Zhang, Wei

Wei Zhang

Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Email wzhang@uconn.edu
Phone 860-486-5642
Mailing Address Civil and Environmental Engineering 261 Glenbrook Road, Unit 3037 Storrs, CT 06269-3037
Campus Storrs
Link Research Website
Google Scholar Link

Brief Bio

Dr. Wei Zhang, is an associate professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering: This Wei Zhang is an Associate Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the director of the Damage Modeling and Disaster Mitigation Lab (DM2L). Primarily focused on the resilience of civil infrastructure like bridges, buildings, power infrastructure, and offshore structures. His work encompasses areas like damage modeling, fatigue and corrosion, fluid-structure interactions, and coastal engineering and resilience. He also researches vehicle-bridge-wind-wave dynamics and life-cycle structural reliability and risk analysis.

He worked as a senior specialist at Technip USA Inc., designing offshore floating structures. He was also a bridge engineer involved in the design of various bridges.

  • Damage modeling, fatigue and corrosion
  • Fluid-structure interactions, wind/wave induced vibrations
  • Coastal engineering and resilience
  • Vehicle-bridge-wind-wave dynamics
  • Life-cycle structural reliability and risk analysis

CE4510 Foundation Design
CE4900 CE Senior Design
CE5125 Reliability for Engineers
CE5090 Coastal Hazards and Engineering
CE4920 CE Senior Design

