Dr Jurij Karlovsek
Director, Engagement
Senior Lecturer
School of Civil Engineering
+61 7 344 31686
Room 443:1
Advanced Engineering Building (49)
Advanced Engineering Building (49)
Researcher biography
Dr Jurij Karlovšek is a recognised expert in Geotechnical and Underground Engineering, known for driving innovation through research, fostering industry collaboration, and mentoring the next generation of engineers. His work bridges technical excellence with strategic leadership across academia and industry, positioning him as a key contributor to infrastructure transformation.
He leads multidisciplinary research and teaching initiatives with deep expertise across three core domains. In the area of infrastructure innovation, Dr Karlovšek is at the forefront of sustainable infrastructure development and geotechnical resilience, contributing to the advancement of resilient urban systems and underground space utilisation. He brings specialist knowledge in tunnelling and constructability, particularly in the design and delivery of large-scale underground infrastructure projects.
In digital engineering and information modelling, he is internationally recognised for his pioneering contributions to Building Information Modelling (BIM) in tunnelling, with a strong focus on bored and mechanised tunnelling methods. His research advances the integration of digital workflows, sustainability principles, and life-cycle asset management, positioning him as a thought leader in the digitalisation of infrastructure systems.
In the field of advanced non-destructive and spatial technologies, Dr Karlovšek applies cutting-edge non-destructive testing (NDT) and spatial analysis techniques to evaluate infrastructure integrity and subsurface conditions. He leverages technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), SLAM, LiDAR, and InSAR to support precise monitoring, localisation, and long-term performance assessment of critical assets.
Dr Karlovsek is an EAIT Faculty Lead and Director at the Sustainable Infrastructure Research Hub, collaborating closely with the BEL Faculty. Additionally, he is the co-founder and area lead at the Infrastructure CoLab.
Within the School of Civil Engineering (SoCE), Dr Karlovsek serves as the course coordinator for key subjects:
- CIVL2210 - Soil Mechanics
- CIVL4525 - Sustainable Infrastructure Design
- CIVL6250 - Underground Structures
At the corporate level, Dr Karlovsek is actively involved in community engagement through the creation and implementation of associations. Currently, he holds the position of Vice-President of the National Committee of the Australian Tunnelling Society (ATS) and serves as the Past Animator (Chair) of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) Working Group 22 – Information Modelling in Tunnelling (BIM in Tunnelling). Locally, Dr Karlovsek contributes to committees at BrisBIM – Digital Community Group Queensland, Planning Institute of Australia Technical Group (PlanTech), Australasian BIM Advisory Board (ABAB) and the Australian Shotcrete Society National Committee.
Beyond his organizational roles, Dr Karlovsek is deeply committed to mentorship, actively guiding undergraduate and postgraduate students. He supports their research endeavors, industry engagement activities, and overall ensures a enriching and profitable educational experience for each student under his mentorship.
Publications
Books
Karlovsek, Jurij, Zammit, Hichem, Angerer, Wolfgang and Gall, Vojtech Ernest (2022). ITA Working Group 22 - Information Modelling in Tunnelling - ITA-AITES Recommendations for the Application of ISO 19650 Series during the Delivery of Underground Projects & Assets - Information Management Process & Responsibility Matrix - Vol 1. Geneva, Switzerland: ITA-AITES.
Karlovsek, Jurij, Aldrian, Wolfgang, Gall, Vojtech Ernest and Zammit, Hichem (2022). ITA Working Group 22 - information modelling in tunnelling - BIM in tunnelling - guideline for bored tunnels - Vol 1. Geneva, Switzerland: ITA AITES.
Book Chapter
Teixeira, Frederico Fialho, Mashaly, Islam, Shafiei, Maryam, Xu, Qianbin, Zhu, Guanqi and Karlovsek, Jurij (2024). Integrating digital twins in urban sustainability: a framework for university campus applications. Digital twin computing for urban intelligence. (pp. 185-207) edited by Saeid Pourroostaei Ardakani and Ali Cheshmehzangi. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-97-8483-7_9
Journal Articles
McAvoy, Sue, Meath, Cristyn, Toth-Peter, Agnes, Jagdish, Ninad and Karlovsek, Jurij (2025). A systems thinking approach to reimagining innovation models: the example of clean hydrogen. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 42 (3), 786-802. doi: 10.1002/sres.3016
Hidayat, Edwin, Seligmann, Benjamin, Karlovsek, Jurij and Lange, David (2025). Improving tunnel fire safety: a Bayesian network model for risk analysis and a novel risk acceptability range for risk evaluation. Australian Journal of Civil Engineering, 1-15. doi: 10.1080/14488353.2025.2465102
Kong, Keith, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Karlovsek, Jurij (2024). Natural creation of large rock cavern: can we construct them? Jenolan caves as a case study. Applied Sciences, 14 (23) 10983, 10983. doi: 10.3390/app142310983
Ji, Songtao, Lai, Xingping, Cui, Feng, Liu, Yong, Pan, Ruikai and Karlovšek, Jurij (2024). The failure of edge-cracked hard roof in underground mining: An analytical study. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 183 105934, 105934. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2024.105934
Xu, Zhongyu, Hanžič, Lucija, Asche, Harry and Karlovšek, Jurij (2024). Large ring test for evaluation of restrained shrinkage cracking: calibration and experimental trial. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2024 (1) 6698625, 1-18. doi: 10.1155/2024/6698625
Kong, Keith W.K. and Karlovsek, Jurij (2024). Recommended rock joints setting in 2D FEM simulations for engineering design of excavations created in jointed rockmass. Australian Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Engineering, 20 (1), 1-19. doi: 10.1080/14488388.2024.2328454
Thompson, Tim, Priddle, Jared and Karlovsek, Jurij (2024). The Queensland geotechnical database. Australian Geomechanics Journal, 59 (1), 93-102. doi: 10.56295/AGJ5915
Roper, Thomas, Bertuzzi, Robert, Oliveira, David and Karlovšek, Jurij (2024). A framework to demonstrate the utility and safety of the observational method. Geomechanics and Tunnelling, 17 (2), 91-103. doi: 10.1002/geot.202300041
Pelz, Ulrike and Karlovšek, Jurij (2023). Spray-applied waterproofing membranes in tunnelling: A construction perspective. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 142 105409, 1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.tust.2023.105409
Hidayat, Edwin, Lange, David, Karlovsek, Jurij and Kim, Jiwon (2023). Variables affecting the risk of vehicle collisions in Australian road tunnels. Journal of Road Safety, 34 (4), 20-30. doi: 10.33492/JACRS-D-22-00032
Karlovsek, Jurij, Meath, Cristyn, Miles-Mwangangi, Lawrence, MacDonald, Charles and Brockmann, Alfredo (2023). Implementing circular economy principles in infrastructure procurement to support circular supply chains. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 31 (11), 1-14. doi: 10.1108/ecam-09-2022-0908
Tsang, Matthew, Clark, Ian and Karlovšek, Jurij (2023). Automating the calibration of flat-jointed bonded particle model microproperties for the Rewan Sandstone case study. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 56 (9), 6459-6480. doi: 10.1007/s00603-023-03390-4
Meath, Cristyn, Karlovšek, Jurij, Navarrete, Claudia, Eales, Michael and Hastings, Patrick (2022). Co-designing a multi-level platform for industry level transition to circular economy principles: a case study of the infrastructure CoLab. Journal of Cleaner Production, 347 131080, 131080. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131080
Pelz, Ulrike and Karlovšek, Jurij (2022). Spray-applied waterproofing membranes in tunnelling: application and research directions in Australia. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 122 104364, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.tust.2022.104364
Zhang, Yumeng, Karlovšek, Jurij and Liu, Xian (2022). Identification method for internal forces of segmental tunnel linings via the combination of laser scanning and hybrid structural analysis. Sensors, 22 (6) 2421, 2421. doi: 10.3390/s22062421
Ji, Songtao and Karlovšek, Jurij (2022). Optimized differential evolution algorithm for solving DEM material calibration problem. Engineering with Computers, 39 (3), 1-16. doi: 10.1007/s00366-021-01564-8
Zheng, Guoping and Karlovsek, Jurij (2021). Study on the universal tapered segmental ring assembly simulation algorithm and deviation assessment: a case study on metro line tunnel. Advances in Civil Engineering, 2021 (1) 9975848, 1-14. doi: 10.1155/2021/9975848
Ji, Songtao and Karlovšek, Jurij (2021). Calibration and uniqueness analysis of microparameters for DEM cohesive granular material. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 32 (1), 121-136. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2021.11.003
Ji, Songtao, He, Hu and Karlovšek, Jurij (2021). Application of superposition method to study the mechanical behaviour of overlying strata in longwall mining. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 146 104874, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2021.104874
Ji, Songtao, Wang, Zeng and Karlovšek, Jurij (2021). Analytical study of subcritical crack growth under mode I loading to estimate the roof durability in underground excavation. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 32 (2), 375-385. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2021.08.006
Ji, Songtao, Zhang, Jie, Pan, Ruikai and Karlovšek, Jurij (2020). Local Acceleration Monitoring and its application in physical modelling of underground mining. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 128 104282, 104282. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2020.104282
Murzi, Homero G., Chowdhury, Tahsin M., Karlovsek, Jurij and Ruiz Ulloa, Bianey C. (2020). Working in large teams: measuring the impact of a teamwork model to facilitate teamwork development in engineering students working in a real project. International Journal of Engineering Education, 36 (1), 274-295.
Kravitz, Brett, Mooney, Michael, Karlovsek, Jurij, Danielson, Ian and Hedayat, Ahmadreza (2019). Void detection in two-component annulus grout behind a pre-cast segmental tunnel liner using Ground Penetrating Radar. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 83, 381-392. doi: 10.1016/j.tust.2018.09.032
Bittner, Tilman, Bore, Thierry, Wagner, Norman, Karlovsek, Jurij and Scheuermann, Alexander (2017). Experimental investigation of the dielectric properties of soil under hydraulic loading. Measurement Science and Technology, 28 (4) 044001, 044001. doi: 10.1088/1361-6501/aa5442
Shaw, Timothy, Gibson, Timothy, Karlovsek, Jurij, Emberley, Richard and Torero, José L. (2016). Experimental evaluation of the heat flux induced by tunnel fires. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 60, 49-55. doi: 10.1016/j.tust.2016.07.015
Karlovsek, Jurij, Schwing, Moritz, Chen, Zhen, Wagner, Norman, Williams, David J. and Scheuermann, Alexander (2016). Dielectric measurement method for real-time monitoring of initial hardening of backfill materials used for underground construction. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, 13 (2) S19, S19-S27. doi: 10.1088/1742-2132/13/2/S19
Schwing, M., Wagner, N., Karlovsek, J., Chen, Z., Williams, D. J. and Scheuermann, A. (2016). Radio to microwave dielectric characterisation of constitutive electromagnetic soil properties using vector network analyses. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, 13 (2) S28, S28-S38. doi: 10.1088/1742-2132/13/2/S28
Chen, Z., Schwing, M., Karlovšek, J., Wagner, N. and Scheuermann, A. (2014). Broadband dielectric measurement methods for soft geomaterials: coaxial transmission line cell and open-ended coaxial probe. International Journal of Engineering and Technology, 6 (5), 373-380. doi: 10.7763/IJET.2014.V6.728
Conference Papers
Pelz, Ulrike and Karlovšek, Jurij (2025). Advantages and limitations of using spray-applied membranes for tunnel waterproofing. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2025 (WTC 2025), Stockholm, Sweden, 9-15 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003559047-488
Dewangan, A., Zhang, Y., Sahoo, D. R. and Karlovsek, J. (2025). Multihazard resilience of tunnels in cohesive soil: Modeling and prediction approach. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2025 (WTC 2025), Stockholm, Sweden, 9-15 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003559047-172
Xu, Z., Hanžič, L., Asche, H. and Karlovšek, J. (2025). Re-evaluating restrained shrinkage tests for sustainable sprayed concrete tunnel linings. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2025 (WTC 2025), Stockholm, Sweden, 9-15 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003559047-66
