Speaker: Prof. Hailong YE

Affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China

Email: hlye@hku.hk

Biography: Ir Professor Hailong Ye is the Leung Cheuk Tong Outstanding Young Professor and an Associate Professor of Structural Engineering at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). He holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, specializing in cement chemistry and advanced concrete technology. Prof. Ye’ has authored 180 journal papers and holds 20 patents in this area. His work has been cited about 9,000 times and was recognized with prestigious awards, including the Natural Science Award from The Ministry of Education of China. 

Abstract: 

Microbially induced corrosion of concrete (MICC) poses a major threat to the durability and serviceability of Hong Kong’s sewage infrastructure, including pipelines, manholes, and treatment plants. Ageing sewerage systems demand frequent repairs, incurring substantial maintenance costs. Since sewer-dwelling microorganisms drive MICC and accelerate material damage, antimicrobial admixtures and protective coatings offer a promising mitigation strategy. This presentation first reviews key findings from laboratory and site-trial evaluations of protective coatings for concrete in the sewerage environment. It then highlights three advanced antimicrobial solutions tailored for sewerage structures: magnesium-based protective materials, carrier-based long-lasting antimicrobial admixtures, and Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) incorporating antimicrobial aggregates.