Ann Sychterz

Research Interests

• Optimized sensor placement for civil structures
• Structural dynamics
• Form-finding methods
• Machine learning and robotics for civil structures
• Damage mitigation and risk assessment in large-scale structures
• Adaptive and deployable structures

Research Statement

Research vision: My research is creating new lightweight, adaptive, and deployable structures with innovative control that utilize machine learning techniques to respond to their surroundings and loading conditions for efficient and resilient structural engineering design and behavior. The increasing frequency of intense weather and extreme environmental loading conditions due to climate change is driving the need for such adaptive structural systems. A structure that can self-identify damage, respond, and learn is suitable for developing infrastructure systems that provide safety and continuous functionality even when subjected to extreme loading conditions. Resiliency and reserve capacity, for both strength and stiffness, are being addressed in this work through structural shape and property modification. My long-term goal is to forge new paths for resiliency of adaptive structural systems through research that integrates structural engineering, architecture, robotics, computer science, and visualization technologies.

Summary of major research thrusts, accomplishments, and impacts:

Thrust 1: Structural analysis and architected materials for damage detection of large-scale deployable infrastructure (Students: Heather Gathman MS graduated Spring 2022, Zhixing Wang MS graduated Spring 2026, Sagnik Paul PhD graduated Fall 2025)

Tensegrity Structures: I am pursuing fundamental research needed to realize large-scale active and deployable tensegrity structures, where there are critical knowledge gaps related to realistic joints, scale effects, and the relationship between microstructural material properties and macroscopic system behavior. External impacts of this work will be felt in the aerospace industry, military applications, and offshore infrastructure that require high strength-low weight solutions. As a pilot application, my research team designed a deployable aluminum (Al) bicycle parking canopy for the University of Illinois campus [12], leveraging my previous work on aluminum structures [2]. In my lab, we translated the advanced structural analysis of a tensegrity structure into code-compliant construction drawings, built the aluminum tensegrity modules, and assembled the roof. Implementation of this large-scale structure has illuminated the effects of active control on Al alloys with different microstructures and the relationship to macroscopic mechanical properties. The design methodology and fabrication approach for the campus bicycle parking canopy, building upon my previous work [3,5-7], established a framework for development of innovative technologies like emergency pop-up shelters and structures for extreme or extraterrestrial environments. I have developed a novel, efficient approach to form-finding that solves static forces on any structure, but its biggest impact is for kinematic structures utilizing training of error targets within dynamic relaxation for enhanced convergence [Wang & Sychterz, in review]. This work is well-suited for incorporation into robotic control systems, per my previous work [7-8], since it provides an efficient analysis method for kinematic structures with large rotations and rotational stiffness at hinges. To communicate the findings across disciplines, my students and I have developed virtual reality modules to show how load flow occurs in complex structural systems such as tensegrity structures and complete buildings [20].

Architected Materials: I am developing a framework for large-scale deployable tensegrity structures with high damage tolerance through autonomous sensing and structural recovery. This leverages my previous work on damage detection and sensor placement on tensegrity structures [7-8]. Within this initiative, my areas of contribution are: (1) developing scale-appropriate joints for large range of motion that reduce uncertainties between simulations and experimental studies [13], (2) establishing an envelope of measurement cases to capture changes in structural properties, such as damage to an element [18], and (3) harnessing the envelope of measurement cases within machine learning for active control of a deployable structure to mitigate damage. I leveraged work at the University of Stuttgart to show that load-independent redundancy methods can be used for damage detection within architected materials [14]. A major outcome of this thrust is the framework using machine learning for large-scale deployable structures capable of detecting fractures with self-sensing and self-healing polymer. My experimental design and computational analysis of real-world multi-scale architected materials provides a ductile failure response for an unknown loading direction. I incorporated this material into non-powered damage sensitive elements within a large-scale tensegrity structure, demonstrating potential for future energy-conscious structural health monitoring practices in civil infrastructure [24]. Lastly, I am the first to experimentally and computationally validate progressive element failure properties in large-scale tensegrity structures [8].

Thrust 2: Life cycle assessment of adaptive origami structures inspired by pill bugs (Students: Angshuman Baruah PhD graduated Spring 2025, Yulin Zhu MS graduated Spring 2026, Larry St. Pierre MS started Fall 2025)

I am pursuing vibration attenuation for seismically sensitive structures using a spatial network of origami-enabled, pill bug-inspired, stiffness and shape changing structures with performance that improves over time via machine learning. My contributions in this area include: (1) simulation and experimental quantification of the origami pill bug tuned-mass damper topology for adaptivity under seismic loading [11], and (2) characterization of properties for interactivity and machine learning of origami pill bug structures within the spatial network for advanced vibration attenuation performance [16-17]. I have analyzed, designed, and built the first cable-actuated large-scale origami structure. Additionally, I have accomplished detection and location of damage within large-scale origami structures, with validation through computational models and experimental measurements. Experiments included high-fidelity optical tracking measurements and machine learning methods, while computational analysis further developed my dynamic relaxation formulation for origami structures [19]. I have formulated the natural frequency characterization of an origami structure throughout its deployment and folding process for future use in vibration attenuation applications. This analysis was furthered by studying sensor placement on adaptive structures under dynamic loading [19]. My work has initiated discussion within the field about detection and location of partial damage, instead of complete failure, to elements of kinematic structures, development of dynamic relaxation for thick panel origami, vibration of large-scale origami structures, and life cycle cost analysis. I am leading a research partnership with the University of Stuttgart to apply my damage detection methods in origami structures to coreless filament-wound composite structures [Grunvogel et al., in review].

Thrust 3: Deployable and compliant anchors for offshore mooring to minimize environmental impacts (Students: Kaylee Tucker MS graduated Spring 2023, Elizabeth Capretta MS graduated Spring 2025, Brian Dionicio MS started Fall 2025, Khuzaima Hummad PhD started Spring 2025)

I am developing the science of form-finding analysis for deployable structures confined by an incompressible medium (such as soil or water) [10,15], and pursuing applications for increased tensile anchor capacity with enhanced efficiency. Material economy reduces energy consumption, which is particularly beneficial for offshore energy platform mooring, off world infrastructure foundations, and coastal remediation initiatives. I am excited about my foundational contributions in this area, the potential for impact on industry and establishing new intellectual property (through patenting), and positioning myself as a leading researcher in kinematic structural engineering. This thrust leverages my previous work on dynamic relaxation for form-finding [3-4,9]. My novel formulation of dynamic relaxation to solve for the forces of a deployable structure in soil is the first of its kind [Hummad et al., in review]. I have generated a design suite of anchor parametric variations (considering number of awns, geometry, edge characteristics, awn pitch, and functionally graded stiffness) using Grasshopper and Rhino for computational modelling. Leveraging polymer 3D printing, I have sampled the design space and experimentally tested these models, with success in comparing their performance to my dynamic relaxation method. This NSF-funded work involves interdisciplinary collaboration that incorporates geotechnical expertise and holds potential for next-generation offshore energy platforms (DOE interest), as well as lunar and Martian foundation applications (NASA interest). Current industry engagement in this area includes the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Delmar Systems, and the American Institute of Steel Construction, with plans for in-situ testing of my designs. A provisional patent has been issued for the design, and there is an ongoing initiative with the University Office of Technology Management toward pursuing a startup company.

Future direction: The three research thrusts described above form a diverse yet cohesive research program targeting the science and engineering of adaptive infrastructure at full-scale. My career plan interweaves research, education, and outreach to tackle the challenge of creating new infrastructure that can withstand adverse weather events, seasonal variations, and long-term climate change. My integrated experimental and computational research approach provides a robust framework for interrogating complex structural behavior across multiple scales. I aim to continue growing my program and impact through transformative contributions in structural topology, optimization strategies, dynamic modeling, control, and visualization of adaptive architected structural systems. Tangible examples of this include temporary modular railway bridges during construction, anchors for lunar and Martian habitats, and steel foundations for offshore energy platforms. I am excited about sustaining a long-term pioneering research program that makes fundamental scientific contributions and enhances resiliency and sustainability of the built infrastructure.

Primary Research Area

• Structural Engineering

Research Areas

• Structural Engineering
• Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Systems

Selected Articles in Journals

• Paul, S. and Sychterz, A.C. Progressive damage detection in a tensegrity structure using Multi-Layered Randomized Architected Material. Composite Structures, 2026, p1-18, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2026.120703.
• Aghelizadeh, P., Tang, Y., Sychterz, A.C., and Sneed, L. Review on vibration-based damage detection of vehicular bridges considering traffic effects, Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring, 16 (53), 2026, p1-25, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13349-026-01102-4.
• Rodgers, C., Rahman, A., Hajj, R., Halloran, K., Roesler, J., Schmidt, A., Sychterz, A.C., Henschen, J., Case Study: A Near Peer Mentoring Framework for a CEE Curriculum, Journal of Civil Engineering Education, 2026, p1-10. https://doi.org/10.1061/JCEECD.EIENG-2374.
• Reksowardojo, A.P. and Sychterz, A.C. Damage Localization Strategy in Beams Through Stiffness Modulation and Controlled Deformation, Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 2026 p1-10, https://doi.org/10.1061/JENMDT.EMENG-8766.
• Rodgers, C , Henschen, J, and Sychterz, A.C., Virtual Reality as a Vehicle for Education in the Domains of Building Systems and Construction Materials, Computers and Education: X Reality, 2026, p1-10, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cexr.2026.100133
• Baruah, A.C. and Sychterz A.C. Machine Learning-Based Damage Classification and Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Origami Pill Bug for Emergency Shelters, Journal of Building Engineering, 2025, p1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.114051
• Paul, S. and Sychterz, A.C.Combining Non-Linear Structural Modeling and Machine Learning for Tensile Behavior of Multi-Layered Randomized Architected Material, Computers and Structures, 2025, p1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2025.107896
• Baruah, A.C. and Sychterz A.C. Computational-Experimental Investigation to Determine Optimal Sensor Placement and Actuation Strategy for a Deployable Origami Pill Bug Structure, International Journal of Space Structures, 2025, p1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/09560599251352486
• Baruah, A.C. and Sychterz A.C. Dynamic Characterization of Meter-Scale Adaptive Origami Structure, Structures, 2024, p1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2024.108033
• Tucker, K. and Sychterz A.C. Analyzing Geosystems with Deployable Compliant Mechanisms for Enhanced Tension Capacity, Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures, 2024. p1-16. https://doi.org/10.20898/j.iass.2024.011
• Forster, D., Paul, S., Bischoff, M., and Sychterz, A.C. Structural Assessment of Architected Material Using the Redundancy Matrix and Experimental Testing, ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics, 2024, p1-10. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4065840.
• Paul, S. and Sychterz A.C., Multi-Layered Randomized Architected Material under Tensile Loading for a Tensegrity Structure, Journal of Engineering Mechanics, https://doi.org/10.1061/JENMDT.EMENG-7456, 2024, 1- 12.
• Gathman, H.F and Sychterz, A.C., Design of a full-scale aluminum plate-based tensegrity structure, Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures, 64 (3), https://doi.org/10.20898/j.iass.2023.003, 2023, 211-244.
• Baruah, A.C and Sychterz A.C., Assessment and comparison of cable-actuation of pill bug inspired adaptive origami structure using computer vision and dynamic relaxation, Frontiers in Built Environment, 8 (1), https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2022.813543, 2021, 1-9.
• Sychterz, A.C., Bernardi, I., Tom, J., Beemer, R. Nonlinear soil-structure behavior of a deployable and compliant anchor system, Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 49(6), https://doi.org/10.1139/cjce-2021-0204, 2021, 1085-1094.
• Sychterz, A.C. and Baruah, A.C., Active Control for Adaptive Origami Structures Undergoing Damage, Engineering Structures, 24 (1), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112457, 2021, 1-9.
• Sychterz, A.C. and Smith, I.F.C., Damage mitigation of near-full-scale deployable tensegrity structure through behavior biomimetics, Journal of Structural Engineering, 146 (1), https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002470, 2020.

Articles in Conference Proceedings

• Sychterz, A.C. and Hummad, K. Comparing computational and experimental behavior of deployable ground anchors, Symposium of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures 2026, Torino, Italy, 8p.
• Hummad, K. and Sychterz A.C. Hybrid Experimental-Computational Framework for Modeling Deployable Ground Anchors, ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute 2026, Boulder, United States, 2026, 4p.
• Sychterz, A.C. and Baruah, A.C. Damage Detection and Sensor Optimization for Stability Characterization of a Meter-Scale Origami Pill-Bug Structure,  American Institute for Steel Construction NASCC 2026 Structural Stability Research Council, Atlanta, United States. 8p.
• Rodgers, C., Sychterz, A.C., and Henschen, J. Work in Progress: Developing a Virtual Reality Intervention Activity for Reinforced Concrete Design, American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition 2026, Charlotte, United States, 8p
• Hummad, K. and Sychterz, A.C. Enhancing the Design of Deployable Anchors for Coastal Slope Stabilization Through Dynamic Relaxation,  SMASIS 2025, St. Louis, United States, 2025, 4p.
• Reksowardojo, A. and Sychterz, A.C. Controlled geometry changes as a strategy for active diagnosis of damage in discrete structures, ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute 2025, Irvine, United States, 2025, 4p.
• Wang, Z. and Sychterz, A.C. An Adaptive Dynamic Relaxation method with First Kinematic Equilibrium: A Study on Error comparison and time efficiency, ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute 2025, Irvine, United States, 2025, 4p.
• Paul, S. and Sychterz A.C. Predicting Tensile Behavior of Multi-Layered Randomized Architected Material (MLRAM) using Artificial Intelligence, ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute 2025, Irvine, United States, 2025, 4p.
• Baruah, A.C. and Sychterz A.C. Damage Classification of Deployable Origami Structure Using Supervised Machine Learning, ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute 2025, Irvine, United States, 2025, 4p.
• Capretta, E. and Sychterz, A.C. Experimental Data-Informed Computational Analysis of Installation Processes for Deployable Ground Anchors, ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute 2025, Irvine, United States, 2025, 4p.
• Khan, A., Henschen, J., Sychterz, A.C., and Perry, L. Exploring Faculty Perspectives on Challenging Threshold Concepts in Structural Engineering, American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition 2025, Montreal, Canada, 8p.
• Rodgers, C., Rahman, A., Sychterz, A.C., and Henschen, J. Case Study: Developing and Implementing VR Technology for Civil Engineering Education, American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition 2025, Montreal, Canada, 8p.
• Capretta, E., Hummad, K., Rahman, S., Beemer, R., and Sychterz, A.C. Shear Plane Analysis of Deployable Anchors and Insights from X-ray Microtomography, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics, Nantes, France, 2025, 6p.
• Capretta, E., Hummad, K., and Sychterz, A.C. Experimental and analytical stability of thick origami panels for deployable anchors to prevent coastal erosion, Proceedings of the Annual Stability Conference, 2025, Louisville USA, 2025, 8p.
• Baruah, A.C. and Sychterz, A.C. Sensor placement for control of a meter-scale origami structure, Proceedings of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures, 2024, Zurich, 2024 4p.
• Capretta, E., Hummad, K., and Sychterz, A.C. Analytical and experimental testing for increased shear plane of deployable geosystems for coastal stabilization, Engineering Mechanics Institute conference 2024, Chicago, United States. 8p.
• Baruah, A.C. and Sychterz, A.C. Optimizing sensor placement for characterization and control of a meter-scale origami pill-bug structure, Engineering Mechanics Institute conference 2024, Chicago, United States. 4p.
• Paul, S. and Sychterz A.C. Non-linear modelling of multi-layered randomized architected material (MLRAM) under tensile loading for a tensegrity structure, Engineering Mechanics Institute conference 2024, Chicago, United States. 4p.
• Sychterz, A.C. Stability of a deployable awns on a compliant steel geosystem for nonlinear soil-structure interaction, American Institute for Steel Construction NASCC 2024 Structural Stability Research Council, San Antonio, United States. 8p.
• Tucker, K. and Sychterz A.C. Comparison of biologically inspired functionally-graded deployable geosystems with experimental measurements, Proceedings of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium, Melbourne, Australia, 2023, 10p.
• Baruah A.C. and Sychterz A.C. 'Damage detection of cable-actuated origami structure using dynamic relaxation, Engineering Mechanics Institute Conference 2022, Baltimore, Maryland. 4p.
• Paul, S. and Sychterz, A.C. Robustness of Multilayered Random-network Architected Material through Experimental Testing, ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute Conference 2022, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 4p.
• Grendzinski, M. and Sychterz, A.C. Characterization of Torque-Driven Underground Compliant Structures Using Pushover Analysis, Engineering Mechanics Institute Conference 2022, Baltimore, Maryland. 4p.
• Torres, J.A. and Sychterz, A.C. Virtual Reality as a Vehicle for Education in the Domains of Building Systems, American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition 2022, Minneapolis, MN. 8p.
• Tucker, K and Sychterz, A.C. Analyzing Geosystems with Deployable Compliant Mechanisms for Enhanced Tension Capacity, Canadian Society of Civil Engineers Annual Conference 2022, Whistler, British Columbia. 8p.
• Sychterz, A.C. Adaptive Aluminum Tensegrity Structure as a Bike Parking Canopy, 5th International Conference on Structures & Architecture, Aalborg, 2022, 8p.
• Paul, S. and Sychterz A.C. A Computational Analysis for an Adaptive Tensegrity-based Four-Module Roof Structure, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering VIRTUAL Conference 2021, 9p.
• Baruah, A.C. and Sychterz A.C. Pill-bug inspired adaptive origami tuned-mass dampers, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering VIRTUAL Conference 2021, 8p.
• Gathman, H and Sychterz A.C. Analysis of full-scale plate-based tensegrity structure using dynamic relaxation, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering VIRTUAL Conference 2021, 8p.
• Paul, S. and Sychterz A.C. Dynamic Characterization of an Adaptive Tensegrity-based Four-Module Roof Structure, Proceedings of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium, Surrey, UK, 2021, 10p.
• Baruah, A.C. and Sychterz A.C. Active control of 3D printed pill-bug inspired adaptive origami, Proceedings of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium, Surrey, UK, 2021, 10p.
• Gathman, H and Sychterz A.C. Full-scale plate-based tensegrity bike parking canopy, Proceedings of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium, Surrey, UK, 2021, 10p.
• Sychterz A.C. and Smith, I.F.C., Path-finding for deployment and midspan connection of a tensegrity structure, Proceedings of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium, Boston, United States, 2018, 10p.
• Sychterz, A.C and Smith I.F.C., Dynamic effects of cable rupture in a tensegrity structure, Fourth conference on Smart Monitoring, Assessment and Rehabilitation of Civil Structures, Zurich, Switzerland, 2017, 8p.
• Sychterz, A.C. and Smith, I.F.C., Towards biomimetic actuation for a deployable structure, Proceedings of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium, Tokyo, Japan, 2016, 9p.
• Sychterz, A.C. and Smith, I.F.C., Shape control for self-stress following deployment of a tensegrity footbridge, 24th International Workshop on Intelligent Computing in Engineering, Krakow, Poland, 2016, 11p.
• Sychterz, A.C., Dalil Safaei, S., and Smith, I.F.C., Friction modeling of a deployable tensegrity footbridge, Proceedings of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2015, 11p.
• Sychterz, A.C., Narasimhan, S., and Walbridge, S., A study on modal characterization and dynamic analysis of two aluminium pedestrian bridges in Quebec, International Aluminium Conference INALCO 2013 Conference Proceedings Montreal, Canada, 2013, 10p.
• Sychterz A.C., Sadhu, A., Narasimhan, S., and Walbridge, S., Results from Modal Testing of the Daigneault Creek Bridge, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) 2013 General Conference Proceedings, Montreal, Canada, 2013, 10p.

