Articles tagged with Construction Engineering
A new online tool, HazardAware, provides disaster readiness reports for 13.3 million addresses in 196 counties along the Gulf of Mexico, including all of Florida. The tool assesses a property's resilience to hazards such as hurricanes and flooding, and offers customized mitigation information to reduce future hazard loss.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore have successfully used recycled glass as a replacement for sand in 3D printing concrete mixtures. The new method offers a more environmentally sustainable way of building and construction, reducing waste and pollution.
Researchers developed a new decision-support tool to optimize ship channel dredging and disposal activities, considering factors like navigability condition deterioration and economic values. The algorithm weighs input from local professionals and projects costs with interest and inflation included.
A new study from the University of Kansas found that effective change agents and realistic timelines are crucial for successful change implementation. The study identified six key organizational change management practices to achieve high adoption of change initiatives in the AEC industry.
A new research project aims to introduce low-carbon concrete elements with high resource utilisation by reusing entire concrete elements from existing buildings as load-bearing structures in new buildings. The entire value chain is represented in the project.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology develop a fast and reliable method to detect defects in concrete structures using laser-induced plasma shock waves. The technique analyzes vibration patterns to identify Rayleigh waves, which can reveal the presence of cracks.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provide valuable insights on managing C&D waste and reducing carbon emissions in building refurbishment projects. By upcycling generated waste, carbon emissions can be significantly reduced, with a potential reduction of around 40% compared to traditional practices.
Researchers have discovered that altering the interface between two materials in time can lead to new opportunities for wave manipulation. This breakthrough enables novel concepts and applications in photonics, including nonreciprocal gain, power steering, and optical drag.
Scientists have successfully engineered protein needles that can self-assemble into lattice structures and ordered monomeric states. The study's findings provide insights into protein-protein interactions and could lead to the development of biocompatible materials and targeted drug transports.
Researchers at MIT created a computational tool to minimize embodied carbon in truss structures by choosing between timber and steel. The analysis suggests that substituting materials or changing the structure can significantly reduce emissions, with potential savings of up to two times current levels.
Researchers developed a tool to investigate cause of death when skeletonised remains are recovered, providing a breakthrough in forensic lightning pathology. The study identified unique markers of lightning damage deep within the human skeleton, allowing for recognition of lightning strikes even when only dry bone survives.
A 13-year-long study finds that fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) coatings can sustain concrete structures for extended periods. The study tested FRP and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) systems under various environmental conditions, revealing significant impact on bond behavior.
The Daylight Award 2022 is now open for nominations, honoring groundbreaking research on the effects of daylight on human health and well-being. The award also recognizes innovative architectural projects showcasing unique uses of daylight, aiming to improve living conditions and environmental impact.
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.
Dan M. Frangopol, a Lehigh University professor, has made seminal contributions to structural health monitoring by integrating reliability and optimization methods. He has been recognized with the ISHMII Mufti Medal for his lifetime achievements in this field.
Severe droughts prompted landowners to grant rights to non-elites, who promoted institutional changes through cooperation. Climate shocks also influenced agricultural activities and social orders in developing countries., Climate crises in Mesopotamia led to the development of cooperative relationships between elites and non-elites.
A new study found that increased tidal ranges due to human alterations cause more nuisance flooding days in many coastal locations. Coastal nuisance flooding causes problems such as flooded roads and overloaded stormwater systems, and researchers urge caution in altering sensitive estuarine systems.
Researchers found that choosing suppliers based on project characteristics can minimize significant cost overruns. The study's findings suggest that prioritizing supplier selection over pricing can lead to substantial cost savings.
The US National Science Foundation will decommission the 305-meter telescope at Arecibo Observatory due to catastrophic failure and long-term stability issues. The observatory's staff and visitors' safety is the top priority, and other parts of the facility will be preserved for future research.
Researchers propose a fast and catalyst-free cross-linking strategy for constructing mechanically strengthened and biofunctional hydrogels. The new method uses o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and N-nucleophiles to form stable linkages, reducing toxicity issues associated with traditional methods.
