Overview
Background
Harnessing the power of AI and mixed reality to transform civil engineering: enhancing design accuracy, streamlining workflows, and fostering innovation.
Dr 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 -performance 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 Swift 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 accommodation 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 responsible 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, Structural 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 research 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 undergraduate students' learning. A mixed reality virtual experimental 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 analysis 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
2022
Journal Article
Manufacture and behaviour of innovative 3D printed auxetic composite panels subjected to low-velocity impact load
Wang, L., Sun, J., Ding, T., Liang, Y., Ho, J. C. M. and Lai, M. H. (2022). Manufacture and behaviour of innovative 3D printed auxetic composite panels subjected to low-velocity impact load. Structures, 38, 910-933. doi: 10.1016/j.istruc.2022.02.033
2022
Journal Article
Post-fire behavior of steel slag fine aggregate concrete
Zhuang, Xin, Liang, Yi, Ho, Johnny Ching Ming, Wang, Yu-Hang, Lai, Mianheng, Li, Xuanyang, Xu, Zhenhai and Xu, Yuning (2022). Post-fire behavior of steel slag fine aggregate concrete. Structural Concrete, 23 (6), 3672-3695. doi: 10.1002/suco.202100677
2022
Journal Article
Impact of condensed silica fume on splitting tensile strength and brittleness of high strength self-compacting concrete
Wang, Qing, Yao, Boyu, He, Jianqiang, He, Xixi and Ho, J. C. M. (2022). Impact of condensed silica fume on splitting tensile strength and brittleness of high strength self-compacting concrete. Structural Concrete, 23 (1), 604-618. doi: 10.1002/suco.202000652
2022
Journal Article
Shrinkage, cementitious paste volume, and wet packing density of concrete
Lai, M. H., Binhowimal, S. A.M., Griffith, A. M., Hanzic, L., Chen, Zhouyi, Wang, Qing and Ho, J. C.M. (2022). Shrinkage, cementitious paste volume, and wet packing density of concrete. Structural Concrete, 23 (1), 488-504. doi: 10.1002/suco.202000407
2022
Journal Article
Residual properties of steel slag coarse aggregate concrete after exposure to elevated temperatures
Ho, J. C. M., Liang, Y., Wang, Y. H., Lai, M. H., Huang, Z. C., Yang, D. and Zhang, Q. L. (2022). Residual properties of steel slag coarse aggregate concrete after exposure to elevated temperatures. Construction and Building Materials, 316 125751, 125751. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125751
2022
Book Chapter
The retardation process of crack propagation in unconfined high-strength concrete columns due to the introduction of silica fume
Roslee, Ahmad Azmeer, Ho, Johnny Ching Ming and Fernando, Dilum (2022). The retardation process of crack propagation in unconfined high-strength concrete columns due to the introduction of silica fume. Design in maritime engineering: contributions from the ICMAT 2021. (pp. 327-337) edited by Azman Ismail, Wardiah Mohd Dahalan and Andreas Öchsner. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-89988-2_25
2021
Journal Article
Determining the specific surface area of coarse aggregate based on sieving curve via image-analysis approach
Wang, Qing, He, Jianqiang, Sun, Jing and Ho, Johnny (2021). Determining the specific surface area of coarse aggregate based on sieving curve via image-analysis approach. Construction and Building Materials, 305 124728, 124728. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124728
2021
Journal Article
Impact of elevated temperatures on the performance of high-strength engineered cementitious composite
He, Jianqiang, Wang, Qing, Yao, Boyu and Ho, Johnny (2021). Impact of elevated temperatures on the performance of high-strength engineered cementitious composite. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 33 (9) 04021222. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0003812
2021
Journal Article
Dilatancy reversal in superplasticised cementitious mortar
