Civil Engineering
Articles tagged with Civil Engineering
Closed-loop recycling: Improving plastics recycling from end-of-life vehicles
Designing the port of the future
The Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Simulation for Next Generation Ports (C4NGP) at NUS College of Design and Engineering aims to design the port of the future. The C4NGP focuses on creating sustainable ports with reduced environmental impact.
X-shaped sleepers improve load transfer under impact on railway tracks
Researchers found that X-shaped sleepers break down impact loads into a dense, uniform network of force chains, reducing stress concentrations and enhancing interlocking between ballast particles. This spatially diffused load transfer mechanism improves trackbed stability and impact resistance.
Hasanuddin University study paves way for sustainable construction in sugar-producing regions
Researchers reconstruct path and intensity of China's Guangzhou 'April 27' tornado using multi-source data
Rain barrels and other household stormwater strategies are working — for now
A new study from Drexel University finds that decentralized stormwater management strategies can significantly reduce flooding volumes, with a 11-13% decrease. These efforts include rain barrels, cisterns and water-efficient fixtures, which help minimize the amount of water flowing into sewer systems.
Dan M. Frangopol earns third ASCE Wellington Prize for infrastructure resilience research
Dan M. Frangopol has been awarded the third ASCE Wellington Prize for his groundbreaking study on probabilistic connectivity assessment of road networks subjected to ground motion and tsunamis. The research provides a more realistic assessment of network performance under extreme conditions, helping engineers and planners identify vuln...
Researchers find smarter lighting could cut home energy use by 15%
Researchers found that improved lighting design combined with modern LED technology can reduce household energy use and enhance comfort. The study showed a 15.3% reduction in energy consumption by optimising lighting planning and positioning using software-based approaches.
Tunnel workers report being exposed to significant silica dust risks: research survey
A national survey of Australian tunnel construction workers found significant silica dust exposure risks, with many reporting barriers to effective dust control measures. The study calls for stronger regulatory enforcement and oversight to prevent preventable disease in the high-risk industry.
New research uses AI to unlock decades of hidden flood risk data
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed an AI-driven framework to extract and analyze historical flood insurance maps, uncovering significant changes in flood hazard areas. The study reveals that flood risks have expanded in two areas and reduced in one, with critical consequences for resilience and exposure.
Investigating the effects of high-volume fly ash on early-age characteristics and hardening properties of concrete
This study investigates the effects of high-volume fly ash on early-age characteristics and hardening properties of concrete. The results show that fly ash can improve fresh concrete workability but delays setting time. However, moderate fly ash replacement achieves excellent long-term strength and stiffness.
Transient windstorms pose danger to railroad transport—how can we tackle it?
A recent study has developed an analytical model of downburst wind fields, which reproduces key observable features while adhering to fundamental mechanical principles. The model proposes a framework for assessing train overturning due to downbursts, with high train speeds identified as the most significant contributor to increased risk.
Turning “wastewater” into a resource: New insights on liquid fertilizer from hydrothermal carbonization
Process water from hydrothermal carbonization contains substantial amounts of nutrients and organic compounds, making it a nutrient-rich resource for crop production and environmental management. Diluting the liquid or using pre-treatment methods can reduce risks associated with its use.
Road infrastructure and traffic affect community members’ mental health, study finds
A study by Brown University and Columbia University found that road infrastructure isolates communities, leading to increased schizophrenia-related hospital visits. The Community Severance Index measures physical and social disconnection using roads, traffic, and lack of pedestrian infrastructure.
Post-pandemic cycling boom in major cities, as cyclist safety improved thanks to more and better cycling infrastructure
A new study reveals a post-pandemic cycling boom in major cities, with fatality rates dropping by up to 88% in Paris, 82% in London, and 62% in New York City. The improvement is attributed to the expansion and improvement of cycling infrastructure, including cycleways separated from motor vehicle traffic.
Tolls saved Britain from pothole hell in the Industrial Revolution, diaries reveal
A new study analyzing nearly 100 travellers' diaries reveals that turnpiking improved road conditions, reducing danger and speeding up journeys. The toll-funded system made a major contribution to the Industrial Revolution by reducing freight rates and enabling faster stagecoach travel.