A study from Aarhus University links national productivity statistics with actual work done on construction sites, revealing a decline in productivity since the 1970s. By optimizing processes, contractors can generate an estimated $5.4 billion annually in the US and Canada by spending just 36 seconds more per hour on value-adding work.
The NSF's Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope has produced its first images, showcasing a pattern of turbulent plasma that covers the entire sun. This breakthrough will enable scientists to better understand space weather and its impacts on Earth.
A new study by Iowa State University researchers suggests that requiring landlords to disclose recent bedbug infestations can lead to a reduction in infestations and lower costs for both landlords and tenants. This policy can create long-term savings for landlords and make life better for people affected by these pests.
Researchers developed a model explaining how external environmental factors drive internal airflows in termite mounds, triggering building behavior and altering mound architecture. The model sheds light on swarm intelligence and may inspire designing more sustainable human structures.
Kathleen Smits' research aims to improve response to gas-emission incidents by predicting methane migration conditions and providing data-based guidelines for industry first responders. Her team's modeling has found that gas concentrations in the atmosphere are often small compared to the size of the leak, making detection methods flawed.
The ESA is backing the development of a new helicon plasma thruster technology that could revolutionize electric propulsion in space. The thruster, which has been tested at UC3M facilities, uses radiofrequency waves to generate hot plasma and accelerate it supersonically.
The James Webb Space Telescope boasts unparalleled capabilities, including a revolutionary lightweight carbon-composite material and exceptional load-bearing capability in extreme temperatures. Its advanced design enables it to unfold flawlessly by remote control and operate at extremely low temperatures.
The Facility for Laboratory Reconnection Experiment (FLARE) has successfully produced the first plasma, marking a significant milestone in research into magnetic reconnection. This process is crucial for understanding Northern Lights, solar eruptions, and geomagnetic storms.
UC San Francisco bioengineers develop a method to create complex tissue shapes, such as bowls and coils, by patterning cells on thin layers of extracellular matrix fibers. This approach mimics natural developmental processes and offers new insights into the fundamental biology of tissue assembly.
ASU and NYU researchers created an online module to enhance crowdsourced brainstorming, finding that embedding peripheral micro-tasks improves idea breadth and depth. The study suggests that ideators' productivity and time of ideation impact the effectiveness of these tasks.
The University of Miami announces the creation of the Frost Institutes for Science and Engineering, a global network focused on scientific discovery and innovation. The initiative aims to elevate STEM fields and attract top scientists to address pressing global issues.
Recent studies from the University of Missouri found that Diverging Diamond Interchanges decrease overall crashes by more than 50 percent nationwide. Additionally, fatal and injury crashes decreased by over 70 percent, proving these innovative designs are efficient, effective, and life-saving.
Paul D. Schomer, Owner and Principal of Schomer and Associates, has been recognized with the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Distinguished Service Citation for his excellent service as Standards Director and leadership in developing acoustics standards. He was awarded the citation at the 170th meeting of the ASA on November 4, 2015.
Researchers found that designing wings with flexibility near the front and rigidity at the back maximizes thrust and performance. This approach generates 36% more thrust than constant flexibility throughout the wing.
UTEP has secured a $5 million contract with NASA to explore space safety through collaborations with faculty and students. The partnership will focus on human space exploration and provide hands-on experiences for students.
Researchers have developed a new design framework for powered lower-extremity exoskeletons, enabling highly customized designs with optimized performance and stability control. The custom-tailored exoskeletons aim to improve user comfort and safety while reducing development time and cost.
Nearly 40% of women engineers quit their jobs, citing poor workplace climates and mistreatment. Despite this, women who persisted showed no difference in confidence or skills. Organizations must recognize the importance of training, advancement, and work-life balance to retain female engineers.
Engineers at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University have developed thin, soft stick-on patches that incorporate commercial chip-based electronics for sophisticated wireless health monitoring. The patches are wirelessly powered and can send high-quality data about human body to a computer in real-time.
Denise R. Simmons, a Virginia Tech professor, received an NSF CAREER award to study factors influencing engineering students' co-curricular involvement and workforce entry. Her goal is to broaden participation in engineering degrees and increase the number of engineers entering the technological workforce.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a wearable helmet sensor that can detect the onset of carbon monoxide poisoning in construction workers with a probability of greater than 99%. The sensor uses pulse oximetry technology to monitor blood gas saturation levels, providing early warnings to prevent potential harm.