Lai, M. H., Griffith, A. M., Hanzic, L., Wang, Q. and Ho, J. C.M. (2021). Dilatancy reversal in superplasticised cementitious mortar. Magazine of Concrete Research, 73 (16), 828-842. doi: 10.1680/jmacr.19.00435
2021
Journal Article
Mechanical properties of high strength POM-FRCC and its performance under elevated temperatures
He, Jianqiang, Wang, Qing, Yao, Boyu and Ho, Johnny (2021). Mechanical properties of high strength POM-FRCC and its performance under elevated temperatures. Construction and Building Materials, 290 123177, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123177
2021
Journal Article
Uni-axial behaviour of expansive CFST and DSCFST stub columns
Ho, J. C. M., Ou, X. L., Li, C. W., Song, W., Wang, Q. and Lai, M. H. (2021). Uni-axial behaviour of expansive CFST and DSCFST stub columns. Engineering Structures, 237 112193, 112193. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112193
2021
Journal Article
Shrinkage design model of concrete incorporating wet packing density
Lai, M. H., Binhowimal, S. A.M., Griffith, A. M., Hanzic, L., Wang, Qing, Chen, Zhouyi and Ho, J. C.M. (2021). Shrinkage design model of concrete incorporating wet packing density. Construction and Building Materials, 280 122448, 122448. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122448
2021
Journal Article
Improving mechanical behavior and microstructure of concrete by using BOF steel slag aggregate
Lai, M. H., Zou, Jiajun, Yao, Boyu, Ho, J. C. M., Zhuang, Xin and Wang, Qing (2021). Improving mechanical behavior and microstructure of concrete by using BOF steel slag aggregate. Construction and Building Materials, 277 122269, 122269. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122269
2021
Journal Article
Interdependence of passing ability, dilatancy and wet packing density of concrete
Lai, M. H., Griffith, A. M., Hanzic, L., Wang, Qing and Ho, J. C.M. (2021). Interdependence of passing ability, dilatancy and wet packing density of concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 270 121440, 121440. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121440
2020
Journal Article
Fatigue behaviour of composite sandwich beams strengthened with GFRP stiffeners
Wang, L., Zhang, Y. W., Ho, J. C. M. and Lai, M. H. (2020). Fatigue behaviour of composite sandwich beams strengthened with GFRP stiffeners. Engineering Structures, 214 110596, 110596. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110596
2020
Journal Article
Greener engineered cementitious composite (ECC) - The use of pozzolanic fillers and unoiled PVA fibers
Wang, Qing, Lai, M. H., Zhang, J., Wang, Zhenbo and Ho, J. C. M. (2020). Greener engineered cementitious composite (ECC) - The use of pozzolanic fillers and unoiled PVA fibers. Construction and Building Materials, 247 118211, 118211. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118211
2020
Journal Article
Behaviour of FRP tube-concrete-encased steel composite columns
Ren, F. M., Liang, Y. W., Ho, J. C. M. and Lai, M. H. (2020). Behaviour of FRP tube-concrete-encased steel composite columns. Composite Structures, 241 112139, 112139. doi: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112139
2020
Journal Article
A path dependent stress-strain model for concrete-filled-steel-tube column
Lai, M. H., Song, W., Ou, X. L., Chen, M. T., Wang, Q. and Ho, J. C. M. (2020). A path dependent stress-strain model for concrete-filled-steel-tube column. Engineering Structures, 211 110312, 110312. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110312
2020
Journal Article
A path dependent constitutive model for CFFT column
Ho, J. C. M., Ou, X. L., Chen, M. T., Wang, Q. and Lai, M. H. (2020). A path dependent constitutive model for CFFT column. Engineering Structures, 210 110367, 110367. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110367
2020
Journal Article
Cause and mitigation of dilatancy in cement powder paste
Lai, M. H., Binhowimal, S. A.M., Hanzic, L., Wang, Q. and Ho, J. C.M. (2020). Cause and mitigation of dilatancy in cement powder paste. Construction and Building Materials, 236 117595, 117595. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117595
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
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