High-Performance Structures

I have been conducting experimental and numerical studies into high-performance steel, aluminium and composite structures and developing new design approaches accordingly. The high performance of metallic structures is achieved by advanced materials (stainless steel, high strength steel and high strength aluminium) or advanced manufacturing methods (cold-formed customised sections and 3D metal printing). All of the published papers can be found on this page.

Stainless Steel Connections

Stainless Steel Columns

Stainless Steel Connections & Members

[14] Wu, C., Fu, J., Yu, Z., Zhao, O., Jiang, K., & Zhong, Y. (2026). Structural behaviour and capacity of recycled aggregate concrete-filled stainless steel tubular (RACFSST) columns under eccentric loading. Engineering Structures, 350, 121994.

[13] Li, B., Sun, J., Qin, Y., Jiang, K. (2026). Ferritic stainless steel built-up I-section columns: Testing, numerical modelling and design. Thin-Walled Structures, 114726.

[12] Wang, Y., Chen, B., Dai, P., Wang, Y., Song, Y., Jiang, K., & Hai, L. (2025). Experimental and numerical study on lateral-torsional buckling of welded QN1803 high-strength stainless steel I-girders. Thin-Walled Structures, 212, 113190.

[11] Ning, K., Yang, L., Jiang, K., Han, Y. (2025). Experimental investigation on seismic performance of austenitic stainless steel full-scale frames: Component response. Engineering Structures, 326, 119521.

[10] Jiang, K., Li, S., Zhong, Y., Zhao, O. (2024). Bearing–curling interaction of austenitic stainless steel thin sheet bolted connections. Thin-Walled Structures, 200, 111912.

[9] Zhong, Y., Jiang, K., Su, A., Fu., J., Liu, A., Zhao, O. (2024). Local buckling and capacities of stainless steel hexagonal hollow sections under axial compression. Thin-Walled Structures, 205, 112431.

[8] Li, S., Jiang, K., Chen, MT., Su, A., Guo, T., Zhao, O. (2024). Cross-section behaviour and capacity of cold-formed austenitic stainless steel flat-oval hollow sections under combined compression and bending. Thin-Walled Structures, 199, 111877.

[7] Li, S., Jiang, K., Zhao, O. (2024). Local–flexural interactive buckling behaviour and design of press-braked stainless steel slender Z-section columns. Thin-Walled Structures, 195, 111317.

[6] Jiang, K., Zhao, O. (2023). Ferritic stainless steel bolted connections failing by bearing–curling interaction: Tests, modelling and design. Engineering Structures, 283, 115919.

[5] Li, S., Jiang, K., Zhao, O. (2023). Press-braked ferritic stainless steel slender channel section beam–columns: Tests, simulations and design. Thin-Walled Structures, 183, 110302.

[4] Jiang, K., Zhao, O. Young, B. (2022). Experimental and numerical study of stainless steel channel-to-gusset plate connections. Engineering Structures, 265, 114461.

[3] Jiang, K., Zhao, O. (2022). Experimental and numerical studies of stainless steel angle-to-plate connections. Thin-Walled Structures, 173, 109026.

[2] Sun, Y., Su, A., Jiang, K., Liang, Y., Zhao, O. (2021). Testing, numerical modelling and design of stainless steel welded I-sections under minor-axis combined loading. Engineering Structures, 243, 112513.

[1] Sun, Y., Jiang, K., Liang, Y., Zhao, O. (2021). Experimental and numerical studies of high-chromium stainless steel welded I-section beam–columns. Engineering Structures, 236, 112065.

High Strength Steel Connections

High Strength Steel Columns

High Strength Steel Connections & Members

[8] Shi, Y., Wang, K., Shi, Y., Jiang, K., Wang, M., Liang, Y., Zhao, O. (2025). Experimental and numerical study of full-scale column-base connections with enlarged bolt holes infilled by high strength grout. Engineering Structures, 341, 120839.

[7] Cheng, J., Su, A., Jiang, K., Zhao, O. (2025). Flexural buckling and flexural–torsional buckling behaviour of S960 ultra-high strength steel (UHSS) welded T-section columns. Thin-Walled Structures, 113745.

[6] Jiang, K., Zhao, O. (2022). Testing, numerical modelling and design of S690 high strength steel channel-to-plate connections. Thin-Walled Structures, 179, 109545.

[5] Jiang, K., Zhao, O. (2022). Net Section Failure of S690 High-Strength Steel Angle-to-Plate Connections. Journal of Structural Engineering (ASCE), 148(4), 04022021.

[4] Su, A., Jiang, K., Wang, M., Zhao, O. (2022). S960 ultra-high strength steel slender welded I-section beam–columns: Testing, numerical modelling and design. Thin-Walled Structures, 177, 109452.

