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Research Interests

The group research interests encompass multiscale/multiphysics study of infrastructure materials durability and service life prediction with the use of experimental, analytical, and numerical methods.

The Scope of Multiscale modeling
The Scope of Multiscale modeling with Length and Time Scales
  • Application of 2-D/3-D imaging and automated geometric information retrieval and interpretation technology for construction/facility/infrastructure management
  • Digital image processing, computer vision, pattern recognition, and filter design

Nano-Engineered Materials Application

Microstrucural characterization and modeling of cementitious materials
Microstructural characterization and modeling of cementitious materials
  • Combined experimental and multiscale modeling of coupled chemo-physical-mechanical behaviors in construction materials including concrete, asphalt, polymers, and alloys, to improve the durability and give much better performance
  • Nanotechnology study of asphalt anti-oxidative hardening, anti-moisture damage, and concrete anti-corrosion mechanisms, as well as nano-modifier/coating development
  • Multiphysics evaluation of corrosion-resistant and self-curing reinforced concrete
  • Utilizing nanotechnology to create smart, self-healing materials leading to faster construction as well as increased durability and improved performance of structures, thereby helping to prevent catastrophic failures
  • Combined atomistic-to-continuum modeling of anti-degradation nano-modifier for polymers and photovoltaic materials for solar-energy industry
  • The application of large-scale distributive computing and parallel visualization technology in large-scale construction management

Characterization, Processing, Modeling and Sensing of Infrastructure Materials

Different views of a 3x3x1 topography supercell structure
Different views of a 3x3x1 topography supercell structure of 11 Å C-S-H (green – calcium Ca; dark yellow – silica Si)
  • Concurrent multi-scale modeling algorithms to bridge length and time scales, from the nano to continuum scope for seamlessly modeling co-evolution of microstructure and fracture in heterogeneous materials
  • Computational studies of coupled physical processes of flow, transport, chemical reactions and geomechanics in porous and/or fractured media
  • Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical-Chemical modeling, coupled degradation processes in infrastructure materials and long-term geological repository
  • Non-isothermal multiphase reactive transport, near-field evolution of engineered barrier systems, large scale reservoir behavior
  • Computational solid mechanics, time-dependent deformation, plasticity, damage, fracture mechanics

Intelligent Stimuli–Responsive Materials

Emphasizes nanostructures as the basic building blocks for applications within a broad range of fields, including synthesize multifunctional polymer materials, develop multifunctional devices, and adaptive control of resilient civil infrastructure.

  • Smart sensors assembly, advanced sensor technology for monitoring fresh, hardened properties and physical and chemical degradation processes
  • Multifunctional infrastructure materials, integrating active polymer materials, magneto-rheological elastomer materials for vibration isolation, piezoelectric structure composites and composite transducers, thermal-electric and solar-thermal materials embedded in structural elements

Critical Infrastructure Systems Resilience

  • Risk analysis-based resilience metrics, complex engineering systems less susceptible to disruptions, less vulnerable system design and operations, system of systems design, and measurement of resilient infrastructure systems.
  • Multi-hazard mitigation and resilient communities, hazard mitigation management, and human behavior interactions, application of Internet of Things (IoT) in structural health monitoring and infrastructure resilience.

Cyber Physical Systems Security

  • Security control system and software design, critical infrastructure systems with tools and resources needed to stay safe online, and increase the resiliency in the event of a cyber incident.

High-dimensional Data Analytics-enabled Building Automation Systems (BAS) for Smart Buildings

  • Building Automation System is a platform to quickly adapt themselves to changes and respond to the ever-changing needs of occupants and smart grids. This research topic is to establish a fundamental understanding of dynamics, interactions and uncertainties of building energy systems.