Archives: Speakers

Brief Bio

Mr. ZOU Shuai (Frank) is a Senior Engineer at the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute and a Ph.D. candidate at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research centers on the development of sustainable construction materials and technologies—including biochar enabled carbon-negative concrete, high-performance concrete, and 3D concrete printing. Mr. Zou has authored over 40 publications (including two in Nature), holds multiple patented technologies, and has received more than 2,000 citations. He is dedicated to creating scalable solutions for decarbonizing the construction sector. His works have been recognized with awards at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva and the Best Paper Award from HKIE.

Brief Bio

Dr. Wu received his Bachelor and PhD degree from the Department of Civil Engineering at Tsinghua University. After working in Beijing on Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) design and tall building design for two years, he continued his career in Singapore working on large-scale offshore platform projects. Dr. Wu then joined AECOM Hong Kong, responsible for tall buildings, complex steel structures and large-scale development projects. After joining NAMI, as the leader of structural and MiC team, his main responsibility is to manage the structural and MiC related research projects, to establish related testing facilities, and to initiate the advanced structural-materials related R&D core technologies.

Brief Bio

Ir Jenny Yeung holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Structural Engineering from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and a Master of Philosophy in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Cambridge.  She is a professional engineer in the civil, structural and geotechnical disciplines.  Over the past 30 years, she has dedicated her expertise in various aspects of the Hong Kong Slope Safety System, covering geotechnical control, landslide emergency service, landslip warning, crisis communication, public education and technical development.  Ir Yeung has been appointed by the Development Bureau as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Concrete Technology since 2023.  She oversees the Public Works Laboratories, delivering essential testing services to ensure construction material quality across public works projects.  She has also made substantial efforts in facilitating industry-wide dialogue and driving innovation to support Hong Kong’s transition to greener infrastructure.  Ir Yeung was an awardee of the Secretary for Civil Service’s Commendation in recognition of her long-term outstanding service to the Government and the public.  She was also awarded the Outstanding Alumni by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of HKUST.  Beyond her office work, Ir Yeung’s dedication to the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers has earned her multiple prestigious honours, including the Trainee of the Year Award (1997), Young Engineer of the Year Award (2006), and the President Award (2023).

Abstract

Building on the Government’s commitment to advancing sustainable and high-performance construction, the GEO of CEDD, supported by our Public Works Central Laboratory, and the SCCT continue to champion innovations in concrete materials through collaborative research, rigorous review of testing standards and specifications, and active engagement with industry stakeholders.  This presentation will highlight our recent work on the use of Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) and other innovative materials for concrete.  The results of a systematic evaluation of GGBS concrete across diverse applications will be presented, underscoring its potential to enhance durability, lower carbon footprint, and support resilient infrastructure.  It will also cover preliminary findings on complementary solutions, including ternary blended concrete, waste-glass and lightweight concrete, and emerging decarbonisation technologies.  These studies aim to explore practical pathways towards greener construction.  Furthermore, our ongoing initiatives also reflect efforts in enhancing durability and structural safety while evaluating feasible applications in construction.  These include research into mitigating Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) in concrete comprising volcanic rock aggregates with the addition of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).  To support these innovations, the SCCT has been regularly reviewing local test standards and specification clauses, in consultation with industry stakeholders, ensuring that industry practices remain both robust and adaptable.  Collectively, these initiatives chart a forward-looking agenda to shape a more sustainable and innovative future for Hong Kong’s built environment.

Brief Bio

Ir Professor Dai is Chair Professor of Structural Engineering and Head of Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU). Before joining CityU, he was a full professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He also had eight years of research and industry experience in Japan. Professor Dai’s research focuses on “Emerging Materials and Structural Systems for Sustainable Concrete Infrastructures.” His work has garnered numerous academic awards, including the “Best Basic Research Paper Award” from the Journal of Composites for Construction by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the “Outstanding International Collaboration Award” from the Japanese Society of Civil Engineers, the “Structural Excellence R&D Award” from the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, and the “Second Prize of the Chinese National Technology Invention Award,” among others.

