The Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction (CSIC) is delighted to announce that Dr Brian Sheil, Laing O'Rourke Associate Professor and CSIC Director, has been awarded a prestigious five-year fellowship by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Titled "Digital Underground Construction," the fellowship will advance the integration of cutting-edge digital technologies in underground infrastructure development, addressing key challenges faced by rapidly expanding urban areas.
As cities expand and demand more transportation, utility networks, and storage, underground construction has become essential. However, complex soil-fluid-structure (SFS) interactions lead to unpredictable outcomes, impacting project timelines and costs. Dr Sheil’s research seeks to address these issues by leveraging advanced digital tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital twins, and data analytics to transform underground project design and execution.
Dr Sheil stated, “This fellowship provides a unique opportunity to reshape the future of underground construction, by using advanced digital technologies, we can significantly improve the accuracy of our predictions, enhance construction safety, and make the entire process more sustainable and cost-effective.”
Dr Sheil’s fellowship focuses on five core objectives.
- Develop Advanced Digital Modelling Techniques: to improve SFS interaction predictions, reducing uncertainty and enhancing design precision.
- Create a Comprehensive Digital Twin: to enable real-time monitoring of construction sites, supporting predictive maintenance and informed decision-making.
- Deploy Cutting-Edge Monitoring Technologies: to identify and apply real-time monitoring systems to provide the digital twin with accurate, up-to-date site data.
- Optimise Construction Using Data Analytics: to advance data analytics to help refine construction processes and improve project efficiency through predictive modelling and scenario forecasting.
- Promote Knowledge Transfer: to share research findings with industry professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies in underground construction.
CSIC looks forward to the development of Dr Sheil's research project, which aims to create smarter, more resilient, and sustainable urban environments.