Min Liu

Professor and Abdallah H. Yabroudi Endowed Professor in Sustainable Civil Infrastructure
Director, Syracuse University Infrastructure Institute

Civil and Environmental Engineering

151 Link Hall

mliu92@syr.edu

Personal Website

Degrees:

  • Ph.D. in Engineering Project Management, University of California Berkeley, 2007
  • Master of Science in Building Science, National University of Singapore, 2001
  • Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology; Concentration: Construction Engineering Management, 1997
  • Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Qingdao Institute of Architecture and Engineering; Concentration: Structural Engineering, 1994

Areas of Expertise:

  • Lean Construction techniques for construction productivity improvement.
  • Work module development for Digital Twin design.
  • Using data mining and machine learning approaches for intelligent construction planning.
  • Integration of project information into visualization and simulation models.
  • Project control systems and field management technologies.

Dr. Liu’s field is developing innovative approaches and generating knowledge on how to integrate the Human and Engineering aspects of construction planning to improve productivity and project performance. She has published over 40 articles in top-ranked journals in Construction Engineering and Management. Her recent research on using the Information Theory approach to quantify information exchange effectiveness in construction planning won the 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Thomas Fitch Rowland award. Her work has also received the Best Paper Awards from the 2018 International Group of Lean Construction Conference and 2017 Lean and Computing in Construction Congress.

Dr. Min Liu was the Chair of ASCE Construction Research Council (CRC) from 2020 to 2021. The CRC has over 400 members as construction faculty from universities worldwide and is recognized as the premier forum for construction engineering and management research internationally. Dr. Liu has also served as the Associate Specialty Editor for ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering since 2016 and the Assistant Specialty Editor in Labor and Personnel Issues for ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management since 2009. She was selected as the Outstanding Reviewer by the ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management in 2017 and 2015.

Honors and Awards:

  • 2021 – ASCE Thomas Fitch Rowland Prize for the paper, “Improving Effectiveness of Constraints Removal in Construction Planning Meetings: An Information Theory based Approach.”
  • 2021 – Featured by ASCE Construction Institute (CI) in the newsletter “Women leaders in Construction”.
  • 2018 – Best Paper Award, “Constraints and Reliable Workplan: A Case Study of Bridge Project”, 26th International Group of Lean Construction, Chennai, India, July 2018. 
  • 2011, 2014, 2018 – Thank a Teacher Recipient
  • 2017 – Best Paper Award, “Factors Affecting Bid Let Dates on Transportation Mega Projects.”, 2017 Lean and Computing in Construction Congress, Crete, Greece, 2017.
  • 2015, 2017 – Outstanding Reviewer, awarded by the ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
  • 2014 – 2022 – Edward I. Weisiger Distinguished Scholar, North Carolina State University

Selected Publications:

*Graduate student advised by Dr. Min Liu, **Corresponding author

Schiavone,V., Scala, N., Olivieri, H., Seppänen,O., Alves, T., Liu, M., Granja, A. (2022). “Comparative Analysis of the Implementation of Critical Path Method, Last Planner System, and Location-Based Techniques in Brazil, Finland, and the United States” Accepted by Engineering Management Journal in March 2022. 

He, C.*, Liu, M.**, Scala, N., Liu, M., Alves, T., and Hsiang, S. (2022). “Prioritizing Collaborative Scheduling Practices based on Their Impact on Project Performance.” Accepted by Journal of Management and Economics in February 2022. 

Scala, N., Liu, M., Alves, T., and Hawkins, D., Schiavone, V. (2022). “The Gold Standard: A Collaborative Scheduling Maturity Model” Engineering, Construction, and Architectural Management, published online in January 2022. 

He, C.*, Liu, M.**, Wang, Z., Zhang, Y., Hsiang, S., Chen, G., Chen, J. (2022). “Space-Time-Manpower Visualization and Conditional Capacity Planning in Uncertainty.” Accepted by ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management in January 2022. 

McCoy, B. C.*, Bourara, Z., Lucier, G.W., Seracino, R., and Liu, M. (2021). “Prestressed MF-FRP: An Experimental Study of a Rapid Retrofit Concept for Deteriorated Prestressed C-Channel Beams.” ASCE Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 35(1), 1-10. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CF.1943-5509.0001536

Zhang, Y., Javanmardi, A.*, Liu, Y., Yang, S., Yu, X., Hsiang, S., Jiang, Z., and Liu, M.** (2020). “How Does Experience of Delay Shape Managers’ Making-do Decision: A Random Forest Approach.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 36(4), 04020030. Open Access: https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/%28ASCE%29ME.1943-5479.0000776

Javanmardi, A. *, Hosseini, A. *, Liu, M.,** Hsiang, S. (2020). “Improving Effectiveness of Constraints Removal in Construction Planning Meetings: An Information-theory based Approach.” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 146(4), 04020015. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0001790

Alves, T., Liu, M., Scala, N., Javanmardi, A.* (2020). “Schedules and Schedulers: A Study in the U.S. Construction Industry.” Engineering Management Journal, 32(3), 166-185. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10429247.2020.1738878?journalCode=uemj20

Olivieri, H., Seppänen, O., Alves, T., Scala, N., Liu, M., and Granja, A. (2019) “A survey comparing Critical Path Method, Last Planner System, and Location-Based techniques.” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 145(12), 04019077. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0001644

