Advances in AI-powered civil engineering throughout the entire lifecycle

With the rapid advancement of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has gained widespread applications across various fields, including civil engineering. This paper provides a comprehensive review of AI’s significant roles in design optimization, construction management, structural health monitoring (SHM), and smart city management. AI enhances the scientific and creative dimensions of civil engineering by optimizing design schemes, generating innovative solutions, and improving efficiency. In construction management, AI streamlines processes by enabling better schedule control, cost and quality management, and safety monitoring. In SHM, AI facilitates more accurate fault detection, health assessment, and lifespan prediction, improving the safety, durability, and resilience of infrastructure. AI’s role in smart cities and infrastructure management further supports the efficient governance of urban planning, traffic control, and maintenance operations. However, challenges remain, including integrating AI with legacy infrastructure, ensuring data privacy and security, and overcoming scalability issues in real-world applications. The combination of AI with blockchain technology addresses transparency and security concerns, as demonstrated by emerging pilot projects. Additionally, integrating deep learning with big data will further enhance decision-making capabilities. As interdisciplinary research deepens and intelligent construction technologies become more prevalent, AI-powered civil engineering will advance toward more sustainable, efficient, and innovative practices, ultimately reshaping the field and meeting the demands of future urban development.