
Overview
Background
Harnessing the power of AI and mixed reality to transform civil engineering: enhancing design accuracy, streamlining workflows, and fostering innovation. Johnny Ho joined School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland (UQ) in Sep 2013 as a Senior Lecturer. Before joining UQ, Dr Ho has been working in both Hong Kong and Brisbane offices of Arup from 2003 to 2007 on some large scale infrastructure projects such as The Stonecutters Bridge in Hong Kong and Ipswich Motorway Upgrade (Wacol to Darra) in Queensland, Australia. In Sep 2007, he joined the Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong as an Assistant Professor. Dr Ho’s research interests are on scientific study on dilatancy of High-flowability and -perfromance concrete due to poly-carboxylate based superplasticizers and its application to concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) and FRP-confined concrete structures. He has developed discrete element modelling of binary packing of 2D discs and 3D spheres using Python and C++ coding. This model, combined with the rheological model of superplasticized concrete, will contribute a more scientific concrete mix design method for low-carbon-footprint, low cost and high performance concrete (HPC) based on wet packing modelling of particles in the fresh concrete with incorporation of multi-sized fillers. Dr Ho is also interested in applying the low-carbon-footprint high-performance concrete to single- and double-skinned concrete-filled-steel-tube and FRP-confined columns with external steel confinement and/or internal concrete expansive agent.
Dr Ho has published over 100 SCI journal papers and 40 conference papers. Two of his journal papers have been awarded the Transactions Prizes in respectively 2004 and 2005 presented by The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. In 2011, Dr Ho was awarded the Best Presenter in the 11th International Conference on Concrete Engineering and Technology in Malaysia. In 2010, one of his students was awarded The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Outstanding Paper Award for Young Engineers/Researchers. Dr Ho has also been very successful in obtaining research and teaching grants, including a HK$1.2m General Research Fund (GRF) grant in Hong Kong in 2010, an A$286K ARC Discovery Project (DP) grant in 2015, two National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant in 2020 and 2022 of grants CNY$600K and $5m in PRC. Dr Ho has also been very successful in supervision of undergraduate student in performing their final year projects/thesis. In 2012 and 2013, two of his Final Year Project students were given the Merit Awards of the ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) Hong Kong Graduates and Students Papers Competition for the outstanding project work. In 2017, his thesis project student were awarded The HKIE Outstanding Paper Award for Young Engineers/Researchers by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and was awarded HKD$5,000 cash prize and a return ticket to and accomodation in Hong Kong for presenting his awarded paper.
Dr Ho is a passionate teacher and one of the most popular lecturers amongst the students. He is responsbile for teaching a broad range of structural engineering courses, which consist of Reinforced concrete design as per EC2, AS3600 and Hong Kong Code, Prestressed concrete design as per EC2 and AS3600, Structural analysis, Finite element method, Design of steel structures as per AS4100, Structual fire engineering. Dr Ho obtained very high teaching (92%) and course (85%) evaluation scores in every semester since 2013 and was awarded the "Most Effective Teacher by Dean’s Commendation Students" in the Faculty of EAIT, UQ, in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Lately, Dr Ho's reserach focus has been on applying technologies on the structural analysis, experimental simulation and AI-enhanced parallel computing modelling of particle packing in concrete. A preliminary version of iStruct2D has been developed, which is a drag and drop version of structural analysis software developed mainly for undegraduate students' learning. A mixed reality virtural aexperimental platform for structural engineering education and research is undergoing through the use of Apple Vision Pro.
Keywords: AI parallel computing; Concrete technology; Composite structures; Mixed-reality learning; Structural anlysis iOS app; Particle packing;
Availability
- Associate Professor Johnny Ho is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Hong Kong
Research interests
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low-carbon-footprint and high-performance concrete using fillers
Study of the effect of pozzolanic and inert fillers on the strength, workability and durability performance of concrete
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Stress-strain model of confined concrete with silica fume
Study of the effect of adding silica fume on the wet packing density and the constitutive modelling of confined concrete
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Rheology of cement powder paste
Investigation of the dilatancy swerve in superplasticized cement powder paste and mortar
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Packing density physical modelling
Coding developing of modelling packing of multi-sized spheres
Research impacts
Impacts of my research:
2. iStruct2D (Innovative Structural Engineering Software) • Impact: Enhances civil engineering education by providing an intuitive, cross-platform structural analysis tool that integrates AI for error detection, image-to-model conversion, and real-time dynamic analysis. It reduces the learning curve for students, improves accessibility (across Mac, iPad, Windows, Android), and prepares for future 3D modeling. It has the potential to rival commercial tools and improve both academic and practical problem-solving in structural engineering. • Broader value: Accelerates student learning, promotes innovation in engineering education, and democratizes access to advanced modeling tools.