Millimeter-scale resolution in fiber-optic sensing: single-ended technique advances infrastructure monitoring
Researchers develop signal-processing method to suppress distortions, achieving 6mm spatial resolution in single-ended Brillouin sensing. This enables early detection of damage or abnormal conditions in aging infrastructure.
New method offers a more realistic way to judge how near-fault structures perform in earthquakes
A new method, MIDA, uses physics-based ground motion simulations tied to earthquake magnitude to better assess seismic performance of near-fault structures. This approach reduces subjectivity and nonphysical distortion, providing a more stable and realistic prediction of structural response.
Research targets outdated manufactured housing wind-safety codes
A University of Kansas engineer is conducting research on outdated manufactured housing wind-safety codes, which have remained unchanged since 1994. The study uses a hurricane simulator to test the structural response and failure points of manufactured homes under varying wind conditions.
Tuning biochar temperature unlocks major nitrogen savings in food waste composting
Researchers discovered that carefully selecting the temperature used to produce biochar can optimize both environmental performance and compost quality. Biochar produced at a moderate temperature achieved the optimal balance between ammonium adsorption and microbial nitrification, resulting in a 46.3% reduction in total nitrogen loss.
Five-year field study reveals smarter biochar strategy to cut methane from rice paddies
A five-year field study shows that small, repeated additions of biochar combined with water-saving irrigation can significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies over time while maintaining strong crop yields. Continuous application maintained and strengthened methane reduction, producing net negative emissions in some cases.
Urban construction soils identified as hidden carbon source, with biochar offering a scalable climate solution
A new study reveals excavated urban soils as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide and methane. Biochar application and soil capping can dramatically reduce emissions by up to 96%, offering a practical climate solution for urban development.
AI-guided biochar design offers new pathway to tackle emerging water pollutants
A new study presents a framework combining biochar engineering with artificial intelligence to design next-generation materials tailored for specific pollutants. The work highlights how advanced data-driven approaches can accelerate the development of sustainable water treatment technologies.
Dan M. Frangopol earns repeat ASCE honor for bridge resilience research
Frangopol and his team develop a framework to optimize seismic retrofit strategies for deteriorating bridge columns, balancing risk and cost. The approach integrates time-dependent risk assessment, economic evaluation, and real options analysis to identify optimal intervention timing under uncertainty.
Influence of dry-wet cycles and chemical pollution on red soil improved with building gypsum powder
Research finds that building gypsum powder reduces soil strength when exposed to water, but augments it at low concentrations of sodium sulfate. The study also reveals the impact of dry-wet cycles on soil pores, structure, and resistance.
SWOT satellite reveals hidden tsunami signals linked to near trench processes of the Kamchatka earthquake
New research uses SWOT satellite data to detect two-dimensional tsunami wave patterns near the earthquake's source, offering critical insight for coastal risk evaluation. The study found that trailing tsunami waves are linked to an earthquake rupture occurring less than 10 kilometers beneath the trench.
Study examines how autonomous vehicles may change morning commutes
Researchers examined how autonomous vehicles affect morning commutes and parking in business districts, finding that AVs could increase vehicle hours and miles traveled. Urban planners can adapt policies to accommodate AVs by adjusting parking fees or infrastructure, reducing total system cost by up to 28.5 percent.
Machine learning could transform how infrastructure recovers from natural hazards
Researchers use machine learning to characterize recovery processes, predict outcomes, and optimize strategies for restoring critical infrastructure systems. The review highlights the potential of reinforcement learning to identify effective repair sequences.
Turning sawdust into fire-resistant materials
A team of ETH Zurich researchers developed a process to convert sawdust into a recyclable and environmentally friendly composite using struvite. The material exhibits excellent fire resistance due to the mineral's non-combustible properties and cooling effect, making it suitable for internal fittings.
Engineers help rewrite the rules behind Europe’s skyscrapers and bridges
University of Warwick engineers led an international committee to update Eurocode 4, a standard for composite steel and concrete structures used in buildings and bridges. The updated standard introduces new guidance for modern construction techniques and advances the design of shear connections.
