Digital Commons Network^™

Bridge Load Posting Based On Load Testing, Cody Hutchinson, Abheetha Peiris, Issam Harik

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

AASHTO’s Manual for Bridge Evaluation (MBE) provides guidance for analytically evaluating bridge capacity based on available design information and the results of field inspections. This analysis results in a rating factor (RF), which quantifies a bridge’s safe load carrying capacity. RF accuracy, however, depends on the availability of information about structural details and material properties. As such, load rating bridges without design plans is difficult as field inspections alone often cannot provide enough information to perform detailed analysis. In many instances this means that a bridge would possess a substandard rating factor (RF < 1.0) simply due to the conservative assumptions required to perform traditional analysis. The most effective method for safely modifying such conservative theoretical rating factors is through load testing. Load testing measures actual bridge behavior and, for most bridges in good health, finds an increase in load rating is justified. This project utilized load testing to load rate 14 bridges in Kentucky that lack structural plans. Researchers first determined theoretical ratings using MBE-prescribed methods. For information typically taken from design plans, but which could not be measured directly, data-backed methods for making conservative assumptions were developed. For most bridges included in the study, theoretical rating factors alone suggested load postings were necessary. Load testing was then carried out utilizing tandem rear-axle dump trucks with measured axle weights. Multiple single-lane load cases were selected to maximize the effects being rated. Strain data were collected in real time using a wireless reusable strain gage system. Using these data, researchers computed a field test adjustment factor using MBE methods which directly modified the calculated theoretical RFs. Ultimately, load testing provided sufficient evidence to safely recommend that load postings were not necessary for any bridges in this study.

Potential Effects Of Statistical Complexity Measure In Improving The Fault Diagnosis Performance Under Speed Fluctuations, S. Sowmya, M. Saimurugan, N. Kannan, Immanuel A. Edinbarough

Informatics and Engineering Systems Faculty Publications

Many research studies are performed in extracting non-stationary signal properties such as instantaneous frequency (IF) and envelope to diagnose machinery faults under time-varying speed conditions. But accurate IF extraction is difficult from such complex fluctuating signals to identify the faults efficiently. Therefore, this paper proposes the Statistical Complexity Measure (SCM) as a feature that evaluates the randomness and complexity without any additional requirement, providing an outstanding result in multi-component fault detection under speed fluctuations. Primarily, the influence of SCM is proved by ranking the features with the help of the Random Forest (RF) algorithm. The fault classification of individual signal …

Characterizing Phosphorus Removal And Recovery Performance Of A 3d Printed Iron-Embedded Polylactic Acid Composite, Colin B. Wilson, Anthony J. Parolari, Andrew Hiestand, Brooke K. Mayer, Allison Murray

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Green infrastructure (GI) has been heralded as a solution for reducing phosphorus (P) pollution through increasing stormwater runoff infiltration and improving water quality. Despite its global implementation, GI struggles to improve the effluent water quality discharged from these systems consistently. This research evaluates the P removal performance and recovery potential of iron-embedded polylactic acid (PLA) composites through a novel application of three-dimensional (3D) printed representative unit cells (RUC) that could be used to improve effluent quality in GI. The RUC required chemical oxidation to convert the embedded iron to hematite (Fe₂⁢O₃) to facilitate P adsorption. Batch …

Environmental-Health Convergence: A Deep Learning-Oriented Decision Support System For Catalyzing Sustainable Healthy Food Systems, Prince Agyemang, Ebenezer M. Kwofie, Jamie I. Baum, Dongyi Wang, Emmanuel A. Kwofie

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

To generate evidence to address food system challenges, we developed an adaptable framework for multimodel assessment of the convergence effect of health and environmental drivers in food systems. We achieved this goal by developing a modeling framework that facilitates testing and applying four deep-learning algorithms using a case study of the United States's food system. Among the models tested, the bidirectional and single-layer long short-term memory models outperformed the others with α_E(2.75) and α_H(3.51) when predicting environmental drivers and health drivers, respectively. All the models tested performed better at predicting environmental than health drivers. The best-performing …

Research On Wireless Monitoring System For Internal Temperature Field Of Coal Gangue Mountain, Xiaofei Liu, Chunhao Liang, Jifa Qian, Xiaolin Li, Xuemei Li, Baoli Li, Guang Xu, Bin Zhou

