Rui Liu, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, an associate professor of architectural structures at Kent State University, has been named a fellow by the ASCE Board of Direction.
Liu specializes in sustainable materials, innovative structural design, and novel computational construction. Before he joined Kent State in 2013, he taught at the CU Denver and University of Denver. He researched at the Case Western Reserve University as a visiting associate professor in AY 2024-2025.
He has chaired ASCE's Forensic Engineering Education and SEI Aesthetics in Design committees. Liu serves as an associate editor of the ASCE Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, and he has co-edited four ASCE published books. His work has been funded by public and private agencies and recognized by ASCE and the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures for innovative structure design and leadership.
In the field of forensic engineering, Liu's most significant accomplishment lies in his pioneering efforts to advance the profession through education, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, which potentially provide AEC professionals with enhanced decision-making capabilities. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the construction process, particularly for large and mega-scale projects, presents intriguing complex opportunities and challenges. The implementation of advanced computing technologies, while promising, may also introduce novel types of failures that need to be carefully navigated.
Recognizing this challenge, Liu has taken the lead in organizing and contributing to four national workshops. These events serve as a platform for exploration into how AI and emerging technologies can be effectively utilized to minimize failures and significantly enhance construction safety. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among industry experts, these workshops underscore Liu's commitment to driving meaningful changes in forensic engineering.
Liu graduated with his doctoral degree in civil engineering specializing in structures from the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) in 2010.