Roper, T.P., Bertuzzi, R., Oliveira, D. and Karlovšek, J. (2025). Demonstrating how the observational method impacts structural safety in tunneling. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2025 (WTC 2025), Stockholm, Sweden, 9-15 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003559047-230
Gall, V.E., Mleczko, W., Salmi, J., Ye, Z., Angerer, W., Robert, F. and Karlovšek, J. (2025). Continued development of the ITA guideline for BIM in Tunnelling. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2025 (WTC 2025), Stockholm, Sweden, 9-15 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003559047-180
Glab, K., Westerlund, K., Shivasami, A., Foria, F., Dewangan, A., Robert, F., Menozzi, A. and Karlovsek, J. (2025). ITA development in ML and AI in tunnelling. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2025 (WTC 2025), Stockholm, Sweden, 9-15 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003559047-21
Karlovsek, J., Thompson, T., Sandford, B. and Haimes, J. (2025). Unlocking digital data in infrastructure projects: Focus on tunnelling. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2025 (WTC 2025), Stockholm, Sweden, 9-15 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003559047-559
Sanfilippo, R., Robert, F., Menozzi, A., Paskaleva, G., Garbutt, D., Foria, F., Glab, K., Folly, M., Svensson, M., Spaeh, J. and Karlovsek, J. (2025). ITA guideline for sustainable BIM approaches in lifecycle management of tunnelling projects. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2025 (WTC 2025), Stockholm, Sweden, 9-15 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003559047-586
Karlovsek, J., Zammit, H., Angerer, W., Garbutt, D., Menozzi, A. and Robert, F. (2025). Amendments to ITA recommendations document to incorporate ISO19650 parts 3, 4, and 5. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2025 (WTC 2025), Stockholm, Sweden, 9-15 May 2025. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003559047-560
Zhang, Y., Liu, X. and Karlovšek, J. (2024). Interpretation method for laser-scanning point clouds of segmental tunnel linings based on hybrid analysis. GeoShanghai 2024 International Conference, Shanghai, China, 26 - 29 May 2024. Bristol, United Kingdom: Institute of Physics Publishing. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1333/1/012021
Dewangan, Abhinav, Sahoo, Dipti Ranjan and Karlovsek, Jurij (2024). Performance analysis of supervised algorithms on encoded data for predicting tunnel strain classes. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress, WTC 2024, Shenzen, China, 19-25 April 2024. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press/Balkema. doi: 10.1201/9781003495505-399
Predana, I.M.A. and Karlovsek, Jurij (2023). Parametric design of road tunnels in Australia: a two-dimensional analysis. 18th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2023, Auckland, New Zealand, 5-8 November 2023. Auckland, New Zealand: Austalasian Tunnelling Conference.
Ahn, Jiwoo, Karlovšek, Jurij and Smith, Adrian (2023). Probabilistic assessment of rock loads for tunnel support design. 15th ISRM Congress 2023, Salzburg, Austria, 9-14 October 2023. Salzburg, Austria: ISRM.
Roper, T. P. and Karlovšek, J. (2023). A framework to assess the expected utility of the observational method. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2023 (WTC 2023), Athens, Greece, 12-18 May 2023. London, United Kingdom: CRC Press/Balkema. doi: 10.1201/9781003348030-199
Gall, Vojtech Ernst, Angerer, Wolfgang, Grasmick, Jacob and Karlovšek, Jurij (2022). Development of the ITA “BIM in Tunneling—Guideline for Bored Tunnels”. North American Tunneling Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19-22 June 2022. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME).
Ji, Songtao and Karlovšek, Jurij (2021). Failure of hard roof strata in underground mining and its control factors: an analytical model study. 55th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Online, 18-25 June 2021. Richardson, TX, United States: American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA).
Serati, Mehdi , El-Amin, Mutaz , Williams, David J., Quintero Olaya, Sebastian , Karlovsek, Jurij and Hanzic, Lucija (2020). Failure Mode of Concrete Under Polyaxial Stresses. 54th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Golden, CO United States, 28 June – 1 July 2020. Alexandria, VA United States: ARMA.
