Dr. Zhen Leng (冷真)

Assistant Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hung Hom, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: (+852) 2766 6007
Fax: (+852) 2334 6389
Email: zhen.leng@polyu.edu.hk

Vacancies Available

If you are interested in any of the following vancancies, please send your C.V. to Dr. Zhen Leng.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship
This Fellowship scheme offered by HK Research Grants Council aims to recruit high-calibre students from around the world to undertake their PhD studies in Hong Kong. We invite expressions of interest from graduates with proven record of academic excellence, research ability, and good communication skills. The awardees will be provided with a 3-year tuition scholarship, a monthly stipend of HK$20,000 (~US$2,600) and Conference and Research related travel allowance of HK$10,000 (~US$1,300) per year. Interested candidates should apply between September and December 2012. (http://www.polyu.edu.hk/ro/hkphd-fellowship/index.html).
University PhD Studentship
Outstanding individuals with a strong commitment to original research are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have satisfactory scores in TOEFL (internet-based: 79 or above) or IELTS (6.0 or above), and demonstrate appropriate background in areas of pavement engineering, materials science, or a related field. Excellent English communication skills, team-working abilities and self-motivation are essential. PhD studentship (HK$13,800 per month, subject to review) will be offered to successful applicants. (http://www.polyu.edu.hk/ro/e-prospectus/index.html)
Research Assistant
Initial appointments will be available for 6-12 months, with possible extension depending on satisfactory progress and mutual agreement. Successful applicants are expected to hold a Master degree in civil engineering or a related field. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Applicants should state their current and expected salary in the application.

Education

    Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
    M.Engr. in Traffic and Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
    B.Engr. in Traffic and Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China

Professional Experience

    Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong (2012-present)
    Postdoctoral Research Associate, Illinois Center for Transportation, USA (2011-2012)

Teaching

    CSE 312: Transportation and Highway Engineering
    CSE 514: Transport Management
    CSE 535: Land Transport and Environment
    CSE 414: Construction Management II

Research Interests

    Sustainable Pavement Materials and Technologies
    Nondestructive Testing of Transportation Structures
    Infrastructure Life Cycle Assessment
    Accelerated Pavement Testing and Instrumentation

Awards and Honors

    AASHTO Sweet 16 High Value Research, American Association of Highways and Transportation Officials,
    USA, 2013
    ICT High Impact Project Award, Illinois Center for Transportation, USA, 2013
    Innovative Research Award, 52nd Annual Illinois Bituminous Paving Conference, USA, 2011
    Mavis Future Faculty Fellowship, University of Illinois, USA, 2010
    Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship, Federal Highway Administration, USA, 2010
    Yee Memorial Fellowship, University of Illinois, USA, 2009
    2nd Place in the FAA Competition Design for Universities, Federal Aviation Administration, USA, 2009
    Civil Engineering Graduate Student Fellowship, University of Illinois, USA, 2005
    Best Bachelor Thesis Award, Southeast University, China, 2000
    Comprehensive First-Class Scholarship, Southeast University, China, 1997, 1998, 1999
    Baosteel National Excellent Student Scholarship, Shanghai Baosteel Group Corporation, China, 1999

Selected Publications

Journal Papers

    Z. Leng, A. Gamez, and I. Al-Qadi, Mechanical property characterization of warm-mix asphalt prepared with chemical additives, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2013 (in press)
    X. Yu, Z. Leng, and T. Wei, Investigation of the rheological modification mechanism of warm-mix additives on crumb rubber modified asphalt, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2013 (in press)
    L. Zhou, F. Ni, and Z. Leng, Development of an asphalt pavement distress evaluation method for freeways in China, Journal of Transportation Research Record, 2013 (in press)
    P. Shangguan, I. Al-Qadi, and Z. Leng, Innovative approach for asphalt pavement compaction monitoring using ground-penetrating radar, Journal of Transportation Research Record, 2013 (in press)
    Z. Leng, I. Al-Qadi, and P. Shangguan, Field application of ground penetrating radar for asphalt mixture density measurement: a case study of Illinois route 72 overlay. Journal of Transportation Research Record, TRR 2304, 2012, pp. 133-141
    I. Al-Qadi, Z. Leng, J. Baek, H. Wang, M. Doyen, and S. Gillen, Early-age performance evaluation of warm SMA: laboratory testing on plant-compacted specimens and on-site stiffness measurement, Journal of Transportation Research Record, TRR 2306, 2012, pp. 86-94
    Shangguan, I. Al-Qadi, and Z. Leng, Development of wavelet technique for railroad ballast fouling condition quantification using ground penetrating radar data, Journal of Transportation Research Record, TRR 2289, 2012, pp. 95-102
    I. Al-Qadi, H. Wang, J. Baek, Z. Leng, M. Doyen, and S. Gillen, Effects of curing time and reheating on performance of warm stone matrix asphalt, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, Vol. 24(11), 2012, pp. 1422–1428
    H Ozer, I. Al-Qadi, H. Wang, Z. Leng, Characterisation of interface bonding between hot-mix asphalt overlay and concrete pavements: modelling and in-situ response to accelerated loading, International Journal of Pavement Engineering, Vol. 13 (2), 2012, pp. 181-196
    Z. Leng, I. Al-Qadi, and S. Lahaour, Development and validation for in-situ asphalt mixture density prediction model, NDT&E International, Elsevier, Vol. 44, Issue 4, 2011, pp. 369-375
    I. Al-Qadi, Z. Leng, S. Lahaour, and J. Baek, In-place hot-mix asphalt density measurement using ground penetrating radar, Journal of Transportation Research Record, TRR 2152, 2010, pp.19-27
    Z. Leng, and I. Al-Qadi, Railroad ballast evaluation using ground penetrating radar: laboratory investigation and field validation, Journal of Transportation Research Record, TRR 2159, 2010, pp.110-117
    I. Al-Qadi, W. Xie, R. Robert, and Z. Leng, Data analysis techniques for GPR used for assessing railroad ballast in high radio-frequency environment, Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol.136, Issue 4, 2009, pp.392-399
    Z. Leng, I. Al-Qadi, S. Carpenter, and H. Ozer, Interface bonding between HMA and various PCC surfaces: APT assessment and interface strain measurements, Journal of Transportation Research Record, TRR 2127, 2009, pp.20-28
    Z. Leng, H. Ozer, I. Al-Qadi, and S. Carpenter, Interface bonding between HMA and various PCC surfaces: laboratory assessment, Journal of Transportation Research Record, TRR 2057, 2008, pp. 46-53
    H. Ozer, I. Al-Qadi, Z. Leng, A fracture based friction model for pavement interface characterization, Journal of Transportation Research Record, TRR 2057, 2008, pp. 54-63
    F. Ni, H. Xu, and Z. Leng, and Q. Liu, Influence of asphalt properties on the performance of porous asphalt mixture, Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (China), Vol.3, No.4, 2003, pp.1-4
    Z. Leng, F. Ni, H. Xu, and M. Qin, Variables affecting the air voids and reasonable gradation of the porous asphalt mixture, Jiangsu Transportation Research (China), No.5, 2002, pp.12-14