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the long-term accumulation process, coal gangue can lead to severe consequences such as spontaneous combustion and explosions due to external factors. Additionally, the coal gangue that ignites spontaneously significantly pollutes the land and groundwater, causing serious risks to the health and safety of individuals living and working in the vicinity. Therefore, to mitigate the risk of spontaneous combustion resulting from the long-term accumulation of coal gangue, a monitoring system based on LoRa wireless communication technology is proposed to collect and monitor the internal temperature of coal gangue mountains in real time. In the laboratory, active temperature rise monitoring was …

Impact Of A Kinesthetic Learning Model On Architecture, Engineering, And Construction (Aec) Knowledge In African American Middle School Girls, Mercy F. Fash, Andrea A.N Ofori-Boadu

Journal of Research Initiatives

This study examines the impact of a femalized Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Kinesthetic Learning Model (fAEC-KLM) intervention on the AEC knowledge of African American middle school girls. Fourteen (14) middle school girls completed both pre- and post-surveys and tests that assessed their knowledge of AEC concepts, including roles and responsibilities, gender and racial diversity, and salary benefits. Paired-sample t-tests were utilized to evaluate statistically significant differences in knowledge before and after fAEC-KLM intervention. Results showed notable improvements in students' knowledge of AEC salary and benefits, as well as the underrepresentation of females, particularly African American females, and AEC roles and …

How Was Your Crossing Experience? Development Of A Pedestrian Satisfaction With Unsignalized Crossings Scale, Seth Lajeunesse, Wesley Kumfer, Sirisha Kothuri, Krista Nordback, Nathan Mcneil

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Unsignalized pedestrian crossing accommodations can improve pedestrian safety, yet their quality of service for pedestrians remains understudied. The present study explored whether and how pedestrians’ satisfaction with crossing unsignalized crossings varied according to the type of crossing accommodation used, that is, the rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) with median island, median island alone, marked crosswalk, and unmarked crosswalk. The research team collected intercept survey and video observation data from 358 pedestrians across a total of 40 sites in two different cities. Structural equation models illustrated how pedestrians’ crossing-oriented satisfaction was shaped by their positive perceptions of safety and low levels of …

Mixed Ion-Electron Conducting Lixag Alloy Anode Enabling Stable Li Plating/Stripping In Solid-State Batteries Via Enhanced Li Diffusion Kinetic, Anran Cheng, Pei Gao, Ruxing Wang, Kangli Wang, Kai Jiang

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Although showing huge potential in prospering the marketplace of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs), garnet-type solid electrolytes (Li6.5La3Zr1.5Ta0.6O12, LLZTO) are critically plagued by interface instability with Li anode and the vulnerability to Li dendrite, which are attributed to poor Li diffusion kinetic in bulk Li metal. Herein, a LixAg solid solution alloy with high Li diffusion kinetic is reported as a mixed ion- electron conductor (MIEC) alloy anode. The high Li diffusion kinetic stemming from a low eutectic point and a high mutual solubility of LixAg could reduce the Li concentration gradient in the anode, regulate Li electrochemical potential, and …

Connecting Developed Pressure – Preload Relationship In Ex-Vivo Beating Heart With Cellular Sarcomere Length – Tension Relationship, Lei Fan, Vahid Ziaei-Rad, Jason Bazil, Lik Chuan Lee

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The heart’s developed pressure (DP) in Langendorff heart experiments increases with preload via the Frank-Starling mechanism up to a critical transition point at which DP starts to decrease with preload. A similar behavior is found at the cellular level, where the tension developed by skinned cardiac fibers or myocytes in isometric tension test increases with sarcomere length up to a transition point beyond which, the tension decreases. This cellular-level behavior is termed myofilament length dependent activation. While these two behaviors are similar, they occur at vastly different scales. Specifically, the DP – preload and sarcomere length – tension relationships occur, …

Recommender Systems And Reinforcement Learning For Human-Building Interaction And Context Aware Support: A Text Mining-Driven Review Of Scientific Literature, Wenhao Zhang, Matias Quintana, Clayton Miller

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

The indoor environment significantly impacts human health and well-being; enhancing health and reducing energy consumption in these settings is a central research focus. With the advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), recommendation systems and reinforcement learning (RL) have emerged as promising approaches to induce behavioral changes to improve the indoor environment and energy efficiency of buildings. This study aims to employ text mining and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to thoroughly examine the connections among these approaches in the context of human-building interaction and occupant context-aware support. The study analyzed 27,595 articles from the ScienceDirect database, revealing extensive use …

