Articles tagged with Civil Engineering
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.
A proposed US carbon-capture network, funded by new tax credits, could capture up to 30 million metric tons of CO2 annually, doubling current global emissions reductions. The network would transfer captured CO2 from ethanol refineries in the Midwest to oilfields in Texas for enhanced oil recovery.
A UBC study analyzed pedestrian behavior at a busy intersection in Kamloops, B.C., finding that over a third of pedestrians were distracted by their cellphones. Distracted pedestrians had slower walking speeds, more unstable gait patterns, and took longer to cross the road, increasing the risk of conflicts with vehicles.
A team at NYU Tandon School of Engineering made surprising findings about the physics of water entry, particularly with solid objects in the water. The study revealed unexpected effects, including a decrease in pressure near a solid cylinder and an increase in pressure towards the keel of a wedge.
A research team of engineers, led by Professor Camillo Nuti at Roma Tre University, investigated the Leaning Tower of Pisa's survival despite strong earthquakes. The team found that dynamic soil-structure interaction (DSSI) helped the tower survive due to its unique combination of height and foundation soil stiffness.
Researchers tracked ransomware payments over two years to identify patterns and key findings. South Koreans are disproportionately impacted, with $2.5 million of ransomware payments made within the country. The study also found that most ransomware operators use a Russian Bitcoin exchange, BTC-E, to convert bitcoin to fiat currencies.
Dr. Mohammad Najafi is leading a $53,000 research project to examine the safety risks of steam sealing in repaired pipes, focusing on emissions and worker protection.
A UTA researcher is leading a $400,000 project to create new pipeline-coating technology for six state transportation departments. The goal is to extend the design life of storm-water pipes and culverts by up to 50 years.
Researchers developed a neural network-based model to assess coastal communities' resiliency to hurricanes. The model forecasts storms in terms of impacts, rather than just wind speed, and has been tested during real-time storms, including Hurricane Harvey.
A new study reveals that America's power supply might be more adaptable to climate change due to maintenance and efficient energy technology. However, further research is needed to understand the collective strengths and vulnerabilities of the US power grid under climate conditions.
Tandon researcher Jin Montclare develops phosphotriesterase (PTE) variants to neutralize toxic chemical agents, including VX and organophosphorus compounds. Her goal is to create stable, robust, and effective antidotes with improved therapeutic efficacy.
A new national report provides comprehensive guidelines for innovative water-saving techniques, emphasizing safe expansion of water reuse systems. Decentralized non-potable water systems, which use local water sources, are highlighted as a promising approach to reduce water consumption by up to 50 percent.
D.J. Seo, a UTA professor, will use a $281,790 grant to implement hyper-resolution modeling in the National Water Model, allowing for street-resolving details and more accurate flooding predictions. The resulting model will enable officials to pinpoint specific neighborhoods impacted by flooding.
Seongjin Noh, a UTA civil engineer, has received a two-year grant to improve the quality of forecasts based on the National Water Model. He will use data assimilation to create a streamflow data assimilator that can predict floods and droughts more accurately.
A new study by QUT suggests that toll roads and tunnels can be made more cost-effective by putting a dollar value on the savings from traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution. The research found that governments should consider benefits beyond financial analysis when deciding on infrastructure investment.
The Columbia Engineering team will design a methodology to test various adaptation strategies and their ability to protect interdependent infrastructure. They will investigate physical, protective options such as sea-walls and elevating houses to reduce damage from storm-induced flooding.
Researchers at NYU Tandon have devised an application called IllusionPIN that uses a hybrid-image keyboard to make it difficult for observers to discern PINs or access codes. The technology was tested in simulated shoulder-surfing attacks, with no successful attempts made.
The iSeeFlood app, developed in 2016, is designed to gather data on flash floods, which can be dangerous to pedestrians and motorists. The app, which has now been made available for iPhones, encourages users to report flooding incidents, providing valuable information for cities and emergency services.
The University of Texas at Arlington team will inspect 350 concrete manhole shafts for corrosion, measuring hydrogen sulfide and other parameters to prioritize protection. The study aims to develop a system for prioritizing manhole protection, benefiting the city's infrastructure and water engineers.
A group of NYU Tandon School of Engineering researchers have discovered ways to deliberately embed hidden flaws in CAD files to thwart intellectual property theft. By intentionally inducing defects that disappear under specific conditions, manufacturers can prevent counterfeit parts from being produced.
NYU Tandon and Michigan State University researchers discovered that partial fingerprints can be used to trick biometric security systems, making them more vulnerable. The study found an average of 92 potential MasterPrints for every batch of 800 partial prints, highlighting the need for multi-factor authentication schemes.
A new EU report highlights knowledge gaps in reducing risks linked to space weather and recommends policy, industry, and science collaborations to close these gaps. The report also emphasizes the need for early warning systems and better communication between science and industry.
A new automated system, called CRAQ, detects cracks in the steel components of nuclear power plants using an advanced algorithm and machine learning technique. The system outperformed two others under development, providing more robust results by processing multiple video frames and filtering out falsely detected cracks.
Researchers at NYU Tandon are developing a deep learning system that enables self-driving cars to navigate and respond to changing road conditions. The system uses data from onboard sensors and information from HERE HD Live Map, a cloud-based service for automated driving.
James H. Garrett Jr., dean of the College of Engineering, was elected for contributions to computing and civil engineering. Vijayakumar Bhagavatula, a professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, was elected for research contributions to pattern recognition. This marks the 143rd year of AAAS Fellows selection.
The ADVANCE grant aims to create an inclusive academic culture to encourage women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields. Clemson will implement measures to improve the campus climate, mentorship, and family-friendly policies to retain female faculty members.
David A. Sabatini, OU professor, receives the Steven K. Dentel Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Award for Global Outreach for his outstanding contributions to environmental engineering and science outreach activities globally. The award acknowledges his work as director of the OU Water Technologies for Em...
Cybersecurity researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering have developed a unique chip that checks for sabotage and detects malicious circuitry. The chip uses an embedded module to prove its calculations are correct and an external module to validate those proofs, providing a safety net against hardware defects.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed a new system to predict floods in real-time using advanced computing resources. With the National Flood Interoperability Experiment (NFIE), they can forecast floods continually, improving the accuracy and speed of flood warnings for communities nationwide.
A Northwestern University class estimated the costs and benefits of securing water heaters against earthquake damage. The study concluded that investing in water heater protection would yield a low return on investment compared to buying lottery tickets with high jackpots.
Pedestrians perceive higher safety in streets with white light compared to yellowish lights, possibly due to improved face identification. The study also found that high blue-wavelength lights inhibit melatonin levels more effectively.
A Kansas State University study found that the High Plains Aquifer's groundwater depletion peaked in 2006 and is expected to decrease by 50% over the next 100 years. Researchers analyzed data from over 14,000 wells and developed a logistic equation to project future water levels through 2110.