Conference Papers

    Z. Leng, I. Al-Qadi, J. Baek, M. Doyen, H. Wang, and S. Gillen, Effect of reheating plant warm SMA on its fracture performance, 7th RILEM International Conference on Cracking in Pavements, Netherland, Jun. 2012
    D. Mishra, E. Tutumluer, Z. Leng, and I. Al-Qadi, Assessment of subsurface deformation in unsurfaced pavements using ground penetrating radar, 91st Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington D.C., Jan. 2011
    Z. Leng, and I. Al-Qadi, Flexible pavement quality assurance using ground penetrating radar, 1st ASCE T&DI Congress, Chicago, IL, Mar. 2011
    Z. Leng, and I. Al-Qadi, Development and validation for in-situ asphalt mixture density prediction model, 90th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington D.C., Jan. 2011
    Z. Leng, and I. Al-Qadi, Dielectric constant measurement of railroad ballast and application of STFT for GPR data analysis, 7th International Symposium on Nondestructive Testing in Civil Engineering, Nantes, France, Jul. 2009
    Z. Leng, I. Al-Qadi, J. Baek, and S. Lahouar, Selection of antenna type and frequency for pavement surveys using GPR, 88th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington D.C., Jan. 2009
    Z. Leng, I. Al-Qadi, S. Carpenter, and H. Ozer, Tack coat type and application rate optimization to enhance HMA overlay-PCC interface bonding: laboratory and APT testing, 3rd International Conference on Accelerated Pavement Testing, Madrid, Spain, Oct. 2008
    Z. Leng, I. Al-Qadi, H. Ozer, and S. Carpenter, Tack coat rate optimization and environmental effect on HMA overlay-PCC pavement bonding, International Symposium on Asphalt Pavements and Environment, Zurich, Switzerland, Aug. 2008
    H. Ozer, I. Al-Qadi, and Z. Leng, A fracture-based constitutive model for pavement interface characterization, 6th RILEM International Conference on Cracking in Pavements, Chicago, IL, Jun. 2008

Technical Reports/Technology Digests

    I. Al-Qadi, J. Baek, Z. Leng, H. Wang, M. Doyen, J. Kern, S.L. Gillen, Short-Term Performance of Modified Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) Produced with Warm Mix Additives, Research Report 12-001, Illinois Center for Transportation, Jan. 2012
    I. Al-Qadi, Z. Leng, and A. Larkin, In-Place Hot Mix Asphalt Density Estimation Using Ground Penetrating Radar, Illinois Center for Transportation, Research Report ICT-11-096, Dec. 2011
    Z. Leng, and I. Al-Qadi, Comparative Life Cycle Assessment between Warm SMA and Conventional SMA, Research Report ICT-11-090, Illinois Center for Transportation, Sep. 2011
    Z. Leng, I. Al-Qadi, and D. Davis, Data Analysis of Railroad Substructure Conditions Using Ground
    Penetrating Radar, Technology Digest, TD-09-033, TTCI, Pueblo, CO, Dec. 2009
    I. Al-Qadi, S. Carpenter, Z. Leng, H. Ozer, and J. Trepanier, Tack Coat Optimization for HMA Overlays: APT? Report, Illinois Center for Transportation, Rantoul, IL, Feb. 2009
    I. Al-Qadi, S. Carpenter, Z. Leng, H. Ozer, and J. Trepanier, Tack Coat Optimization for HMA Overlays: Laboratory Test Report, Illinois Center for Transportation, Rantoul, IL, Sep. 2008