Dr. Zhao has worked on these lines of research:
- Effective Force Testing
PhD research on a dynamic testing method at the University of Minnesota under the supervision of Dr. French and Dr. Shield.
- Modeling Bond of Steel Reinforcing Bars
Modeling Strain Penetration Effects in Fiber-based Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Structures: Post-doc research at Iowa State University under the supervision of Dr. Sritharan.
Local Bond-Slip Behavior of Deformed Steel Bars with Inelastic Deformation by Ningning Wang.
- Headed Concrete Anchorage
Behavior and Design of Cast-in-Place Anchors under Simulated Seismic Loading (NEES-Anchor): Research at UWM with Dr. Shahrooz from the University of Cincinnati.
Design of Headed Reinforcing Bars in Concrete: Research at UWM with Dr. Hoffman from the University of Stuttgart.
- Impact of Overweight Vehicles
Analysis of Permit Vehicle Loads in Wisconsin (WisDOT): Research at UWM with Dr. Tabatabai.
Using Weigh-in-Motion Data in Bridge Rating (CFIRE): Research at UWM with Dr. Tabatabai (PI).
Impact of Overweight Vehicles (with Heavy Axle Loads) on Bridge Deck Deterioration (CFIRE): Research at UWM with Dr. Tabatabai.
Water Absorption Tests for Measuring Permeability of Field Concrete (CFIRE): Research at UWM with Dr. Tabatabai and Dr. Sobolev.
Water Absorption Used to Quantifiably Determine Propagation of Microcracks within Concrete
Assessments of Concrete Internal Damage Caused by Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Mechanical Loading
- Modeling Shear Lag Effects
Nonlinear Shear Lag in Thin-Walled Flexural Members for Bridges and Buildings by Zhibin Lin.
- Steel-Concrete Composite Structures
Seismic Tensile Force on Steel Girder-Concrete Wall Connections in High-Rise Composite Building Structures by Yuchen Hui.
- Advanced Sensor Technology
A Sensor Based on Electromagnetic Surface Wave Propagation for Bridge Monitoring by Damian Nevers