About Me

I am an aspiring researcher driven by a passion for tackling grand engineering challenges at the intersection of structural systems, marine engineering, and AI-driven innovations.

My academic journey has just begun. Although my current portfolio might seem modest, I am deeply committed to working hard and filling this page with impactful research and accomplishments in the years to come.

Research Interests

1. Machine Learning: Applications of Physics-Informed Machine Learning (PIML) in structural engineering. (Actively exploring)
2. Marine Structures: Floating offshore wind turbine platforms, wave energy converters, and their integrated systems.
3. Advanced Manufacturing: Structural design based on 3D printing technologies.

Education

  • Sep. 2024 – Present
    Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering
    South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
    GPA: 3.63/4.0 (86.92/100)
    (Admission with Entrance Exam Waived based on Top 5% Academic Ranking)
  • Sep. 2020 – Jun. 2024
    Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering
    Hainan University, Haikou, China.
    GPA: 3.61/4.0 (88.26/100)

Publications: SCI Journal Papers

  1. Li, Y.-W., Lai, J.-S., Zhou, B.-Z., & Cheng, L. (2026). Mechanical Properties and Feasibility of GFRP from Decommissioned Large-Scale Wind Turbine Blades for Wave Energy Converter: A Case Study. Polymers, 18(7), 892. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18070892 (SCI Q1, IF=4.9)

Selected Research

Master's Thesis · 2024–Present

High-Value Repurposing of Decommissioned Wind Blade GFRP: Materials, Joints, and Marine Applications

Supervisor: Yan-Wen Li

CT Scanning Mechanical Testing Abaqus AQWA Wave Tank
Phase 1  —  Material Characterization (Completed)

Conducted mechanical testing and CT scanning on GFRP from retired large-scale blades to map defects and property gradients. Developed a zonal reuse strategy to maximize material residual value based on performance variations.

CT scanning
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CT scanning of GFRP blade sections

Mechanical testing
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Mechanical testing setup and results

Phase 2  —  Joint Design (Completed)

Developed and analyzed GFRP-duplex stainless steel bonded/bolted joints, revealing their failure mechanisms to establish optimal geometric dimensions and design criteria via numerical (Abaqus) and experimental investigations.

GFRP-steel joint design
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GFRP-steel joint design and FEA analysis

04

Experimental testing of joint specimens

Phase 3  —  System Verification (In Progress)

Designed an articulated multi-body wave energy converter using GFRP. Currently employing wave tank testing and hydrodynamic simulations (Ansys AQWA) to evaluate its application feasibility and power generation efficiency.

WEC design
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WEC system design and AQWA simulation

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Wave tank testing setup

Research Interest Projects · 2024–Present

Modeling and Intelligent Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of Offshore Wind Systems

Hydrodynamic Modeling: Conducted fully-coupled (aero-hydro-servo-elastic) simulations of semi-submersible floating wind turbine platforms to evaluate dynamic responses.

Deep Learning Algorithm: Developed an intelligent O&M framework based on the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) algorithm, formulating sequential decision-making as a Markov Decision Process, achieving superior net revenue and fault reduction against baseline models.

AQWA OpenFAST Sesam Python DDPG
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Semi-submersible platform hydrodynamic simulation

DDPG framework
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DDPG-based intelligent O&M framework

Coursework Projects · 2024–2025

Graduate Course Projects

Compressive Response of 3D-Printed 2D Metamaterial Reinforced Composites with Diversified Geometries

Tested and evaluated the compressive behavior of 24 diverse 2D composite architectures. Proposed a comprehensive performance evaluation coefficient to screen for optimal designs with superior specific energy absorption and specific strength.

3D Printing Mechanical Testing
3D-printed metamaterial
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3D-printed metamaterial specimens

Crack Recognition Based on Backpropagation (BP) Neural Networks

Engineered a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural network, configuring optimized activation functions and cross-entropy loss with backpropagation for automated Structural Health Monitoring (SHM).

Python Neural Networks SHM
BP neural network
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BP neural network architecture

Undergraduate Thesis · 2023–2024

Vibration Damping Performance Analysis of Graded Yield Metal Dampers in a Steel Frame Structure

Supervisor: Yun Chen

Investigated the energy dissipation mechanism of a graded yield metal damper in steel frame structures by conducting Modal Decomposition Response Spectrum Analysis and Elastic Time-History Analysis across various earthquake scenarios (minor, moderate, major) through simulation (SAP2000), verified its effectiveness in controlling inter-story drift and shear forces to prevent structural collapse.

SAP2000 Seismic Analysis
SAP2000 steel frame model
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SAP2000 steel frame model with dampers

Research Assistant · 2022–2023

Flexural Property and Mechanism of Coir-FRP Seawater and Sea-Sand Concrete for Artificial Fish Reefs

Optimized coir-fiber-matrix compatibility through a combined chemical modification technique and tested flexural strength of the concrete, integrating a non-linear prediction model (MATLAB) to identify the optimal mix proportion, and subsequently conducting SEM analysis to elucidate the underlying fiber bridging toughening mechanism.

Lab Testing MATLAB SEM
Coir-FRP concrete specimens
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Coir-FRP concrete specimens

Honors & Awards

  1. Outstanding Graduate, Hainan University (Top students for comprehensive excellence), 2024.
  2. First Prize, National Structure Design Competition (Top 1% of teams nationwide), 2023.
  3. First-Class Comprehensive Scholarship, Hainan University (Academic Excellence), 2022.