Articles tagged with Civil Engineering
Researchers found that certain nanomaterials break down rapidly when exposed to light but decompose slowly in its absence. This discovery highlights the need for better understanding of nanomaterial behavior under environmental conditions.
A University of Missouri researcher is using a grant from the National Science Foundation to explore how time can factor in a building collapse. She's conducting thousands of hours of laboratory tests to determine the breaking points of reinforced concrete building materials.
Scientists from Incheon National University identified interzonal airflow across household entrance doors as a dominant factor in calculating heating loads. They found that strong stack effect and weather-driven airflow rates were larger than external infiltration rates, making conventional airtightness measures unreliable.
Researchers from Incheon National University developed two new ANFIS-based models to estimate photovoltaic power generation ahead of time by up to a full day. The hybrid algorithms combined traditional ANFIS with particle swarm optimization methods, outperforming other models in predicting solar system values.
Shiloh Deitz's dissertation project focuses on filling the data gap for accessible pedestrian routing and tools, particularly for persons with limited mobility. The research evaluates AI methods and critical geoAI to improve data quality and enhance independent travel options.
Cities experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, caused by urban infrastructure absorbing heat. Researchers propose applying cooler surfaces to strategic locations to decrease cost and increase usage, offering an effective solution for resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
Aleksandar Stevanovic, University of Pittsburgh associate professor, receives Fulbright Specialist Program award to develop Intelligent Transportation Systems in Serbia. The project aims to reduce fossil fuel consumption and carbon footprint in urban networks.
A UTA research team is testing a geothermal de-icing system on an operational bridge to assess its performance under real-world conditions. The system, designed by Xinbao Yu and Anand Puppala, uses heating fluid to melt ice and snow from beneath the bridge deck.
Dr. Nick Fang is developing a statewide guidance manual for early warning systems and a flood information system for Houston, using $250,000 grants from the TWDB and city of Houston. The tools aim to enhance flood resilience in Texas communities, providing real-time warnings and predictive analytics.
The summit will discuss strategies for Biden's infrastructure programs, their implications on the Korean New Deal, and opportunities for grand economic collaboration. It will also feature talks on integration of US national infrastructure investment plans and Korea's Digital Green New Deal.
Shanjiang Zhu is developing an Android version of the InfraHub smartphone app to report bicycle and pedestrian facility issues. The project also includes social media outreach to encourage users to report facility issues.
A new study predicting human exodus in Bangladesh due to sea-level rise and climate change has significant global implications. The research model considers economic and human behavior factors, predicting that districts along the Bay of Bengal will be the first impacted, triggering a ripple effect across the country.
Community newspapers across the US are reevaluating their business models in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, embracing self-advocacy and exploring new revenue streams. Journalists are now open to discussing the challenges facing their profession and recognizing the importance of community investment.
Seven African organizations have received funding for innovative COVID-19 data projects from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, GovLab, and AFD. The projects aim to address social, economic, and health challenges in Africa through new collaborations with non-traditional datasets.
Anna Choromanska receives $532,892 grant to develop efficient deep learning training strategies and promote STEM education. Her work has significant implications for various industries and society, highlighting the impact of young researchers in academia.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from CISA to develop a system for identifying and prioritizing high-value assets in state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. The two-year pilot program aims to enhance the protection of critical infrastructure against cyber threats.
The Advanced Laser Light Source Laboratory (ALLS) at INRS has received significant funding to upgrade its laser facilities, enabling researchers to access revolutionary applications in physics, chemistry, and materials science. This upgrade positions INRS as a leader in ultrafast science and quantum technologies.
Kathleen Smits, a UTA civil engineering associate professor, has received two grants to investigate leak detection and repair methods for underground pipelines. Her team will create models to understand gas migration speeds and develop methods to measure gas buildup above ground.
A novel method for measuring spatial dependencies uses mathematical techniques normally used for time-series analysis to identify influences between geographic phenomena in small data sets. The approach allows for robust inferences of influences and interpolations to intermediate areas or distant regions, even with limited data.
A new research project funded by TxDOT aims to examine the effectiveness of green pavement markings on Texas streets. The study will investigate the use, safety, longevity, and performance of these markings, which are painted green to increase visibility for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.