A new study by University of Missouri researcher Zhiqiang Hu has developed a cost-effective method for monitoring wetland health using microbial analysis. This approach can help identify healthy ecosystems and inform conservation efforts.
A new map created by Japanese researchers helps identify high-rise buildings in the Osaka Basin vulnerable to long-period strong ground motions that last minutes. The map provides useful information for engineers to design earthquake-resistant buildings.
San Diego State University has received a nearly $500,000 NSF grant to create a Science demilitarized zone (DMZ) for high-speed data exchange between the campus and national labs. The DMZ will enable researchers to generate and rapidly exchange large datasets, promoting new partnerships and mentorship opportunities.
The CINEMA CubeSat will monitor electrical currents in the atmosphere that can affect power grids. The satellite will also measure changes in Earth's magnetic field caused by magnetic storms.
The new titanium personnel sphere has been successfully tested to withstand the extreme pressures of 6500 meters, with sufficient data collected to support certification for human-occupied operations. The upgrade project is a significant step towards resuming ocean science missions with Alvin in the near future.
A UK research team is using a novel 'back-casting' approach to transform cities for healthier lives by creating visions of alternative urban futures with drastically reduced CO2 emissions. The study will develop realistic and radical engineering solutions to achieve these goals while ensuring social acceptance.
A new study by Canadian researchers aims to dispel the myth of Murphy's Law by showing that human error can be minimized through rigorous testing and analysis. By implementing checks and balances, industries can improve reliability and safety, reducing the likelihood of catastrophic failures.
To create sustainable engineers in the 21st century, educators and students must be aware of emerging fields and their global context. This includes developing business skills and understanding social and environmental implications.
Adrian Bejan's research reveals that the golden ratio is a fundamental principle in nature's design, guiding the flow of information from vision to cognition and locomotion. This concept, known as the constructal law, explains why the golden ratio appears in various natural systems, from animal vision to river deltas.
Researchers Norrmén et al identified Foxc2 and NFATc1 as key transcription factors in lymph vessel development. These factors work together to build lymph vessel valves, a critical aspect of the lymphatic drainage system.
The Synthetic Biology Project aims to minimize risks and maximize benefits through rigorous analysis and public engagement. The project explores governance options, examines public perceptions, and identifies knowledge gaps in synthetic biology.
The Large Hadron Collider has sent its first beam of protons around the world's most powerful particle accelerator at nearly the speed of light. Scientists believe this achievement could unlock extraordinary discoveries about the nature of the physical universe.
A Duke University engineer and colleague have applied the constructal theory to explain how trees are designed for water flow and wind resistance. The resulting patterns and proportions match those of the Eiffel Tower, highlighting the interconnectedness of nature's flow systems.
The NJIT team won the regional steel-bridge competition with a strategy of optimizing construction time and minimizing builders while reducing overall weight. This is their third consecutive win, and they will now compete at the national level on Memorial Day.
The University of Pittsburgh's Mascaro Sustainability Initiative has received a $506,000 grant to establish the Sustainable Engineering Fellowship Program. The program will engage diverse students in translating fundamental sustainability science into real products and processes.
Researchers at the University of Florida and two other universities have created a new type of foam-like film made from carbon nanotubes, which can be compressed to 15% of its original size. The films show promise for use in solid lubricating coatings for air and space applications.
Researchers at USC and UTexas will build a detector for single photon computers, which could perform certain tasks far faster than traditional chips. The project aims to create ultra-small devices that generate single photons, one at a time, using 'quantum dots' and nanoscale technology.
The University of Pittsburgh will train students in sustainable engineering through an eight-month international research rotation in São Paulo, Brazil. The program aims to develop global sustainability expertise and increase Hispanic students in the field of engineering.
Dr. Boswell is recognized for his achievements in civil and environmental engineering projects, including the Secaucus Interchange and Southern New Jersey Light Rail Transit System. He has also received numerous awards for his community service and entrepreneurial endeavors.