Ir Professor Dai is a Fellow of several organizations, including International Institution of FRP in Construction, Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Hong Kong Concrete Institute, International Association of Advanced Materials, and Asian Concrete Federation (ACF). He is also the Vice President of ACF and Committee Manager of ISO/TC71 SC6. He has published over 290 SCI papers, attracting more than 21,000 citations, with an h-index of 79 according to Google Scholar. He is also listed among Stanford’s top 2% most cited scientists. Additionally, Professor Dai is a co-founder of a startup and received a Gold Medal at the Geneva Inventions Expo 2022 special edition. His research on multifunctional coatings for buildings was highlighted by “Science” in its Editor’s Choice and has been widely covered by the media.

Brief Bio

Ir Dr Tommy Lo retired from Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong.  Chairman of Materials Discipline and a fellow member of Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. He is also the Fellow of Hong Kong Concrete Institute and Honorary Fellow of Guangdong Institution of Engineer. He was listed as one of the top 2% most highly cited scientists, according to metrics compiled by Stanford University 2021.

Brief Bio

On behalf of the entire organizing committee, I am extremely pleased to welcome you to the Joint SCCT-HKCI International Conference on Concrete Technologies 2025 co-organised by Standing Committee on Concrete Technology, the Hong Kong Concrete Institute and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. This year’s conference witnessed the innovative concrete technologies including low-carbon and high-performance concretes, capsule-enabled material innovations, rapid-setting solutions for fast pavement replacement, and waste-to-value systems in our infrastructure.

Our sincere thanks go to the brilliant speakers who gave us insightful presentations inspiring everyone in attendance. We are also grateful to our supporting organisations, their belief and support were the foundation upon which this conference was built. And finally, a hearty thanks to the phenomenal organising committee—their tireless work, creativity, and resilience have been nothing short of extraordinary. In all, I am particularly thankful to all participants who graced this conference with their contributions. I wish all of you a pleasant experience and we hope that the conference will be a successful and enjoyable event for all participants.

Brief Bio

As Co-Chairman of the Organizing Committee, I am delighted to welcome you to the Joint SCCT-HKCI International Conference on Concrete Technologies 2025 — “Future-Ready Infrastructure: Recent Focus on Innovative Cementitious Composites and Sustainable Construction.” Your presence, representing global industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers —is vital to the success of our conference.

Building on the momentum of our inaugural collaboration last year between the Standing Committee on Concrete Technology (SCCT) and the Hong Kong Concrete Institute (HKCI), we are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our partner organizations and the invaluable contributions of our distinguished speakers.

Together, let us embark on a journey to shape a sustainable built environment. Through insightful presentations and dynamic discussions, we hope this conference sparks inspiration, fosters collaboration, and drives innovation in cutting-edge construction materials and solutions.

We invite you to engage fully, connect meaningfully, and forge partnerships that will define the future of sustainable infrastructure.

We look forward to your active participation in this transformative event.

Brief Bio

Ir Dr Jaime Yeung is currently serving as the President of the Hong Kong Concrete Institute. With over 35 years of experience in research, product development, and the production of concrete, dry mortar, and other cementitious materials, Jaime has dedicated his entire career life to advancing the field. Jaime holds a PhD degree from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a Doctorate degree in Business Administration from Lincoln University. Throughout his career, Jaime has worked collaboratively with various teams and organizations, contributing to the growth and development of the concrete and dry mortar industry.

