Funding Body: School of Engineering & Design, Brunel University
Dates: from 1/11/12 to 30/10/15
Principal Investigator
Grant value: £32,000

Grant Title: Highly efficient production of ultra-lightweight clay-aerogel materials and their integrated composites for building insulation
Funding Body: European Commission 7th Framework Programme (No. 315548)
Dates: from 1/12/12 to 30/11/14
Co-investigators
Grant value: €401,635

Previous Research

Grant Title: COMPFIRE: Design of joints to composite columns for improved fire robustness
Funding Body: RFSR, European Commission (RFSR-CT-2009-00021)
Dates: from 1/10/09 to 28/09/12
Co-investigators
Grant value: €220,000

Grant Title: Mechanisms of progressive collapse of buildings attacked by fire and explosion (PhD project)
Funding Body: China Scholarship Council
Dates: from 1/08/08 to 31/07/12
Principal Investigator
Grant value: £40,000

Grant Title: Development of a new procedure to model localisation of tensile cracking of concrete slabs in fire (PhD project)
Funding Body: Buro Happold Ltd
Dates: from 1/10/08 to 30/09/11
Principal Investigator
Grant value: £40,000

Grant Title:  Performance of cellular composite floor beams under severe fire conditions
Funding Body: EPSRC (EP/F001711/1)
Dates: from 1/02/08 to 31/01/11
Co-investigators
Grant value: £275,795

Grant Title: Tan Chin Tuan Exchange Fellowship
Funding Body: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore,
Dates: from 14/02/05 to 13/03/05.
Principal Investigator
Grant value: £2500.

Teaching

• Module leader for CE2003 Structural Mechanics
• Module teaching contributor for CE3001 Structural Analysis
• Module teaching contributor for CE2601 Structural Design
• Module teaching contributor for CE1601 Fundamentals of Structures
• Module teaching contributor for CE1603 Professional Skills

Research Supervision

• Shuyuan Lin (PhD current): Computer modelling of steel and composite structures in fire.
• Ruirui Sun (PhD current): Mechanism of progressive collapse of building attacked by fire and explosion.
• Tad-Song Kho (PhD current): Modelling localized fracture in composite floors under fire conditions.
• Shan Shan Huang (PhD 2010): The effects of transient strain on the strength of concrete-filled columns in fire.
• Yuan Yuan Song (PhD 2009): Analysis of industrial steel portal frames in fire.
• Xinmeng Yu (PhD 2008): Modelling reinforced concrete slabs in fire.
• Chaoming Yu (PhD 2007): Three-dimensional analysis of composite structural elements at elevated temperatures.

Peer esteem

• Visiting Professor, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, since 2008.
• Editorial board member of “The Open Construction and Building Technology Journal”.
• Guest Editor of Special Issue on “Buildings’ Behaviour in Fire” for the Open Construction and Building Technology Journal (Volume 4, 2010).
• Invited expert to review the research proposals for EPSRC, “Swiss National Science Foundation”, “The Qatar National Research Fund” and “The Georgia National Science Foundation”.
• Member of the Scientific Committee for international conferences.
• Invited peer reviewer for numerous high quality international journals.

Award

• Recipient of 2005 Raymond C. Reese Research Prize by the American Society of Civil Engineers for the best paper published on Journal of Structural Engineering, 2003.
• As one of the main developers of the designer's version of Vulcan, the software won two of the “British Computer Society's Annual Awards: the Technology: Applications category and the BT Innovation Flagship Award for Technology”, 2005.
• Recipient of Tan Chin Tuan Exchange Fellowship by Nanyang Technological University, 2005.

Consultancy

• Ahearne Fire Engineering Consultants Ltd (Ireland), Korean Institute of Construction Technology (South Korea), Corus (UK), Locke Carey (UK),  Arup (UK), Buro Happold (UK).

Publications

Journal Papers

(2012) Huang, Z. and Song, Y., Analysis of industrial steel portal frames in fire, Journal of Structural Fire Engineering 3 (3) : 267- 283

(2012) Sun, R., Huang, Z. and Burgess, IW., The collapse behaviour of braced steel frames exposed to fire, Journal of Constructional Steel Research 72 130- 142

(2012) Sun, R., Huang, Z. and Burgess, IW., Progressive collapse analysis of steel structures under fire conditions, Engineering Structures 34 400- 413

(2011) Yu, X., Zha, X. and Huang, Z., An incompatible 3D solid element for structural analysis at elevated temperatures, Structural Engineering and Mechanics 40 (3) : 393- 410

(2011) Huang, Z., A simplified model for analysis of end-plate connections subjected to fire, Journal of Structural Fire Engineering 2 (4) : 269- 288

(2011) Huang, Z., A connection element for modelling end-plate connections in fire, Journal of Constructional Steel Research 67 (5) : 841- 853

(2011) Yu, X., Zha, X. and Huang, Z., Failure mechanisms of reinforced concrete slabs in fire, Fire Safety Science 20 (1) : 1- 8

(2011) Yu, X., Zha, X. and Huang, Z., The influence of spalling on the fire resistance of RC structures, Advanced Materials Research 255-260 519- 523

