Articles tagged with Civil Engineering
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that traditional stormwater infrastructure design can exacerbate flooding during severe weather events. The problem lies in the failure to recognize flood connectivity, leading to unanticipated interactions between different stormwater systems.
Engineers at MIT have developed a physics-based model that accurately represents airflow around rotors under extreme conditions. This new theory has the potential to improve rotor blade designs and optimize wind farm layouts for maximum power output and safety.
Researchers have developed piezoelectric smart aggregates for structural health monitoring, enabling continuous, real-time monitoring of concrete structures. This technology promises to reduce maintenance costs and improve overall safety, marking a new era in infrastructure management.
Researchers found that using firebricks to store industrial process heat could cut capital costs by $1.27 trillion and reduce air pollution, leading to faster transition to clean energy.
A new AI-powered predictive model can generate comprehensive soil liquefaction risk maps, enabling urban planners and engineers to visualize high-risk areas and make informed decisions. The model achieved high accuracy in predicting soil classifications and N-values, validating its effectiveness in enhancing urban resilience.
Recent advancements in China have transformed large-span arch bridge construction, showcasing cutting-edge techniques and innovative materials. The country's landmark bridges, such as the Pingnan Third Bridge and Tian'e Longtan Bridge, exemplify these breakthroughs.
A new study by Utah State University explores the potential of collaborative modeling to improve reservoir operations and adapt to variable inflow and declining storage. The research involved 26 Colorado River Basin managers and experts who used Google Sheets during video calls to discuss consuming, banking, and trading water.
Researchers developed a knowledge graph methodology to optimize spatial arrangement of underground powerhouses, enhancing digital intelligent design and operation. The approach addresses existing challenges in spatial arrangement, paving the way for improved accuracy and efficiency in hydropower engineering projects.
A study published in Journal of Intelligent Construction explores using roller-integrated compaction monitoring technology combined with RTK-BDS to enhance compaction quality assessment. The approach demonstrated CMV's reliability as a compaction quality indicator, showing strong correlation with compactness.
A team of Lehigh University researchers led by Professor Muhannad Suleiman is working to develop floating offshore wind platforms that can harness both wind and wave energy. The goal is to create more efficient and resilient structures that can withstand extreme weather conditions.
A new US-based database of hurricane evacuation orders can help leaders and communities increase resilience, create better policy, and ultimately reduce loss of life. The HEvOD database includes nationwide public-facing evacuation orders from 2014-2022, offering insights into effective strategies for future emergencies.
Researchers developed a novel method to estimate modulation amplitude and determine spatial resolution in Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry (BOCDR) without costly equipment. This innovation simplifies the process, reducing costs and enhancing convenience.
A hybrid disaster response approach that combines local data collection with remote expertise saved lives in the Haiti earthquake. Traditional Haitian construction techniques proved to be more effective than modern approaches, with certain homes built using these methods performing better in the earthquake.
Researchers review performance and durability of ultra-high-performance concrete, engineering cementitious composites and composite bridge deck systems. High-performance materials show superior fatigue resistance and crack resistance.
Research by Osaka Metropolitan University suggests that converting vacant homes in old new towns into healthcare facilities can slow population decline. This urban transformation can enable older adults to remain in their communities, promoting healthy and connected living.
A new study assesses the impact of freeze-thaw cycles on concrete structures in China's plateau region. The researchers introduce a spatiotemporal distribution model to analyze F–T action levels and create a nationwide zonation for improved infrastructure durability.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new cement composite that mimics the strength and flexibility of seashells, increasing crack resistance and ductility. The composite, inspired by nacre's microstructure, exhibits improved fracture toughness and deformability, making it potentially tougher, safer, and more durable.
The two-year program will help recruit, teach, and graduate the next generation of water pipeline managers. The GLWA faces significant employee recruitment, training, and retention challenges due to technological advances in the water sector.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a more accurate method for tracking reservoir evaporation rates, accounting for factors not considered by current methods. The new algorithm reveals a clear geographic distribution and strong seasonality of evaporation throughout Texas.
Researchers developed a predictive model that maps soil-bearing layer distribution, enabling city planners to assess site suitability and optimize building design. The model improves prediction accuracy by combining geotechnical data and geographic coordinates.
