Artificial Neural Network Model For Predicting Fatigue Endurance Limit Of Hot Mix Asphalt Using Uniaxial Tension–Compression Tests, Prashanta Kumar Acharjee, Mayzan Isied, Mena I. Souliman, Sameer Jung Karkl, Tanvir Ahmed, Gokhan Saygili

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Fatigue is one of the major distresses occurring in asphalt concrete pavement. Repeated traffic loading causes escalated structural damage which results in the formation of cracks. There is a strain level below which the Hot Mix Asphalt goes under fatigue failure, and it is called endurance limit. In this study, a predictive model is developed to predict endurance limit strain values by using artificial neural network. Uniaxial tension-compression fatigue test results conducted under NCHRP Project 9–44 A were utilized in the model development process. An equation is also extracted from the model along which gives the exact values as the …

Characterization Of Sediment Loads And Size Distribution In Nebraska Roadway Runoff, Bruce I. Dvorak, David M. Admiraal, Pavel Shrestha

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) must manage sediment, and pollutant loads from roadway runoff to meet stormwater regulations. The SAFL Baffle, a hydrodynamic separator used by NDOT, depends on reliable estimates of total suspended solids (TSS) and particle size distribution (PSD). However, limited data exists for Nebraska roadways. In this study stormwater runoff was monitored at four NDOT-maintained sites, two in Lincoln and two in Beatrice, over 1.5 years to characterize TSS and PSD and to evaluate SAFL Baffle performance using the SHSAM model. Results showed large variability across sites and seasons. Median TSS ranged from 158 to 580 …

Efficiency Evaluation Of Different Methods For Nitrogen Removal In Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants: An Integrative Review, Cristiane G. Ferrarezzi, Juliana Canto Duarte

The School of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering (SEE) Graduate Student Publications

Domestic wastewaters present high nitrogen levels due to the urea and ammonia, which are excreted into urine. Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) normally face some challenges in keeping their treated wastewater at a low total nitrogen concentration, since the majority of their wastewater is domestic. Low nitrogen levels in the treated wastewater are important to avoid increasing eutrophication of the receptor body, which receives the treated wastewater. This work presents an integrative review considering studies related to denitrification in domestic WWTPs published from January 1st, 2018, to April 30th, 2023. This review aims to identify the most effective methods for …

Hold Paramount The Health, Safety, And Welfare Of The Public And The Planet, Daniel B. Oerther

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Mechanical Properties And Reproducibility Of One-Part Ambient-Cured Slag And Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete, Daro Sun, Jessey Lee, Alireza Mohyeddin, Janitha Migunthanna

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The cement industry is a major source of anthropogenic CO2 emissions due to its energy-intensive production process and calcination of limestone. Producing one ton of cement emits approximately one ton of CO2, and cement accounts for about 5% to 8% of global CO2 emissions. In this context, cement-less one-part (“just-add-water”) ambient-cured geopolymer concrete (GPC) has gained attention due to its environmental friendliness and practicality for large-scale cast-in-situ construction. However, field adoption remains limited, mainly due to the scarcity of data on mechanical properties and durability, as well as the lack of widely accepted standards and specifications. This paper is part …

Generative Artificial Intelligence In Aircraft Design Optimization, Xiaosong Du

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Aircraft design optimization is essential for improving aircraft performance (such as reduced fuel consumption and lowered noise), which leads to more efficient, sustainable, and affordable aircraft. Conventional aircraft design adopts physics-based simulation models, but iteratively evaluating simulation models is computationally intensive, or even practically impossible. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a revolutionary game changer in the modern engineering industry, including aircraft design optimization. Generative AI (genAI), one of the groundbreaking AI methods, has been advancing aircraft design optimization from various aspects, including intelligent parameterization, predictive modeling, training facilitation, and constraints handling. However, there is a lack of a review …

Optical Fiber Sensors Using Vernier Effect In Cascaded Fiber Interferometers, Zhouchen Wang

