Professional Experience

Research Fellow - Queen’s University

May 2019 ~ Present

  • With the sponsorship of Ministry of Transportation Ontario, carried out literature research, conducted computer simulations and physical experiments to develop novel bridge decks design incorporating GFRP (glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer) made stay-in-place forms. Coordinated with internal technicians and external consultants to ensure the on-time delivery of the project.

  • Identified the most critical component affecting testing efficiency. Collaborated with external consultants in optimizing component material and creating a maintenance procedure to extend its life span; saved $50,000+ in experimental cost. .

  • Designed a strategic experiment plan that optimized the load applied to the specimens through extensive literature research eliminating 95% of the testing cases; significantly sped up the experiment progress.

  • Developed an automation program using python that monitors the testing operation and sends out alerts for abnormal activities; the program extended the daily experiment time by 8 hours, doubling the experimental program efficiency.

  • Created a Finite Element Modelling (FEM) procedure specifically for novel bridge deck research and calibrated FEM procedure with physical testing data; FEM procedure demonstrated high accuracy and substantially reduced numbers of physical testing required, which saved up to $1,000,000 in testing cost.

  • Developed a standardized procedure recognized by the civil engineering department for future research conducted at the Rolling Load Simulator Facility.

  • Created a BIM model using Revit for test site which helped with efficient and accurate design of structural elements.

  • Delivered presentation to sponsors, industry partners, and researchers all over the world through top conferences (ie. ACMBS, CICE, SMSB, etc.)


Teaching Fellow & Teaching Assistant - Queen’s University

September 2019 ~ Present

  • Co-instructor of fourth year prestressed concrete course; delivered lectures, tutorials, and presentations.

  • Reviewed student feedback on course contents and analyzed past exam result data; pinpointed area of improvement in course organization structure; collaborated with the faculty to redevelop course structure, contents and assignment packages.

  • Engaged in course feedback discussion with students to improve their learning experience and foster individual growth; received consecutive satisfaction ratings of above 90% for 3 years.

Education

PhD, Civil Engineering- Queen’s University

May 2020 ~ October 2024

  • Research in fatigue performance of GFRP and steel reinforced bridge deck under rolling load

  • GPA 4.3/4.3

Bachelor of Applied Science - Queen’s University

September 2015 ~ May 2019

  • Solid background knowledge in structural design and retrofitting

  • Project Management, Professional Writing, and Engineering Economics

  • Developed an algorithm on automatic design of crane supporting frames

Certificate in Business - Smith Business School at Queens

May 2016 ~ May 2019

  • Accounting Fundamentals, Finance Fundamentals, Marketing, and Organizational behavior

Research Achievements

  • Completed the first full-scale rolling load fatigue test on reinforce concrete bridge deck in North America.

  • Verified the reliability of novel bridge decks design for the Ministry of Transportation Ontario.

  • Verified the adequacy of bridge deck designed in accordance with the Canadian Highway and Bridge Design code.

  • Laid the groundwork for Canada’s bridge/transportation engineering studies in fatigue, which help engineers to better understand the bridge deck failure mechanism under realist rolling load to better design, rehabilitate and maintain bridge decks.

Publication

Journal Paper

Conference Paper

  • Gao, C., Fam, A., 2023. “Rolling Load Fatigue Performance of Full-Scale Concrete Bridge Deck Reinforced With GFRP Bars”, The 11th International Conference on FRP Composites in Civil Engineering, Rio de Janeiro, 10.5281/zenodo.8205789

  • Gao, C., Fam, A., 2023. “Fatigue Behavior of Full-Scale Bridge Decks Reinforced By GFRP Bars and Stay-In-Place Forms Under Moving Load”, The 15th International Conference on Fibre-Reinforced Polymers for Reinforced Concrete Structures, Shenzhen

  • Gao, C., Fam, A., 2022. “Testing Full-Size Concrete Bridge Deck Reinforced With Steel Rebar And GFRP Stay-In-Place Forms Under Rolling Load”, 11th International Conference on Short and Medium Span Bridges, Toronto

  • Gao, C., Fam, A., 2022. “Testing Full-Size Concrete Bridge Deck Reinforced With GFRP Rebar Under Rolling Load”, 11th International Conference on Short and Medium Span Bridges, Toronto

  • Gao, C., Jawdhari, A., Fam, A., 2022. “Modeling of Full-Size Bridge Deck with Novel GFRP SIP Formwork And GFRP Rebar Under Moving Load”, 11th International Conference on Short and Medium Span Bridges, Toronto

  • Tauskela, L., Gao, C., Fam, A., 2022. “Testing a GFRP-Reinforced Concrete Bridge Deck Using a New Rolling Load Simulator”, 10th International Conference on FRP Composites in Civil Engineering, Istanbul

  • Tauskela, L., Gao, C., Fam, A., 2022. “Behaviour of a GFRP-Reinforced Concrete Bridge Deck Under Pulsating and Rolling Loads”, 8th International Conference on Advanced Composite Materials in Bridges and Structures, Sherbrooke

  • Wu, X., Gao, C., Fam, A. (2024). Residual Strength of Bridge Deck Following Rolling Load Fatigue.Proceedings of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering 2024 Annual Conference, Niagara Falls, Canada

Leadership Experience

Head of Operation - Queen’s Chinese Students and Scholars’ Association

May 2016 ~ April 2017

  • Planned social and academic events with a budget up to $6000 and 300+ attendees; coordinated with various vendors and volunteers to resolve schedule conflicts, ensured all activities were carried out as planned.

  • Conducted marketing analysis via online survey and in-person feedback to identify student preferences in activities and group promotion options; proactively engaged in discussions with the students to roll out programs that are tailored towards different student groups; CSSA’s membership grow 30% during 2016-2017 year.

  • Collaborated with Queen’s University in helping 400+ new international students to integrate into Queen’s community.

Skills

  • Automation, Data Analysis and Web Development

  • Finite Element Analysis (ANSYS, LS-DYNA)

  • Structural Engineering Design (SAP, Autodesk Robot, CONCISE, Revit, AutoCAD, MATLAB)