Research

Research Interests

My research falls in smart and resilient structural and construction engineering. My research interests include:

• Infrastructure inspection, monitoring, and maintenance
• Digital twin-supported structural design and nondestructive testing
• Design and assessment of innovative modular structures
• Construction automation

Research Opportunities

• Student Openings: Multiple positions are available in my research team for the MPhil/PhD program (at HKUST) or MASc/PhD program (at UBC), which are expected to work on the use of AI and smart technologies for structural and construction engineering applications, design and assessment of novel modular structural systems and energy dissipation approaches, etc. Prospective students should have a suitable academic background in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, robotics, applied mathematics, or related disciplines. Preference will be given to students with prior knowledge and experience in 1) programming of AI, computer vision, point cloud analysis, robotics, Augmented/Mixed Reality, Building Information Modelling (BIM), such as Pytorch, OpenCV, Open3D, Hugging Face, OpenMMLab, ROS, MATLAB, Unity, Dynamo BIM, IfcOpenShell, etc. 2) structural analysis software such as OpenSees, Abaqus, Etabs, SAP 2000, etc. 3) hands-on experimental testing such as quasi-static, shake table, and hybrid simulation tests, etc. Please email me your CV and transcripts if you are interested.
• Research Collaboration Potential: I am co-investigating multiple research projects focusing on 1) design and assessment of modular timber, steel, and hybrid structures. 2) digital twin solutions for construction automation. 3) AI-empowered structural design, testing, and maintenance. Interested and self-motivated researchers are welcome to contact me to discuss collaboration opportunities (remote/on-site/hybrid mode).

Student Supervision

I have supervised/co-supervised the following students (program/year of supervision/institution):

• S.Tavasoli (PhD, 2022-present. UBC)
• F.Xie (PhD, 2024-present; MASc, 2023-2024. UBC)
• ZW.Chen (PhD, 2024-present; MASc, 2023-2024. UBC)
• A.Ghahremani Baghmisheh (PhD, 2024-present. UBC)
• HS.Lin (RA/Incoming PhD, 2024-present. South China U of Tech)
• PJ.Chen (Mitacs Master Intern, 2024-present. National Taiwan UST)
• YF.Xiao (PhD, 2022-2024. UBC)
• CB.Li (PhD, 2023-2023. The University of Hong Kong)
• E.Faraji (MASc, 2022-2024. UBC)
• S.Vaze (MASc, 2022-2023. UBC)
• RW.Liu (Mitacs UG intern, 2023. Wuhan U of Tech)
• WY.Yang (Mitacs UG intern, 2023. Harbin I.T.)
• ZH.Chen (Mitacs UG intern, 2022. Hong Kong PolyU)
• S.Gazi (UG intern, 2022-2023. UBC)

Publications

I have published over 30 technical articles including top journal papers in Computer-aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, Engineering Structures, Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, Journal of Building Engineering, Thin-walled Structures, and Structures, etc. Selected journal publications are listed below (in reverse chronological order).

• Chen Z, Yang T. Y., Xiao Y, Pan X, Yang W (2025). Model reference adaptive hierarchical control framework for shake table tests. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 1-17.
• Pan, X., Yang, T. T., Liu, R., Xiao, Y., & Xie, F. (2025). A computer vision and point cloud-based monitoring approach for automated construction tasks using full-scale robotized mobile cranes. Journal of Intelligent Construction.
• Tavasoli, S., Poorghasem, S., Pan, X., Yang T. Y., Bao Y. (2025). Autonomous indoor navigation and survivor detection using low-cost micro aerial vehicles. Computer-aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering.
• Li, W., Zhang, C., Puhl, D., Pan, X., Hassan, M. A., Bird, S., … & Zhao, Y. (2024). A CNN-Based Framework for Automatic Extraction of High-Resolution River Bankfull Width. Remote Sensing, 16(23), 4614.
• Xie, F., Pan, X., Yang, T. Y., Ernewein, B., Li, M., Robinson, D. (2024). A novel computer vision and point cloud-based approach for accurate structural analysis of a tall irregular timber structure. Structures.
• Pan, X., & Yang, T. Y.(2024). Bolt loosening assessment using ensemble vision models for automatic localization and feature extraction with target-free perspective adaptation.Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 1–16.
• Li, C., Su, R., Pan, X. (2024). Assessment of out-of-plane structural defects using parallel laser line scanning system. Computer-aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering. 39(6), 834-851. (Structural Excellence Award by The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers)
• Vaze, S., Yang, T. Y., Bagatini-Cachuco, F., Pan, X. (2024). Experimental and numerical investigations of cold-form steel corrugated walls under combined in-plane shear and axial loads. Thin-Walled Structures. 198, 111677.
• Pan, X., Tavasoli, S., Yang, T. Y. (2023). Autonomous 3D vision-based bolt loosening assessment using micro aerial vehicles. Computer-aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering. 1-12.
• Pan, X., Yang, T. Y. (2023). 3D vision-based out-of-plane displacement quantification for steel plate structures using structure from motion, deep learning, and point cloud processing. Computer-aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering. 38, 547– 561.
• Pan, X., Yang, T. Y., Xiao, Y., Yao, H., & Adeli, H. (2023). Vision-based real-time structural vibration measurement through interactive deep-learning-based detection and tracking methods. Engineering Structures. 281, 115676.
• Pan, X., Yang, T. Y. (2023). 3D vision-based bolt loosening quantification using photogrammetry, deep learning, and point-cloud processing. Journal of Building Engineering. 106326.
• Tavasoli, S., Pan, X., Yang, T. Y. (2023). Real-time autonomous indoor navigation and vision-based damage assessment of reinforced concrete structures using low-cost nano aerial vehicles. Journal of Building Engineering. 106193.
• Pan, X., & Yang, T. Y. (2022). Image-based monitoring of bolt loosening through deep-learning-based integrated detection and tracking. Computer-aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 37(10), 1207-1222.
• Xiao, Y., Pan, X., Yang, T. Y. (2022). Nonlinear backstepping hierarchical control of shake table using high-gain observer, Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics. 51: 3347– 3366.
• Pan, X., Yang T.Y. (2020). Postdisaster image-based damage detection and repair cost estimation of reinforced concrete buildings using dual convolutional neural networks. Computer-aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 35:495–510.
• Pan, X., Málaga-Chuquitaype C (2020). Seismic control of rocking structures via external resonators. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics. 49:1180-1196. (Top Cited Article)
• Yang, T. Y., Li, T., Tobber, L., & Pan, X. (2020). Experimental and numerical study of honeycomb structural fuses. Engineering Structures, 204, 109814.