Prof. Donghwi Jung

The AI Revolution in Civil Engineering: Unleashing the Power of Metaheuristics and Deep Learning

Abstract:
As civil infrastructure systems grow increasingly complex and vulnerable to climate-induced disruptions, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into engineering decision-making has become both inevitable and transformative. This talk explores the evolving role of AI—specifically metaheuristic optimization and deep learning—in redefining the way we design, operate, and manage water infrastructure systems. Drawing on recent research, we will examine robust multi-objective optimization frameworks for sustainable water distribution network design and showcase deep learning models for flood detection, image segmentation, and real-time anomaly localization. Emphasis will also be placed on the reproducibility and transparency of AI-driven workflows, a critical frontier for ensuring trust and rigor in data-driven engineering. Through this lens, the talk aims to highlight the practical impact of AI technologies in creating resilient and adaptive civil infrastructure.

Profile:

Dr. Donghwi Jung is an Associate Professor in the School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at Korea University. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Korea University and a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. His research focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence, metaheuristic optimization, and water resources engineering, with an emphasis on the sustainable design, operation, and management of urban infrastructure systems. He has developed multi- objective optimization frameworks for robust water distribution systems and pioneered deep learning applications for flood detection, segmentation, and leak localization in smart water networks. His work has been published in top-tier journals including Water Research and the ASCE Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, where several of his papers have been featured as “Editor’s Choice” and “Most Downloaded.” He previously delivered a keynote lecture at WDSA/CCWI 2018 in Kingston, Canada, titled “Moving Toward Next Generation of WDS Problems”. His research has been supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Korean government, including the Ministry of Environment.

Acknowledgment:

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. NRF-RS-2021-NR060085).