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Overview

The information below describes an NSF-funded project for planning the formation of a potential new center. Planning activities include: industry engagement, workshop planning and execution; identification of research areas of strong industrial interest/need; realization of industrial support commitments; future preparation of a proposal to NSF seeking funding for a Phase I center.

The integration of machine learning innovations into the practice of structural engineering offers opportunities to enhance the safety, resilience, and environmental sustainability of the United States' built environment and support the growth of the U.S. economy. The engineering and architecture services sector is critical to the nation, accounting for 2.8% of the U.S. GDP, and bears substantial responsibility for approximately 37% of the global carbon emissions.

Structural design and evaluation, pivotal in this sector, serve as the bridge between architectural vision and the realization of construction or maintenance projects. The early stages of design, assessment, and analysis crucially impact a project's outcome and operational life cycle. Despite this importance, the in-depth exploration of alternative approaches or solutions is typically time and cost-prohibitive, limiting the potential for optimizing project resilience, safety, sustainability, and functionality. Enhancing the productivity, capabilities, and collaborations of structural engineers through artificial intelligence advancements can address these limitations.

The envisioned Center for Visual Structural Expertise for Resilience (ViSER) will focus on developing foundational machine learning innovations to enhance design and management practices in the built environment. To realize and implement these innovations in practice, the Center will cultivate a diverse workforce skilled in both structural engineering and artificial intelligence. This approach not only fosters scientific advancement but also promotes inclusive development within the structural engineering field and will catalyze wide-reaching benefits for the built environment, economic growth, and societal well-being.

Universities

  • Purdue University
  • University of Houston

Personnel

Shirley J Dyke
Center Director and Purdue Site Director
+1 765 494 7434
sdyke@purdue.edu

Vedhus Hoskere
UH Site Director
+1 713 743 9846
vhoskere@central.uh.edu

Awards

The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the Center author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.