  • Jintao Zhang, Wei Zhang, William Hughes, Amvrossios Bagtzoglou. (2024). “Integrating Physics-Based Fragility for Hierarchical Spectral Clustering for Resilience Assessment of Power Distribution Systems under Extreme Winds”, Wind and Structures, Vol. 39, No. 1 (2024) 000-000
  • William Hughes; Sita Nyame; William Taylor; Aaron Spaulding; Mingguo Hong; Xiaochuan Luo; Slava Maslennikov; Diego Cerrai; Emmanouil Anagnostou; Wei Zhang. (2024) “A Probabilistic Method for Integrating Physics-based and Data-driven Storm Outage Prediction Models for Power Systems”, ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems, Part A: Civil Engineering, Volume 10, Issue 2, https://doi.org/10.1061/AJRUA6.RUENG-1171.
  • Peter L.  Watson; William Hughes; Diego Cerrai; Wei Zhang; Amvrossios Bagtzoglou; Emmanouil Anagnostou. (2024) “Integrating Structural Vulnerability Analysis and Data-Driven Machine Learning to Evaluate Storm Impacts on the Power Grid”, IEEE Access, DOI:10.1109/access.2024.3396414.
  • William Hughes; Peter Watson; Diego Cerrai; Xinxuan Zhang, Amvrossios Bagtzoglou; Wei Zhang; Emmanouil Anagnostou. (2024) “Assessment of Grid Hardening Strategies to Improve Power Distribution System Resilience Using a Hybrid Mechanistic-Machine Learning Outage Prediction Model.” Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Volume 248, August 2024, 110169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2024.110169.
  • Zhu, D., Huang, X., Ding, Z., Zhang, W. (2024) “Estimation of wind turbine responses with attention-based neural network incorporating environmental uncertainties”, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 241(1), January 2024, 109616.
  • Huang, Y.K., Zhang, J., Ren, Z., Xiang, W., Sifat, I., Zhang, W., Zhu, J., Li, B. (2023) “Next Generation Decentralized Water Systems: a Water-Energy-Infrastructure-Human Nexus (WEIHN) Approach”, Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology,  9, 2446-2471.
  • Hughes, W., Zhang, W. (2023) “Evaluation of Post-Disaster Home Livability for Coastal Communities in a Changing Climate”, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, V96(10), 103951.
  • Zhu, D., Zhang, W., Ding, Z., Kim, J. (2023) “Investigation of crack propagation driving force based on crystal plasticity and cyclic J-integral”, Engineering Fracture Mechanics, v 289 (9).
  • Lu, Q., Zhang, W. (2023) “An Integrated Damage Modeling and Assessment Framework for Overhead Power Distribution Systems Considering Tree-Failure Risks”, Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2022.2053552.
  • Hughes, W., Santos, L., Lu, Q., Malla, R., Ravishanker, N., Zhang, W. (2023) “Probabilistic Risk Assessment Framework for Predicting Large Woody Debris Accumulations and Scour near Bridges”, Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2023.2177875.
  • Zhang, J., Bagtzoglou, Y., Zhu, J., Li, B., and Zhang, W. (2023). “Fragility-based System Performance Assessment of Critical Power Infrastructure “, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, v232, April 2023, 109065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2022.109065
  • Hughes, W., Lu, Q., Ding, Z., and Zhang, W. (2023). “Modeling Tree Damages and Infrastructure Disruptions under Strong Winds for Community Resilience Assessment.”  ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems, Part A: Civil Engineering, v 9(1), https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/AJRUA6.RUENG-956.
  • Ding, Z., Zhang, W., Hughes, W.  (2023) “Wind Load Evaluation of Low-rise Residential Buildings for Coastal Communities using Database-assisted Design Method.” Journal of Structural Engineering, v 149(1). https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29ST.1943-541X.0003509
  • Hughes, W., Zhang, W., and Ding, Z.,(2022). “Multi-Objective Optimization for Hurricane Retrofit to Improve Coastal Community Structural and Socioeconomic Resilience.” Natural Hazards Review, v 23(4), https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/%28ASCE%29NH.1527-6996.0000590.
  • Hughes, W., Zhang, W., Cerrai, D., Bagtzoglou, A., Wanik, D., and Anagnostou, E. (2022). “A Hybrid Physics-Based and Data-Driven Model for Power Distribution System Infrastructure Hardening and Outage Simulation”, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Volume 225,September 2022, 108628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2022.108628
  • Zhu, D., Zhang, W., Ding, Z. (2022) “A Multiscale Crack Iteration and Remeshing Model for Low Cycle Crack Propagation Evaluation”, ASCE Journal of Engineering Mechanics, Volume 148 Issue 8 – August 2022. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0002122
  • Hughes, W., Zhang, W., Ding, Z., and Li, X. (2022). “Integrated Structural and Socioeconomic Resilience Assessment for Coastal Community Residential Building Hurricane Vulnerability.” Natural Hazards Review, 23 (3), https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)NH.1527-6996.0000564.
  • Ding, Z., Zhang, W., and Zhu, D. (2022). “Neural-Network Based Wind Pressure Prediction for Low-Rise Buildings with Genetic Algorithm and Bayesian Optimization “, Engineering Structures, Volume 260, 1 June 2022, 114203, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.114203.
  • Zhu, D., Zhang, W., Ding, Z. (2022) “A Modified Fatigue Damage Model Considering Loading Sequence Effect”, International Journal of Damage Mechanics, V31(7). link
  • Zhang, J., Zhang, W., Lu, Q., Zhu, J., Bagtzoglou, A. (2022) “A Fragility-Weighted Topological Network for Resilient Assessment of Overhead Power Distribution System Subjected to Hurricane Winds”, ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems, Part A: Civil Engineering, V8(2), https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/AJRUA6.0001232.
  • Lu, Q., Zhang, W. (2022) “Integrating Dynamic Bayesian Network and Physics-based Modeling for Risk Analysis of a Time-Dependent Power Distribution System during Hurricanes”, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Volume 220, April 2022, 108290.  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0951832021007614
  • Lu, Q., Zhang, W., Bagtzoglou, A. (2022) “Physics-Based Reliability Assessment of Community-Based Power Distribution System using Synthetic Hurricanes “, ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems, Part A: Civil Engineering, V8(1), March 2022. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/AJRUA6.0001205
  • Li, X, Zhang, W. “Physics-informed Deep Learning Model in Wind Turbine Response Prediction”, Renewable Energy, Volume 185, February 2022, Pages 932-944 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148121017791
  • Zhu, D., Zhang, W., Ding, Z. (2022) “Preliminary Experimental Investigation of Loading Sequence Effects on Low Cycle Bending Fatigue”, Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 35 (2). March 2022. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0001380.
