Manuel Davila Delgado

Professor in Applied AI and Business Transformation

Birmingham City Business School

Email:: Manuel.daviladelgado@bcu.ac.uk

Professor Manuel Davila is responsible for delivering high-impact research at the intersection of key digital technologies that enable digital transformation.

He is an expert in developing novel digital solutions for smart infrastructure and digital engineering. His interests and expertise lie at the intersection of Digital Twins, Machine Learning, and Immersive Technologies.

He has over 16 years of experience applying research in varied areas of digital engineering. He has a PhD in computational mechanics, topology optimisation, and evolutionary structural optimisation. He has carried out research at the Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands, the National University of Singapore, the University of Cambridge, UK, and the University of the West of England, UK.

He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed international publications and secured research grants from Innovate UK and the Centre for Digital Built Britain in excess of £3.6 million (PI: £840K, Co-I: 2.83 million). His research has helped top companies in the UK (e.g. Balfour Beatty, Costain, Airbus) to adopt novel emerging technologies and develop digital solutions that enable data-driven decision-making.

In 2019, he was the winner of the J. James R. Croes Medal, awarded by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), for the article “Structural Performance Monitoring Using a Dynamic Data-Driven BIM Environment”. The award recognises the most notable contribution to engineering research in terms of the practical value of the research and its impact on engineering practice.

Areas of Expertise

Memberships

Research

Postgraduate Supervision

Publications

Journal Articles

1. Barrera-Animas A. Y. and Davila Delgado, J. M. (2023) Generating real-world-like labelled synthetic datasets for construction site applications, Automation in Construction, (In Press).

2. Barrera-Animas A. Y., Oyedele L., Bilal, M., Akinosho, T. D., Davila Delgado, J. M., Akanbi, L. A., (2022), Rainfall Prediction: A Comparative Analysis of Modern Machine Learning Algorithms for Time-Series Forecasting, Machine Learning with Applications, 7, 100204 .

3. Davila Delgado, J. M., & Oyedele L., (2021). Deep learning with small datasets: Using autoencoders to address limited datasets in construction management. Applied Soft Computing, 112, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2021.107836

4. Davila Delgado, J. M., & Oyedele, L. (2021). Digital Twins for the built environment: Learning from conceptual and process models in manufacturing. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 49, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2021.101332.

5. Oyedele, A., Ajayi, A., Oyedele, L. O., Davila Delgado, J. M., Akanbi, L., Akinade, O., …Bilal, M. (2021). Deep learning and Boosted trees for injuries prediction in power infrastructure projects. Applied Soft Computing, 110(107587), 1 - 14.

6. S. O. Abioye, L. O. Oyedele, L. Akanbi, A. Ajayi, Davila Delgado, J. M., M. Bilal, O. O. Akinade, A. Ahmed, (2021), Artificial intelligence in the construction industry: A review of present status, opportunities and future challenges, Journal of Building Engineering, Volume 44, 103299, ISSN 2352-7102, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.103299.

7. Bello, S. A., Oyedele, L. O., Akinade, O. O., Bilal, M., Davila Delgado, J. M., Akanbi, L. A., …Owolabi, H. A. (2021). Cloud computing in construction industry: Use cases, benefits and challenges. Automation in Construction, 122, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103441.

8. Gbadamosi, A., Oyedele, L., Davila Delgado, J. M., Kusimo, H., Akanbi, L., Olawale, O., & Muhammed-Yakubu, N. (2021). IoT for predictive assets monitoring and maintenance: An implementation strategy for the UK rail industry. Automation in Construction, 122.

9. Vela, A., Alvarado-Uribe, J., Davila Delgado, J. M., Hernandez-Gress, N., & Ceballos, H. G. (2020). Estimating occupancy levels in enclosed spaces using environmental variables: A fitness gym and living room as evaluation scenarios. Sensors, 20(22), 6579. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20226579.