(2011) Huang, SS., Burgess, IW., Huang, Z. and Plank, RJ., The mechanics of inelastic buckling using a Shanley-like model, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers Journal, Engineering and Computational Mechanics 164 (EM2) : 103- 119

(2010) Yu, C., Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Development and validation of 3D composite structural elements at elevated temperatures, Journal of Structural Engineering 136 (3) : 275- 284

(2010) Huang, Z., Modelling of reinforced concrete structures in fire, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers Journal, Engineering and Computational Mechanics 163 (EM1) : 43- 53

(2010) Huang, Z., Modelling the bond between concrete and reinforcing steel in a fire, Engineering Structures 32 (11) : 3660- 3669

(2010) Huang, Z., The behaviour of reinforced concrete slabs in fire, Fire Safety Journal 45 (5) : 271- 282

(2009) Song, YY., Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., A new design method for industrial portal frames in fire, Acta Polytechnica – Journal of Advanced Engineering 49 (1) : 56- 59

(2009) Song, YY., Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., The behaviour of single-storey industrial steel frames in fire, International journal of advanced steel construction 5 (3) : 289- 302

(2009) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Three-dimensional analysis of reinforced concrete beam-column structures in fire, Journal of Structural Engineering 135 (10) : 1201- 1212

(2008) Yu, X. and Huang, Z., An embedded FE model for modelling reinforced concrete slabs in fire, Engineering Structures 30 (11) : 3228- 3238

(2008) Yu, X., Huang, Z., Burgess, I. and Plank, R., Nonlinear analysis of orthotropic composite slabs in fire, Engineering Structures 30 (1) : 67- 80

(2006) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Efficient modelling of composite building response to compartment fires, International journal of advanced steel construction 2 (1) : 37- 52

(2004) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW., Plank, RJ. and Bailey, CG., Comparison of BRE simple design method for composite floor slabs in fire with non-linear FE modelling, International Journal of Fire and Materials 28 127- 138

(2004) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Fire resistance of composite floors subject to compartment fires, Journal of Constructional Steel Research 60 (2) : 339- 360

(2003) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Modeling membrane action of concrete slabs in composite buildings in fire. I: Theoretical development, Journal of Structural Engineering 129 (8) : 1093- 1102

(2003) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Modeling membrane action of concrete slabs in composite buildings in fire. II: Validations, Journal of Structural Engineering 129 (8) : 1103- 1112

(2002) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Modelling of six full-scale fire tests on a composite building”, The Structural Engineer, The Structural Engineer 80 (19) : 30- 37

(2001) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Non-linear structural modelling of a fire test subject to high restraint, Fire Safety Journal 36 (8) : 795- 814

(2000) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Effective stiffness modelling of composite concrete slabs in fire, Engineering Structures 22 (9) : 1133- 1144

(2000) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Three-dimensional analysis of composite steel-framed buildings in fire, Journal of structural engineering New York, N.Y. 126 (3) : 389- 397

(1999) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete slabs subjected to fire, ACI Structural Journal 96 (1) : 127- 135

(1999) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., The influence of shear connectors on the behaviour of composite steel-framed buildings in fire, Journal of Constructional Steel Research 51 (3) : 219- 237

(1999) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Three-dimensional modelling of two full-scale fire tests on a composite building, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Structures and Buildings 134 (3) : 243- 255

(1997) Huang, Z. and Platten, A., Nonlinear finite element analysis of planar reinforced concrete members subjected to fires, ACI Structural Journal 94 (3) : 272- 282

(1996) Huang, Z., Platten, A. and Roberts, J., Non-linear finite element model to predict temperature histories within reinforced concrete in fires, Building and Environment 31 (2) : 109- 118

(1995) Huang, Z. and Chalab, ZS., Use of time series analysis to model and forecast wind speed, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics 56 311- 322

Conference Papers

(2011) Sun, RR., Huang, Z. and Burgess, IW., Collapse of steel frames due to progressive column failure in fire conditions, 6th European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, Proceedings of 6th European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures

(2011) Sun, R., Burgess, IW. and Huang, Z., Behaviour of frame columns in localised fires, Application of Structural Engineering, Proceedings of Application of Structural Engineering 275- 280

(2010) Sun, R., Huang, Z. and Burgess, IW., A static/dynamic procedure for collapse analysis of structure in fire, Fire Safety Engineering in the UK the state of the art, Proceedings of Fire Safety Engineering in the UK the state of the art 37- 42

(2010) Huang, Z., A simplified model for modelling end-plate connections in fire, The 6th International Conference, Structures in Fire, Proceedings of the 6th International Conference, Structures in Fire 654- 661

(2008) Song, YY., Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., A new design method for industrial portal frames in fire, The 5th International Workshop, Structures in Fire, Proceedings of the 5th International Workshop, Structures in Fire 302- 312

(2008) Huang, SS., Burgess, IW., Huang, Z. and Plank, RJ., Effect of transient thermal strain on the buckling of slender concrete and concrete-filled columns in fire, The 5th International Workshop, Structures in Fire, Proceedings of the 5th International Workshop, Structures in Fire 595- 605

