Introduction

The Lab targets for research in Rehabilitation, Assembly, Intelligence, and Longevity of Structures (RAlLS).

The Lab belongs to the Institute of Urban Smart Transportation & Safety Maintenance, the National Key Laboratory of Green Longevity Road Engineering in Extreme Environment, and the Department of Civil and Transporation Engineering in Shenzhen University.

The Lab is led by Prof. Liu, who published over 25+ research works including journals, conference papers, and receieved 800+ citations in Google Scholar. His received Excellent Young Scholar Funding for Overseas of China, and his research work won the scholarship from International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI).

The research interests covered by the lab includes:

Optimization and application of machine learning algorithms on performance prediction of structures

Repair and strengthening of existing concrete structures (bridges/buildings)

Material and mechanical behavior of high/ultra-high performance concrete

Structural behavior of precast concrete members (Accelerated Bridge Construction, Modular integrated Construction)

Education

2018.09 - 2023.06    Ph. D., University of Montreal (Prof. Jean-Phillipe Charron)

2014.09 - 2017.06    Master, Southeast University (Prof. Jingquan Wang)

2010.09 - 2014.06    Bachelar, Southeast University (Prof. Jingquan Wang)

Work Experience

2025.06 -        Professor, Shenzhen University (Academician Yanliang Du)

           (Department of Civil and Transportation Engineering)

2023.09 - 2025.04    Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Hong Kong (Prof. Wei Pan)

2023.06 - 2023.09    Research Assistant, The University of Hong Kong (Prof. Wei Pan)

Selected Publications

Structrual performance prediction of concrete structure based on machine learning algorithms

1. Tongxu Liu, Zhao Chen*, Zhen Wang. (2025). Exploring explicit formula for shear transfer strength of concrete joints using dictionary learning. Construction and Building Materials, 2025, 462, 140000.
2. Zhen Wang, Tongxu Liu*, Zilin Long, Jingquan Wang, Jian Zhang. (2024). Data-driven model to predict the residual deformation of precast concrete columns using machine learning approach. Journal of Building Engineering, 108650.
3. Tongxu Liu, Celal Cakiroglu, Kamrul Islam, Zhen Wang, Moncef L Nehdi*. (2024). Explainable machine learning model for predicting punching shear strength of FRC flat slabs. Engineering Structures, 2024, 301, 117276.
4. Zhen Wang, Tongxu Liu*, Zilin Long, Jingquan Wang, Jian Zhang. (2023). Predicting the drift capacity of precast concrete columns using explainable machine learning approach. Engineering Structures, 282: 115771.
5. Zhen Wang, Tongxu Liu*, Zilin Long, Jingquan Wang, Jian Zhang. (2022). A machine-learning-based model for predicting the effective stiffness of precast concrete columns. Engineering Structures, 260: 114224.
6. Tongxu Liu, Zhen Wang*, Junlin Zeng, Jingquan Wang. (2021). Machine-learning-based models to predict shear transfer strength of concrete joints. Engineering Structures, 249: 113253.

Repair and strengthening of concrete structrues

1. Tongxu Liu, Jean-Philippe Charron*. (2024). Analytical Model for Calculating Shear Capacity of NSC beams Strengthened by UHPC Lateral Layers. Journal of Structural Engineering-ASCE, 2024, 150(6): 04024049.
2. Tongxu Liu, Jean-Philippe Charron*. (2023). Experimental Study on the Shear Behavior of UHPC-Strengthened Concrete T-Beams. Journal of Bridge Engineering-ASCE, 28(9), 04023064.
3. Tongxu Liu, Jean-Philippe Charron*. (2023). Determination of NSC-UHPC interface properties for numerical modeling of UHPC-strengthened concrete beams and slabs. Engineering Structures, 290, 116385.
4. Tongxu Liu, Jean-Philippe Charron*. (2023). Characterization of NSC-UHPC interface properties for modeling the shear behavior of T-beams strengthened with UHPC. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 1-16.

Material and Mechanical behavior of precast concrete/UHPC structures

1. Tongxu Liu, Zhen Wang*, Jingquan Wang, Jian Zhang. (2024). Determination of reduction factor of shear key configuration in calculating direct shear strength of precast concrete dry joints using parametric finite element simulation. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 29(7), 04024045.
2. Tongxu Liu, Zhen Wang*, Zilin Long, Junlin Zeng, Jingquan Wang, Jian Zhang. (2022). Direct shear strength prediction for precast concrete joints using machine learning method. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 27(5), 04022026.
3. Tongxu Liu, Zhen Wang, Jian Guo, and Jingquan Wang*. (2019). Shear strength of dry joints in precast UHPC segmental bridges: Experimental and theoretical research. Journal of Bridge Engineering 24(1), 04018100.
4. Jingquan Wang*, Jiaping Liu, Zhen Wang, Tongxu Liu, Jianzhong Liu, Jian Zhang. (2021). Cost-effective UHPC for accelerated bridge construction: Material properties, structural elements, and structural applications. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 2021, 26(2): 04020117.

Others

Patents

Wei Pan, Tongxu Liu, Yang Zhang, Siwei Chen, Junyang Shi, Yang Li. (2024). Concrete module with vertical slot connection for modular integrated construction, modular integration construction having the module, and construction method of the modular integrated construction via vertical slot connection. China National Intellectual Property Administration. Patent·No.

Softwares

Tongxu Liu, Zhen Wang, Zilin Long. (2024). Calculator for structural performance of concrete bridge structure using machine leanring algorithms. Computer Software Copyright, National Copyright Administration.

Projects

2023.06 – 2025.04    Hong Kong Research Impact Funding (RIF): Modular integrated construction (Mic) 2.0+: achieving high quality and high efficiency of high-rise residential buildings with innovative building materials, advanced structural engineering, and intelligent project management.

2018.09 - 2023.05    NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council) funding: design of new bridges and strengthening of existing bridges with fiber reinforced concretes.

2016.05 - 2017.07    Experimental verification of UHPC bridge decks of Nanjing 5th Yangzi-River bridge (First application of UHPC-steel concrete beams on long-span cable-stayed bridge).

2015.07 - 2017.07    NNSFC (National Natural Science Foundation of China) funding: Preparation and application foundation of ecological nano-ultra-high-performance concrete.

2015.10 - 2016.08    Design consultation of Wanke UHPC Footbridge (China`s second UHPC arch bridge).

2014.10 - 2016.12    Experimental Implementation on precast concrete beams/decks/joints/columns, steel-concrete and UHPC-concrete push-off joints/beams.

Association

2020.09 - 2022.09    Founder and Committee Member, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Student Chapter at Polytechnique Montreal.

Awards

Scholarship from International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI)

Join us

Prof. Liu is currently seeking highly motivated Postdoctal Fellows, Ph.D. Students, and Master Students as well as Short-term Research Assistant starting for 2025 and 2026. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact me via email, along with their resume and transcripts.