Professor Li Qiusheng, Chair Professor in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), has been awarded the 2020 Robert H. Scanlan Medal by the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE). 
 
He received the prestigious award for his “outstanding contributions to wind engineering and structural mechanics from fundamental research to engineering applications”.   

By combining and applying field measurement, wind tunnel testing, numerical simulation and theoretical analysis, Professor Li’s research team has made significant contributions to enhancing building safety through the systematic study of atmospheric boundary layer winds and wind effects on structures. 
 
“I feel deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award and I am grateful to CityU for supporting my research over the years. It shows international recognition for CityU’s academic achievements and standing,” said Professor Li, who is internationally renowned for his contributions to wind engineering, industrial aerodynamics, structural dynamics and mechanics. He is the 13th recipient of this prestigious ASCE award since its introduction in 2003.

The ASCE medal is presented to an individual every year in recognition of cumulative distinguished achievements and contributions to engineering mechanics based on scholarly contributions to both theory and practice. The areas generally cover structural mechanics, wind engineering, and aerodynamics. 

“Windstorms are serious natural disaster, often causing building damages, casualties and economic loss around the world. Our research aims to enhance structural safety and safeguard the lives and assets of many people,” he added.

Professor Li, who joined CityU in 1996, received the 2016 Jack E. Cermak Medal from ASCE for his “many contributions to wind engineering that range from fundamental to applied research, especially structural dynamics studies on major building developments in Asia and the Pacific region”. 

In addition, he received the Outstanding Overseas Young Scientist Award from the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2004 and the First Class Award of Scientific and Technological Progress from the Ministry of Education of China in 2010. He was appointed Cheung Kong Chair Professor by the Ministry of Education of China and the Li Ka Shing Foundation, Hong Kong in 2007. 

Over the last 25 years, he has published over 320 refereed international journal papers and is the co-author of five books on wind engineering, structural dynamics, structural health monitoring, earthquake engineering and structural reliability. Professor Li is one of the most cited researchers in civil engineering according to the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2016 by Elsevier and the latest Stanford University Worldwide Survey.

Founded in 1852, ASCE is a worldwide leader in civil engineering with over 150,000 members from 177 countries. It is the biggest society in the world for this field.