10. Gbadamosi, A., Oyedele, L., Mahamadu, A., Kusimo, H., Bilal, M., Davila Delgado, J. M., & Muhammed-Yakubu, N. (2020). Big data for design options repository: Towards a DFMA approach for offsite construction. Automation in Construction, 120, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103388.

11. Akinosho, T. D., Oyedele, L. O., Bilal, M., Ajayi, A. O., Davila Delgado, J. M., Akinade, O. O., & Ahmed, A. A. (2020). Deep learning in the construction industry: A review of present status and future innovations. Journal of Building Engineering, 32, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101827.

12. Luo, X. J., Oyedele, L. O., Ajayi, A. O., Akinade, O. O., Davila Delgado, J. M., Owolabi, H. A., & Ahmed, A. (2020). Genetic algorithm-determined deep feedforward neural network architecture for predicting electricity consumption in real buildings. Energy and AI, 2, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyai.2020.100015.

13. Ajayi, A., Oyedele, L., Owolabi, H., Akinade, O., Bilal, M., Davila Delgado, J.M. and Akanbi, L. (2020), Deep Learning Models for Health and Safety Risk Prediction in Power Infrastructure Projects. Risk Analysis, 40: 2019-2039. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13425

14. Olugbenga Akinade, Lukumon Oyedele, Ahmed Oyedele, Davila Delgado, J.M., Muhammad Bilal, Lukman Akanbi, Anuoluwapo Ajayi & Hakeem Owolabi (2020) Design for deconstruction using a circular economy approach: barriers and strategies for improvement, Production Planning & Control, 31:10, 829-840, DOI: 10.1080/09537287.2019.1695006

15. Davila Delgado, J.M. Oyedele, L., Demian, P., & Beach, T. (2020). A research agenda for augmented and virtual reality in architecture, engineering and construction. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 45, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2020.101122

16. Davila Delgado, J.M. Oyedele, L., Beach, T., & Demian, P. (2020). Augmented and virtual reality in construction: Drivers and limitations for industry adoption. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 146(7), https://doi.org/10.1061...%29CO.1943-7862.0001844

17. Davila Delgado, J.M. & Oyedele, L. O. (2020). BIM data model requirements for asset monitoring and the circular economy. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 18(5), 1269-1285. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-10-2019-0284

18. Ajayi, A., Oyedele, L., Akinade, O., Bilal, M., Akanbi, L., Davila Delgado, J.M. & Owolabi, H. (2020). Optimised Big Data analytics for health and safety hazards prediction in power infrastructure operations. Safety Science, 125, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104656

19. Davila Delgado, J.M. Oyedele, L., Bilal, M., Ajayi, A., Akanbi, L., & Akinade, O. (2020). Big data analytics system for costing power transmission projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 146(1), https://doi.org/10.1061...%29CO.1943-7862.0001745

20. Davila Delgado, J.M. Oyedele, L., Ajayi, A., Akanbi, L., Akinade, L., Bilal, M., & Owolabi, H. (2019). Robotics and automated systems in construction: Understanding industry-specific challenges for adoption. Journal of Building Engineering, 26, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100868

21. Bilal, M., Oyedele, L. O., Kusimo, H. O., Owolabi, H. A., Akanbi, L. A., Ajayi, A. O., … Davila Delgado, J.M. (2019). Investigating profitability performance of construction projects using big data: A project analytics approach. Journal of Building Engineering, 26, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100850

22. Davila Delgado, J.M. (2019). Vision network: Augmented reality and virtual reality for digital built Britain, Cambridge Centre for Digital Built Britain, CDBB.