  • Ma, X., Zhang, W. (2022) “Dynamic Amplification Effects of Scour and Debris Impacts for Short Span Bridges”, Engineering Structures,  252(1), February 2022, 113644 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.113644.  Feb. 2022
  • Zhu, D., Zhang, W., Ding, Z. (2022) “Dislocation Density Evolution in Low Cycle Fatigue of Steels Using Dislocation-Based Crystal Plasticity”, Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 148 (2). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0002063.  Feb. 2022
  • Ding, Z., Zhang, W., Hughes, W., Zhu, D. (2021) “A Modified Sub-Assembly Approach for Hurricane Induced Wind-Surge-Wave Vulnerability Assessment of Low-rise Wood Buildings in Coastal Communities”, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 218(11), November 2021, 104755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2021.104755
  • Ma, X., Zhang, W. (2021). “Evaluating Tsunami Damage of Wood Residential Buildings in a Coastal Community Considering Waterborne Debris from Buildings”, Engineering Structures, Volume 244, 1 October 2021, 112761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112761
  • Ding, Z., Zhang, W., Zhu, D. “A Three-dimensional Equivalent Parameterized Beam Element for Nail Connections in Wood Residential Buildings”, Journal of Structural Engineering, 147(4), April 2021. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002983
  • Hughes, W., Zhang, W., Bagtzoglou, A., Wanik, D., Pensado, O, Yuan, H., Zhang, J. (2021). “Damage Modeling Framework for Resilience Hardening Strategy for Overhead Power Distribution Systems”. Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Vol. 207, March 2021, 107367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2020.107367. 
  • Ma, X., Zhang, W., Bagtzoglou, A., Zhu, J. (2021). “A Local System Modeling Method for Resilience Assessment of Overhead Power Distribution System under Strong Winds”. ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems, Part A: Civil Engineering, 7 (1) (March 2021). https://doi.org/10.1061/AJRUA6.0001103
  • Lu, Q., Sun, Z., Zhang, W.  (2020) “Nonlinear Parametric Vibration of Stayed Cables with Different Orders of Small Parameters Using Method of Multiple Scales”, Engineering Structures 224, 1 December 2020, 111198.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111198
  • Ma, X., Zhang, W. (2020) “Fatigue Life of Weldment Details of Existing Orthotropic Steel Bridge Considering the Scour Effects”, ASCE Journal of Bridge Engineering, 25(10). October 2020. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0001612
  • Xiong, Z., Zhu, J., Zheng, K., Zhang, W., Li, Y., Wu, M. (2020). “Framework of Wind-Traffic-Bridge Coupled Analysis Considering Realistic Traffic Behavior and Vehicle Inertia Force.” Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, Volume 205,October 2020, 104322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2020.104322. 
  • Chowdhury, S., Zhu, J, Zhang, W. (2020) “Optimized Restoration Planning of Infrastructure System-of-Systems using Heterogeneous Network Flow Simulation”, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 34 (5). September 2020. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000913.
  • Li, X., Zhang, W. (2020) “Long-term Fatigue Damage Assessment for a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine under Realistic Environmental Conditions”, Renewable Energy, Volume 159, October 2020, Pages 570-584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.06.043. 
  • Zhu, D., Zhang, W., Ding, Z. (2020) “Atomistic Simulation of Short Crack Growth in Correlation with Fatigue Indicator Parameter”, Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 33(5). September 2020. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0001184. 
  • Lu, Q., Zhu, J., Zhang, W. (2020) “Quantification of Fatigue Damage for Structural Details in Slender Coastal Bridges Using Machine Learning Based Methods”, ASCE Journal of Bridge Engineering, 25(7). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0001571. July 2020.
  • Chen, J., Liu, S., Zhang, W., Liu, Y. (2020) “Uncertainty quantification of fatigue S-N curves with sparse data using hierarchical Bayesian data augmentation”, International Journal of Fatigue, 134 (5).  DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2020.105511. May 2020.
  • Ma, X.L., Li, X., Wu, D., Zhang, W. (2020) “Effects of Nonstructural Wall in Progressive Failure of Coastal Residential Buildings Subjected to Strong Winds”, ASCE Journal of Architecture Engineering, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AE.1943-5568.0000373. March 2020.
  • Zhu, D.P., Zhang, W., Yuan, H., Huang, X.G. (2020) “A 3D Grain-based Mesoscale Modeling of Short Fatigue Crack Growth for Bridge Weldments Considering Crack Front Evolution”, ASCE Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 146(2). February 2020. link
  • Li, Xuan, Zhang, W. (2020) “Long-term assessment of a floating offshore wind turbine under environmental conditions with multivariate dependence structures”, Renewable Energy, Volume 147, Part 1, 2020, Pages 764-775, ISSN 0960-1481, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.09.076. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148119314077)
  • Niu, H.W., Zhu, J., Chen, Z.Q., Zhang, W. (2019) “Dynamic Performance of a Slender Truss Bridge Subjected to Extreme Wind and Traffic Loads Considering 18 Flutter Derivatives”. ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 32(6). https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/%28ASCE%29AS.1943-5525.0001068. Nov. 2019.
  • Yu, J.J, Li, G.D., Ren, Z.Y, Zhang, W., Tang, J.Q, Zhang, L., Si, X.L., Zhao, Z. (2019) “Mixed-mode I-II mesoscale fracture behavior of concrete determined by the realistic aggregate numerical model”. Construction and Building Materials, 226(30), Pages 802-817. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061819318896. Nov. 2019.
  • Li, X., Zhang, W. (2019) “3D Numerical Simulation of Wave Transmission for Low-Crested and Submerged Breakwaters“, Coastal Engineering. Volume 152, October 2019, 103517.
  • Fan, Y.Z., Dai, Z.Q., Xu, Z.H., Zheng, S.K., Dehkokordy, F.M., Bagtzoglou, A, Zhang, W., Gao, P.X., Li, B.K. (2019) “High resolution air flow velocity monitoring using air flow resistance-type sensor film (AFRSF)”, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, V2971, October 2019, 111562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2019.111562. Oct. 2019.
  • Li, Y., Ma, X.L., Zhang, W. (2019) “Dynamic Performance of a Concrete-Filled Steel Tube High-Pier Curved Continuous Truss Girder Bridge due to Moving Vehicles”. Advances in Structural Engineering, 22(6).  https://doi.org/10.1177/1369433218811539. Apr. 2019.
  • Zhu, J., Zhang, W., Li, X. “Fatigue Damage Assessment of Orthotropic Steel Deck Using Dynamic Bayesian Networks”, International Journal of Fatigue. 118(1), p.44-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2018.08.037. Jan. 2019.