Johnson Zhang
Johnson Zhang

Prof Johnson Zhang

Professor

 0131 455 2482

  j.zhang@napier.ac.uk

  

Biography

Professor Zhang is a Professor in Structural Engineering and Head of International for the School of Engineering and the Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University. Before joining Edinburgh Napier University in 2004, he worked on his PhD project at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology investigating structural performance and developing novel finite elements for transfer plate structures in tall buildings. Prior to his PhD study, he also practised as a structural engineer in China and became a chartered engineer in China in 1999.

Professor Zhang's research focuses on engineered bamboo-timber composite in construction, laminate glass structures, pre-stressed concrete and steel-reinforced concrete structures in complex loading conditions. Currently, he is devoting himself to developing bamboo-timber composite materials for long span and tall building structures with a patent filed in 2020. and his research is featured as a case study by the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has extensive experiences in photogrammetry technology, software development and multiple sensor systems in civil engineering studies. In one of his research projects with the advantages of tailored photogrammetry system, he has been able to give several convincing recommendations on the torsion test method for timber beams which have been adopted by the European standard: EN 408. (EN 408:2010 currently under review and revision). He is also an experienced computer programmer who developed several analyse and design software packages for trusses and scaffolding structures.

Professor Zhang has led several research and knowledge transfer projects funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, Scottish Founding Council, Innovation UK, British Council, etc. His research has been published widely in both highly ranked civil engineering journals and conference proceedings. He is a member of CEN/TC 124/WG-1 committee for European Standard: EN408 review and revision. He also frequently organised and chaired special sessions, gave keynote speeches and guest lectures in international conferences and other universities.

School

Research Groups

Themes

Research Areas

Esteem

Advisory panels and expert committees or witness

  • Member of CEN/TC 124/WG 1-Test methods committee for European Standard: EN 408 review and revision

 

Conference Organising Activity

  • Invited International Conference Special Session Organiser: "Analysis, Design and Modelling of Structures Using Unconventional Construction Materials", 2020
  • Invited International Conference Special Session Organiser: "Analysis, Modelling and Design of Timber Structures", 2019
  • Invited International Conference Special Session Organiser: "Analysis, Modelling and Design of Timber Structures", 2015
  • Co-organised International Telford-UKIERI Workshop with The University of Edinburgh, 2013
  • Invited International Conference Special Session Organiser: "Analysis, Modelling and Design of Timber Structures", 2013

 

Editorial Activity

  • International Journal of Structural Glass and Advanced Materials Research - Member of Editorial Board (2021-present)
  • Member of Editorial Board - The Fourteenth International Conference on Computational Structures Technology, Palma, Mallorca, Spain, 2020
  • Member of Editorial Board - The Sixteenth International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing, Riva del Garda, Italy, 2019
  • American Journal of Civil Engineering - Editorial Panel (2018-2020)
  • Journal of Architectural Research and Development - Member of Editorial Board (2018-2022)
  • Member of Editorial Board - The Fifteenth International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing, Prague, Czech Republic, 2015
  • Member of Editorial Board - The Fourteenth International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing, Cagliari, Italy, 2013

 

External Examining/Validations

  • External Panel Member for MSc Programme Re-Validation: The University of West London, 2019
  • External Panel Member for MSc Programme Validation: The University of West London, 2014
  • External Examiner for BSc Civil Engineering Programme in University of Abertay Dundee, 2013 - 2017

 

Fellowships and Awards

  • Academic Champion for Royal Academy of Engineering - Visiting Professor in Integrated Civil Engineering Design 2020-2023
  • Royal Academy of Engineering - Industrial Fellowship 2019 - 2020
  • Best Paper award 2017 - 19th International Conference on Wood Science and Engineering, Japan, 2017
  • Queen's Anniversary Prize 2015, Innovation in Timber Engineering and Wood Science.
  • Project shortlisted for Scottish KTP Award 2012 - KTP Action Scaffolding (KTP007069)
  • Project shortlisted for Scottish KTP Award 2012 - KTP Diageo Plc (KTP006209)

 

Invited Speaker

  • Keynote speaker at Civil and Infrastructure World Forum (CivilEnggInfra-2022)
  • Invited Speaker: The Natural Materials Association(NMA) Lunchtime Seminars: Focus on Natural Materials: Bamboo, organised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (2021)
  • Keynote Talk at Global Summit on Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering (GSCAEE-2021)
  • Invited Speaker at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology 2019

 

Media Activity

  • Research project featured on the website of the Royal Academy of Engineering - Bamboo-Timber composites for construction 2021

 

Research Degree External Examining

  • PhD External Examining 2021 - University of West London, UK
  • PhD External Examining 2019 - Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India
  • PhD External Examining 2019 - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
  • PhD External Examining 2017 - The University of West London

 

Reviewing

  • Book review - Elsevier: Engineered Bamboo: Glubam Structures
  • Computers and Concrete, An International Journal
  • Materials
  • International Journal of Wood Products
  • International Journal of Wind and Structures
  • Structures
  • International Journal of Numerical Methods in Engineering
  • Materials
  • Advances in Concrete Construction
  • International Journal of Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  • Computers and Structures
  • Engineering Structures
  • International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids
  • Ocean Engineering
  • Structures
  • Structures
  • Materials and Structures
  • Proceedings Of The Institution Of Civil Engineers - Structures And Buildings
  • International Journal of Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  • Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Management, Procurement and Law
  • Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Structures and Buildings
  • Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Management, Procurement and Law

 

Filter by

Date


82 results

Inverse analysis for dynamic characteristics of a historic Masonry Pagoda using segmental low-amplitude earthquake vibrations

Journal Article
Hansapinyo, C., Buachart, C., Sinsabvarodom, C., Tantrapongsaton, W., Sae-Long, W., Limkatanyu, S., Zhang, H., Ghanbari-Ghazijahani, T., & Vimonsatit, V. (2025)
Inverse analysis for dynamic characteristics of a historic Masonry Pagoda using segmental low-amplitude earthquake vibrations. npj Heritage Science, 13(1), Article 146. https://doi.org/10.1038/s40494-025-01738-3
Historical structures are inherently prone to degradation, necessitating structural health monitoring for their preservation. This study proposes an inverse analysis methodolo...

