Research

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Transportation infrastructural materials

  • Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) and fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC)
  • Concrete with recycled materials, agricultural and forestry wastes
  • Fresh concrete properties and rheology of concrete
  • Multi-state and multi-scale material characterization
  • Concrete pavement and pavement materials
  • 3D printing materials and control
  • Cellular concrete
  • Bioinspired cement-based material

 RESEARCH GRANTS

On Going Research Projects

J. Hu, and G. Morcous, “Production of Cast-in-Place UHPC for Bridge Applications” Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department of Transportation, 7/1/2020-5/30/2023

G. Morcous, and J. Hu, “Low-Cement Concrete Mixture for Bridge Decks and Rails” Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department of Transportation, 7/1/2020-5/30/2023

J. Hu, A. Smith, and S. Kim, "Application of Biochar as Carbon Sequestering and Beneficial Additive in Concrete" Project Sponsor: Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research, 1/1/2021-12/31/2022

S. Kim, and J. Hu, “Improvement on the treatment of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) using CO2 for its commercial application” Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department Economic Development and Hawkins Construction Company, 8/1/2020-7/31/2021

J. Hu, C. Stolle, and C. Exstrom “Alternative Cementitious Material from Raw Corn Stover and Bioethanol Production Plants Waste Products” Project Sponsor: University of Nebraska Collaborative Initiative, 7/01/2020-6/30/2023

H. Haghshenas, R. Rea (NDOT), and J. Hu, Effect of Antioxidant Additives and Recycling Agents on Performance of Asphalt Binders and Mixtures – Phase II, Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department of Transportation, 7/1/2020-12/31/2022

M. Maguire, and J. Hu, Rapid Concrete Bridge Repair Survey and Patch Material Evaluation, Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department of Transportation, 7/1/2020-12/31/2022

J. Hu, F. Bobaru, Y. Kim, M. Shakouri (University of Nebraska-Kearney), “Multi-Scale Study of Cellular Concrete Tailored with Time-Dependent Rheological Behavior”, Project Sponsor: University of Nebraska Collaborative Initiative, 7/01/2019-6/30/2022

Completed Research Projects

J. Hu and T. Cavalline (University of North Carolina at Charlotte), “Effective Characterizations of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) for Concrete Applications”, Project Sponsor: American Concrete Institute Foundation's Concrete Research Council, 7/01/2019-6/30/2020

J. Hu, and Y. Kim, “Best Practice to Address Issues of Excess Aggregate Dust in Nebraska Concrete”, Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department of Transportation, 07/2019-12/2020

J. Hu and Y. Kim, “Application of Internal Curing to Improve Concrete Bridge Deck Performance”, Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department of Transportation, 07/2018-12/2019

J. Hu and G. Morcous, “Feasibility Study of Development of UHPC for Highway Bridge Applications in Nebraska”, Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR), 07/2017-12/2018

J. Hu and Y. Kim, “Evaluation of Reducing Cement Content in NDOR Class R Combined Aggregate Gradations”, Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR), 07/2017-12/2018

J. Hu and Y. Kim, “Development of High Performance Rapid Patching Materials for Pavement Repair”, Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR), 07/2017-12/2018

J. Zhu and J. Hu (UNL), Y. Zhang (GT), V. Agarwal (INL), Online Monitoring System for Concrete Structures Affected  by Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR), US Department of Energy (DoE) Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), 10/2016- 9/2018

J. Hu, C. Sim and Y. Tian (University of Nevada Las Vegas), "Development of Specification for High-Performance Fiber Concrete for Nevada", Project Sponsor: Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), 09/2016-09/2018

C. Sim and J. Hu, “Standard Design for Nebraska County Bridges”, Project Sponsor: Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR), 07/2016-12/2017
Image of standard design for Nebraska County Bridges

Z. Ge, J. Hu, R. Sun, H. Mao, X. Zhang, D. Huang, Y. Hu, S. Wei, and Y. Wang, “Rheology and Shrinkage Study of SCC with Recycled Fine Aggregate as Internal Curing Agent”, Project Sponsor(s): National Science Foundation of China, 01/2015 – 12/2018.
Selected Research Project2

J. Hu and Y. Kim, “Feasibility Study of Using Micro- and Nano- Clay as Additives in Concrete”, Project Sponsor: Texas State University Research Enhance Program (REP), 01/2015 – 12/2015.
Selected Research Project1

S. Lee, E. Humphries, J. Hu, and Y. Kim, “Improved Crack Sealant Application Methods”, Project Sponsor: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) (RTI 0-6832), 09/2014 – 08/2017.