Message

On behalf of the Hong Kong Concrete Institute, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our co-organizers, the Standing Committee on Concrete Technology and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, for their invaluable support in making this international conference possible.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to our honorable guests for gracing us with their presence, to all the attendees for their active participation, and to the dedicated helpers whose efforts have been instrumental in ensuring the success of this event.
A special thank goes to our esteemed speakers for sharing their knowledge and insights, which have greatly enriched the conference. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the supporting organizations whose contributions have been vital in bringing this event to fruition.
We are honored to have speakers and attendees not only from the local industry but also from overseas countries such as Germany, Australia, Singapore, Macao, and Mainland China. Their participation has added a valuable international perspective to our discussions and has fostered a global exchange of ideas.

The unwavering commitments of all participants with different capacities in this event to advancing the field of concrete technology are highly appreciated. Their collective efforts have made this conference a remarkable success.

Brief Bio

On behalf of the Standing Committee on Concrete Technology (SCCT), I am delighted to welcome you to the Joint SCCT-HKCI International Conference on Concrete Technologies 2025. 

 Since its establishment in 1982, the SCCT has served as a central platform for inter‑departmental coordination on all matters relating to concrete.  In 2005, we launched the Annual Concrete Seminar, which for many years provided practitioners and academics in Hong Kong with a forum to address key topics in concrete technology — from durability and performance to innovation and, more recently, sustainability.  Last year, the SCCT joined forces with the Hong Kong Concrete Institute (HKCI) to transform the seminar into an international conference, broadening the exchange of knowledge and experience among a wider spectrum of professionals from around the world.  Riding on its success, this joint conference once again brings together distinguished professionals, researchers and industry leaders to share ideas and foster collaboration.

The theme this year, “Future-Ready Infrastructure: Recent Focus on Innovative Cementitious Composites and Sustainable Construction,” reflects our shared commitment to advancing concrete technologies in ways that address both sustainability and resilience.  For the SCCT, this means ensuring that standards and specifications evolve in step with industry needs, while promoting the wider application of low‑carbon and high‑performance concrete.  In the past year, we have completed a comprehensive study comprising a review of the market situation of the concrete industry and technical studies looking into various aspects of GGBS and other green concrete materials.  Useful outcomes of this study will be presented at the Conference, with an aim to encouraging their wider use in Hong Kong’s construction industry.  

With your support, I trust that the insights and collaborations forged here will inspire new initiatives and strengthen our collective pursuit of future-ready infrastructure.  I wish you all a rewarding and fruitful conference.

Brief Bio

I am delighted to join the SCCT-HKCI International Conference on Concrete Technologies 2025 alongside esteemed speakers, distinguished guests, researchers and practitioners from round the world. This year’s theme, “Future-Ready Infrastructure: Recent Focus on Innovative Cementitious Composites and Sustainable Construction,” highlights the importance of technical excellence and innovation in shaping resilient and sustainable infrastructure in facing future climate challenges.

The Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) has long been dedicated to advancing the science and application of construction materials through our Materials and Testing Division, in particular its Public Works Laboratories. In recent years, we have undertaken a wide range of studies on low-carbon concrete materials through rigorous testing, applied research, and practical applications. These include benchmarking the performance of high-percentage GGBS tremie concrete in piling works, development of advanced concrete materials such as the Vibration Resistant Sprayed Concrete (VRSC) for tunnel and cavern rock support, as well as fibre-reinforced sprayed concrete for slope upgrading works. In addition, we are conducting territory-wide assessments of concrete supply and investigating the potential of underground quarrying to ensure a sustainable source of aggregates for the long-term development of our construction industry.

To facilitate the implementation of these initiatives, an Expert Advisory Panel on Concrete Technology has been established this year, which comprises distinguished academics and professionals from local, overseas and the Chinese Mainland. With strong academic achievements and extensive experiences in concrete technology, Panel Members will provide independent technical advice to address the industry challenges and drive the research and development on innovative and sustainable concrete technologies for adoption in Hong Kong.

I look forward to the fruitful discussions and collaborations on concrete technologies at this Conference. By bringing together research, practice and innovation, I am confident that the outcomes will further strengthen our shared pursuit of sustainable, high-performance infrastructure for the future.

I wish the Conference every success.