Jiangyu Zeng

PhD Candidate in Civil Engineering

About Me

Welcome to my personal website! I am Jiangyu Zeng, a PhD candidate in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Alberta. My research focuses on developing innovative approaches to structural health monitoring using crowdsensing technologies and big data analytics.

I am currently working on my doctoral dissertation titled "A Crowdsensing-Enabled Population-Based Structural Health Monitoring (CE-PBSHM) Framework Using Drive-by Measurements." This research aims to develop a scalable model for simultaneous multi-bridge monitoring, representing a significant advancement in infrastructure monitoring technologies.

My work combines traditional civil engineering principles with cutting-edge technologies including machine learning, computer vision, and big data analytics to create more efficient and comprehensive infrastructure monitoring solutions.

Research Interests

  • Structural Health Monitoring
  • Crowdsensing Technologies
  • Machine Learning Applications
  • Computer Vision
  • Big Data Analytics
  • Infrastructure Management

Education

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering

University of Alberta
January 2022 – September 2026 (Expected)
CGPA: 4.00

Candidacy Exam Completed: "A Crowdsensing-Enabled Population-Based Structural Health Monitoring (CE-PBSHM) Framework Using Drive-by Measurements"

M.Sc. in Civil Engineering

University of Alberta
January 2020 – December 2022
CGPA: 3.80

Focus on imaging-based analysis and computer vision applications in civil engineering

B.Sc. in Civil Engineering

University of Manitoba
September 2015 – June 2019
CGPA: 3.70

Developed foundational knowledge in civil engineering with early exposure to research through undergraduate research assistantship

Research Experience

PhD Research: Crowdsensing-Based Structural Health Monitoring

University of Alberta
January 2022 – Present

Developing a scalable model for simultaneous multi-bridge monitoring using crowdsensing and big data analytics. This research represents a paradigm shift from traditional single-structure monitoring to population-based infrastructure assessment.

M.Sc. & Undergraduate Research: Imaging-Based Analysis and Computer Vision

University of Alberta & University of Manitoba
September 2015 – December 2022

Developed and applied machine learning and computer vision techniques for infrastructure monitoring, including pavement condition assessment and crack detection in concrete structures.

Lab Safety Associate

University of Alberta
January 2024 – Present

Ensured lab safety and protocol compliance during structural health monitoring experiments, managing laboratory equipment and coordinating experimental activities.

Research Assistant

University of Manitoba
Spring/Summer 2018

Assisted in developing machine learning models to improve the accuracy of structural health assessments, gaining early experience in applying computational methods to civil engineering problems.

Publications

Synced from ORCID. Full record: orcid.org/0000-0001-5916-8981

A Drive-By PBSHM Framework for Bridge Damage Detection Under Temperature Variability

J. Zeng, Q. Mei, N. Shirzad Ghaleroudkhani, M. Jamshidi, and M. Gül
Submitted to Engineering Structures (SSRN preprint, 2026)

This paper presents a drive-by population-based structural health monitoring framework that detects bridge damage while explicitly addressing temperature-induced variability in structural response.

Multibridge Inference Structural Health Monitoring (MISHM): A Drive-By Crowdsensing Approach at the Network Level

J. Zeng, Q. Mei, and M. Gül
Structural Control and Health Monitoring, Vol. 2025, No. 1, Article ID 8624965, 2025

This paper presents a novel framework for monitoring multiple bridges simultaneously using crowdsensing technologies and drive-by measurements.

Multi-Bridge Indirect Structural Health Monitoring: Leveraging Big Data and Drive-By Crowdsensing Techniques

J. Zeng, Q. Mei, and M. Gül
Structural Health Monitoring & Machine Learning, Vol. 12, Proceedings of the 43rd IMAC, A Conference and Exposition on Structural Dynamics 2025

Conference proceedings paper on multi-bridge indirect structural health monitoring using big data and drive-by crowdsensing techniques.

Bridge Damage Detection Using Passing-By Vehicles and CNN-LSTM Autoencoder

J. Zeng, M. Gül, and Q. Mei
Proceedings of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Annual Conference 2023, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol. 13, pp. 327–335, 2024

This paper presents a CNN-LSTM autoencoder approach for bridge damage detection using responses from passing-by vehicles.

A computer vision-based method to identify the international roughness index of highway pavements

J. Zeng, M. Gül, and Q. Mei
Journal of Infrastructure Intelligence and Resilience, Vol. 1, Issue 1, Article 100004, 2022

This study presents a novel approach to assess pavement roughness using imaging techniques and artificial neural networks.

Deep learning-based crack detection in a concrete tunnel structure using multispectral dynamic imaging

R. Ali, J. Zeng, and Y. J. Cha
Proc. SPIE 11382, Smart Structures and NDE for Industry 4.0, Smart Cities, and Energy Systems, 2020

Application of deep learning techniques for automated crack detection in concrete tunnel structures using advanced imaging methods.

Heat loss detection using thermal imaging by a small UAV prototype

R. Ali, J. Zeng, M. Kavgic, and Y. J. Cha
Proc. SPIE 11382, Smart Structures and NDE for Industry 4.0, Smart Cities, and Energy Systems, 2020

Investigation of thermal imaging applications using unmanned aerial vehicles for building energy efficiency assessment.

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant

Department of Civil Engineering, University of Alberta
September 2020 – Present

Courses: Civ E 130 (Present), Civ E 270, Civ E 265, Civ E 398, Civ E 779

Assisted with various undergraduate and graduate courses, providing student support, grading assignments, and conducting tutorial sessions.

Lab Instructor

Department of Civil Engineering, University of Alberta
January 2021 – Present

Course: Civ E 270 - Mechanics of Deformable Bodies

Conducted laboratory sessions, demonstrating the practical applications of theoretical concepts in mechanics of materials and structural analysis.

Achievements & Awards

Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship (2024-2025)
Graduate Research Award, University of Alberta (2024)
Graduate Teaching Awards, University of Alberta (2021-2023)
China Scholarship Council Scholarship (2022-2025)
International Undergraduate Student Scholarship, University of Manitoba (2016-2019)

Technical Skills

Programming Languages

Python MATLAB Visual Basic LaTeX

Engineering Software

AutoCAD Abaqus Geoslope

Data Analysis & ML

Big Data Analysis Machine Learning Computer Vision Signal Processing

Research Areas

Structural Health Monitoring Crowdsensing Infrastructure Management

Contact Information

Office Address

Department of Civil Engineering
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

Email

jiangyu1@ualberta.ca

Phone

+1 (204) 869-7738

Professional Activities

Volunteer Experience:

  • Orientation Ceremony Volunteer, Civil Engineering, University of Alberta (September 2023)
  • Mentor, Mentor and Mentee Program, University of Manitoba (2018 Academic Year)

Research Collaborations

Active collaboration with interdisciplinary teams integrating crowdsensing technologies with traditional structural monitoring approaches.