(2007) Song, Y., Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., The design of pitched-roof steel portal frames against fire, The 5rd International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures, Proceedings of the 5rd International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures 728- 733

(2008) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Effects of spalling on the behaviour of reinforced concrete structures in fire, fib Workshop: Fire design of concrete structures, Proceedings of fib Workshop: Fire design of concrete structures 199- 210

(2008) Yu, X., Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Modelling localized failure of reinforced concrete slabs in fire, fib Workshop: Fire design of concrete structures, Proceedings of fib Workshop: Fire design of concrete structures 127- 139

(2008) Huang, S., Burgess, IW., Huang, Z. and Plank, RJ., The buckling of slender concrete and concrete-filled columns in fire, fib Workshop: Fire design of concrete structures, Proceedings of fib Workshop: Fire design of concrete structures 299- 310

(2007) Yu, C., Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., 3D thermal and structural analyses of Bi-Steel composite panels in fire, The 3rd International Conference on Steel and Composite Structures (ICSCS07), Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Steel and Composite Structures (ICSCS07) 627- 632

(2007) Huang, S., Burgess, IW., Huang, Z. and Plank, RJ., Implications of transient thermal strain for the buckling of slender concrete-filled columns in fire, The 3rd International Conference on Steel and Composite Structures (ICSCS07), Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Steel and Composite Structures (ICSCS07) 639- 645

(2007) Song, Y., Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., The behaviour of single-storey industrial steel frames in fire, The 3rd International Conference on Steel and Composite Structures (ICSCS07), Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Steel and Composite Structures (ICSCS07) 687- 692

(2006) Yu, C., Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., 3D modelling of bi-steel structures subject to fire, The 4th International Workshop, Structures in Fire, Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop, Structures in Fire 393- 404

(2006) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Behaviour of reinforced concrete structures in fire, The 4th International Workshop, Structures in Fire, Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop, Structures in Fire 561- 572

(2006) Yu, X., Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Thermal and structural behaviour of orthotropic slabs in fire, The 4th International Workshop, Structures in Fire, Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop, Structures in Fire 825- 836

(2005) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Use of sub-structuring in modelling of composite building response to compartment fires, The 4th International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures 2005, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures 2005 1029- 1034

(2004) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., 3D Modelling of beam-columns with general cross-sections in fire, The Third International Workshop: Structures in Fire, Proceedings of the Third International Workshop: Structures in Fire 323- 334

(2002) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW., Plank, RJ. and Bailey, CG., Comparison of BRE simple design method for composite floor slabs in fire with non-linear FE modelling, The Second International Workshop: Structures in Fire, Proceedings of the Second International Workshop: Structures in Fire 83- 94

(2001) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Analysis of composite floors with different fire protection regimes subject to compartment fires, The International Seminar on Steel Structures in Fire, Proceedings of the International Seminar on Steel Structures in Fire 150- 165

(2001) Burgess, IW., Huang, Z. and Plank, RJ., Non-linear modelling of steel and composite structures in fire, Proceedings of the International Seminar on Steel Structures in Fire, Proceedings of the International Seminar on Steel Structures in Fire 1- 15

(2001) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Strategies for fire protection of large composite buildings, 9th International Fire Science & Engineering Conference, Proceedings of Interflam2001: 9th International Fire Science & Engineering Conference 395- 406

(2001) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., The influence of tensile membrane action in concrete slabs on the behaviour of composite steel-framed buildings in fire, 2001 Structures Congress – SEI/ASCE, Proceedings of 2001 Structures Congress – SEI/ASCE

(2000) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., The influence of adjacent cool structure on the behaviour of composite floors in fire, The International Conference on Steel Structures of the 2000’s, Proceedings of the International Conference on Steel Structures of the 2000’s 333- 338

(2000) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., The ultimate behaviour of composite frames in fire conditions, 3rd International Conference on the Use of Steel Structures in Civil Construction, Proceedings of 3rd International Conference on the Use of Steel Structures in Civil Construction

(2000) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Non-linear modelling of three full-scale structural fire tests, The First International Workshop on Structures in Fire, Proceedings of the First International Workshop on Structures in Fire 53- 70

(2000) Platten, A. and Huang, Z., The use of the non-linear finite element approach in application to the prediction of temperature profiles within reinforced concrete structures subject to the conditions of fire, 3rd International Seminar on Fire and Explosion Hazards, Proceedings of 3rd International Seminar on Fire and Explosion Hazards 635- 645

(1999) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Finite element modelling of composite frame behaviour subjected to fire, 2nd European Conference on Steel Structures, Proceedings of 2nd European Conference on Steel Structures

(1998) Huang, Z., Burgess, IW. and Plank, RJ., Layered slab elements in modelling of composite frame behaviour in fire, Second International Conference on Concrete under Severe Conditions 2: Environment and Loading, Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Concrete under Severe Conditions 2: Environment and Loading 785- 794

(1997) Platten, A., Huang, Z. and Roberts, J., Computer modelling of thermal performance of reinforced concrete subjected to fire, 10th International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement, Proceedings of 10th International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement