Research

Research

Research Focus and Contributions

Details for Research

  • Working as PI on a start-up grant of USD 134,000 titled: “Improving Construction Worker Safety using AR/VR/MR & Smart Wearables”.

  • Working as Co-PI on collaborative NSF grant of USD 300,000 titled: “Data-Driven and Cyberinfrastructure Training Incorporation in Construction Management and Safety Curricula” with PI from Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSU;

  • Working on another grant along with other faculty of the College of Architecture, Art and Design in support of developing best ideas to creatively architecture and construction education;

  • Working as PI on CAAD (College of Architecture, Art and Design) Catalyst grant of USD 3000 titled: “Prototype of a Next-Gen Safety Helmet for Construction”;

  • Working as faculty mentor for an UG/REU grant titled: “From Sensors to Safety: Developing an AI-Integrated Smart Helmet for Construction Sites”;

  • Submitted as PI a MEMIC Safety Research Center 2025 Grant proposal of USD 30,000 titled: “AI-Powered Real-Time Hazard Detection and Predictive Safety Analytics for Construction Workers”;

  • Submitted as Co-PI a Center for Internet Security Allan Paller Laureate Program Grant proposal of USD 500,000 titled: “SafeWorker: An AI-Powered Secured Edge Framework for Construction Safety and Risk Analysis”;

  • Submitted as PI an Ottilie Schillig 2025 Grant proposal of USD 3,000 titled: “Enhancing Construction Education Through BIM-Integrated AR and 3D-Printed Models”;

  • Submitted as PI an ORED Advancing Collaborative Research Proposal of USD 65,000 titled: “Prototype for an Autonomous Construction Site Safety Inspection System” in collaboration with faculty from Computer Science & engineering department of MSU and McWhorter School of Building Science, Auburn University;

  • Submitted as PI an ORAU Ralph Powe Jr. Faculty Award proposal of USD 5,000 titled: “BIM-Integrated Smart Helmet for Real-Time Navigation”

Smart and Sustainable Construction through AI

My research explores the transformative potential of Construction 4.0 technologies in shaping safer, smarter, and more sustainable built environments. With over 26 years of academic and industry experience, I focus on integrating artificial intelligence (AI), Building Information Modeling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT), and immersive technologies (AR/VR/MR) into construction processes, education, and safety systems.

Current research initiatives include the development of smart helmet systems for real-time safety monitoring, AI-driven hazard detection frameworks, and BIM-integrated digital twins for predictive maintenance and lifecycle management. These projects are supported by over $1.8 million in competitive funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), institutional research programs, and industry collaborators.

I also explore AI’s role in construction workforce training, safety culture analytics, and decision support systems. By bridging human-centered design with intelligent automation, my research aims to enhance construction site resilience, reduce incident rates, and support ethical AI integration in the built environment. Outcomes are disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and collaborative workshops to engage both academia and practice.

Area of Interest

  • Construction 4.0

  • BIM and Digital Twins

  • AI and Automation in Construction

  • Safety and Quality in Construction

  • Sustainable and Smart Built Environments

  • Risk and Financial Management

  • Legal and Regulatory Frameworks in Construction

  • Human-Centric Design

Ph.D. Projects Supervised / Under Supervision

  1. Risk Intervention Through Environmental Design – Case of Institutional Buildings in Urban Metropolis

  2. Achieving Enhanced Performance of Construction Projects Through Modeling Proactive Indicators

  3. Performance-Based Facility Management – A Development and Optimization Model

  4. Energy Retrofitting of Existing Institutional Buildings – An Optimization Model

Selected Master’s Theses Supervised

  • Assessment of Disaster Resilience of Key Hospitals in Urban Metropolitan and Development of Disaster Resilience Assessment Tool

  • Hazard Recognition in Construction Work Environments of Developing Countries: Case of Pakistan

  • Development of an IoT Based Building Energy Monitoring and Control Tool

  • BIM for Construction Safety Applications: Assessing the Potential of FSM Assisted BIM

  • Contributions of BIM to Construction Supply Chain Management

Selected Undergraduate Research Projects Supervised

  • Application of IoT in Construction Site Safety Monitoring

  • BIM Based Water Efficiency Analysis of Existing Residential Building

  • Achieving Energy Smart Buildings Through BIM

  • An Investigation into Coordination Problems in 3D BIM – Clash Detection vs Clash Avoidance

  • Development of an IoT Based Energy Monitoring and Control Tool for AEC Industry of Pakistan

  • BIM and GIS Integration Capability Maturity Modeling (BIM) and GIS: A Case Study

  • Assessing Contractor Risks with Construction Supply Chain Through BIM

  • Managing Construction Activities and Project Cost Performance based on Neural Networks

  • Role of Contract Review Process in Project Quality Performance

  • Application of Artificial Neural Networks and Fuzzy Expert System on Project Cost Performance

  • Artificial Intelligence Applications in Construction Project Risk Estimation

  • Comprehensive Framework for Construction Dispute Avoidance

  • Amplifying Framework for Government Building Construction in Urban Metropolitan

  • Critical Review of Key Competency Building Training Practices for Construction Contractors

  • A Development Model for Licensing and Continuous Assessment of CA-Category Contractors

  • Methodologies to Improve Workers' Awareness and Commitment

  • Cost and Time Benchmarking for Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Cases – Learning from Experience

  • Identifying Risk Impacts in Asset Management Industry – Current State of Affairs and Way Forward

  • Facility Management Models in Construction

Selected Funded Project

  • Development of IoT Enabled Safety Monitoring System for Construction Workers

     Remarks: Grant Amount: USD 10,000

     Funded by: Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan

  • CyberTraining: Pilot: ConstructionCI: Advance CI Training in Construction Management and Safety Curricula

     Remarks: Grant Amount: USD 299,877

     Funded by: NSF

  • Improving Construction Worker Safety via AR/VR/MR & Smart Wearables

     Remarks: Grant Amount: USD 134,000

     Funded by: MSU

  • Prototype of a Next-Gen Safety Helmet for Construction

     Remarks: Grant Amount: USD 3,000

     Funded by: MSU CAAD

  • From Sensors to Safety: Developing an AI-Integrated Smart Helmet for Construction Sites

     Remarks: Grant Amount: USD 1,250

     Funded by: MSU CAAD