Dissertations

The optical Vernier effect has emerged as a powerful tool to enhance the sensitivity of optical fiber interferometer-based sensors, opening new opportunities for developing highly sensitive fiber sensing systems. Optical fiber interferometric sensors based on the Vernier effect are widely used for various applications due to their ultra-compact size, high sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference, electrical isolation, resistance to harsh environments, flexibility, multiplexing capability, and remote operation. The aim of this doctoral thesis was to gain a deeper fundamental understanding of the Vernier effect in optical fiber structures and to develop and investigate a series of novel Vernier effect optical …

In-Situ Carbon Mineralization Through Injection Of Co2-Saturated Water Into Basalts: Effects On Pore Network, Seyi Philemon Akanji, Lionel Esteban, Ausama Giwelli, Joel Sarout, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) offers the potential to remove and safely store significant quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby limiting global warming. Conventional geological storage involves injecting CO2, in gaseous or supercritical state, into porous rock reservoirs, relying on geological top seals, capillary forces and/or dissolution in groundwater as the primary “locking-in” processes. An alternative method injects CO2-saturated water into mafic rocks (basalts), chemically inducing in-situ mineralization of CO2 to form solid carbonate minerals. This mechanism offers the lowest risk of carbon returning to the atmosphere. This review synthesizes field and laboratory studies on CO2 mineralization in …

Treatment And Valorization Of Spent Caustic Brine: A Critical Review With Emphasis On Membrane Technologies, Rouba D. Al Bostami, Amani Al Othman, Muhammad Tawalbeh, Kerry N. Mcphedran, Mohammad Mahdi A. Shirazi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Spent caustic brine (SCB) is a hazardous yet resource-rich industrial waste, primarily composed of sodium hydroxide, water, and contaminants such as sulfides, phenols, organic compounds, heavy metals, and valuable minerals. Originating from industries such as oil and gas, metal finishing, and food processing, SCB poses high pH ('11), high total dissolved solids (up to 58,000 ppm), heavy metal content, and elevated chemical oxygen demand (COD). In this work, treatment and valorization methods for SCB are categorized into three groups: traditional techniques without caustic or water recovery, conventional techniques with limited recovery, and membrane technologies offering effective caustic and water recovery …

Zirconium And Hafnium Interdiffusion Study In Zrb2–Hfb2 System, Yue Zhou, Ana C. Feltrin, William G. Fahrenholtz, Gregory E. Hilmas

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Interdiffusion of Zr and Hf in the diboride system was investigated. High-purity zirconium diboride (ZrB₂) and hafnium diboride (HfB₂) were prepared by a combination of boro-/carbothermal reduction synthesis and densification by spark plasma sintering. The bulk ceramics had relative densities of 99.3% for ZrB₂ and 99.7% for HfB₂, and both ceramics were phase-pure by x-ray diffraction analysis. Diffusion couples of ZrB₂ and HfB₂ were annealed at temperatures ranging from 2000°C to 2200°C for times from 4 to 12 h. Zr and Hf elemental concentration profiles were measured using energy dispersive spectroscopy …

Fiber-Reinforced Foam Concrete Using Quarry Micro Fines And Sugarcane Bagasse Ash: A Box–Behnken Design Optimization And Performance Assessment, Ravindaran Thangavel, Sanjay Kumar Shukla, Mini K. Madhavan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Foam concrete is well-appreciated for its thermal and acoustic benefits and is prepared by introducing foam into cement slurry/mortar. The current research examines the feasibility of Quarry Micro Fines (QMF), a waste generated from the quarries during sand manufacturing, as a substitute for fine aggregate in the preparation of foam concrete. During the preparation of concrete, a portion of cement is replaced with sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), while polypropylene (PP) fibers are added to improve the shrinkage resistance and tensile strength of the resulting concrete. A three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken Design (BBD) in Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize …

Mining Waste As A Resource In Construction: Applications, Benefits, And Challenges, Chathurika Dassanayake, Nuha S. Mashaan, Daniel Oguntayo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Mining activities generate vast quantities of waste each year, including mine tailings, bauxite residue, waste rock, and various metallurgical slags. Although these materials have traditionally been regarded as environmental liabilities, many possess physical and chemical properties that make them promising candidates for use in construction. This review synthesizes recent research on the utilization of major mining waste streams, with particular emphasis on pavement applications and other construction materials. The findings indicate that bauxite residue exhibits both pozzolanic and filler characteristics, demonstrating potential in asphalt mastics, asphalt mixtures, and other construction products. Nonetheless, its widespread adoption is constrained by issues such …

The Impact Of A Structured Training Program On The Depth Perception Of Ab Initio Drone Pilots, John Murray, Steven Richardson, Keith Joiner, Graham Wild

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Highlights: What are the main findings? First empirical assessment of depth-perception improvement from an official RPAS training program. Demonstrates measurable perceptual-skill gains despite no explicit syllabus objective for depth perception. What are the implications of the main findings? Conducted in authentic operational settings under regulated conditions, ensuring strong external validity. Establishes a validated baseline for future comparative and longitudinal studies on perceptual training effectiveness. Flying remotely requires accurate perception of the environment to ensure safe operation. While remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) bring unique opportunities, they also present new challenges for the pilot, including exercising accurate depth perception. The impact of …

Numerical Investigation Of A Dual-Mode Shape Memory Alloy Stent Enabling Secondary Expansion Via Focused Ultrasound: A Potential Strategy For Correcting In-Stent Restenosis, Stephen Asare, Lucinda Duncan, Josiah Owusu-Danquah, Brian L. Davis

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Coronary stent implantation is an invasive procedure performed to correct atherosclerosis. The aftermath of this procedure is identified with neointimal hyperplasia, which contributes to in-stent restenosis (ISR), and thus remains a significant clinical challenge. This study introduces a novel, noninvasive conceptual approach for addressing ISR through the thermal activation of shape memory alloy (SMA) stent using focused ultrasound (FU) in a controlled manner to restore luminal patency. COMSOL Multiphysics and ABAQUS finite element software were employed to perform the numerical modeling to simulate the thermal and mechanical responses of the SMA stent integrated into the arterial wall. After 15 s …

Enhancing Solar Energy Harvesting: A Comprehensive Study On Photothermal Conversion In Tin/Mxene-Mof Hybrid Nanofluids, Seyedeh Zahra Haeri, Ali Dashan, Javad Farahbakhsh, Mehdi Khiadani, Bahram Ramezanzadeh, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The growing global energy demand highlights the need for renewable sources like solar energy as a key component of sustainable systems. This study focuses on developing two hybrid nanofluids, TiNML125 and MXML125, for optimizing solar energy harvesting. These nanofluids were synthesized via a solvothermal process, combining NH₂-MIL-125 with plasmonic nanoparticles, titanium nitride (TiN) and MXene (MX). Their thermal conductivity, stability, optical properties, and photothermal efficiency were analyzed. Results showed both nanofluids significantly outperformed single-component ML125, with TiNML125 improving absorption by 40 % and enhancing thermal conductivity. MXML125 demonstrated superior long-term stability, with a 25 % lower zeta potential reduction over …

Nanocatalytic Enhancement Of Local Heat Transfer In Continuous-Flow Thermal Reactors, Nasser Zouli, Nujud Maslamani, Ayman Yousef, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the thermal conductivity (TC) and local heat-transfer coefficients (LHTCs) of nanofluids containing alumina (Al₂O₃), hematite (Fe₂O₃), and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles dispersed in deionized water. A newly developed non-invasive LHTC probe was integrated into the inner wall of the test section to enable direct quantification of interfacial heat-transfer performance. The measurements were conducted under laminar and turbulent flow conditons across Reynolds numbers ranging from 1000 to 10,000. The selected nanoparticles were chosen based on their high intrinsic thermal conductivity, cost effectiveness, and, in the case …

Predicting Water Quality Using Quantum Machine Learning: The Case Of The Umgeni Catchment (U20a) Study Region, Jamal Al-Karaki, Muhammad Al Zafar Khan, Amjad Gawanmeh, Marwan Omar

