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Dr Jurij Karlovsek
Dr

Jurij Karlovsek

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 31686

Overview

Background

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:

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.

Availability

Dr Jurij Karlovsek is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research impacts

Awards and Memberships:

  • UQ SIRH - Co-Director - Sustainable Infrastructure Research Hub (EAIT Faculty Lead)
  • SoCE - Director Engagement
  • ATS - Vice-President at National Committee (Australian Tunnelling Society)
  • Infrastructure CoLab - Co-Founder and Area Lead
  • ABAB – Australian BIM Advisory Board - Industry Lead / Infrastructure (Tunnels)
  • BrisBIM – Digital Construction Industry Queensland - Committee Member
  • PlanTech - Planing Institute Australia (PIA) Technical Group - Member
  • ITA Animateur of Working Group 22 – Information Modelling in Tunnelling (Past Chair 2016 - 2023)
  • AuSS (Australian Shotcrete Society) National Committee Member
  • QGD Website - Website Co-Owner
  • Industry Advisory Board Member (Civil Engineering), UQ (2020 - 2022)
  • Academic Advisor - Civil Geotechnical Engineering Major (2020 - 2022)
  • ITA Young Members Group (ITAYM Founder and Chair) – 2014-2016
  • International Tunnelling and Underground Space Awards 2015 (ITA-AITES Awards): ITA Young Tunneller of the Year 2015
  • ATS Young Professional Representative (ATSYM Founder and Chair) – 2012-2016
  • David Sudgen Award 2012; ATS Award - Young Professional Engineers, Sydney - 2012
  • Vice-Chair & Founder of UQ APS (Association of Postgraduate Students), UQ - 2011
  • President of PRESS (Postgraduate Research in Engineering Student Society), UQ – 2010

Works

Search Professor Jurij Karlovsek’s works on UQ eSpace

65 works between 2010 and 2025

1 - 20 of 65 works

2025

Conference Publication

Advantages and limitations of using spray-applied membranes for tunnel waterproofing

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

Advantages and limitations of using spray-applied membranes for tunnel waterproofing

2025

Conference Publication

ITA guideline for sustainable BIM approaches in lifecycle management of tunnelling projects

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

ITA guideline for sustainable BIM approaches in lifecycle management of tunnelling projects

2025

Conference Publication

ITA development in ML and AI in tunnelling

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

ITA development in ML and AI in tunnelling

2025

Conference Publication

Re-evaluating restrained shrinkage tests for sustainable sprayed concrete tunnel linings

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

Re-evaluating restrained shrinkage tests for sustainable sprayed concrete tunnel linings

2025

Conference Publication

Multihazard resilience of tunnels in cohesive soil: Modeling and prediction approach

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

Multihazard resilience of tunnels in cohesive soil: Modeling and prediction approach

2025

Conference Publication

Continued development of the ITA guideline for BIM in Tunnelling

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

Continued development of the ITA guideline for BIM in Tunnelling

2025

Conference Publication

Unlocking digital data in infrastructure projects: Focus on tunnelling

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

Unlocking digital data in infrastructure projects: Focus on tunnelling

2025

Conference Publication

Amendments to ITA recommendations document to incorporate ISO19650 parts 3, 4, and 5

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

Amendments to ITA recommendations document to incorporate ISO19650 parts 3, 4, and 5

2025

Conference Publication

Demonstrating how the observational method impacts structural safety in tunneling

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

Demonstrating how the observational method impacts structural safety in tunneling

2025

Journal Article

A systems thinking approach to reimagining innovation models: the example of clean hydrogen

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

A systems thinking approach to reimagining innovation models: the example of clean hydrogen

2025

Journal Article

Improving tunnel fire safety: a Bayesian network model for risk analysis and a novel risk acceptability range for risk evaluation

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

Improving tunnel fire safety: a Bayesian network model for risk analysis and a novel risk acceptability range for risk evaluation

2024

Book Chapter

Integrating digital twins in urban sustainability: a framework for university campus applications

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

Integrating digital twins in urban sustainability: a framework for university campus applications

2024

Journal Article

Natural creation of large rock cavern: can we construct them? Jenolan caves as a case study

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

Natural creation of large rock cavern: can we construct them? Jenolan caves as a case study

2024

Journal Article

The failure of edge-cracked hard roof in underground mining: An analytical study

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

The failure of edge-cracked hard roof in underground mining: An analytical study

2024

Conference Publication

Interpretation method for laser-scanning point clouds of segmental tunnel linings based on hybrid analysis

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

Interpretation method for laser-scanning point clouds of segmental tunnel linings based on hybrid analysis

2024

Journal Article

Large ring test for evaluation of restrained shrinkage cracking: calibration and experimental trial

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

Large ring test for evaluation of restrained shrinkage cracking: calibration and experimental trial

2024

Journal Article

Recommended rock joints setting in 2D FEM simulations for engineering design of excavations created in jointed rockmass

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

Recommended rock joints setting in 2D FEM simulations for engineering design of excavations created in jointed rockmass

2024

Journal Article

The Queensland geotechnical database

Thompson, Tim, Priddle, Jared and Karlovsek, Jurij (2024). The Queensland geotechnical database. Australian Geomechanics Journal, 59 (1), 93-102. doi: 10.56295/AGJ5915

The Queensland geotechnical database

2024

Journal Article

A framework to demonstrate the utility and safety of the observational method

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

A framework to demonstrate the utility and safety of the observational method

2024

Conference Publication

Performance analysis of supervised algorithms on encoded data for predicting tunnel strain classes

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

Performance analysis of supervised algorithms on encoded data for predicting tunnel strain classes

Funding

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2026
    Batteries at sea and the global SAR community
    Lloyd's Register Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Modelling impacts of natural hazards on interconnected infrastructure networks
    Natural Hazards Research Australia
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Infrastructure CoLab 2023 - 24
    Business Models (Australia) Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023
    The Infrastructure Workforce in Transition - KBR-IS Case
    Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Jurij Karlovsek is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Value of Geotechnical Information as a Public or Private Asset

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor David Williams

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Large Ring Test for Restrained Shrinkage Cracking in Shotcrete Tunnel Lining

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Tunnelling related topic - Water mitigation

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor David Williams

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Resilience of Underground Infrastructure Use of Digital Engineering

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cristyn Meath, Associate Professor David Lange

  • Doctor Philosophy

    How wide can a rock reinforced cavern be opened?

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Mojtaba Rajabi

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

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