Student Bio: Xiaojia Shelly Zhang
Xiaojia Zhang

Xiaojia Shelly Zhang



e-mail: zhangxs@illinois.edu

Website: www.xszhang.com     LinkedIn Page     Video: 30 Second Thesis

Education

Graduate    
  Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering May 2014 - August 2018
  School of Civil and Environmental Engineering  
  Georgia Institute of Technology  
     
  Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Computational Science and Engineering Diploma		 Aug 2012 - May 2014
  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering  
  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)  
Undergraduate    
  Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (with honors), Minor in Business Aug 2008 - May 2012
  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering  
  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)  

Research Interests

    Video: 30 Second Thesis

  • Design of smart, resilient, sustainable, and feasible engineering structures and material systems
  • Multi-material topology optimization frameworks with material and geometric nonlinearities
  • Composite materials and structures
  • Design of non-traditional multi-scale lattices for metamaterials and smart systems
  • Development of efficient optimization algorithms (that handle many materials and constraints/sources)
  • Stochastic approximation for topology optimization under many sources
  • Randomization of structural dynamic optimization
  • Nonlinear topology optimization with discrete filtering and reduced-order modeling
  • Additive manufacturing of multi-material optimized structures

Publications

Journal Publications
  X. S. Zhang, G. H. Paulino, and A. S. Ramos Jr. "Multi-material topology optimization with multiple volume constraints: A general approach applied to ground structures with material nonlinearity. " Journal of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. Vol. 57, pp. 161-182, 2018.
Link to PDF
  X. S. Zhang, G. H. Paulino, and A. S. Ramos Jr. "Multi-material topology optimization with multiple volume constraints: Combining the ZPR update with a ground structure algorithm to select a single material per overlapping set. " International Journal of Numerical Methods in Engineering. 2017. DOI: 10.1002/nme.5736. Link to PDF
  X. S. Zhang, E. de Sturler, and G. H. Paulino. "Stochastic sampling for deterministic structural topology optimization with many load cases: Density-based and ground structure approaches. " Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. Vol. 325, pp. 463-487. 2017.
Link to PDF
  X. S. Zhang, A. S. Ramos Jr., and G. H. Paulino. "Material nonlinear topology optimization using the ground structure method with a discrete filtering scheme." Journal of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. Vol. 55, No. 6, pp. 2045-2072. 2017.
Link to PDF
  X. S. Zhang, S. Maheshwari, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. “Macroelement and Macropatch Approaches for Structural Topology Optimization using a Ground Structure Method.”ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering. Vol 142, No. 11, pp. 04016090-1 to 14. 2016.
Link to PDF
Closure Publication
  X. S. Zhang, S. Maheshwari, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. “Closure to Macroelement and Macropatch Approaches to Structural Topology Optimization Using the Ground Structure Method.” ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering. Accepted.
Invited Lectures
  “Efficient Topology Optimization Under Many Load Cases Based On Stochastic Sampling.” National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC), Petropolis, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, May 24, 2017.
  “Topology Optimization for Hyperelastic Trusses Using a Discrete Filtering Tool.” Civil Engineering Seminar Series, Pontifical Catholic University (PUC), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 23, 2017.
  “Stochastic Sampling for Deterministic Structural Topology Optimization with Many Load Cases: Density-Based and Ground Structure Approaches.” Mechanical Engineering Seminar Series, Pontifical Catholic University (PUC), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 10, 2017.
  “Stochastic Sampling for Structural Topology Optimization with Many Load Cases.” Structural Engineering and Geomechanics (SEG) Seminar Series, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, November 11, 2016.
  “A Primer on Michell’s Optimality Condition.” Graduate Course: Advanced Structural Analysis (CEE 280), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, November 9, 2016.
  “Material Nonlinear Topology Optimization using the Ground Structure Method with Discrete Filtering.” Graduate Course: Structural Design Optimization (CEE 307), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, November 8, 2016.
  “Topology Optimization of Structures and Materials.” Georgia Tech Mathematics and Applications Portal (GT-MAP) Seminar Series, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA, September 30, 2016.
  “Stochastic Sampling for Structural Topology Optimization with Many Load Cases.” L Laboratory of Scientific Computing and Visualization (LCCV), Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil, July 20, 2016.
  “Topology Optimization of Trusses Using the Ground Structure Method: New Techniques for Ground Structure Generation and Topology Resolution Control.” Laboratory of Scientific Computing and Visualization (LCCV), Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Maceió, AL, Brazil, July 22, 2015.
  “Theory of Optimal Structures: Introduction and Explanations to Michell’s Optimality Conditions” Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), August 11, 2014.
Conference Presentations and Proceedings
  “A Randomized Method for Topology Optimization with Many Load Cases Using Stochastic Sampling.” X. S. Zhang, E. de Sturler, G. H. Paulino. 10th World Congress on Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, Brunswig, Germany, June 2017.
  “Material Nonlinear Topology Optimization using the Ground Structure Method with a Discrete Filtering Scheme.” X. S. Zhang, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. Engineering Mechanics Institute International Conference 2017, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 2017.
  “A Randomized Method for Topology Optimization with Many Load Cases Using Stochastic Sampling.” X. S. Zhang, E. de Sturler, G. H. Paulino. Engineering Mechanics Institute International Conference 2017, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 2017.
  “Stochastic Sampling for Structural Topology Optimization with Many Load Cases: Density-Based and Ground Structure Approaches.” X. S. Zhang, E. de Sturler, G. H. Paulino. 2017 SIAM Conference on Computational Science and Engineering, Atlanta, GA, March 2017.
  “A Discrete Filter Scheme for Material Nonlinear Topology Design using the Ground Structure Method.” X. Zhang, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. Engineering Mechanics Institute Conference 2016, May 2016.
  “Topology design of trusses using a Voronoi-based ground structure method.” X. Zhang, S. Maheshwari, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. 10th World Congress on Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, May 2013.
Poster Presentations
  “A Ground Structure Approach for Topology Optimization using Macro-Elements and Macro-Patches.” School of Civil Engineering, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, February 2017.
  “Macro-Element and Macro-Patch Approaches for Topology Optimization of Trusses Using a Ground Structure Method.” Topology Optimization Ph.D. Advanced Summer School, Lyngby, Denmark, July 2013.
Proposal Writing Experience
  Helped Prof. Paulino write the following proposals:
 
