This group photo was taken during the Borrmann research group’s winter seminar, a three-day stay in the Bavarian Alps where they went for hikes in between presenting and discussing their latest research results.
Yelda Turkan is an associate professor of civil and construction engineering and a Robert C. Wilson Faculty Scholar in OSU’s College of Engineering. Her work focuses on computer vision and machine learning applications for a sustainable and resilient built environment, using lidar and digital twinning to innovate construction operations and improve decision-making in the built environment.
Where were you working?
I spent time in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, Germany, which is home to renowned institutions like the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and major companies, making it a key hub for education, science and industry.
What languages are spoken there?
German is the official language, but since most Germans speak English fluently, I’ve never really needed to use German – even though I wanted to learn it. Next time I visit, I plan to take a German class and immerse myself in the language while living there.
What was the focus of your work?
My work focuses on the development of digital replicas, known as “digital twins” (DTs), of existing bridges. We typically begin with a 3D scan, commonly known as a 3D point cloud, of a bridge. Using this point cloud, which contains detailed 3D geometry information, we create 3D elements of the bridge and then enhance these elements by adding semantic information, such as material types, sensor readings and load-bearing capacity, for structural health monitoring.
Digital twins of bridges can help us accurately and quickly assess the bridges’ structural condition. This technology can play a crucial role in preventing catastrophic events, such as the recent collapse of a railway bridge in Corvallis near Avery Park.
In Munich, I worked with Professor Andre Borrmann, a world-leading expert in the field of artificial intelligence for hybrid point cloud and image processing. The goal of this collaboration is to automate the process of converting the point cloud into accurate 3D models, as well as the semantic enrichment process, using machine learning algorithms. This process can be done manually; however, it takes too much time.
When was your most recent trip?
I spent three months in Munich during the spring of 2024.
Who are your closest local colleagues?
Andre Borrmann, the chair of computing in building and civil engineering at TUM.
Turkan, second from right, with colleagues at TUM in Munich.
What’s the biggest challenge of working there?
Engaging with TUM’s dynamic academic environment pushed me to expand my research perspectives, as I collaborated with some of the brightest minds in science and engineering. The fast-paced academic culture at TUM encouraged me to think more strategically about my projects, sharpening my ability to manage complex collaborations and high-impact research.
What’s the best food you had there?
One of the best local dishes I tried was Käsespätzle, a traditional German dish made of soft, egg-based pasta (Spätzle) and melted cheese (Käse), topped with crispy fried onions. It reminded me of mac and cheese but with a richer flavor and a chewier texture. Aside from German cuisine, Munich also has excellent Italian restaurants, where I enjoyed some of the best pizza I’ve had.
What’s the coolest thing a local showed you?
Anne Fischer, TUM’s chair of materials handling and material flow logistics, took me to Munich Urban Colab, an innovation hub jointly established by TUM and the city of Munich. Designed to foster interdisciplinary and cross-industry collaboration, it provided a great opportunity to interact with researchers working in the circular economy. At TUM, this field is supported by CirculaTUM, an interdisciplinary research network that connects experts across disciplines, drives new projects, integrates systemic thinking into teaching and nurtures student innovation and entrepreneurship.
What’s an important phrase to know in the local language?
There are a few: “Sprechen Sie Englisch?” (do you speak English?), “Danke” (thanks) or “Vielen Dank” (many thanks) and “Bitteschön” (you are welcome).
What’s one thing from your experience that you’ll take back to Oregon with you?
My host, Prof. Borrmann, and his research group had lunch together several times a week and often went for coffee as a team. This proved to be a great bonding activity, and I hope to incorporate a similar practice within my research group at OSU.
What were you most surprised to learn?
I was pleasantly surprised by how well Germans spoke English and their humble nature. I would always start conversations with “Sprechen Sie Englisch?” and the typical response was “A little.” However, it didn’t take long to realize that many were actually fluent in English.
It was also wonderful to see how much Germans love the outdoors. Hiking and spending time outside are popular activities, which reminded me a lot of the culture here in the Pacific Northwest.
Turkan, left, reuniting with friends in Germany.
Besides family, what did you most miss from home?
I really missed cooking and baking at home. While our short-term rental in Munich was lovely, it just didn’t have the same tools and gadgets I rely on for my culinary adventures. Grocery shopping was also quite the experience. I often found myself using Google Translate to ensure I was picking up the right ingredients for my recipes. Another thing I missed was my short and pleasant commute to work. In Corvallis, it's just a 10-minute walk or a quick two-minute bike ride.
What piece of advice would you give others who might travel there?
Although most Germans speak English fluently, learning a few basic German phrases is a great way to connect with locals. I also highly recommend a trip to the Bavarian Alps, whether for skiing in winter or hiking in summer.
