Dr Gang Zhou

PhD in Solid Mechanics

  • Senior Lecturer in Advanced Composite Structures
  • Coordinator for International Exchanges
Publications
Google Scholar
headshot of Gang

Background

Gang joined Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering (AAE) as Lecturer (scale B) in Structures in 1997 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer since. Before joining Loughborough University, Gang was Lecturer in Mechanics of Materials briefly in Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bolton. Prior to becoming an academic, he worked as postdoctoral research associate in Department of Engineering, University of Leicester, Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, USA. He received PhD in Solid Mechanics from University of Durham and has been working in the fields of composite materials and structures, smart structures, and impact mechanics.

Outline of main research interests

  • Design, manufacture, and shielding effectiveness assessment of damage-tolerant lightweight composite enclosure structures against interfering electromagnetic waves.
  • Lightning strike damage in composite structures.
  • Impact damage resistance, characterisation and impact response.
  • Residual compressive strength (i.e. CAI) and damage tolerance assessment.
  • Composite monolithic thin-walled sections.
  • Laminate-skinned sandwich structures.
  • Study of mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of composite laminates.
  • Smart structures (with either fibre optic sensors or shape memory alloy wire actuators).
  • Nano-laminates.

Grants and contracts

  • 2019–2022 Externally funded PhD – Design, manufacture and evaluation of a lightweight damage-tolerant EMI shielding composite enclosure structure, C-Power Ltd and Loughborough University.
  • 2014–2016 EPSRC-IAA – Acceleration of development for new test method for interlaminar shear properties of composite laminates.
  • 2010–2011 HEFCE Enterprise Fellowship – Commercialisation of a novel test method for determining ILS properties of laminated composites.
  • 2008–2011 EPSRC – 3-D strain field mapping in composites using wavelength scanning interferometry.
  • 2009–2010 EMDA & ERDF Innovation Fellowship – A novel test method for determining ILS properties of laminated composites.
  • 2007–2009 External Contracts – Impact damage resistance and damage tolerance of full-scale sandwich panels and monolithic laminates used on Boeing 787, Airbus 350XWB and Airbus A400M wings, with Brook House Composites led European consortium.
  • 2000–2001 External Contract – Generation of design data of composite materials, with St Bernard Composites Ltd.

Inventions:

  • Inventor for BS ISO Standard 19927:2018 – Fibre-reinforced plastic composites — Determination of interlaminar strength and modulus by double beam shear test.

 

Current teaching responsibilities

  • TTB204 Mechanics of Materials
  • TTC054 Principles of Composite Materials and Structures
  • TTC01&07, TTC03&05, TTD01&02, TTD010&012 Final-year Project
  • TTD011 ERASMUS (Turing Scheme)

Current administrative responsibilities

  • Coordinator for Undergraduate International Study Exchanges for the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering, Loughborough University.