Murzi, Homero, Karlovsek, Jurij, Ruiz, Bianey, Virguez, Lilianny and Perez, Omar (2020). WIP: Using a teamwork model to manage large teams in a large lecture. 2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference, Online, 22 - 26 June, 2020. Washington, DC United States: ASEE Conferences. doi: 10.18260/1-2--29133
Murzi, Homero, Karlovsek, Jurij, Ruiz, Bianey and Virguez, Lilianny (2017). WIP: Using a teamwork model to manage large teams in a large lecture. 2017 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Columbus, OH, United States, 24-28 June 2017. Washington, DC, United States: American Society for Engineering Education.
Žibert, Marko, Keniston, Scott and Karlovšek, Jurij (2016). Tunnel information modelling in most recent form: applying BIM technologies and procedures in tunnelling environment. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2016, WTC 2016, San Francisco, CA, United States, 22-28 April 2016. Englewood, CO, United States: Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.
Gibson, Timothy, Shaw, Timothy, Karlovsek, Jurij, Emberley, Richard and Torero, José L. (2016). Experimental quantification of tunnel fire heat flux. ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2016, WTC 2016, San Francisco, CA USA, 22-28 April 2016. Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.
Miha Hafner, Elea iC, Karlovšek, Jurij and Marko Zibert, Elea iC (2014). Road infrastructure security assessment and measures selection methodology using SecMan - tunnel example. 15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 17-19 Spetember 2014. Barton, ACT, Australia: Engineers Australia and Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Bialkowski, K. and Karlovsek, J. (2014). Estimating propagating velocity through steel fibre reinforced concrete. 2014 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, APSURSI 2014, Memphis, TN United States, 6-11 July 2014. Piscataway, NJ United States: I E E E. doi: 10.1109/APS.2014.6905109
Karlovsek, Jurij, Wagner, Norman, Bonitz, Frank and Williams, David J. (2012). Broadband dielectric spectroscopy of undisturbed soil samples. 34th International Geological Congress Australia 2012 (IGC), Brisbane, Australia, 5-10 August 2012. Australia: Australian Geosciences Council.
Karlovsek, Jurij, Wagner, Norman and Scheuermann, Alexandar (2012). Frequency-dependant dielectric parameters of steel fibre reinforced concrete. 14th International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Shanghai, China, 4-8 June 2012. Hoboken, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/ICGPR.2012.6254918
Karlovsek, Jurij, Scheuermann, Alexandar and Williams, David J. (2012). Investigation of voids and cavities in bored tunnels using GPR. 14th International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR2012), Shanghai, China, 4-8 June 2012. Hoboken, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/ICGPR.2012.6254916
Bonitz, F., Wagner, N., Kupfer, K., Knoblauch, S. and Karlovsek, J. (2012). Spatial time domain reflectometry for monitoring of the hydrological water balance at a lysimeter test site in Thuringia/Germany. IGARSS 2012: 32nd IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Munich, Germany, 22-27 July, 2012. Piscataway, NJ, USA: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). doi: 10.1109/IGARSS.2012.6351466
Karlovsek, J., Scheuermann, A., Muller, W. and Williams, D. J. (2011). Application of ground penetrating radar to testing tunnel integrity. 14th Australasian Tunnelling Conference: Development of Underground Space, Auckland, New Zealand, 8-10 March 2011. Carlton, VIC, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Muller, Wayne, Karlovsek, Jurij, Reeves, Bryan, Scheuermann, Alexander, Dux, Peter and Williams, David (2010). Characterising moisture and other properties of civil engineering infrastructure using GPR. First European Conference on Moisture Measurement Aquametry 2010, Weimar, Germany, 5-7 October 2010. Weimar, Germany: MFPA Weimar.
Design
Thesis
Karlovsek, Jurij (2014). Non-destructive testing of tunnel integrity using ground penetrating radar. PhD Thesis, School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2015.206
Data Collections
Predana, I Made Aryatirta and Karlovšek, Jurij (2021). Parametric Analysis of Support System Development in Road Tunnels. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/f4cd975
Ji, Songtao and Karlovšek, Jurij (2021). Optimized Differential Evolution Algorithm for Solving DEM Material Calibration Problem. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/ca1267d