[3] Jiang, K., Tan, KH., Zhao, O., Gardner, L. (2021). Block tearing of S700 high strength steel bolted connections: Testing, numerical modelling and design. Engineering Structures, 246, 112979.

[2] Jiang, K., Tan, KH., Zhao, O. (2021). Net section fracture of S700 high strength steel staggered bolted connections. Thin-Walled Structures, 164, 107904.

[1] Jiang, K., Zhao, O., Tan, KH. (2020). Experimental and numerical study of S700 high strength steel double shear bolted connections in tension. Engineering Structures, 225, 111175.

Aluminium Connections

Aluminium Columns

Aluminium Connections & Members

[4] Li, B., Jiang, K., Su, A., Yang, Y., Ouyang, Y. (2026). Global stability and strength of high-strength aluminium alloy T-section columns. Engineering Structures, 352, 122154.

[3] Li, B., Jiang, K., Yang, Y., Ouyang, Y. (2025). Local stability of high-strength aluminium alloy T-sections. Thin-Walled Structures, 113873.

[2] Jiang, K., Li, B., Jing, Y., Su, A., Zhao, O. (2025). Structural performance of aluminium alloy channel section tensile members connected with gusset plates. Engineering Structures, 333, 120177.

[1] Jiang, K., Li, S., Guo, T., Liang, Y., Zhao, O. (2025). Net section fracture of aluminium alloy angle-to-plate connections: Testing, modelling and design. Engineering Structures, 326, 119450.

Build-Up Section

Built-Up Section Members

[11] Jing, Y., Jiang, K., Su, A., Liang, Y., Zhao, O. (2025). Testing, numerical modelling and design of stainless steel built-up box-sections under interior-one-flange loading. Engineering Structures, 343, 121087.

[10] Sun, Z., Zhang, S., Su, A., Jiang, K., Zhao, O. (2025). Experimental and numerical studies of S700 high strength cold-formed steel built-up box section columns. Engineering Structures, 343, 121041.

[9] Ma, C., Su, A., Jiang, K., Zhao, O., Gardner, L. (2025). Local buckling of S700 high strength cold-formed steel built-up I-sections subjected to combined compression and minor-axis bending. Thin-Walled Structures, 114166.

[8] Jing, Y., Li, S., Jiang, K., Zhao, O. (2025). Web crippling of stainless steel built-up sections subjected to interior-two-flange loading. Thin-Walled Structures, 215, 113427.

[7] Zhang, J., Yang, H., Jiang, K., Su, A. (2025). High strength concrete-filled cold-formed high strength steel built-up box-section stub columns: Testing, numerical modeling and design. Thin-Walled Structures, 214, 113381.

[6] Ma, C., Jiang, K., Su, A., Zhao, O., Gardner, L. (2025). S700 high-strength cold-formed steel built-up I-section stub columns: Testing, numerical modelling and design. Engineering Structures, 334, 120261.

[5] Jing, Y., Jiang, K., Li, S., Lan, X., Liang, Y., Zhao, O. (2024). Experimental and numerical study of stainless steel built-up tubular sections subjected to End-Two-Flange loading. Thin-Walled Structures, 112871.

[4] Ma, C., Wei, C., Jiang, K., Zhao, O., Su, A. (2024). Experimental and numerical investigations of high-strength cold-formed steel multi-limb built-up section columns. Engineering Structures, 309, 118012.

[3] Jing, Y., Jiang, K., Zhao, O., Gardner, L. (2024). Web crippling of stainless steel built-up I-sections under End-Two-Flange loading: Tests, simulations and design. Engineering Structures, 304, 117576.

[2] Cui, Y., Zhang, J., Ma, C., Niu, M., Jiang, K., Li, S., Su., A. (2024). Testing, numerical modelling and design of G550 high strength cold-formed steel built-up section columns. Thin-Walled Structures,196, 111529.

[1] Jiang, K., Zhao, O. (2023). Stainless steel built-up section stub columns: Testing, numerical modelling and design. Thin-Walled Structures, 191, 111070.

Fracture location, showing correspondence with minimum cross-sectional area of coupon

Experimental setup for heating and cooling of coupon specimens

Additive Manufacture

[3] Li, J., Jiang, K., Wang, Z., Chen, M. T., Zhao, O. (2026). Geometric properties and cross-section behaviour of wire arc additively manufactured AA5356 I-section and cruciform-section stub columns. Engineering Structures, 351, 121977.

[2] Li, J., Jiang, K., Chen, M. T., Wang, Z., Zhao, O., Gardner, L. (2025). Mechanical properties and constitutive modelling of wire arc additively manufactured aluminium alloy after exposure to elevated temperatures. Thin-Walled Structures, 114119.

[1] Li, J., Jiang, K., Chen, M. T., Zhao, O., Gardner, L. (2025). Post-fire behaviour of wire arc additively manufactured ER70S-6 steel. Engineering Structures, 334, 120192.