All Works

The assessment of water quality has become increasingly vital for maintaining the ecological balance and ensuring public safety across global water systems. This study examines the application of Quantum Machine Learning (QML) techniques in a real-world setting to predict water quality in the U20A region of the Umgeni Catchment, Durban, South Africa. We implemented the Quantum Support Vector Classifier (QSVC) and Quantum Neural Network (QNN) on a field-collected dataset. Our results demonstrate that the QSVC is more practical to implement and yields superior performance, achieving 75 % accuracy with polynomial and radial basis function kernels. In contrast, the QNN encountered …

Influence Of Superhydrophobic Surface Microstructure On Transient Jet Impingement Cooling, D. Jacob Butterfield, Brian D. Iverson, Daniel Maynes, Julie Crockett

Faculty Publications

Water jet impingement is an effective method of rapidly cooling a surface, but heat transfer from the surface is highly dependent on the surface condition and properties. Here, the impact of a superhydrophobic (SH) surface on heat transfer to an impinging, axisymmetric, room-temperature water jet with Re=6 x 10³to 18 x 103 is explored. SH surfaces are created by etching thin silicon wafers to form different micropatterns (posts or holes). Surfaces are heated to between 200 and 320°C, and the local surface temperature is measured with a thermal camera. The time resolved heat transfer from the surface and …

Utilization Of Plastic Waste In The Concrete Industry, Nancy Abdelmoneim Sakr

Theses and Dissertations

Plastic recycling has emerged as a crucial strategy that aligns with environmental, social and economic sustainability indicators. Currently, substantial volumes of plastic waste are either deposited in landfills or incinerated, neglecting the potential to harness its embodied energy and the energy consumed for producing virgin materials. A key advantage of plastic lies in its promising mechanical properties. Concrete mix design is fundamental to a wide range of construction applications, including brick walls, reinforced concrete slabs and concrete pavements. Despite the adoption of recycled plastic in construction materials in various countries, its widespread implementation remains limited. This is primarily due to …

Implementation Of Zero Trust Architecture On Local Server Management In Educational Institutions, Joko Purwanto, Safar Dwi Kurniawan

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

Educational institutions are facing increasingly complex cyber threats, particularly as they continue to rely on on-premises servers with limited cybersecurity resources. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) offers a security model that rejects implicit trust and requires strict verification of each access request. This study aims to examine the applicability of ZTA in managing local servers within educational institutions through a qualitative literature review approach. Relevant literature from 2014 to 2025 was analyzed using thematic synthesis to identify recurring concepts, strategies, and gaps. The results show that ZTA, when integrated with Identity and Access Management (IAM), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), …

Humanity Is Evolving Its Consciousness: The Role Of Archetypal Energies As Guides During An Unfolding Weeding Out And Alignment Process, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

Humanity is evolving its consciousness at individual and collective levels.  Given these seemingly tumultuous times, as of this writing (January 2026), to make such a statement may sound like a strange thing to say.  However, I suggest that if you are alive today and if you are reading these words, these are the very times for which you were born—to assist Humanity as it evolves its consciousness with your unique gifts, whatever they may be.  That is, this period of our individual and collective human being-ness may be characterized as an unfolding period of weeding out and alignment with the …

Assessment Of Winter Maintenance Performance Objectives Using Maintenance Decision Support System, Curtis L. Walker, Mark R. Anderson, Aemal Khattak, Thomas Kauzlarich, Abdul Farhan

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

It is important for transportation agencies to assess their winter maintenance operations performance to identify areas for improvement and/or resource investment to maintain optimal levels of service, mobility, and safety. This study explores nine winter snowstorms in Nebraska during the 2023-2024 winter season across 20 road segments, 12 of which were along the Interstate-80 corridor. Datasets explored include meteorological information, traffic mobility insights, winter maintenance operations activities, and road conditions before, during, and after the periods of accumulating snowfall. Statistical analyses explored correlations and quantitative relationships among these datasets, while visual dashboards were developed to promote more qualitative considerations of …