Hosseini, A.*, Liu, M.**, Howell, G. (2018). “Investigating the Cost Benefit Tradeoff of Additional Planning Using Parade Game Simulation.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 34(2), 04017066. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/%28ASCE%29ME.1943-5479.0000580?src=recsys

Javanmardi, A.*, Hosseini, A., Liu, M.**, Hsiang, S. (2018). “Benefit of Cooperation among Subcontractors in Performing High-Reliability Planning.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 34(2), 04017062. https://ascelibrary-org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29ME.1943-5479.0000578

Hosseini, A.*,Liu, M.**,  Hsiang, S.(2017). “Social Network Analysis for Construction Crews.” Published online by International Journal of Construction Management  in November 2017.  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926580517300195

Hosseini, A.*, Liu, M.**, Hsiang, S. (2017). “Social Network Conformity and Construction Work Plan Reliability.” Automation in Construction,  78(1), 1-12. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15623599.2017.1389642

Russell, M. *, Hsiang, M., Liu, M.**, and Leming, M. (2016). “Causes of Time Buffer and Duration Variation in Construction Project Tasks.” Construction Management and Economics, 33(10), 783-798. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01446193.2015.1137335?journalCode=rcme20

Hajifathalian, K.*, Howell, G., Wambeke, B.*, Hsiang, S., and Liu, M.** (2016). ““Oops” Simulation: Cost–Benefits Trade-Off Analysis of Reliable Planning for Construction Activities.” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 142(8), 04016030. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0001135

Kwak, Y., Patanakul, P., Zwikael, O., and Liu, M. (2016). “What Impacts the Performance of Large Scale Government Projects?” International Journal of Project Management, 34(3), 452-466. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263786315001921

Hosseini, A.*, Leming, M. and Liu, M.** (2015). “Effects of Idle Time Restrictions on Excess Pollution from Construction Equipment.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 32(2), 04015046. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000408

Hosseini, A.*, Liu, M.**, and Leming, M. (2015). “Comparison of Least-Cost and Least-Pollution Equipment Fleet Configurations Using Computer Simulation.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 31(6), 04015003.http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000360

Russell, M. *, Liu, M.**, Howell, G., and Hsiang, S. and Leming, M. (2015). “Case Studies into the Allocation and Reduction of Time Buffer Through Uses of Last Planner System.” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 141(2), 04014068. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000900

Hosseini, A.*, Leming, M., Liu, M.**, Hsiang, S. (2014). “From Social Network to Data Envelopment Analysis: Identifying Benchmarks at the Site Management Level.” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 140(8), 04014028.http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000875

Russell, M. *, Hsiang, M., Liu, M.**, and Wambeke, B.Wambeke, (2014). “Causes of Time Buffer and Duration Variation in Construction Project Tasks.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 140(6), 04014016. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0000819

Wambeke, B.*, Liu, M.**, and Hsiang, S. (2013). “Task Variation and the Social Network of Construction Trades.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 05014008, 30(4).http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29ME.1943-5479.0000219

Russell, M. *, Howell, G., Hsiang, M., and Liu, M.** (2013). “The Application of Time Buffers to Construction Project Task Durations.” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management,139(10), 04013008.http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0000735

Vaughan, J.*, Leming, M., Liu, M.**, and Jaselskis, E. (2013). “Cost-Benefit Analysis of Construction Information Management System Implementation-A Case Study.” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management,139(4), 445-455. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0000611

Liu, M., Rasdorf, W., Hummer, J., Hollar, D.*, and Parikh, S.* (2013). “Preliminary Engineering Cost-Estimation Strategy Assessment for Roadway Projects.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 29(2), 150-157. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29ME.1943-5479.0000137

Hollar, D.*, Rasdorf, W., Liu, M., Hummer, J.E., Arocho, I., and Hsiang, S. (2013). “A Preliminary Engineering Cost Estimation Model for Bridge Projects.” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 139(9), 1259–1267. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0000668

Wambeke, B.*, Liu, M.**, and Hsiang, S.(2012). “Using Pajek and Centrality Analysis to Identify a Social Network of Construction Trades.”ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 138(10), 1192-1201.http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0000524

Hajifathalian, K.*, Wambeke, B.*, Liu, M.**, and Hsiang, S. (2012). “Effects of Working Strategy and Duration Variance on Productivity and Work in Progress.” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 138(9), 1035-1043.http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0000517

Wang, C.*,Liu, M.**, Hsiang, S., and Leming, M. (2012). “Causes and Penalties of Variation – A Case Study of a Precast Concrete Slab Production Facility.” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 138(6), 775-785. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0000475

Wambeke, B.*, Liu, M.**, and Hsiang, S.(2012). “Using Last Planner ™ and a Risk Assessment Matrix to Reduce Variation in Mechanical Related Construction Tasks.” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 138(4), 491-498. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0000444

Wang, Y. and Liu, M. (2012). “Prices of Highway Resurfacing Projects in Economic Downturn: Lessons Learned and Strategies Forward.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 28(4), 391-397. http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29ME.1943-5479.0000094

Wambeke, B.*, Hsiang, S., and Liu, M.** (2011). “Causes of Variation in Construction Project Task Starting Times and Duration.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering,, 137(9), 663-677.http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0000342

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