23. Akanbi, L. A., Oyedele, L. O., Omoteso, K., Bilal, M., Akinade, O. O., Ajayi, A. O., Davila Delgado, J.M., Owolabi, H. A. (2019). Disassembly and deconstruction analytics system (D-DAS) for construction in a circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 223, 386-396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.03.172

24. Bilal, M., Oyedele, L. O., Akinade, O. O., Davila Delgado, J.M. Akanbi, L. A., Ajayi, A. O., & Younis, M. S. (2019). Design optimisation using convex programming: Towards waste-efficient building designs. Journal of Building Engineering, 23, 231-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.01.022

25. Akanbi, L., Oyedele, L., Davila Delgado, J.M., Bilal, M., Akinade, O., Ajayi, A., & Mohammed-Yakub, N. (2019). Reusability analytics tool for end-of-life assessment of building materials in a circular economy. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 16(1), 40-55. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-05-2018-0041

26. Ajayi, A., Oyedele, L., Davila Delgado, J.M., Akanbi, L., Bilal, M., Akinade, O., & Olawale, O. (2019). Big data platform for health and safety accident prediction. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 16(1), 2-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-05-2018-0042

27. Davila Delgado, J.M., Butler, L. J., Brilakis, I., Elshafie, M. Z. E. B., & Middleton, C. R. (2018). Structural performance monitoring using a dynamic data-driven BIM environment. ASCE Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering. 32(3).

28. Akanbi, L. A., Oyedele, L., Akinade, O., Ajayi, A. O., Davila Delgado, J.M., Bilal, M., & Bello, S. A. (2017). Salvaging building materials in a circular economy: A BIM-based whole-life performance estimator. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 129, 175-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.10.026

29. Davila Delgado, J.M., Butler, L., Gibbons, N., Brilakis, I., Elshafie, M., Middleton, C. (2016). Management of structural monitoring data of bridges on BIM. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Bridge Engineering, 170(3), 204–2018.

30. Hofmeyer, H. & Davila Delgado, J.M. (2015). Co-evolutionary and Genetic Algorithm Based Building Spatial and Structural Design. Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing. Vol. 29 (04), 351-370.

31. Davila Delgado, J.M. & Hofmeyer, H. (2013). Automated generation of structural solutions based on spatial designs. Automation in Construction, 35, 528-541.

32. Hofmeyer, H. & Davila Delgado, J.M. (2013). Automated design studies: topology versus one-step evolutionary structural optimisation. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 27(4), 427-443.

Conference Papers

33. G. Otukogbe, L. Oyedele, L. Akanbi, Davila Delgado, J.M., H. Owolabi, S. Ganiyu, I. Olojede, N. Muhammed-Yakubu and K. Kadiri (2021). Construction site layout planning methods: an analytical review, IDoBE International Conference 2021, Accepted Paper.

34. Davila Delgado, J.M., Oyedele, L., Akinade, O., Bilal, M., Akanbi, L., Ajayi, A. (2017) BIM Data Model Requirements for Structural Monitoring of Built Assets, Environmental Design and Management International Conference (EDMIC) 2017, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

35. Bilal M., Oyedele, L., Ajayi, A., Akinade, O., Davila Delgado, J.M., Akanbi, L. (2017), Big Data Architecture for Profitability Analytics in Engineering Projects, Environmental Design and Management International Conference (EDMIC) 2017, OA University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

36. Akinade O., Oyedele L., Akanbi, L., Ajayi, A., Davila Delgado, J.M., Bilal, M. (2017), BIM Implementation in Developing Countries: Learning from UK Experience, Environmental Design and Management International Conference (EDMIC) 2017, OA University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

37. Davila Delgado, J.M., Brilakis, I., Middleton, C. (2016). Modelling, management, and visualisation of structural performance monitoring data on BIM. International Conference on Smart Infrastructure and Construction (ICSIC). 27-29 June 2016, Cambridge, UK.

38. Davila Delgado, J.M., De Battista, N., Brilakis, I., Middleton, C. (2016). Design and data modelling of fibre optic systems to monitor reinforced concrete structural elements. Construction Research Congress 2016. 31 May - 2 June 2016, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

39. Davila Delgado, J.M., Brilakis, I., Middleton, C. (2015). Open Data Standards for Structural Performance Monitoring of Infrastructure Assets. International Conference CIB W78 2015, International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction. 27-29 October 2015, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

40. Hofmeyer, H. & Davila Delgado, J.M. (2015). Strategies for Building Spatial and Structural Design Generation and Optimisation. Interplay 2015, The International Association of Societies of Design Research (IASDR) 2-5 November 2015, Brisbane, Australia.

