I’m Yessoufou Fadel, a Doctor in Civil Engineering, recently graduated from Tianjin University in China and am originally from Benin.
Benin is a treasure in West Africa, famous for its rich culture, history, and the unique stilt village of Ganvié, often referred to as the "Venice of Africa."
Over recent decades, China and Benin have maintained a strong cooperative relationship, marked by significant Chinese investments in Beninese infrastructure projects such as buildings, bridges, and stadiums. Additionally, educational initiatives like the Confucius Institutes have been established, all reinforced by high-level visits between the leaders of the two nations.
I chose to pursue a career in civil engineering, inspired by my father, who is a welding engineer. This decision was further influenced by visits to road construction sites with my uncle during my high school years, where I developed a passion for buildings, roads, and bridges.
In 2012, I began my education in civil engineering at the University Institute of Technology of Lokossa (IUT-Lokossa) in Benin, where I completed my bachelor’s degree in 2015. I chose this university because its practical civil engineering program aligned perfectly with my career goals.
In 2016, I moved to China to pursue a master’s degree at Tianjin University. I was particularly attracted by the numerous Chinese companies involved in infrastructure projects in Africa and the advantageous scholarships offered by the Chinese government. Tianjin University, the oldest institution of higher education in China, is among the top universities in the country and currently ranks in the top 300 worldwide. During my master’s studies, under the guidance of Professor Jinsong Zhu, I conducted research on local damage detection in continuous steel-concrete composite beams using Electro-Mechanical Impedance (EMI).
After earning my master’s degree in 2018, I spent a year working hard to improve my Chinese language skills through language programs offered at Tianjin University.
From 2019 to 2024, I was engaged in a Ph.D. program under Professor Jinsong Zhu. My research focused on intelligent monitoring and damage identification of bridges. This research aims to enhance the safety and longevity of bridges worldwide.
This research direction is highly challenging, as it combines artificial intelligence technology with civil and structural engineering. It requires advanced skills in AI applications and computer programming. To quickly master these technologies and enhance my proficiency, I dedicated countless hours to learning from scratch in the library. A year later, my research achieved significant breakthroughs, leading to publications in several prestigious journals such as the KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, Structural Health Monitoring, and Structures.
As the first author, I have published four high-level SCI research papers focusing on innovative applications of deep learning techniques for bridge damage identification and monitoring. In the KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, I developed a One-Class Convolutional Neural Network model for rapid bridge damage detection. In Structural Health Monitoring, I explored convolutional neural networks, long short-term memory configurations, and composite encoder-decoder networks for bridge damage assessment. In Structures, I presented a deep autoencoder model for direct bridge monitoring under varying conditions.
I was engaged in significant research projects with my research group, including studying ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) to enhance bridge durability and analyzing the bonding strength between UHPC and normal-strength concrete (NSC). I also serve as a reviewer for international journals and help both Chinese and international students revise their SCI papers.
From my experience at Tianjin University, I recommend that international students engage in research, communicate regularly with their supervisors, and effectively use university resources. They should learn the language and culture, build a supportive network, and stay organized. Additionally, participating in university activities and viewing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow can greatly enhance their experience.
I love China, love Tianjin, and deeply love Tianjin University. I am grateful for the opportunities provided by the Chinese government, Tianjin University, and my supervisors, which have been instrumental in shaping my academic and professional path. The vibrant academic environment, along with the supportive community, has enriched my learning and research experience, making my time at Tianjin University unforgettable.
In the future, I aspire to continue my scientific research at Tianjin University as a postdoctoral fellow in my field of study. My objective is to significantly contribute to the development and progress of the Civil Engineering Department at Tianjin University.
By Yessoufou Fadel
Editor: Eva Yin