Recent publications

  • G. Zhou, E. Mikinka, X. Bao, W. Sun. Electrical conduction investigation of pre-stressed carbon/epoxy fabric laminates heated by Ampere-level currents. Functional Composite Materials, 2023, 4, 3.
  • G. Zhou, E. Mikinka, J. Golding, X. Bao, W. Sun, A. Ashby. Investigation of thermal degradation and decomposition of both pristine and damaged carbon/epoxy samples with thermal history. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2020, 201, 108382.
  • M. Grasso, Y. Xu, A. Ramji, G. Zhou, A. Chrysanthou, G. Haritos, Y. Chen. Low-velocity impact behaviour of woven laminate plates with fire retardant resin. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2019, 171, 1-8.
  • G. Zhou, H.L. Leung, B. Robinson, C. Zheng. New method for the evaluation of residual compressive strengths of sandwich panels via four-point bending. Mechanics of Materials, 2019, 136, Article No 103075.
  • G. Zhou, B. Zhang, A. Pasricha. A study of indentation behaviour of sandwich panels supported rigidly. Int. J. of Structural Integrity, 2017, 8(4), 439-451.
  • X. Bian, G. Zhou, J. Tan. A modified method for determining the bending fatigue strength of alloy steel gear teeth. IMechE Proceedings, Part C: J. of Mechanical Engineering Science, 2012, 226(3), 615-625.
  • G. Zhou, G. Xie, X. Bao. Mechanical behaviour of advanced nano-laminates enhanced with carbon nanotubes – review. Int. J. of Smart and Nano Materials, 2010, 1(2), 136-171.
  • G. Zhou, L.M. Sim. Damage evaluation of smart composite beams using embedded EFPI strain sensors: bending and interlaminar shear strengths assessment. Optics and Lasers in Engineering, 2009, 47, 1063-1068.
  • G. Zhou, P. Lloyd. Design, manufacture and evaluation of bending control of composite beams with embedded SMA wires. Composites Science and Technology, 2009, 69, 2034-2041.
  • G. Zhou, M.D. Hill. Impact damage and residual compressive strength of honeycomb sandwich panels. J. of Sandwich Structures and Materials, 2009, 11(4), 329-356.
  • A. Maranon, P.D. Ruiz, A.D. Nurse, J.M. Huntley, L.A. Rivera, G. Zhou. Identification of subsurface delaminations in composite laminates. Composites Science and Technology, 2007, 67(13), 2817-2826.
  • G. Zhou, M.D. Hill, N. Hookham. Investigation of parameters governing the damage and energy-absorbing characteristics of honeycomb sandwich panels. J. of Sandwich Structures and Materials, 2007, 9(4), 309-342.
  • G. Zhou, L.A. Rivera. Investigation for the reduction of in-plane compressive strength in preconditioned thick composite panels. J. of Composite Materials, 2007, 41, 1961-1994.
  • G. Zhou, J. Hood. Design, manufacture and evaluation of laminated carbon/epoxy I-beams in bending. Composites Part A, 2006, 37, 506-517.
  • G. Zhou, M.D. Hill, N. Hookham. Damage characteristics of composite honeycomb sandwich panels under quasi-static loading. J. of Sandwich Structures and Materials, 2006, 8(1), 55-90.
  • G. Zhou, L.A. Rivera. Investigation for the reduction of in-plane compressive strength in preconditioned thin composite panels. J. of Composite Materials, 2005, 39(5), 391-422.
  • G. Zhou, L.M. Sim. Damage evaluation of smart composite beams using embedded EFPI strain sensors: bending stiffness assessment. Smart Materials and Structures, 2004, 13, 1291-1302.
  • G. Zhou, L.M. Sim, P.A. Brewster, A.R. Giles. Through-the-thickness mechanical properties of smart composite laminates. Composites Part A, 2004, 35, 797-815.
  • G. Zhou, L.M. Sim. Damage detection and assessment in fibre-reinforced composite structures with embedded fibre optic sensors – review. Smart Materials and Structures, 2002, 11, 925-939.
  • G. Zhou, A.J. Forbes, N. Foster. Analysis of preconditioned glass fibre-reinforced epoxy sandwich I-beams in bending. IMechE Proceedings, Part L: J. of Materials: Design and Applications, 2002, 216, 145-153.
  • G. Zhou, J.C. Lloyd. Experimental evaluation of geometric factors affecting damage mechanisms in carbon/epoxy plates. Composites Part A, 2001, 32, 71-84.

Selected publications:

  • Edited research monograph: Impact Behaviour of Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials and Structures, eds S.R. Reid, G. Zhou, Woodhead Publication Ltd in Cambridge and CRC Press in Florida, USA, 2000.
  • Book chapter: Damage resistance and tolerance of thick laminated woven roving GFRP plates subjected to low-velocity impact, G. Zhou, L.J. Greaves, in Impact Behaviour of Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials and Structures.

See full database

External Collaborators

  • National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol
  • C-Power Ltd, China
  • GKN Aerospace
  • Solvay (Cytec and UMECO)
  • National Physical Laboratory (NPL), London
  • Instron
  • Brookhouse Aerospace Ltd (Brookhouse Composites Ltd) in Darwen

External roles and appointments

  • External Examiner 2021-2025/6 for the MSc in Advanced Lightweight and Composite Structures at Cranfield University, Bedford.
  • Member of the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) since 1990.
  • Past External Examiner 2014-2019 for the BEng and MEng in Aerospace Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield.
  • Past External Examiner 2015-2019 for the BEng and HND in Mechanical and Electronic Engineering at University of Bedfordshire, Bedford.