Biography

Dr. Jiahao Peng is currently a Research Assistant Professor at Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). He earned Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering (Structures) (Honours Class I) and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Sydney, Australia in December 2017 and May 2022, respectively. During his studies, he received the University of Sydney International Scholarship, a highly competitive scholarship to support outstanding international research students, and his thesis research project was recognized with the John Main 1st prize from the School of Civil Engineering. Dr. Peng then joined in SUSTech as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in September 2022 and later became a Research Assistant Professor in December 2024. His research interests include modular construction, steel-concrete composite structures, sustainable marine structures, etc. He received the Young Scientist Fund (Type C) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). He has published over twenty journal articles and presented at several international conferences to share his findings on innovative structures. He was honoured with the Engineering Structures Editor’s Featured Paper Award twice for his contribution (Vol. 324 and 335). His research is dedicated to developing fast-built, more cost-effective, and reusable structural systems, promoting the principles of sustainability in urban development.

Research Interests

Modular construction, Steel-concrete composite structures, Sustainable marine structures, etc.

Educational Background

2018.03 - 2022.05, PhD, The University of Sydney, Australia

2014.04 - 2017.12, Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering (Structures)) (Honours Class I), The University of Sydney, Australia

Professional Experience

2024.12 - Present, Research Assistant Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology

2022.09 - 2024.12, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Southern University of Science and Technology

Honors and Awards

2025.07, Editor’s Featured Paper Award (Vol. 335), Engineering Structures

2025.02, Editor’s Featured Paper Award (Vol. 324), Engineering Structures

2018 - 2021, The University of Sydney International Scholarship, The University of Sydney

2017.11, Jhon Main 1st Prize, School of Civil Engineering, The University of Sydney

Projects

NSFC Young Scientist Fund (Type C), Behaviour and design of self-locking inter-module connection for multi-story steel-concrete composite modular buildings, 2026.01 - 2028.12, CI.

Selected Research Outputs

[1] Peng, Jiahao; Hou, Chao*. 2025, ‘Experimental and numerical study on a novel self-locking inter-module connection with spring-loaded plunger latches: Under axial tension’, Engineering Structures, vol. 324: 119364. (JCR Q1, IF 6.4), (Editor’s Featured Paper Award);

[2] Peng, Jiahao; Hou, Chao*; Liang, Xinxiang. 2026, ‘Shear behaviour of a novel self-locking inter-module connection with spring-loaded plunger latches’, Thin-Walled Structures, vol. 218: 114034. (JCR Q1, IF 6.6);

[3] Peng, Jiahao; Hou, Chao*; Shen, Luming. 2021, ‘Numerical analysis of corner-supported composite modular buildings under wind actions’, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, vol. 187: 106942. (JCR Q1, IF 4.3);

[4] Peng, Jiahao; Hou, Chao*; Shen, Luming. 2021, ‘Lateral resistance of multi-story modular buildings using tenon-connected inter-module connections’, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, vol. 177: 106453. (JCR Q1, IF 4.3);

[5] Peng, Jiahao; Hou, Chao*; Shen, Luming. 2022, ‘Progressive collapse analysis of corner-supported composite modular buildings’, Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 48: 103977. (JCR Q1, IF 7.4);

[6] Peng, Jiahao; Hou, Chao*. 2023, ‘Effects of constructional tolerances on lateral resistance of steel–concrete composite modular buildings with various connection rigidity’, Structures, vol. 57: 105226. (JCR Q1, IF 4.3);

[7] Peng, Jiahao; Hou, Chao*; Shen, Luming. 2020, ‘Numerical simulation of weld fracture using cohesive interface for novel inter-module connections’, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, vol. 174: 106302. (JCR Q1, IF 4.3);

[8] Peng, Jiahao; Hou, Chao*; Song, Yuchen. 2025, ‘Tensile behaviour of a self-locking inter-module connection with spring-loaded plunger latches: A numerical study using ductile fracture simulation’, Structures. (JCR Q1, IF 4.3);

[9] Hou, Chao; Qi, Qi; Peng, Jiahao*. 2025, ‘Performance of inter-module connection with a pegged tenon for composite modular buildings with CFST columns’, Engineering Structures, vol. 329: 119824. (JCR Q1, IF 6.4);

[10] Hou, Chao; Yu, Zhenbo; Peng, Jiahao*. 2024, ‘Experiments and calculation methods on the tensile capacity of a single blind bolt anchored in a circular CFST section’, Engineering Structures, vol. 316: 118570. (JCR Q1, IF 6.4)。

Academic and Social Participation

2024.12 - Present,  Member of Early Career Editorial Board for the journal Structures (JCR Q1)