Blast Tube Design: How Shape And Size Influence The Resultant Shock Wave, R. L. Bauer, C. E. Johnson

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Shock tubes and tunnels are often used in research settings as a way of producing high pressure shock waves in a smaller footprint or without the use of explosives. However, there is no standard geometric design across laboratories. Peak pressure is a significant parameter for characterizing a shock wave. However, different tube configurations could also affect parameters such as impulse and duration, yet no research has investigated how the scale of the tube affects the overall waveform shape. To understand the implications of shock tube design, tubes with a constant length to diameter ratio were evaluated to determine how tube …

Simulation-Based Models For Postearthquake Response: A Survey And Research Directions, Abhijit Gosavi, Lauryn A. Spearing, Lesley H. Sneed

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Computer simulation is increasingly being used by emergency planners as a tool to improve disaster response given that it can model real-world scenarios, such as earthquakes. Although there has been an increase in simulation research focused on disaster response, much of this literature is from disparate fields and across disaster scenarios. To bridge this gap, this paper surveys simulation-based models for post-earthquake response from the year 2000 onward. Advantages of simulation over closed-form statistical models are discussed. Three main subproblems in post-earthquake response models are explored: (1) service distribution (e.g., food, water), (2) infrastructure restoration (at the building and transportation …

Pilot Study: Initial Investigation Suggests Differences In Emt-Associated Gene Expression In Breast Tumor Regions, Kylie L. King, Hamed Abdollahi, Zoe Dinkel, Alannah Akins, Homayoun Valafar, Heather Dunn

Faculty Publications

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype and disproportionately affects African American women. The development of breast cancer is highly associated with interactions between tumor cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM), and recent research suggests that cellular components of the ECM vary between racial groups. This pilot study aimed to evaluate gene expression in TNBC samples from patients who identified as African American and Caucasian using traditional statistical methods and emerging Machine Learning (ML) approaches. ML enables the analysis of complex datasets and the extraction of useful information from small datasets. We selected four regions of interest …

Operation And Maintenance Costs In Reverse Osmosis Desalination Projects Adopting Public-Private Partnerships: A Comprehensive Investigation And Analysis, Mayar Mohamed Khairy

Theses and Dissertations

Water Desalination projects, specifically ones adopting reverse osmosis (RO) technology, play a pivotal role in addressing the scarcity of water globally. Since these projects require huge investments, there is an imperative need to focus on the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in their developments. This research tries to provide a comprehensive investigation into the factors affecting O&M costs in PPP desalination projects due to their importance.

A comprehensive research approach, including a literature review, expert interviews, survey analysis, and statistical tools, is adopted in this research aiming to identify key factors and recommendations based on best practices in O&M costs …

Sustainability Transformation For Healthcare Facilities Following Net Zero Model, Esraa Elmitainy

Theses and Dissertations

The healthcare industry is a field undergoing huge development. Focused on SDG 3 “Good Health and Well-being”, the healthcare industry, as the main health service provider, was marked by experts as a sector that should lead sustainable development by example. The current work aims to formulate a sustainability rating system for new and existing healthcare facilities to encourage the Egyptian healthcare industry to move towards sustainability according to net zero concepts. Additionally, the transition to net zero waste is investigated though experimental work to test the possibility of utilizing sterilized medical waste in cement-based bricks.

The rating system starts with …

Assessment Of Risk Factor Prediction Using Machine Learning Techniques And Hybrid Approach Based On Soft Sets, Menaga A

Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and India reports a significantly high death rate due to its large population base and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. National statistics indicate that 20–27% of deaths in India are attributed to CVDs, with the proportion steadily rising over the years. Recognizing the urgency of early detection and risk prevention, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced “The Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (2013–2020),” emphasizing early identification, risk reduction, and timely treatment. In this context, decision-making applications have gained importance across domains especially healthcare …

A Precoding, Companding, And Nonlinearity Reduction Approach To Optimize High-Speed Ado-Ofdm For Visible Light Communication, Swaminathan S