41. Davila Delgado, J.M. & Hofmeyer, H. (2014). Optimising building structural topologies. In M.G. Karlaftis, N.D. Lagaros & M. Papadrakakis (Eds.), Conference Paper : OPT-i : International Conference on Engineering and Applied Sciences Optimization : Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Engineering and Applied Sciences, held in Kos Island, Greece, 4- 6 June 2014, (pp. 1965-1976). Athens: Institute of Structural Analysis and Antiseismic Research, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA).

42. Hofmeyer, H. & Davila Delgado, J.M. (2014). 3D topology optimisation including a movable void. In H. Li, Y. Rafiq & P. de Wilde (Eds.), Proceedings of the 21st International Workshop: Intelligent Computing in Engineering (EG-ICE 2014), July 16-18, 2014 in Cardiff, The United Kingdom, (pp. 1-10). Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom: Cardiff University School of Engineering.

43. Hofmeyer, H. & Davila Delgado, J.M.. (2014). Generation of structure concepts via 3D topology optimisation. In H. Li, Y. Rafiq & P. de Wilde (Eds.), Proceedings of the 21st International Workshop: Intelligent Computing in Engineering (EG-ICE 2014), July 16-18, 2014 in Cardiff, The United Kingdom, (pp. 1-10). Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom: Cardiff University School of Engineering.

44. Davila Delgado, J.M. & Hofmeyer, H. (2013). Automated simulation and study of spatial-structural design processes. In R. Stouffs & S. Sariyildiz (Eds.), Proceedings of the 31st International Conference on Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, eCAADe 2013, Computation and Performance, 18-20 September 2013, Delft, The Netherlands, (2, pp. 155-164). Brussels and Delft: eCAADe and Faculty of Architecture, Delft University of Technology

45. Davila Delgado, J.M. & Hofmeyer, H. (2013). Research engine: a tool to simulate and study spatial-structural design processes. In J Zhang & C Sun (Eds.), Proceedings of the Global Design and Local Materialization: 15th International Conference, CAAD Futures 2013, Shanghai, China, July 3-5, 2013. Proceedings (Communications in Computer and Information Science), (pp. 96-108). Springer.

46. Hofmeyer, H. & Davila Delgado, J.M. (2013). Finite element deletion and topology optimisation for building structural optimisation. In S. Kajewski, K. Manley & K. Hampson (Eds.), Proceedings of the 19th CIB World Building Congress, 5-9 May 2013, Brisbane, (pp. 1-12). Brisbane: The School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.

47. Davila Delgado, J.M. & Hofmeyer, H. (2012). Fundaments for developing an automated structural optimization tool based on strain energy. Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (14th ICCCBE). Moscow, Russia.

48. Hofmeyer, H. & Davila Delgado, J.M. (2012). Spatial-structural interaction and strain energy structural optimization. Proceedings of the International Workshop: Intelligent Computing in Engineering (EG-ICE 2012), Technische Universität München.

49. Davila Delgado, J.M., Hofmeyer, H. & Kerstens, J.G.M. (2011). Automated Generation of Structural Solutions based on Spatial Designs to serve as a Support Tool in early Stages of the Design Process, Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality 2011, Weimar: Bauhaus-Universität.

Books and book contributions

50. Davila Delgado, J.M. (2014). Building Structural Design Generation and Optimisation including Spatial Modification. Bouwstenen 200, ISBN: 978-94-6259-449-4.

51. Master project published in: Knaack, U., Klein, T., Bilow, M., (2008). Imagine 02 Deflateables, 010 Publishers, ISBN-10: 9064506574.