C2M2 invites you to join us in welcoming Dr. Paul Ziehl, University of South Carolina, as a part of our C2M2 Distinguished Speaker Series.
Seminar Title
Sensors Working with Humans: A Case for Bridges
Seminar Abstract
Bridges provide critical links in the transportation infrastructure, and load rating for bridges is a relatively complex and important part of a strategy to understand their condition and attendant load carrying capacity. As vehicles become more highly evolved with onboard sensing and decision making capabilities, it would seem to be perhaps also of interest to incorporate sensing and decision making into the infrastructure systems these vehicles utilize.
One approach to this concept is the leveraging of a digital twin to better understand the behavior of bridges under vehicular loading. The discussion aims to stimulate discussion related to better understanding the potential for semi-automated means of bridge evaluation with a focus on rural communities.
Speaker Bio
Dr. Paul Ziehl is the acting Smart State Chair in Multifunctional Materials and Structures and a Professor in the Departments of Mechanical, Civil and Environmental Engineering. He has experience with joint ventures involving multiple universities including a four year project in collaboration with Virginia Tech, University of Miami, and Mistras Group, Inc. resulting in a commercial product line for wireless sensing of bridges.
Dr. Ziehl conducts research in physical infrastructure (nuclear facilities, buildings, and bridges) and aerospace composites through his affiliation with the McNAIR Aerospace Center. His research involves data driven discovery informed through machine learning and physics-based simulations. He collaborates on a NASA University Led Initiative ‘Atoms to Aircraft to Spacecraft’ with Boise State University, University of Southern Mississippi, and Benedict College; the C2M2 projects ‘Building Smarter Cities via Intelligent Asset Management: South Carolina Case Study’ and ‘Improved Resiliency of Transportation Networks through Connected Mobility’ with Benedict College; and the SCDOT project ‘Safe and Cost-Effective Removal of Load Postings for SC Bridges’ with Clemson University.