Yuxi Zhang
Lafayette,Indiana
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Assistant
Purdue University
06.2022 - 12.2025
NSF PFI Project Underground Pipe Mapping for Safe Excavation
- Designing algorithms for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)-based 3D pipe mapping. The work includes uncertainty quantification for 3D pipe localization and orientation; multi-hyperbolic signature detection and tracking; and radargram decluttering
- Engineered motion replication system using IMU sensors to capture and model excavator arm dynamics for safety and automation studies
- Created digital terrain visualization and object motion simulations in Unity 3D to support prototyping and validation of excavation safety systems
- Conducted 100+ stakeholder interviews (utility owners, surveyors, and construction contractors) to design and validate a business model
Research Assistant
Purdue University
01.2018 - 05.2025
INDOT and SCDOT Risk-based Inspection Project
- Designed surveys for risk assessment on the construction activities
- Converted the standard specification into the structured checklists
- Developed risk-based construction inspection system using MS Access
INDOT Digital Inspection Training System
- Collaborated on web-based system development for inspection training
Teaching Assistant
Purdue University
01.2018 - 05.2025
- Computer Applications in Construction
- Life Cycle Engineering and Management of Constructed Facilities
- Practical Applications for Construction Engineering
Intern
United Construction Management (Beijing) Management Consulting Co., Ltd
08.2016 - 12.2016
- Performed forensic construction delay analysis using BIM to support project dispute resolution
- Developed coding system by integrating MasterFormat and UniFormat, improving project documentation
Education
Ph.D. Candidate - Civil Engineering
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana12-2025
Master of Science - Civil Engineering
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN08-2019
Bachelor - Construction Management
Tianjin University
Tianjin, China06-2016
Skills
- Bayesian Inference & Uncertainty Quantification
- Image Restoration and Reconstruction
- Object Detection and Tracking
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) & Radar Signal Processing
- Geophysical Inversion Methods
- Applied Machine Learning & Deep Neural Networks
- Database Design & Management
- Proficient in Python, PyTorch, and PyMC
- Experienced in C, C#, JavaScript, HTML
- Skilled in GPR Simulation using gprMax
Publications
- Zhang, Y., & Cai, H. (2025). Uncertainty-Aware Localization and Orientation Estimation of Underground Pipelines from GPR Data. Advanced Engineering Informatics (Under Revision)
- Zhang, Y., & Cai, H. (2024). Underground Utility Network Completion based on Spatial Contextual Information of Ground Facilities and Utility Anchor Points using Graph Neural Networks. In ISARC. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (Vol. 41, pp. 936-943). IAARC Publications.
- Zhang, Y., Cai, J & Cai, H. (2020). CNN-Based Symbol Recognition in Piping Drawings. Construction Research Congress 2020
- Jeon, J., Zhang, Y., Yang, L., Xu, X., Cai, H. & Tran, D. (2023). Risk Breakdown Matrix for Risk-based Inspection of Transportation Infrastructure Projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.
- Xu, X., Jeon, J., Zhang, Y., Yang, L., & Cai, H. (2021). Automatic Generation of Customized Checklists for Digital Construction Inspection. Transportation Research Record, 0361198121995825. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198121995825
- Cai, Yang, L., Zhang, Y., Li, S., & Cai, H. (2021). Multitask Learning Method for Detecting the Visual Focus of Attention of Construction Workers. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 147(7). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0002071
- Cai, Zhang, Y., Yang, L., Cai, H., & Li, S. (2020). A context-augmented deep learning approach for worker trajectory prediction on unstructured and dynamic construction sites. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 46, 101173–. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2020.101173
- Cai, Zhang, Y., & Cai, H. (2019). Two-step long short-term memory method for identifying construction activities through positional and attentional cues. Automation in Construction, 106, 102886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2019.102886
- Xu, Yuan, C., Zhang, Y., Cai, H., Abraham, D. M., & Bowman, M. D. (2019). Ontology-Based Knowledge Management System for Digital Highway Construction Inspection. Transportation Research Record, 2673(1), 52–65. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198118823499
Awards
- Jan. 2020 K.B Woods Awards. Transportation Research Board
- Sep. 2021 First Prize, ASCE Data Sensing and Analysis Shared Data Repository Proposal Competition
- Apr. 2023 Completion of NSF National I-Corps Program
Timeline
Research Assistant
Purdue University
06.2022 - 12.2025
Teaching Assistant
Purdue University
01.2018 - 05.2025
Research Assistant
Purdue University
01.2018 - 05.2025
Intern
United Construction Management (Beijing) Management Consulting Co., Ltd
08.2016 - 12.2016
Ph.D. Candidate - Civil Engineering
Purdue University
Master of Science - Civil Engineering
Purdue University
Bachelor - Construction Management
Tianjin University
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