Mim Rahimi, an assistant professor at the University of Houston, has received a National Science Foundation CAREER award to advance electrochemical carbon capture by employing engineered soft interfaces. His research aims to enhance carbon dioxide separation performance and system energetics.
A new study finds that urban office buildings continuously release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the outdoors, similar to traffic emissions. The research team measured VOC concentrations in a high-performance office building and found indoor levels 2-15 times higher than outdoors.
The study found that green infrastructures such as botanical gardens, wetlands, and street trees are effective in cooling urban heat, with temperature reductions ranging from 9.63°C to 17.7°C. A nine-stage framework has been proposed to facilitate GBGI implementation and maximize benefits.
Researchers developed adhesive hydrogel coatings that eliminate fibrosis, a common issue with medical implants. The coatings bind devices to tissue and prevent the immune system from attacking them.
A new study introduces a high-performance rail inspection system using YOLOv8 for fast and accurate defect detection. The system achieved up to 281.06 FPS on desktop systems and 200.26 FPS on edge computing platforms, increasing processing speeds while maintaining high accuracy levels.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to analyze the behavior of granular materials, revealing their internal forces and shapes in 3D detail. This breakthrough may lead to better understanding of landslides and industrial processes.
Researchers at Lehigh University found that low- to mid-level flooding events are the most vulnerable to cyber attacks, which can overwhelm the system and cause a flood downstream. The study developed a mathematical framework to identify vulnerabilities in stormwater systems, allowing municipalities to assess their risks.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed an origami system that can create load-bearing structures like bridges and shelters. The system uses a uniform thickness approach to bolster weight-bearing capacity. With this breakthrough, communities can quickly rebuild facilities damaged by natural disasters or construct in ch...
A research team at Lehigh University has received a three-year, $2 million grant from the Department of Energy to develop an alternative concrete binder using low-temperature calcined clays. The goal is to produce a material with properties similar to Ordinary Portland Cement but without greenhouse gas emissions.
A new traffic signal concept, known as the 'white phase,' uses autonomous vehicles to expedite traffic flow at intersections. The concept has been shown to improve travel time for both pedestrians and vehicles, especially when autonomous vehicles make up a higher percentage of traffic.
A novel path choice model elucidates the influence of different attributes on pedestrians' local and global path choices. The study reveals that pedestrians locally perceive and react to environmental attributes like green views, guiding urban planning decisions.
A recent study by Drexel University shows that sound waves can reveal the composition of buried water lines, allowing for the speedy removal of lead service lines. The technique uses ultrasonic stress wave propagation to detect unique acoustic signatures for each type of pipe, making it a promising alternative to invasive testing methods.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology develop new methodology to accurately simulate soil behavior in rigid state, leveraging MSP method and Bingham fluid biviscosity model. The study highlights the impact of parameters on simulation accuracy and computational costs.
The University of Manchester has received a £4.2 million funding award to tackle the UK's most challenging resilience and security problems. The project, SALIENT, will drive interdisciplinary research on robust supply chains, global order, and technological security.
A team of researchers identified a significant Mw7.5 earthquake in Japan as exhibiting characteristics of a 'seismic dragon king', demonstrating predictability. The study analyzed data from the Japan Meteorological Agency's focal mechanism catalogue using the load-unload response ratio (LURR) method.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed an artificial 'worm gut' that can efficiently break down plastics using microbes found in worms' guts. The artificial system replicates the natural process of worms breaking down plastics and has potential for biotechnological approaches to process plastic waste.
A new machine learning approach combines computer vision with deep-learning algorithms to pinpoint problem areas in concrete structures. The system enables efficient identification and inspection of cracks using autonomous robots, reducing the overall inspection workload.
Rice University engineers have developed a hybrid urban water supply system that combines conventional, centralized water sources with reclaimed wastewater to save energy and reduce freshwater use. The system is also more resilient against disruptions such as hurricanes and flooding.
Researchers found that neighborhoods within 3 kilometers of an Amazon last-mile delivery station experience twice the amount of delivery van and truck traffic as farther-away areas. These neighborhoods are disproportionately home to low-income households and people of color, who order 14% fewer packages than average. The study highligh...