Kathleen Smits' innovative approach links environmental data with gas concentration readings to understand leak severity and migration. The research aims to examine reoccurrence of leaks, urbanization effects, and repaired leaks that continue to vent, providing critical insights for industry and regulators.
The study found that long-period buildings experienced the most amplification of shaking from the Ridgecrest earthquake, with maximum amplification occurring in the western part of the L.A. basin and the south-central San Fernando Valley. This could result in high-rise buildings in those areas experiencing shaking four times larger tha...
The NYU Tandon School of Engineering has released a comprehensive dataset tracking human interactions outside COVID-19 hotspots. The data set, which includes location information and behavioral choices, will aid in the development of machine learning models to predict virus transmission.
Maggioni's project examines precipitation and its impact on hydroclimatic hazards in the region. Researchers aim to provide new knowledge on changing precipitation patterns and their effects on hydrologic processes.
Cornell University engineers are designing the nation's first statewide Internet of Things public infrastructure to provide universal network coverage and promote responsible data-sharing in underserved areas.
A research team at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed a novel approach to fabricating MXene films that can effectively block electromagnetic interference. The drop-casting method on pre-patterned hydrophobic substrates resulted in a 38% enhancement of EMI shielding efficiency over conventional methods, making it scalable an...
George Mason University researchers will acquire a reconfigurable computing system, Gunston, to support diverse areas of scientific research and education. The system, based on OpenStack architecture, will provide traditional HPC and virtualized environments to meet the growing needs of researchers.
A team of researchers led by Elisa Riedo demonstrated a method for fabricating high-quality p-n junctions on single atomic layers of molybdenum disulfide, enabling bipolar conductivity in 2D semiconductors. The technique uses thermal scanning probe lithography to create nanoscale-resolution doping patterns.
A team of researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering used machine learning to reverse-engineer 3D-printed composite parts, demonstrating a method to capture fiber orientation with high accuracy. The study highlights the potential risks of intellectual property theft in 3D printing and emphasizes the need for secure toolpaths.
The Data Assembly aims to inform policymakers on responsible data re-use for COVID-19, balancing benefits and costs. The project explores public concerns and perspectives on data governance.
Di's project aims to develop a novel modeling and simulation platform to project future mixed-traffic dynamics and assist in socially optimal policy-making. She will leverage her expertise in travel behavioral modeling and network optimization to create a game-theoretic framework that incorporates game theory, dynamic control, data sci...
Professor Maurizio Porfiri's research provides a model-free approach to determine the size of complex systems, even when only a small portion is accessible. For homogeneous networks, accessing just 10% of units can be sufficient to infer the entire network size.
Researchers developed a holistic model combining property damage estimates with community-wide economic impacts and social costs. The study found that poorer individuals experience greater losses in well-being, with a 60% loss of average annual income for those at the bottom.
Nur Yazdani's new tool helps stakeholders design home slab elevations to protect against future storms, reducing economic losses and casualties. The software will be tested in four Texas counties and includes outreach education for homeowners.
A new mathematical framework developed by NYU Tandon researchers predicts that interaction among diverse individuals can speed consensus. The model accounts for varying individual performance and communication connections within a group.
A physicist has developed a new model predicting the increased destructive power of hurricanes as water temperatures rise. The model is based on a physics principle and suggests that the destructive power of Atlantic hurricanes off Africa could reach three times their current level if water temperatures increase by 2 degrees Celsius.
A new study from the University of British Columbia found that vivid images are more effective than statistical data in conveying earthquake risk. The researchers created an image showing a Vancouver elementary school after a major earthquake and found that people who saw it were more likely to sign a petition for seismic upgrades, wit...
Yu Zhang is studying how to assess costly economic and ecological impacts of natural disasters on industries and waterways around the Neches River basin in southeast Texas. He's investigating whether wetlands can filter out pollutants that enter Texas waterways following extended flooding.
Shanjiang Zhu and team to evaluate three alternative modeling approaches for demand responses to tolled and priced lanes, producing detailed technical reports on methods and findings. The study aims to inform FHWA's state-of-art modeling strategies, informing their applicability in different applications.
A ground penetrating radar study revealed a 7km-long embankment was inadequate to contain average water flow, questioning Khmer kings' legitimacy. Researchers believe the failure led to the relocation of the capital from Koh Ker to Angkor.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington are using unmanned aerial vehicles to quickly assess damage from natural disasters. The team aims to reduce wait times for homeowners to receive insurance adjusters, who often take months or years to visit their sites.
