Prof. Shipeng Zhang is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the associate director of the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota, followed by his Master of Engineering and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from McGill University. Dr. Zhang is dedicated to addressing pressing environmental challenges through advancements in sustainable construction materials and technologies. His research focuses on concrete carbonation technology, sustainable cementitious materials, and low-carbon 3D concrete printing. Dr. Zhang has published more than 70 SCI research articles in the top/key journals in his research field, such as Nature Communications, Cement and Concrete Research, Automation in Construction, and Composites Part B: Engineering. Dr. Zhang has received several accolades, including the RGC Early Career Award, the Hong Kong Green Innovation Merit Award, a Gold Medal at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, the Graduate Excellence Fellowship Award, the Les Vadasz Engineering Fellowship, and the McGill Engineering Doctoral Award. 

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and population growth are increasing the demand for construction materials, creating significant challenges for resource conservation and carbon emission reduction. Developing concrete materials that combine environmental benefits with enhanced engineering performance is therefore an important step toward sustainable construction. This talk explores the design and engineering applications of sustainable, high-performance pervious and foam concrete produced by incorporating waste materials. Pervious concrete enables water infiltration for stormwater management, requiring a balance between permeability, strength, and durability. Foam concrete provides low density and thermal insulation for lightweight construction and engineered fills, with performance depending on foam stability, pore uniformity, strength, and dimensional stability. The discussion focuses on how constituent selection, mixture proportioning, and pore structure control can improve the performance of both materials to meet specific engineering requirements. The potential use of supplementary cementitious materials and solid/gaseous wastes is also considered as a means of reducing cement consumption and improving resource efficiency. Particular attention is given to the relationships between pore characteristics, mechanical properties, durability, and functional performance. By connecting material design with practical applications, this talk highlights opportunities and challenges in advancing pervious concrete and foam concrete toward reliable, resource-efficient, and lower-carbon construction solut