Student Bio: Xiaojia Zhang
Xiaojia Zhang

Xiaojia Zhang
Graduate Research Assistant

4132 Jesse W. Mason Building
790 Atlantic Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
e-mail: xzhang645@princeton.edu

Education

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

Research Interests

Structural Topology Optimization
 
  • Investigating nonlinear behaviors of truss topology optimization using ground structure method
  • Investigating truss topology design focused on pre-processing phase of Voronoi-based ground structure generation and its implications on the optimization process.

Publications

Journal Publications
  Macro-Element and Macro-Patch Approaches for Structural Topology Optimization using a Ground Structure Method.” X. Zhang, S. Maheshwari, A. Ramos Jr., G. H. Paulino. ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering. Under review.
Conference Presentations and Proceedings
  “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.

Academic Appointments and Professional Experience

Graduate Research Assistant Jan 2015 - present
  School of Civil and Environmental Engineering  
  Georgia Institute of Technology  
Structural Engineering Internship July 2014 - Aug 2014
  Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Chicago, IL  
Graduate Teaching Assistant Aug 2013 – Dec 2014
  Finite Element Methods  
  Structural Engineering  
  Behavior of Materials  
  Systems Engineering and Economics  
  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  
Computer Lab Consultant Aug 2010 – Feb 2013
  Engineering IT Shared Services  
  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  
Structures Analysis 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

Leadership Certificate, Leadership Certificate Program of UIUC 2014
James Scholar, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UIUC 2008 - 2012
Dean’s List, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UIUC 2008 - 2012

Leadership and Community Activities

Founder of the Chinese Engineering Student Association Jan 2011 - present
 

Organized mentoring program for engineering students and professionals on Campus. Advised young engineering students in both academic and living aspects

 
  Chinese Engineering Student Association of UIUC