Professor Yu Bai (Barry) received his B.E and M.E in civil engineering from Tsinghua University and Ph.D from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne EPFL. He joined Monash Civil Engineering in 2009 and currently serves as Professor in Structural Engineering. He coordinates the activities in the Research Theme on Smart Structures and Construction and directs the international engagements in the department.

His efforts and expertise emphasis research and development of structural systems through modern building technologies (such as modular construction and robotic construction) and using complementary material advantages (such as fibre reinforced polymer composites in combination with traditional concrete, steel and timber). His research activities form into three pillars and are firmly supported by the world class research facilities at Monash Structural Laboratory and the Laboratory of Robotic Construction that he establishes

• Composites for construction and lightweight structures
• Modular construction and design for manufacturing and assembly
• Construction automation and design for robotic construction

His researches have attracted strong governmental, industrial and institutional supports. He was a recipient of an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award in the inaugural round, and is currently the lead chief investigator of an ARC Discovery Project and a chief investigator in an ARC Industry Transformation Training Centre. He is intensively involved in research projects funded by the State Government and a range of industries in the composites engineering and civil construction fields.

In addition to highly cited publications in quality journals and advisory services to professional committees in industry and government, his research outcomes have also led to applications in engineering practices and many of them as first of their kinds have been often reported in public media.