# When does a bridge become an aeroplane?

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.18406 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.18406/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 7 of its 19 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 27 Nov 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 7 of 7)

- [Geometric deep learning: going beyond Euclidean data](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1611.08097/) (2016)
- [Geometric deep learning on graphs and manifolds using mixture model CNNs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1611.08402/) (2016)
- [Self-Training: A Survey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2202.12040/) (2022)
- [On Learning the Geodesic Path for Incremental Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2104.08572/) (2021)
- [Foundations of Population-Based SHM, Part IV: The Geometry of Spaces of Structures and their Feature Spaces](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2103.03655/) (2021)
- [Gradual Domain Adaptation via Normalizing Flows](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2206.11492/) (2022)
- [On statistic alignment for domain adaptation in structural health monitoring](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.12052/) (2022)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Transfer learning via interpolating structures](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.22621/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Despite recent advances in population-based structural health monitoring (PBSHM), knowledge transfer between highly-disparate structures (i.e., heterogeneous populations) remains a challenge. It has been proposed that heterogeneous transfer may be accomplished via intermediate structures that bridge the gap in information between the structures of interest. A key aspect of the technique is the idea that by varying parameters such as material properties and geometry, one structure can be continuously morphed into another. The current work demonstrates the development of these interpolating structures, via case studies involving the parameterisation of (and transfer between) a simple, simulated 'bridge' and 'aeroplane'. The facetious question 'When is a bridge not an aeroplane?' has been previously asked in the context of predicting positive transfer based on structural similarity. While the obvious answer to this question is 'Always,' the current work demonstrates that in some cases positive transfer can be achieved between highly-disparate systems.