S. Lee, J. Hu, Y. Kim, “Development of Low-Carbon Low-Cost Asphalt Pavement: Evaluation of New Additive for Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt Binders”, Project Sponsor: Korea Institute of Construction Technology (KICT), 02/2013 – 11/2013.

Y. Kim, and J. Hu, “Development of Sustainable Concrete with Recycled Carpet Fiber Reinforcement and Recycled Concrete”, Project Sponsor(s): Texas State University Research Enhance Program (REP),  01/2013 – 12/2013.

J. Hu, D. Fowler, S. Lee, Y. Kim, and D. Whitney, “Feasibility Study of Two-Lift Concrete Paving”, Project Sponsor: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) (RTI 0-6749), Amount: 09/2012-08/2013.
Selected Research Project3

Y. Kim, J. Hu, S. Lee, C. Gaedicke, “Synthesis on Geosynthetic-Reinforced Steep Slopes”, Project Sponsor: TxDOT (RTI 0-6792), 09/2012-08/2013.

Y. Lu, D. Tamir, J. Hu, and H. Shi, “Automated Crack Documentation Using Digital Images-Scoping Study”, Project Sponsor: TxDOT (RTI 0-6789), 09/2012-08/2013.
Selected Research Project4

Y. Kim, J. Hu, and S. Lee, “Review of Quality System Manual (QSM) for Precast/Prestressed Concrete: PCI Level II”, Project Sponsor: Pittsburgh Flexicore, 09/2011-03/2012.

M. C. Won, S. Senadheera S., D. Fowler, and J. Hu, “Optimizing Concrete pavement Type Selection Based on Aggregate Availability”, Project Sponsor: TxDOT (RTI 0-6681), 09/2011-08/2012.
Selected Research Project5

J. Hu, Y. Kim and S. Lee, “Synthesis on Cost Effectiveness of Extradosed Bridges”, Project Sponsor: TxDOT (RTI 0-6729), 09/2011-08/2012.

S. Lee, J. Hu, and Y. Kim, “Costs Associated with Conversion of Surfaced Roads to Un-surfaced Roads”, Project Sponsor: TxDOT (RTI 0-6677), 09/2011-08/2012.

S. Lee, J. Hu, C. Gaedicke and Y. Kim, “Synthesis of Microsurfacing Successes and Failures”, Project Sponsor: TxDOT (RTI 0-6668), 11/2010 – 08/2011.

F. Bektas, and J. Hu, “Use of Waste Clay Brick as Cement Additive in Concrete: Feasibility Study in the State of Texas”, Project Sponsor: Texas State University Research Enhance Program (REP), 01/2010 – 12/2010.

J Hu, D. Hahn, W. Rudzinski, C. Powell, N. Guven, S. Lee, and G. Beall, “Evaluation, Presentation and Repair of Microbial Acid-Produced Attack of Concrete”, Project Sponsor(s): TxDOT (RTI 0-6137), 09/2009 – 08/2011.
Selected Research Project6

J. Hu, “Self-compacting concrete using recycled concrete aggregate”, Project Sponsor: Texas State University Research Enhance Program (REP), 01/2009 – 12/2009.
Selected Research Project7

K. Wang, J. Hu, and J. Gaunt, “Sequestering Lead in Paint by Utilizing Deconstructed Masonry Materials as Recycled Aggregate in Concrete”, Project Sponsor: Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SREDP) from the Department of Defense’s (DoD) corporate environmental R&D program, 01/2007-12/2007.
Selected Research Project8

 

AWARDS AND HONORS

College of Engineering Research Excellence Award, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2021)

Presidential Distinction Awards for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities, Texas State University (2014)

College Achievement Awards for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities, College of Science and Engineering, Texas State University (2011)