Upcoming Webinar
Upcoming Webinar
The Transportation Infrastructure Precast Innovation Center (TRANS-IPIC) is proud to host Research Highlights Webinars each month to showcase the exciting research conducted by teams from five universities as we seek to address the U.S.'s transportation infrastructure durability challenges by focusing on Precast Concrete (PC)-related technologies.
Register for TRANS-IPIC next Research Highlights Webinar below!
Wednesday, 03/25/2026
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Central
Topic 1:
Implementing Invariant Signatures of AEC Objects in Civil Infrastructure Projects
Abstract
This talk will introduce the concept of invariant signatures of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) objects, its application in solving BIM interoperability problem in a radically different approach from existing efforts, and how it facilitates BIM interoperability with bridge construction simulation for planning and decision support of precast bridge panels.
Project PI
Jiansong Zhang
Dr. Jiansong Zhang is an Associate Professor of Construction Management Technology at Purdue University. He is the “Father of Invariant Signatures in AEC”. He is the founder and director of Automation and Intelligent Construction (AutoIC) Lab, which develops scientific theories/methods and advanced technologies to support construction engineering and management, construction automation, and sustainable & resilient built environment. He is also the founder and director of Digital Twin and Robotic Automation Center for Knowledge Sharing, Entrepreneurship, and Research (DigiTRACKER) at Purdue.
Topic 2:
Fungal Self-Healing Concrete:
A Preliminary Study
Abstract
Cracking in cement-based materials reduces durability and structural performance. This study evaluates a bio-mediated self-healing strategy using fungi and bacteria in mortar. Artificial cracks were introduced, and healing was monitored using shear wave velocity and time-lapse crack imaging. Specimens containing Sporosarcina pasteurii, Aspergillus niger, and Neurospora crassa showed healing and improved compressive strength compared with controls.
Project PI
Hai Lin
Dr. Lin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU). He earned his Ph.D. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Lehigh University in 2016 . Dr. Lin’s research focuses on bio-mediated and bio-inspired geotechnics and soil-structure interaction. His work has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Transportation, the Louisiana Board of Regents, and the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC). He has received several awards, including the NSF CAREER Award and the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award.