Eco-friendly 3D Printing Mortar with Low Cement Content: Investigation on Printability and Mechanical Properties

Journal Article
Sukontasukkul, P., Komkham, S., Jamnam, S., Zhang, H., Fujikake, K., Puttiwongrak, A., & Hansapinyo, C. (2024)
Eco-friendly 3D Printing Mortar with Low Cement Content: Investigation on Printability and Mechanical Properties. Civil Engineering Journal, 10(3), https://doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-03-010
The conventional approach to achieving optimal printability and buildability in 3D printing mortar relies heavily on cement, which is both costly and environmentally detriment...

A preliminary study on bamboo-timber composite columns under axial compression

Journal Article
Deng, Y., Xia, W., Yang, S., Ni, M., Huo, G., Zhang, H., Wong, S. H. F., Sukontasukkul, P., Hansapinyo, C., Zhang, Y., Thepvpngsa, K., Seixas, M., & de Almeida Melo Filho, J. (2025)
A preliminary study on bamboo-timber composite columns under axial compression. International Wood Products Journal, 16(1), 69-83. https://doi.org/10.1177/20426445241288926
Bamboo–timber composite columns hold significant promise as bio-based structural elements. However, research in this area remains limited, especially concerning modern bucklin...

Numerical investigations into the comparison of hydrogen and gas mixtures storage within salt caverns

Journal Article
Wallace, R. L., Cai, Z., Zhang, H., & Guo, C. (2024)
Numerical investigations into the comparison of hydrogen and gas mixtures storage within salt caverns. Energy, 311, Article 133369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.133369
Salt caverns, long used for natural gas storage to manage peak loads, are being considered for hydrogen storage as part of the shift towards greener fuels. This transition nec...

Use of buffer treatment to utilize local non-alkali tolerant bacteria in microbial induced calcium carbonate sedimentation in concrete crack repair

Journal Article
Pianfuengfoo, S., Kongtunjanphuk, S., Zhang, H., & Sukontasukkul, P. (2024)
Use of buffer treatment to utilize local non-alkali tolerant bacteria in microbial induced calcium carbonate sedimentation in concrete crack repair. Heliyon, 10(4), Article e26776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26776
Concrete often suffers cracks due to its low tensile strength. The repair process can vary ranging from surface coating, grouting, and strengthening. Microbial induced calcium...

Characteristic and Allowable Compressive Strengths of Dendrocalamus Sericeus Bamboo Culms with/without Node Using Artificial Neural Networks

Journal Article
Buachart, C., Hansapinyo, C., Sukontasukkul, P., Zhang, H., Sae-Long, W., Chetchotisak, P., & O'Brien, T. E. (2024)
Characteristic and Allowable Compressive Strengths of Dendrocalamus Sericeus Bamboo Culms with/without Node Using Artificial Neural Networks. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 20, e02794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2023.e02794
The strength of construction material is a crucial consideration in the process of structural design and construction. Conventional materials such as concrete or steel have be...

Force monitoring of Galfan cables in a long-span cable-truss string-support system based on the magnetic flux method

Journal Article
Zhang, Y., Tian, X., Xia, J., & Zhang, H. (2023)
Force monitoring of Galfan cables in a long-span cable-truss string-support system based on the magnetic flux method. Structural Monitoring and Maintenance, 10(3), 261-281. https://doi.org/10.12989/smm.2023.10.3.261
Magnetic flux sensors are commonly used in monitoring the cable force, but the application of the sensors in large diameter non-closed Galfan cables, as those adopted in Yueqi...

A new concept of bio-based prestress technology with experimental Proof-of-Concept on Bamboo-Timber composite beams

Journal Article
Zhang, H., Shen, M., Deng, Y., Andras, P., Sukontasukkul, P., Yuen, T. Y. P., Wong, S. H., Limkatanyu, S., Singleton, I., & Hansapinyo, C. (2023)
A new concept of bio-based prestress technology with experimental Proof-of-Concept on Bamboo-Timber composite beams. Construction and Building Materials, 402, Article 132991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132991
This paper presents a pioneering experimental proof-of-concept study to validate a novel concept of prestress technology that used only pure bio-based composite materials whil...

Precise determination of initial printable time for cement mortar 3D printing using a derivative method

Journal Article
Sukontasukkul, P., Maho, B., Komkham, S., Pianfuengfoo, S., Zhang, H. (., Yoo, D., …Chindaprasirt, P. (2023)
Precise determination of initial printable time for cement mortar 3D printing using a derivative method. Rapid Prototyping Journal, 29(9), 1888-1903. https://doi.org/10.1108/rpj-03-2023-0087
Purpose This study aims to propose a technique that establishes a mathematical relationship between width and time, and utilizes a derivative method to determine the initial p...

An artificial neural network (ANN) approach for early cost estimation of concrete bridge systems in developing countries: the case of Sri Lanka

Journal Article
Fernando, N., T.A., K. D., & Zhang, H. (. (2024)
An artificial neural network (ANN) approach for early cost estimation of concrete bridge systems in developing countries: the case of Sri Lanka. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 29(1), 23-51. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFMPC-09-2022-0048
Purpose The Government’s investment in infrastructure projects is considerably high, especially in bridge construction projects. Government authorities must establish an initi...

Current Post Grad projects

Previous Post Grad projects