Jeonbuk National University researchers develop clustering-based framework for water level forecasting
The new framework groups stations with similar hydrological behavior, reducing computational cost while maintaining high predictive accuracy. This approach enables scalable, data-efficient AI systems for water level forecasting, supporting flood early-warning systems, optimized reservoir and irrigation management, and improved decision...
Agricultural and industrial waste transformed into advanced porous carbon for soil and water conservation
Researchers transformed waste into high-performance porous carbon materials for soil and water conservation. The study identified top-performing materials from agricultural wastes, which exhibited high surface areas and favorable pore structures, enhancing adsorption capacity and water retention.
Kalinin receives SEC Faculty Achievement Award
Kalinin's work is reshaping how new materials are designed, tested, and studied, enabling researchers to predict promising new materials computationally. He has developed machine learning-driven systems that can synthesize and characterize new materials at unprecedented speed.
Study documents conflict between commerce and conservation at mining operation in Bangladesh
Researchers found that the river recovered its natural shape within four years after mining stopped, but the local economy did not bounce back. The study recommends a fairer, more sustainable model for river sediment extraction to minimize environmental and human impacts.
Concrete sensor manufacturer Wavelogix receives $500,000 grant from National Science Foundation
Wavelogix, a concrete sensor manufacturer, has received a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to refine and scale its Rebel concrete strength sensing system. The system enables faster, data-driven decisions through real-time concrete strength monitoring.
UH engineers issue hot take on cold-steel: Finding hidden damage requires radar, AI
Researchers have developed a new framework to detect possible damage in concealed cold-formed steel construction framing materials, utilizing ground-penetrating radar and artificial intelligence. The technology allows for rapid detection of damage, enabling inspectors to verify only flagged spots without removing walls or cladding.
Purdue radar technology estimates location, orientation, radius of underground pipes
Engineers at Purdue University have developed a patent-pending method to estimate the location, orientation, and radius of underground utility pipes using ground-penetrating radar. This innovation could help prevent hazardous strikes during construction projects, reducing financial losses and service disruptions.
A new model for old cracks
University of Pittsburgh engineers develop predictive models for longitudinal cracking on concrete pavements to improve road performance and reduce repairs. The project aims to create a nationwide infrastructure solution by pinpointing root causes and developing mechanistic-empirical models.
AI could prevent construction delays before they happen, study finds
A new study proposes a framework for connecting AI risk prediction systems with scheduling platforms to detect emerging risks and adjust project plans before delays occur. This approach aims to close the gap between early warning and actionable response, enabling more resilient project delivery.
UCO designs a 100% recycled paving block made from mollusk shells and mining waste
A team from UCO develops a 100% recycled paving block made from mollusk shells and mining waste, replacing natural aggregates and conventional cement. The block meets mechanical, durability, and safety criteria without using single natural material, contributing to circular economy and decarbonization in the construction sector.
How loud is clean energy? Manchester-led study explores potential impact of underwater noise from tidal energy
A new research project, (not)NOISY, aims to predict cumulative underwater noise produced by tidal turbine arrays before they are built. The team will develop advanced models and AI-assisted tools to quantify how noise travels through marine environments, supporting informed decision-making.
Predicting extreme rainfall through novel spatial modeling
Researchers developed a new method to predict extreme rainfall in Japan, using Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation - Stochastic Partial Differential Equation (INLA-SPDE), which outperformed traditional kriging methods. The study used hourly precipitation data from 752 meteorological stations across four main islands of Japan and fo...
Surviving the extreme temperatures of the climate crisis calls for a revolution in home and building design
As climates become more extreme, traditional building designs are failing to keep people safe and comfortable. A new generation of architects is creating climate-ready buildings that can maintain comfortable temperatures independently from the grid, using local natural resources like sun, wind, and ground-sourced energy.
Frontiers in Science Deep Dive webinar series: How bacteria can reclaim lost energy, nutrients, and clean water from wastewater
Researchers explore how METs convert organic waste into electricity, fuels, fertilizers, and usable water. Pilot deployments demonstrate its potential to reclaim energy from 359 billion cubic meters of wastewater annually.
How bacteria can reclaim lost energy, nutrients, and clean water from wastewater
Emerging microbially-powered technologies can convert up to 35% of wastewater's chemical energy into electricity and extract valuable nutrients. This approach could power agriculture, global sanitation and its own treatment, while reducing pollution and overcoming regulatory obstacles.