Drexel University's 'BioFiber' technology uses living tissue systems to stabilize and heal damaged concrete. The system incorporates biomineralizing bacteria that can create a stone-like material to repair cracks in concrete, improving durability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The university has received $1 million to advance wildfire risk science and train scientists to translate findings into tangible outcomes for communities. A new graduate program will combine civil engineering and forest engineering, resources and management.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a system to assess water quality challenges in Suzhou, China. The study found that the city's water capacity has increased since 2001 due to effective water management measures.
Purdue University researchers discovered that hair care products release potentially harmful chemicals into the air during use, with decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5 siloxane) being the most concerning chemical. The study found that inhaling these chemicals can pose health risks to humans and has significant environmental implications.
Researchers discover chemical injection strengthens sandy soil through increased cohesion and internal friction angle, with no long-term strength loss. The treatment also enhances water-sealing capacity, mitigating flood risks and improving infrastructure durability.
Furst and Graham will evaluate the effect of extreme heat on disinfection efficacy and failure risk, using simulated distribution system studies for conventional chlorine and chlorocyanurates. They anticipate chlorocyanurate disinfection to be most resilient to high temperatures.
Scientists from Japan create a new, more efficient form of liquefied stabilized soil from construction waste that can fill narrow spaces and be pumped over long distances. The material has improved flowability and lower environmental impact, making it suitable for large-scale civil engineering projects.
Researchers from Texas A&M University's Department of Geography and collaborating departments aim to improve understanding of how environmental hazards influence human health outcomes. The project, 'Climate-LEAD,' will create robust models using localized data to inform decision-making in vulnerable communities.
A team has developed a comprehensive platform called HydroBIM for digital design, intelligent construction, and smart operation of hydropower engineering projects. The platform improves efficiency by 1.5 to 2 times compared to conventional methods, enhancing cooperation, work efficiency, and information integration.
The University of Missouri's Missouri Work Zone Safety Center of Excellence aims to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in highway work zones through research and outreach. The center will focus on integrating emerging technologies, data analysis, and countermeasures to address distracted driving and other safety concerns.
A new study by Caroline Hachem-Vermette and Kuljeet Singh analyzed the design and energy characteristics of various neighborhoods to assess their vulnerabilities to power outages. The researchers found that thoughtful design can reduce a neighborhood's energy vulnerability during disruptions, and they recommend modifications to shelter...
A UK-Sri Lankan research network aimed to develop research capacities among senior academic staff members from both countries. The training network investigated differences, overlaps, and synergies between Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) research communities.
A University of Illinois Chicago-led study investigates the aftermath of the East Palestine chemical spill, collecting data on residents' experiences and communication from authorities about water quality. The project aims to improve disaster response and provide new findings on the relationship between people and critical infrastructure.
Researchers develop low-cost, scalable energy storage system using cement and carbon black. The technology facilitates renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and tidal power by providing stable energy networks.
A team of researchers developed a solution using GPT-4 to automate analysis of building operational data, providing comprehensive support for energy management. The codes generated by GPT-4 demonstrate high accuracy in energy load prediction and fault diagnosis.
Researchers developed a liquid nanofoam cushion that can absorb and dissipate high-force blows in collisions, reducing the risk of injury. The material is more flexible, comfortable to wear, and can be designed as lighter and smaller protective devices.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a novel brine treatment technology called electrodialytic crystallization that reduces energy consumption and cost of brine crystallization. The technology uses an electric field to induce salt crystallization without using costly evaporation methods.
Researchers at University of Nebraska-Lincoln are working on safeguarding US military base entry points against EV threats, focusing on high-speed ramming and zero-to-60 acceleration. The team will employ digital simulations and physical crash tests to refine barriers designed to withstand such impacts.
A study examined the seismic performance of 12 hospitals in Turkey's southcentral region, finding that base-isolated structures performed better than fixed-base ones during the 2023 earthquakes. The report provides valuable insights for policymakers and engineers to enhance hospital resilience and disaster response strategies.
Researchers at MIT have created a metal-free, Jell-O-like material that can conduct electricity similarly to conventional metals. The material is made into a printable ink, which the researchers patterned into flexible, rubbery electrodes.
Researchers develop AI-based method to quantify cracking patterns in reinforced concrete structures, enabling more accurate and efficient assessments of structural damage. The approach uses graph theory and machine learning algorithms to create a unique 'fingerprint' for each set of cracks, allowing for quick and consistent evaluations.