2. CICM (Computational Intelligence Concrete Model) • Impact: Develops an AI-driven, parallel-computing simulation platform to model concrete particle packing, incorporating precise 3D scans and advanced simulations of wet conditions, particle-fluid interactions, and chemical admixtures. It enables accurate virtual testing (slump, flow, segregation) without extensive physical experiments. • Broader value: Reduces material waste, improves concrete mix optimization, supports sustainability, and provides a powerful tool for researchers and industry professionals to design high-performance concrete structures more efficiently.
3. Mixed Reality Virtual Experiment Platform • Impact: Creates an immersive mixed reality platform using Apple Vision Pro, allowing engineers to simulate, test, and optimize structural designs in a highly interactive virtual space. It supports real-time structural analysis, collaborative virtual prototyping, and AI-driven recommendations for material efficiency and safety. • Broader value: Transforms industry workflows by reducing reliance on physical prototypes, cutting costs and time, enhancing collaborative engineering across locations, and integrating advanced MR technology into construction and design processes.
Works
Search Professor Johnny Ho’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Packing coupled post-fire behavior of ultra-heavy-weight concrete
Huang, Z. C., Zhang, B. X., Ren, F. M., Ho, J. C.M., Kitipornchai, S. and Lai, M. H. (2025). Packing coupled post-fire behavior of ultra-heavy-weight concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 477 141008, 141008. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.141008
2025
Journal Article
Tensile behavior of Q890 and Q960 high-strength steel butt joints after corrosion
Chen, Man-Tai, Gong, Zhichao, Cao, Huan, Shen, Chen, Ren, Fengming, Ho, Johnny Ching Ming and Lai, Mianheng (2025). Tensile behavior of Q890 and Q960 high-strength steel butt joints after corrosion. Engineering Structures, 330 119738, 119738. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.119738
2024
Journal Article
Residual mechanical properties of corroded ultra-high-strength steels and weld metals
Chen, Man-Tai, Gong, Zhichao, Cao, Huan, Zhang, Jingjing, Ren, Fengming, Ho, Johnny Ching Ming and Lai, Mianheng (2024). Residual mechanical properties of corroded ultra-high-strength steels and weld metals. Thin-Walled Structures, 205 (Part A) 112397. doi: 10.1016/j.tws.2024.112397
2024
Journal Article
Improving the performance of crumb rubber concrete using waste ultrafine glass powder
Mo, Jinxu, Tian, Shiyu, Ren, Fengming and Ho, Johnny Ching Ming (2024). Improving the performance of crumb rubber concrete using waste ultrafine glass powder. Structures, 70 107775. doi: 10.1016/j.istruc.2024.107775
2024
Journal Article
Improving the passing ability of SSCA-IS ultra-heavy-weight concrete by optimizing its packing structure
Huang, Z. C., Zhang, B. X., Ho, J. C.M., Ren, F. M. and Lai, M. H. (2024). Improving the passing ability of SSCA-IS ultra-heavy-weight concrete by optimizing its packing structure. Magazine of Concrete Research, 76 (21) 2400143, 1266-1278. doi: 10.1680/jmacr.24.00143
2024
Journal Article
Iron sand heavy-weight concrete – pre- and post-fire characteristics from wet packing density perspective
Lai, M. H., Xie, Y. M., Zhang, B. X., Ren, F. M., Kitipornchai, S. and Ho, J. C. M. (2024). Iron sand heavy-weight concrete – pre- and post-fire characteristics from wet packing density perspective. Construction and Building Materials, 435 136728. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136728
2024
Journal Article
Axial compressive behavior of corroded H-shaped steel columns
Yu, Zhi-Wei, Li, Hao, Ho, J. C.M., Ma, Tian-Yu, Bao, Wei and Zhang, Jing-Zhou (2024). Axial compressive behavior of corroded H-shaped steel columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 218 108726, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jcsr.2024.108726
2024
Journal Article
Pre- and post-fire behaviour of glass concrete from wet packing density perspective
Lai, M.H., Lu, Z.Y., Luo, Y.T., Ren, F.M., Cui, J., Wu, Z.R. and Ho, J.C.M. (2024). Pre- and post-fire behaviour of glass concrete from wet packing density perspective. Journal of Building Engineering, 86 108758, 1-18. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.108758
2024
Journal Article
Fillers to improve the ductility and impermeability of crumb rubber concrete
Ren, Fengming, Mo, Jinxu, Wang, Qing, Tian, Shiyu, Lai, Mianheng and Ho, Johnny Ching Ming (2024). Fillers to improve the ductility and impermeability of crumb rubber concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 425 136073, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.136073
2024
Journal Article
A novel packing-coupled stress-strain model for confined concrete
Lai, M. H., Lin, J. L., Cui, J., Ren, F. M., Kitipornchai, S. and Ho, J. C.M. (2024). A novel packing-coupled stress-strain model for confined concrete. Engineering Structures, 303 117415, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.117415