Tackling uplift resistance in tall infrastructures sustainably
Researchers developed a winged composite pile foundation system to enhance wind resistance and utilize surplus excavated soil. The study found that larger expanded base wing diameters significantly increased uplift resistance, while soil density and surface characteristics of the steel components also played crucial roles.
University of East London partners with STRABAG UK to pioneer low-carbon tunnelling solution
The University of East London and STRABAG UK have developed a pioneering low-carbon grout that replaces traditional cement-heavy annulus grout, reducing embodied carbon by over 61%. The innovation uses repurposed construction waste and agricultural by-products to create a sustainable alternative.
Organic soil amendments work together to help sandy soils hold water longer, study finds
A long-term field experiment shows that combining biochar with compost and sludge can improve how sandy soils retain water, reducing cumulative drainage by over 40%. The triple combination of biochar, sludge, and compost formed a more stable soil structure that retained water more effectively than any single amendment alone.
Accelerating development of new energy system with “substance-energy network” as foundation
The substance-energy network is a strategic concept for China's energy system transformation, integrating power grids and pipeline networks for flexible and resilient energy systems. It provides solutions for large-scale renewable energy consumption and high-reliability energy security.
Philadelphia communities help AI computer vision get better at spotting gentrification
Drexel researchers create machine learning program that integrates qualitative and quantitative data to identify gentrification in Philadelphia neighborhoods. The program, trained with data from thousands of images and focus groups, accurately identifies new-build gentrification with 84% accuracy.
Development by Graz University of Technology to reduce disruptions in the railway network
Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed a new, more robust insulated joint system to reduce failures and damage on heavily used rail lines. The prototype is expected to double the service life of previous joints and cause lower stresses in the material.
Dr. Barron Bichon promoted to vice president of SwRI’s Mechanical Engineering Division
Dr. Barron Bichon has been promoted to vice president of SwRI's Mechanical Engineering Division, overseeing a team of over 400 staff members. He will lead the division in advancing additive manufacturing and composite material bonding for defense and aerospace applications.
Eduardo Miranda awarded 2026 Bruce Bolt Medal
Eduardo Miranda, a Stanford University professor, has been recognized for his pioneering work in developing new ground motion models and intensity measures. His research has significantly shaped seismic design provisions and emphasized the use of strong-motion data in both research and teaching.
3D visualization of internal defects in concrete to help improve aging infrastructure
Researchers have developed a new system to visualize hidden defects in aging concrete infrastructure in 3D. This technology uses advanced ultrasonic phased array systems to create detailed cross-sectional images, enabling structural engineers to identify hazardous regions and improve maintenance efficiency.
Thermo-mechanical tensile behavior of rubber-modified ECC reveals enhanced ductility at sub-high temperatures
The study reveals that rubber-modified ECC displays notable tensile ductility within the sub-high temperature range of 70–100°C, with the highest ultimate tensile strain observed at 100°C. Microstructural analyses attribute this enhancement to moderate matrix degradation, fiber softening, and improved fiber pull-out behavior.
Scientists establish a means of using lasers to increase muon lifetime
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have discovered a method to increase muon lifetime using intense laser pulses. By applying quantum interference principles, they aim to develop new scientific facilities that utilize muons instead of electrons.
Bridge damage detection using PCA-DWT with limited sensors
A new approach combining Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) enables accurate damage localization even with a limited number of sensors. The method reduces costs while improving detection accuracy, supporting broader implementation in real-world bridge health monitoring.
Chonnam National University researchers develop novel virtual sensor grid method for low-cost, yet robust, infrastructure monitoring
A team of researchers from Chonnam National University has developed a novel superpixel-based virtual sensor framework for full-field vibration measurement. The approach offers robust and accurate motion estimation without the need for physical markers or contact sensors, making it suitable for large-scale infrastructure monitoring.
Digital modeling reveals where construction carbon emissions really come from
A new study uses digital building models to calculate carbon emissions from material production, transportation, operation, and demolition. The approach demonstrates how targeted reduction strategies can be identified before construction begins, highlighting the importance of local material sourcing and clean heating technologies.