Invited Lectures

• U.S. interstate + air traffic maps: creating a multi-layered lattice material as a component within nonlinear structures
• Deployable anchors: Origami is for Geotechnical Engineers

Patents

• Adaptor for Adding Deployable Compliant Awns to Preconstructed Foundation Members.
• UIUC2025-144-01(PRO) || GBC 1201*163439PR Anchor Pile Device with Rotationally Deployed Compliant Awns.

Magazine Articles

• "This Human-Sized Origami Reimagines Emergency Shelters", Wired Magazine, https://www.wired.com/story/this-human-sized-origami-reimagines-emergency-shelters, April 27, 2021.

Honors

• Outstanding Young Engineer Award, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) (04/2024)
• ASCE SEI Future Leaders Award (02/2024)
• ASCE SEI Futures Fund Young Professionals Award (01/2023)

Teaching Honors

• ASCE ExcEEd Fellow (07/2022)
• Collins Scholars Fellow (01/2021)
• Levenick Sustainable Teaching Fellowship (01/2021)

Research Honors

• Best paper award, 1st (Khuzaima Hummad), Engineering Mechanics Institute Conference 2026 - Experimental Analysis and Instrumentation (06/2026)
• Best paper award, 2nd (Angshuman Baruah), Engineering Mechanics Institute Conference 2025 - Structural Health Monitoring Committee (05/2025)
• Best poster (Kaylee Tucker), Illinois Structural Engineering Conference 2022, Champaign (04/2022)
• Best poster (Juan Torres), Illinois Structural Engineering Conference 2022, Champaign (04/2022)
• Best poster (Heather Gathman), Illinois Structural Engineering Conference 2021, Champaign (04/2021)