Research

The overarching goal is to research and evaluate an innovative framework (see the figure below) to readily provide transparent civil infrastructure system (CIS) information to enhance buildability, readability, socio-responsibility and cyber-security for the next-generation’s civil infrastructure transition. Four objectives are formulated to achieve this goal.

Research Objectives:
1. Model transparency - Accurate alignment using Mixed Reality and BIM to increase buildability
2. Knowledge transparency -Ontology-based specification and contract language interpreter to improve readability.
3. Process transparency - Blockchain-coupled BIM project delivery process to enhance socio-responsibility and cyber-security.

Funded Projects:

  • Yuan, C. (Principal), Lee, H. F. (Co-Principal), Competitive Grant, "Developing An Ontology-based Knowledge Visualization System For Bridge Element Inspection", SIUE, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Primary Research, $10,074.50, Funded. (07/2022-06/2023).
  • Yuan, C. (Principal), Fellowship, "Robert L. Bowen Industry Residency Initiative", AGC Education and Research Foundation, McCarthy Building Companies, SIUE, Other, Teaching And Primary Research, $29,996.00, Funded. (05/2022-08/2022).
  • Yuan, C. (Principal), Non-Competitive Grant, "Faculty/Staff Travel/Presentation Support", SIUE, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Primary Research, $1,100.00, Funded. (04/19/2022-04/23/2022).
  • Ko, H. S. (Principal), Yuan, C. (Co-Principal), Competitive Grant, "Introduction to Deep Learning for Industrial Engineering and Construction Management Students", EUE, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Teaching, $4,940.00, Funded. (05/2021-08/2021).
  • Yuan, C. (Principal), Lee, F. H. (Co-Principal), Competitive Grant, "A Real-Time Decision-Making Framework for Manufacturing and Inspection Enabled by Deep Learning, Process Simulation, and Augmented Reality", RET, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Primary Research, $13,612.00, Funded. (03/2020-07/2020).
  • Yuan, C. (Principal), Lee, H. F. (Co-Principal), Competitive Grant, "Transparent Construction: Aligning Building Information Models with Real-Time Field Information in Mixed Reality", STEP, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Primary Research, $14,000.00, Funded. (07/ 2019- 06/2020).

Research Publications:

  • Topcu, O. K., Yuan., C., Lee, H. F. (under review). Establishing A Visual Question-Answering System to Assist Bridge Element Inspection using Large Language Models (LLMs). Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.
  • Topcu, O. K., Yuan., C., Lee, H. F. (under review). Establishing and Mapping Bridge Element Inspection Ontology with IFC Bridge Standard. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITCon).
  • Topcu, O. K., Yuan., C., Lee, H. F. (2023). Two-step transfer learning approach to enhance the context-awareness of the earthmoving volume estimation. IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2023.
  • Alama, F., Ko, H. S., Lee, H. F., Yuan., C. (2023). Deep Learning Approach for Volume Estimation in Earthmoving Operation. International Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 14 (1), 41-50.
  • Mercan, D., Faria, A., Yuan, C., Ko, H. S., Lee, H.F. (2022). Single Image based Volume Estimation for Dump Trucks in Earthmoving using Machine Learning Approach. Proceedings of 58th annual ASC international conference, Atalante, GA.
  • Sonmez, A., Yuan, C., Yilmaz, Y., Lee, H. F. (2020). A View-Specific Matching Algorithm to Aligning and Visualizing Hidden Assets for Precise Construction. Proceedings of the 2020 ASC Region III Conference.
  • Mercan, D., Lee, H. F., Yuan, C. (2020). Load Estimation in Earthmoving for Dump Trucks Using the Vision-based Reverse-engineered Approach. Proceedings of the 2020 ASC Region III Conference.
  • Yuan, C., Cai, H (2020). Spatia lReasoning Mechanism to Enable Automated Adaptive Trajectory Planning in Ground Penetrating Radar Survey. Automation in Construction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103157.
  • Xu, X., Yuan, C., Zhang, Y., Cai, H., Abraham, D.M. and Bowman, M.D. (2019). Ontology-Based Knowledge Management System for Digital Highway Construction Inspection. Transportation Research Record, 2673(1). The K.B. Woods Award by TRB in Design and Construction of Transportation Facilities.
  • Xu, X., Zhang, Y., Yuan, C., Cai, H., Abraham, D. M., & Bowman, M. D. (2019). Risk-Based Construction Inspection (FHWA, Ed.). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284316916
  • Yuan, C., Li, S., Cai, H., and Kamat, V.R. (2018). GPR Signature Detection and Decomposition for Mapping Buried Utilities with Complex Spatial Configuration. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 32(4), 04018026.
  • Yuan, C., Park, J., Xu, X., Cai, H., Abraham, D.M., and Bowman, M. (2018). Risk-based Prioritization of Construction Inspection. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 0361198118782025. 2018 Best Award, First Place, awarded by TRB Committee on Construction Management.
  • Park, J., Yuan, C., Xu, X., Cai, H., Abraham, D., Bowman, M. D. (2018). A Core List of Materials Testing and Construction Inspection Items for Indiana Department of Transportation. Joint Transportation Research Program (JTRP), No. 18-01041.
  • Yuan, C., McClure, T., Cai, H., and Dunston, P. S. (2017). Life-Cycle Approach to Collecting, Managing, and Sharing Transportation Infrastructure Asset Data. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 143(6).
  • Yuan, C., McClure, T., Dunston, P., and Cai, H. (2016). Leveraging construction inspection and documentation for asset inventory and life cycle asset management. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 21(5), 72-85.
  • Yuan, C., Li, S., and Cai, H. (2016). Vision-Based Excavator Detection and Tracking Using Hybrid Kinematic Shapes and Key Nodes. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 31(1), 04016038.
  • Li, S., Yuan, C., Liu, D., and Cai, H. (2016). Integrated processing of image and GPR data for automated pothole detection. Journal of computing in civil engineering, 30(6), 04016015.
  • Yuan, C., Cai, H. (2014). Automatic Detection of Pavement Surface Defects Using Consumer Depth Camera, Construction Research Congress (CRC), Atlanta, GA, USA.
  • Su, X., Li, S., Yuan, C., Cai, H., and Kamat, V. R. (2014). Enhanced Boundary Condition–Based Approach for Construction Location Sensing Using RFID and RTK GPS. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 140(10), 04014048.