Theses and Dissertations

Using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for data transfer, visible light communication (VLC) presents a strong substitute for radio frequency communication. Yet, because of the non-linearity of LEDs, conventional Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) approaches in VLC are limited regarding spectrum efficiency, peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), and system linearity. Multi-carrier asymmetrically Clipped Optical OFDM (MADO-OFDM) is introduced in this study. For VLC operations based on Optical Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (O-OFDM), a model-driven Deep Learning (DL) approach has been presented. Utilizing an Auto Encoder (AE) network technology reduced the non-linearity of the LEDs. A proposed improved ADO-OFDM protocol, called MADO-OFDM, adaptively modifies the …

Nanostructured Graphitic Carbon Nitride For Photocatalytic And Electrochemical Applications, Muhammad Abdul Qadeer, Iqra Fareed, Asif Hussaine, Muhammad Asim Farid, Sadia Nazir, Faheem K. Butt, Ji-Jun Zou, Muhammad Tahir, Shang-Feng Du

Journal of Electrochemistry

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) exhibits great mechanical as well as thermal characteristics, making it a valuable material for use in photoelectric conversion devices, an accelerator for synthesis of organic compounds, an electrolyte for fuel cell applications or power sources, and a hydrogen storage substance and a fluorescence detector. It is fabricated using different methods, and there is a variety of morphologies and nanostructures such as zero to three dimensions that have been designed for different purposes. There are many reports about g-C₃N₄ in recent years, but a comprehensive review which covers nanostructure dimensions …

Comparison Of Milling Cutting Forces In Synthetic And Biological Cancellous Bone, Matthew Christopher Hartwell

Masters Theses

In many orthopedic and dental interventions, the cutting and removal of bone is necessary. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that the tools used during these procedures are designed and tested with biological bone or a bone surrogate material that machines the same way as biological bone. To avoid the cost, hazard, and inconsistency of biological cadaveric bone or animal models, many biological engineering firms use bone surrogate material made of glass fiber filled epoxy and polyurethane foam. Although these materials may mimic the elongation of cortical and cancellous bone, respectively, the match of machinability of the bone is …

01.27.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Data Science for Addiction Research

UM research and related activities as a new presidential administration transition occurs

Draft Active Travel & Public Realm Evaluation Framework (Summary), Sarah Rock Dr, Sinead Flavin

Other Resources

This aim of this Draft Summary Framework is to assist Local Authorities & other similar authorities in the monitoring and evaluation of their active travel & public realm interventions. It is intended to allow for flexibility depending on the project objectives and context, and is not intended to be a definitive list of indicators and metrics. The indicators and metrics included seek to strike the balance between what's reasonable, practical and feasible for a Local Authority and associated resources in terms of monitoring & evaluation. Not all projects can be reasonably expected to be fully monitored and evaluated, thus a …

Proximal Remote Sensing: An Essential Tool For Bridging The Gap Between High-Resolution Ecosystem Monitoring And Global Ecology, Zoe Amie Pierrat, Troy S. Magney, Will P. Richardson, Benjamin R. K. Runkle, Jen L. Diehl, Xi Yang, William Woodgate, William K. Smith, Miriam R. Johnston, Yohanes R. S. Ginting, Gerbrand Koren, Loren P. Albert, Christopher L. Kibler, Bryn E. Morgan, Mallory Barnes, Adriana Uscanga, Charles Devine, Mostafa Javadian, Karem Meza, Tommaso Julitta, Giulia Tagliabue, Matthew P. Dannenberg, Michal Antala, Christopher Y. S. Wong, Andre L. D. Santos, Koen Hufkens, Julia K, Marrs, Atticus E. L. Stovall, Yujie Liu, Joshua B. Fisher, John A. Gamon, Kerry Cawse-Nicholson

Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Research

A new proliferation of optical instruments that can be attached to towers over or within ecosystems, or ‘proximal’ remote sensing, enables a comprehensive characterization of terrestrial ecosystem structure, function, and fluxes of energy, water, and carbon. Proximal remote sensing can bridge the gap between individual plants, site-level eddy-covariance fluxes, and airborne and spaceborne remote sensing by providing continuous data at a high-spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we review recent advances in proximal remote sensing for improving our mechanistic understanding of plant and ecosystem processes, model development, and validation of current and upcoming satellite missions. We provide current best practices for data availability …

01.21.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

SmartTech MS Advanced Manufacturing Prize

Mileage Rate Increases

Meth Mortality Rate Increases

After A Wildfire: Water Safety Considerations Inside Buildings, Andrew J. Whelton, P. Coelho

Resilience to Emergencies and Disasters

No abstract provided.