2023
Journal Article
Pumping lightweight aggregate concrete into high-rise buildings
Wang, Qing, Pan, Cong, Liang, Yuhang, Gan, Wei and Ho, Johnny (2023). Pumping lightweight aggregate concrete into high-rise buildings. Journal of Building Engineering, 80 108069, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108069
2023
Journal Article
Thermal resistance of high strength PVA fiber reinforced engineered cementitious composites containing basalt fiber
Wang, Qing, Zhou, Yuxuan, Huang, Linhui, Lai, Mianheng and Ho, Johnny (2023). Thermal resistance of high strength PVA fiber reinforced engineered cementitious composites containing basalt fiber. Materials Letters, 350 134905, 134905. doi: 10.1016/j.matlet.2023.134905
2023
Journal Article
Improving the post-fire behaviour of steel slag coarse aggregate concrete by adding GGBFS
Huang, Z.C., Ho, J.C.M., Cui, J., Ren, F.M., Cheng, X. and Lai, M.H. (2023). Improving the post-fire behaviour of steel slag coarse aggregate concrete by adding GGBFS. Journal of Building Engineering, 76 107283, 107283. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107283
2023
Journal Article
Enhancing the post-fire behavior of steel slag normal-strength concrete by adding SCM
Lai, M.H., Chen, Z.H., Cui, J., Zhong, J.P., Wu, Z.R. and Ho, J.C.M. (2023). Enhancing the post-fire behavior of steel slag normal-strength concrete by adding SCM. Construction and Building Materials, 398 132336, 132336. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132336
2023
Journal Article
Steel fiber to improve thermal resistance of high strength PVA-ECC after exposure to elevated temperature
Zhou, Yuxuan, Wang, Qing, Lai, Mianheng and Ho, Johnny Ching Ming (2023). Steel fiber to improve thermal resistance of high strength PVA-ECC after exposure to elevated temperature. Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, 21 (9), 748-761. doi: 10.3151/jact.21.748
2023
Journal Article
Mortar film thickness on the autogenous shrinkage of concrete: test and simulation
Huang, Wenjie, Wang, Qing, Ma, Yuwei, Lai, Mianheng and Ho, J. C. M. (2023). Mortar film thickness on the autogenous shrinkage of concrete: test and simulation. Journal of Building Engineering, 66 105833, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.105833
2023
Journal Article
Uni-axial behaviour of steel slag concrete-filled-steel-tube columns with external confinement
Lai, M. H., Lin, Y. H., Jin, Y. Y., Fei, Q., Wang, Z. C. and Ho, J. C.M. (2023). Uni-axial behaviour of steel slag concrete-filled-steel-tube columns with external confinement. Thin-Walled Structures, 185 110562, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.tws.2023.110562
2023
Journal Article
Dilatancy swerve in superplasticized cement powder paste
Lai, M. H., Lao, W. C., Tang, W. K., Hanzic, L., Wang, Q. and Ho, J. C.M. (2023). Dilatancy swerve in superplasticized cement powder paste. Construction and Building Materials, 362 129524, 129524. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129524
2023
Conference Publication
Experimental Study on the Behaviour of CFST Columns with Steel Slag Concrete Under Axial Compression
Lin, Y. H., Jin, Y. Y., Ho, J. C. M. and Lai, M. H. (2023). Experimental Study on the Behaviour of CFST Columns with Steel Slag Concrete Under Axial Compression. 17th East Asian-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction, 2022, Singapore, Singapore, 2022. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-7331-4_104
2023
Journal Article
Impact of polyvinyl alcohol fiber on the full life-cycle shrinkage of cementitious composite
Wang, Qing, Xiong, Zihao, Zhang, Jun, Fang, Zhaosong, Lai, Mianheng and Ho, Johnny (2023). Impact of polyvinyl alcohol fiber on the full life-cycle shrinkage of cementitious composite. Journal of Building Engineering, 63 (Part A) 105463, 105463. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2022.105463
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Johnny Ho is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Rheology of cement powder paste/mortar and/or concrete
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Packing density model of multi-sized spheres
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Concrete-filled-steel-tube column with hybrid confinement
Supervision history
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Fire Performance of High Strength Concrete using Novel Fire Testing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cristian Maluk, Associate Professor Vinh Dao
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2021
Master Philosophy
The Effect of Self-Consolidating Concrete on the Shear Behaviour of Concrete Beam Elements
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Liza O'Moore
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Fillers' application in high-performance Concrete
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Vinh Dao
Media
Enquiries
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