  • NSF 2016 (DFT-informed topology optimization upscaling: An accelerated fixed-point iteration approach) – $396,126 – Successful.
    		•
     
  • NSF 2017 (GOALI: Structural Topology Optimization with Multiple Materials and Multiple Constraints – Achieving Innovative and Natural Designs) – $488,911 – Outcome unknown at the moment.
    		•

    Academic Appointments and Professional Experience

    Graduate Research Assistant Jan 2015 - present
      School of Civil and Environmental Engineering  
      Georgia Institute of Technology  
    Guest Lecturer Jan 2017 - May 2017
     
  • Three lectures in CEE 8813G - Structural Design Optimization
    		•   
      School of Civil and Environmental Engineering  
      Georgia Institute of Technology  
    Guest Lecturer Nov 2016
     
  • CEE 280 - Advanced Structural Analysis
    		•   
      Civil and Environmental Engineering Department  
      Stanford University  
    Guest Lecturer Nov 2016
     
  • CEE 307 - Structural Design Optimization
    		•   
      Civil and Environmental Engineering Department  
      Stanford University  
    Structural Engineering Internship July 2014 - Aug 2014
      Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), Chicago, IL  
    Graduate Teaching Assistant Aug 2014 – Dec 2014
     
  • CEE300 - Behavior of Materials, awarded "teachers ranked as excellent by their students"
    		•   
     
  • CEE201 - Systems Engineering and Economics
    		•   
      Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering  
      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  
    Graduate Teaching Assistant Jan 2014 – May 2014
     
  • CEE570 - Finite Element Methods
    		•   
      Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering  
      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  
    Graduate Teaching Assistant Aug 2013 – Dec 2013
     
  • CEE360 - Structural Engineering
    		•   
      Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering  
      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  
    Graduate Research Assistant Aug 2012 - Dec 2014
      Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering  
      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  
    Topology Optimization Ph.D. Advanced School Participant June 2013 - July 2013
      Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark  
    Engineering IT Student Consultant Aug 2010 – Feb 2013
      Engineering IT Shared Services  
      University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  
    Structural Engineer Internship May 2011– Aug 2011
      Sunshine 100 Real Estate Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, China  
    Field Construction Engineer Internship May 2010 – July 2010
      Beijing Huajian Youlian Information Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China  

    Awards and Honors

  • First Place in 2017 IXL Innovation Olympics Competition
    		•  2017
  • Teachers ranked as excellent by their students, Center for Teaching Excellence at UIUC
    		•  Fall 2014
  • Awardee of the Leadership Certificate Program, Illinois Leadership Center at UIUC
    		•  2014
  • Graduate Teacher Certificate, Center for Teaching Excellence, UIUC
    		•  2013
  • English Proficiency Interview (EPI) Certificate, Center for Teaching Excellence at UIUC
    		•  2013
  • Engineer in Training (EIT), Illinois State, National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
    		•   2012
  • James Scholar, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UIUC
    		•  2008 - 2012
  • Honoree of Dean’s List, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UIUC
    		•  2008 - 2012

    Peer-Refereed Journal Reviewer

    Reviewer, Journal of Engineering Mechanics 2017 - present
    Reviewer, Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications 2017 - present
    Reviewer, Mechanics Research Communications 2017 - present
    Reviewer, ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering 2016 - present
    Reviewer, Book Proposal, CRC Press 2017 - present

    Professional Affiliations

    Stochastic Programming Society (SPS) 2016
    Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) 2016
    American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2015
    International Society for Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization (ISSMO) 2013
    American Concrete Institute (ACI) 2013
    Society of Women Engineers 2013
    Chi Epsilon – National Civil Engineering Honor Society 2011

    Leadership and Community Activities

    Origami Workshop Organizing Assistant, Link 2014
    Co-Founder of the Chinese Engineering Student Association, UIUC 2013 - 2014
      Created a mentoring program and advised junior engineering students in both academic and social issues. Built a platform for engineering students to share their study experiences and resources.  
    Team Leader, Reaching and Educating America's Chemists of Tomorrow Program, UIUC 2009
      Led a team of 10 colleagues to demonstrate fun chemistry experiments to 50+ elementary school students.