Bridge and Structural Systems: Research

Bridge robustness and redundancy

We conduct experimental, numerical, and theoretical studies on bridge structures to enhance their safety, robustness, and resilience under extreme loading and progressive deterioration.

Research topics include:

• Structural robustness and redundancy
• Progressive collapse resistance
• Fatigue and fracture mechanics
• Robustness and redundancy of truss and Twin I-girder bridge systems

The group combines full-scale experiments, laboratory testing, nonlinear finite element modelling, and analytical mechanics to understand complex structural behaviour.

Steel and steel–concrete composite structures

One of the long-term strengths of the group lies in the mechanics and design of steel and steel–concrete composite structures.

Research topics include:

• Composite beams under negative bending and torsion
• Shear connectors (perfobond, headed studs, UHPC interfaces)
• Innovative composite structural systems

The group has contributed extensively to understanding composite bridge behaviour, redundancy, fatigue performance, and novel structural configurations.

Bridge and infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation

We develop strengthening and renovation methods to extend the service life of aging infrastructure.

Research topics include:
• Fatigue life prediction and reliability assessment
• Structural rehabilitation and strengthening
• Maintenance decision-making and optimisation
• Railway bridge renewal and retrofitting
This research integrates materials engineering, structural reliability, and maintenance optimisation to improve longterm infrastructure sustainability.

New demountable connections and joints for structural reuse​

We develop innovative structural connections and investigate strategies that enable the disassembly of structural components at the end of their service life, facilitating their reuse in future construction projects. Our research aims to promote circular construction, improve resource efficiency, and extend the service life of structural materials and components.​

Research topics include:​

• Development of novel structural joints and connections​

• Design for deconstruction and reuse​

• Assessment of structural component reuse potential​

Intelligent structural health monitoring (SHM)

We develop next-generation structural health monitoring technologies for bridges by integrating sensing systems, signal processing, physics-based modelling, and artificial intelligence. This includes both direct and indirect monitoring approaches. The group is internationally recognised for its research on indirect (drive-by) bridge health monitoring, where moving vehicles act as mobile sensors for infrastructure inspection.

Current topics include:

• Vehicle–bridge interaction–based monitoring
• Smart sensing systems and wireless monitoring
• Smartphone-based bridge monitoring

Artificial intelligence for civil infrastructure

We investigate how modern artificial intelligence can enhance infrastructure monitoring, maintenance, and asset management.

Our research combines structural mechanics with data science through:

• Deep learning
• Explainable machine learning
• Physics-informed machine learning

Applications include bridge damage diagnosis, structural condition classification, predictive maintenance, and intelligent decision support systems.