The 13th International Conference on Concrete Pavements, held from August 25-29 in Minneapolis, has recognized outstanding student research with the B. Frank McCullough Award for Best Student Poster. This year’s award was presented to Mason Smetana, Igor Sukharev, and Lev Khazanovich from the University of Pittsburgh for their innovative work, “Evaluating Expertise of Concrete Pavement Construction in Modern Large Language Models.”
The award-winning research explores the capabilities and limitations of modern large language models in accurately assessing and applying knowledge in concrete pavement construction. The study’s findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how AI-driven tools can be leveraged in the field of civil engineering, particularly in improving construction practices and educational approaches.
Tara L. Cavalline, Chair of the Student Competition, presented the award during the conference’s student poster session on August 28, 2024. The selection committee praised the team’s approach, noting the significance of their work in bridging technology and traditional engineering expertise.
The B. Frank McCullough Award is named in honor of the esteemed professor and engineer known for his contributions to concrete pavement research and education. The recognition underscores the importance of fostering innovative research in the next generation of civil engineers.
To read more about the award and past recipients visit: https://13thiccp.concretepavements.org/awards/