Research And Implementation Of Digital Twin System For Mine Drainage Monitoring, Qinghui Wu, Yaqing Bao, Zhongxin Zhao, Xu Huang, Yuchen Wei

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The conventional mine drainage monitoring system faces problems such as poor visualization, insufficient linkage, and monotonous real-time monitoring methods for mine drainage in dynamic environments. Combining digital twin technology, a digital twin system for mine drainage monitoring has been developed. Through the construction of digital space, virtual real interaction layer structure framework, and three-dimensional visualization system data architecture, combined with fluid mechanics, using Unity3D development engine and five dimensional model ideas, a three-dimensional visualization system architecture for mine drainage is constructed, achieving various application functions such as real-time monitoring, fault warning, and virtual real mixed control. The feasibility of …

The Design And Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Of A Pembrolizumab Single-Chain Variable Fragment, Landon E. Ebbert, Tyler J. Free, Mehran Soltani, Bradley Charles Bundy

Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Cancer is a leading cause of death. However, recently developed immunotherapies have shown significant promise to improve cancer treatment outcomes and survival rates. Pembrolizumab, a cancer immunotherapy drug, enables a strong T-cell response specifically targeting cancer cells to improve patient outcomes in more than 16 types of cancer. The increasing demand for pembrolizumab, the highest selling drug in 2023, increases global dependence on drug production, which can be vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. Methods: Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is a rapid in vitro protein production method that could provide the production of an immunotherapy drug in an emergency and …

Municipal Solid Waste Management In Egypt Environmental And Economic Objectives, Nader Ibrahem Ismael

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The research aims to study the problem of municipal solid waste in Egypt, which notes the growth of the phenomenon of dumping this waste in the streets of Egypt, especially following the January 25 revolution and the resulting shortcomings in the performance of successive governments in confronting this problem, which led to an increasing rate of solid waste accumulation in the streets of Cairo and the shortcomings of the administrations’ performance. There is also a lack of a specific methodology for collecting local waste at the republic level. The research aims to develop a methodology for managing these wastes, starting …

System Dynamics For Manufacturing: Supply Chain Simulation Of Hemp-Reinforced Polymer Composite Manufacturing For Sustainability, Gurinder Kaur, Ronald Kander

School of Design and Engineering Papers

Supply chain management (SCM) involves complexities and uncertainties in the flow of goods and services from raw materials to end users. Inaccurate estimation of raw materials, labor, or equipment can lead to financial losses and environmental impacts. This study explores the application of system dynamics modeling (SDM) in manufacturing hemp-reinforced polymer composites (HRPC) to optimize resource usage. Using SDM software STELLA^® (Version 3.7.3), selected for its affordability and features, the research demonstrates how system dynamics (SD) can enhance sustainability by minimizing materials, labor, and equipment, reducing energy consumption. A literature review identified a gap in existing research, as we …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of The Mazi Umntanakho Digital Tool In South African Settings: A Qualitative Evaluation, Catherine E. Draper, Caylee J. Cook, Elizabeth A. Ankrah, Jesus A. Beltran, Franceli L. Cibrian, Kimberley D. Lakes, Hanna Mofid, Lucretia Williams, Gillian R. Hayes

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

To address the need for interventions targeting social emotional development and mental health of young children in South Africa, the Mazi Umntanakho (‘know your child’) digital tool was co-designed, and piloted with caregivers and 3–5-year-old children involved in home visiting programmes promoting early childhood development. The aim of this study was to qualitatively evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of this tool in four urban and four rural low-income communities, from the perspective of home visitors and caregivers. Focus groups were conducted with home visitors (n = 117) and caregivers (n = 72). Issues relating to the feasibility of …

Spatiotemporal Impact Analysis Of Land Surface Temperature Variations: A Case Study Of The Northeastern Part Of Baghdad Province, Iraq (2000-2024), Basheer S. Jasim

Al-Bahir

Land Surface Temperature maps are handy tools in a wide variety of scientific and practical fields. Monitoring climate change, researching the consequences of global warming, and evaluating the health of ecosystems are some of the applications that are used extensively. In addition, they have uses in agriculture, such as determining the amount of water that vegetation needs and monitoring agricultural regions that are experiencing drought. This study utilized a remote sensing approach to estimate land surface temperature with Landsat imagery from two periods, respectively, 2000 and 2024. The Landsat user's guide provided the algorithm to convert the images from DN …