Mechanical performances and durability of low-carbon concrete

CO2 utilization and green construction materials

3D printed concrete and intelligent construction

Solid waste treatment and re-use in construction materials: Sediments, residual soil, construction and demolition waste, industry solid waste, etc.

PI (Projects under investigation)

(1) National Natural Science Foundation of China project: No. 52478277

(2) "Intergovernmental International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation" project funded by Ministry of Science and Technology: No. 2025YFE0199600

(3) National key research and development plan project by Ministry of Science and Technology: Design and performance improvement of 3D printed cementitious materials based on solid waste

(4) Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities 2025: Research on key technologies for extreme environment construction based on construction and demolition waste

(5) Interdisciplinary Joint Research Project 2023 of Tongji University: Study on self-repair and carbon sequestration mechanism of concrete components based on recycled fine aggregates and microorganisms

(6) HiPer Steel project: Research on the calculation and carbon reduction for embodied carbon emissions in buildings

PI (Projects finished)

(1) Shanghai Science and Technology Development Fund: Prediction and application of low carbon concrete performance based on machine learning

(2) Key State Laboratory Funds of Low Carbon Green Materials: Mechanism and application of biology-aide CO2 treatment on the performance of recycled fine aggregate

(3) Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities 2024: Performance and carbon emission quantification of low-carbon concrete based on recycled sand and recycled powder

(4) Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities 2024: Key technologies for disposal and resource utilization of residual mud

(5) Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities 2023: Key concrete technology based on mine tailings

(6) Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities 2022: Key technology of low carbon construction materials based on the residual soils

(7) Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities 2021: Reinforcement of recycled aggregate and the influence mechanism on the properties of recycled concrete

(8) European Regional Development Fund: Eco-binders for soil treatment, permeability and road construction

(9) European Regional Development Fund: Secondary raw materials for concrete precast products

(10) Marie Curie Fellowship Project : Design of concrete with recycled concrete aggregates by means of Packing Density Method

[1] Z. Zhao*, A. Grellier, Md El K. Bouarroudj, F. Michel, D. Bulteel, L. Courard (2021). Substitution of limestone filler by waste brick powder in self-compacting mortars: properties and durability. Journal of Building Engineering, 43:102898.

[2] L. Courard, Z. Zhao*, F. Michel (2021). Influence of hydrophobic product nature and concentration on carbonation resistance of concrete cultural heritage buildings. Cement and Concrete Composites, 115:103860.

[3] L. Courard, M. Rondeux, Z. Zhao*, F. Michel (2020). Use of recycled fine aggregates from C&DW for unbound road sub-base. Materials, 13(13), 2994.

[4] Z. Zhao*, L. Courard, S. Groslambert, T. Jehin, A. Léonard, J. Xiao (2020). Use of recycled concrete aggregates from block wastes for the production of new concrete blocks: an industrial-scale study. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 157, 104786.

[5] P. Nshimiyimana, A. Messan*, Z. Zhao, L. Courard (2019). Chemico-microstructural changes in earthen building materials containing calcium carbide residue and rice husk ash. Construction and Building Materials, 216, 622-631

[6] Z. Zhao*, S. Remond, D. Damidot. L. Courard, F. Michel (2018). Improving properties of recycled concrete aggregates by accelerated carbonation. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Construction Materials, 171:3, 126-132.

[7] Z. Zhao*, M. Benzerzour, N. E Abriak, D. Damidot. L. Courard, D. Wang (2018). Use of uncontaminated marine sediments in mortar and concrete by partial substitution of cement, Cement and Concrete Composites, 93, 155-162.

[8] Z. Zhao*, L. Courard, F. Michel, S. Remond, D. Damidot (2018). Influence of granular fraction and origin of recycled concrete aggregates on their properties. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 22 (12), 1457-1467.

[9] Z. Zhao*, S. Remond, D. Damidot, W. Xu (2015). Influence of fine recycled concrete aggregates on the properties of mortars, Construction and Building Materials, 81, 179-186.

[10] Z. Zhao, S. Remond, D. Damidot*, W. Xu (2013). Influence of hardened cement paste content on the water absorption of fine recycled concrete aggregates, Journal of Sustainable Cement-Based Materials, 2/3-4, 186-203.

1. Xiao J., Hou M., Duan Z., Zhao Z. (2022): One prefabricated recycled concrete for the surface of rural road. Chinese Patent (Patent No CN 114032724 B).

2. Xiao J., Deng Q., Xu B., Zhao Z. (2023): One manufacture method of roof slab based on combined recycled concrete. Chinese Patent (Patent No CN 113863554 B).

Materials and Structures Outstanding Paper 2023 Award

Materials and Structures Outstanding Paper 2021 Award

Master’s student Eva Robinet obtained the Best Paper Award in the University of Liège

NoMaD (New materials and durability, 2018), Presidents of organizing committee, member of scientific committee, and president of parallel sessions

4th and 5th International conference progress of recycling in the built (2018, 2023): member of scientific committee