The research team aims to design algorithms that optimally distribute computation between robots and the cloud for guaranteed safe robotic operation. 5G systems offer higher data rates but pose challenges due to limited bandwidth and high latency, requiring new control algorithms that can exploit high-rate links when available.
MIT researchers analyzed 380,000 government service requests to find a way for cities to preserve citizen privacy while improving efficiency. They identified model cities that maximized both privacy and efficiency, suggesting similar methodologies for worldwide evaluation of government services.
Sharareh Kermanshachi is studying third rail insulator failures and developing a workforce development framework for concrete paving experts. Her research aims to improve transportation efficiency and reduce project failures in the US.
Researchers at UTA developed a system to track repairs and data on potentially problematic slopes, reducing repair time from four months to one to two weeks and costs by 20%. The project was recognized as one of AASHTO's top projects in 2019.
NYU Tandon Professor Jin Kim Montclare has been awarded $400,000 by the Army Research Office for her work on bio-engineering proteins to develop wet adhesion in sealants and medical adhesives. Her team aims to create responsive biological adhesives that can interface with non-living materials.
The study identifies significant knowledge gaps in regional stormwater management and proposes the creation of a centralized database to track maintenance costs, economic benefits, and water quality impacts. A comprehensive approach to green infrastructure is also recommended to consider its effects on community residents.
Research by David Kisailus and Pablo Zavattieri reveals the telson's secret, unlocking a helicoidal structure that prevents cracks from growing and dissipates energy. The study finds that the telson's carinae ridges stiffen it along its axis while flexing inward when forces are applied perpendicular to its long axis.
Researchers at NYU Tandon developed an AI-driven imaging system that can spot manipulated photos and videos with a detection rate of over 90%. The system introduces digital watermarks into images during acquisition, which are sensitive to manipulation. This approach optimizes image integrity and authentication, making it difficult for ...
Kate Smits' team is working with residents and local universities to find environmentally-friendly solutions that respect ancestral ways of life. The goal is to make artisanal and small-scale gold mining safer, cleaner, and more sustainable.
Kate Hyun and her team are exploring a new approach to estimate bicycle volumes by fusing data from sensors, surveys, mobile apps, and GPS-enabled systems. The goal is to provide cities with more accurate information to establish viable bike networks.
A University of British Columbia study found that automated photo enforcement programs significantly reduce property-related crimes, in addition to collisions, by deterring unsafe driving behaviors. Researchers developed a planning chart to optimize the deployment of mobile speed enforcement units.
A study by Penn State researchers found that setting speed limits below engineering recommendations leads to an increase in fatal and injury crashes. Lowering speed limits by 10-25 miles per hour resulted in a decrease in property damage-only crashes, but drivers often ignore lower speed limits
New research on London Underground commute finds a link between public transport and airborne infections. Higher rates of flu-like cases are observed in busier terminals with longer journeys, suggesting the role of crowded junctions in spreading illness.
The UTA College of Architecture is working to advance water research with a focus on sustainability through its new UNESCO chair and a $1 million STARs grant. The college aims to explore ways to equitably manage the region's water resources, building on existing research efforts.
Researchers at NYU Tandon created synthetic fingerprints capable of spoofing smartphone fingerprint sensors, potentially fooling up to one in five people. The 'DeepMasterPrints' can match multiple prints stored in databases and unlock devices, highlighting the need for multi-factor authentication.
A new visual analytics tool, Beagle, is being used by law enforcement agencies to trace email scammer networks and highlight critical links. Developed with data security company Agari, Beagle dramatically speeds up forensic email investigations.
UTA professor Sahadat Hossain uses recycled plastic pins to strengthen MSE walls, increasing bearing and shearing capacity of foundation soils. The new method reduces excavation and replacement costs, improving pavement maintenance and reducing cracking.
Researchers are developing mobile apps to share and interpret genomic and microbiome data, aiming to improve user understanding and interaction. The project also includes a longitudinal study to monitor the effects of dietary changes on household members' health.
A study published in Transportation found that ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft contribute to increased vehicle miles traveled due to empty miles from drivers going without passengers. For every 100 miles carrying passengers, Uber and Lyft drivers travel an additional 69 miles without a passenger.