Research and expertise
My research lies in the intersection of Digital and Sustainable Infrastructure. I develop automated and digital approaches to replace labour-intensive practices across the lifecycle of complex buildings and large-scale infrastructure assets.
During my doctoral research (2020-2024), I integrated Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Building Information Modelling to enable automated infrastructure inspection and management. From 2024 to 2026, I translated this research into industrial applications by developing a web-based asset digital twin platform that integrates time-lapse data from multiple sources.
At Loughborough, my research continues to advance three thematic areas:
- Robotic reality capture for infrastructure inspection and monitoring
- Digital information management for lifecycle asset data integration
- Data-driven decision support for effective asset maintenance
Building on these foundations, I develop practical tools, models and systems that spport the wider adoption of automation and digital technologies across the construction and infrastructure sector.
PhD and Visiting Opportunities
I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD students interested in construction informatics and related areas of digital and sustainable infrastructure. I also welcome applications from Visiting Scholars and Visiting PhD students. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact me at C.Zhang8@lboro.ac.uk
Current research activity
- AI-embedded digital twin for lifecycle infrastructure management
Recently completed research projects
- BIM-based smart data management for UAV-enabled visual building inspection
- Remote sensing technology for structure vibration monitoring
- Intelligent vehicle-based bridge impact testing
Recent publications
- Zhang, C., Zou, Y., Wang, F., Dimyadi, J., 2025. “Automated UAV Image-to-BIM Registration for Planar and Curved Building Façades using Structure from Motion and 3D Surface Unwrapping”, Automation in Construction, Elsevier, 174 pp.106148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2025.106148
- Wang, F., Chen, XY., Zou, Y., Zhang, C., Castillo, EDR., Lim, JBP. & Hou, L., 2024, “Rapid In-flight Image Quality Check for UAV-enabled Bridge Inspection”, ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Elsevier, 212, 230-250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2024.05.008
- Zhang, C., Wang, F., Zou, Y., Dimyadi, J., Guo, B.H.W. & Hou, L., 2023. “Automated UAV Image-to-BIM Registration for Building Façade Inspection using Improved Generalised Hough Transform”, Automation in Construction, Elsevier, 153, pp.104957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2023.104957
- Zhang, C., Zou, Y., Dimyadi, J. & Chang, R.D., 2023. “Thermal-textured BIM Generation for Building Energy Audit with UAV Image Fusion and Histogram-based Enhancement”, Energy and Buildings, Elsevier, pp.113710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113710
- Wang, F., Zou, Y., Zhang, C., Buzzatto, JPS., Castillo, EDR., Liarokapis, M. & Lim, JBP., 2023, “UAV Navigation in Large-scale GPS-denied Bridge Environments using Fiducial Marker-corrected Stereo Visual-inertial Localisation”, Automation in Construction, Elsevier, 156, pp. 105139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2023.105139
- Zhang, C., Zou, Y., Feng, W., Castillo, E.D.R., Dimyadi, J. & Chen, L., 2022. “Towards Fully Automated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-enabled Bridge Inspection: Where Are We At?”, Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier, 347(2022), pp.128543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128543
- Zhang, C., Tian, Y.D., & Zhang, J., 2022. “Complex Image Background Segmentation for Cable Force Estimation of Urban Bridges with Drone‐captured Video and Deep Learning”, Structural Control and Health Monitoring, Wiley, 29(4), e2910. https://doi.org/10.1002/stc.2910
- Zhang, C., Zhao, W.J., Wang, W. & Zhang, J., 2021. “Vision-based Tire Deformation and Vehicle-bridge Contact Force Measurement”, Measurement, Elsevier, 183, 109792. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2021.109792
Teaching
I contribute to learning and teaching activities across the Schools programmes including:
Undergraduate
- CVA 101 Professional Skills
- CVB129 Digital Construction Management
Postgraduate
- CVP320 Principles and Application of BIM
Profile
I am a lecturer in Digital and Sustainable Infrastructure within the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering at Loughborough University. Before joining Loughborough, I completed my PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, in 2024 and subsequently worked there as a part-time Professional Teaching Fwllow.
In 2024, I also co-founded BuiltScan Technologies, a technology statup established to translate academic research into industry-ready solutions for infrastructure inspection and asset management.
Professional affiliations
- Member, International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC)
- ECR Member, International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB)
Awards
- Excellend Doctoral Thesis Award, New Zealand Chinese Scientists Association, 2025
- Gold Award, China International College Students’ Innovation Competition, 2025
- Best Paper Award, CIB World Building Congress, Melbourne, Australia, 2022
- Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad, China Scholarship Council, 2022
- Doctoral Scholarship, University of Auckland, New Zealand, 2020
- Best Performance Award (1st Place), Asia-Pacific-Euro Summer School on Smart Structures Technology, 2018
External activities
- Reviewer of over 10 international Journals and conferences
- More than 10 invited seminars and guest lectures at academic and industry events
Key collaborators
My research and enterprise activities are conducted with a range of academic and stakeholder partners, including:
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
- University College London
- Southeast University