Dr Sigong Zhang’s research efforts are dedicated to addressing the design challenges associated with timber and hybrid-timber systems. The primary goal is to align with UK’s net-zero targets and enhance building resilience against climate change. He has nearly 15 years of experience dealing with the vibration performance of lightweight steel/timber floor systems. His expertise has been cultivated across three continents and in four academic institutions. Currently, his research focuses on mass timber buildings ranging from the behaviour of individual members, connections, and discrete subassemblies to that of entire building systems. Dr Zhang’s research excellence has garnered recognition. In 2020, he was awarded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship. Moreover, he received the L. J. Markwardt Award from the Forest Products Society in the United States in 2021.

Research interests:

• Vibration serviceability: timber floors, mass timber floors, human-structure interaction, etc
• Timber / hybrid-timber structures: connections, composite actions, etc
• Bio-based materials: bamboo, hemp, etc
• Human movement: Gait analysis under abnormal environment (e.g., vibration surfaces)

• "VBioSlim - Vibration Behaviour of Bio-based Panelised Slim Floor Systems", Royal Society Research Grants, £19,904. October 2024 to October 2025.
• "Unlocking physical and mechanical properties of Japanese knotweed for bio-composite applications", IStructE Undergraduate Research Grant 2024/25, £800. February 2025 to May 2025.
• "Developing advanced vibration performance assessment for new generation of lightweight pedestrian structures using motion platform and virtual reality environments", Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship, ID: 898216, € 224,933, October 2020 to October 2022. Co-PI: Stana Zivanovic, University of Exeter, UK