A Bim-Based Flexible Flow Shop Framework For Scheduling Linear Infrastructure Projects, Mahmoud Mohamed Elbassuony

Theses and Dissertations

Repetitive, multi-stage linear projects, such as pipelines or highways, are primarily impacted by spatial and resource constraints during their execution. Cost overruns, delays, and inefficient resource allocation make construction management for such projects complex. Traditional scheduling techniques, such as Critical Path Method (CPM) and Line of Balance (LOB), are less efficient for scheduling dynamic, complex, and multi-objective projects. There are more advanced scheduling methods that can be applied as a decision-making process to determine the optimal timing of activities and achieve other objectives. One of those techniques is the Flexible Flow Shop model (FFS), which can be effectively applied to …

Digital Replica For Trustworthy Cooperative Autonomous Vehicles, Hady Farahat

Theses and Dissertations

Trust in an automated system can be defined as confidence in a vehicle's reliability, safety, and predictability, which is essential for the acceptance and widespread adoption of fully autonomous vehicles (FAVs); without it, users might disengage from using autonomous vehicles or reject the technology altogether. Most of the previous research has focused on trust from an ego vehicle perspective.

However, next-generation vehicles are becoming more autonomous and connected, relying on vehicle-to-vehicle technology and vehicle-to-infrastructure technology with no human intervention. Hence, trust becomes more complex and fragile as multiple agents interact with each other, and it might become harder to establish …

Cognivault: Enabling Privacy-Aware Cognitive Distortion Detection In Intelligent Mental Health Applications, Mariam Dawoud

Theses and Dissertations

Mental health applications are increasingly leveraging intelligent systems to sup- port psychological well-being, yet preserving user privacy remains a major concern. This thesis presents CogniVault, a secure ecosystem for cognitive distortion data. The framework includes Cognify, a mobile journaling application that detects cog- nitive distortions in user-written journal entries using a locally deployed machine learning model. Cognitive distortions are maladaptive thought patterns such as catastrophizing or personalization, which the app identifies to provide therapeu- tic insights. To ensure privacy-preserving data analytics, CogniVault includes the design and implementation of a hybrid security architecture, PRISM-HDI, that combines Paillier Homomorphic Encryption (HE), Differential …

Resilience By Design: A Multi-Metric Assessment Of Urban Vulnerability Across Human-Centric, Built, And Climatic Environment Dimensions, Karim Abdelhady

Theses and Dissertations

Urban resilience and sustainability have emerged as fundamental imperatives in contemporary urban planning, as cities face mounting pressures from climate change, population growth, and increasing socio-economic disparities. Resilient urban systems are not only those that withstand shocks, but also those that ensure the long-term well-being, equity, and functionality of their environments. As such, advancing the capacity to systematically evaluate resilience across spatial and temporal scales is critical to informing adaptive, forward-looking planning strategies. Despite a growing body of research on urban resilience, prevailing approaches remain limited in scope and resolution. Many studies tend to examine resilience through isolated lenses—focusing either …

Irrigation Efficiency In Green Wall Systems Utilizing Iot: Developing And Testing A Method To Optimize Water Use For Green Walls, Yomna Zaghloul

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the application of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based automated irrigation system for green walls in Cairo, Egypt, assessing its impact on water conservation, energy consumption, and plant health across a three-month experimental period. The research compared a sensor-controlled drip irrigation system utilizing the ESP8266 microcontroller and real-time environmental monitoring against conventional timer-based irrigation methods. Water usage data revealed that the IoT system consistently achieved substantial savings—averaging nearly 60% less water consumption than the control group—without compromising overall plant vitality. Energy efficiency was also improved, with automated cycles reducing pump operating time by more than 50%. Plant growth …

Towards Decarbonizing Concrete Industry In Egypt: Material Alternatives, And Economic Viability, Reem Gamal

Theses and Dissertations

The construction industry remains one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, with cement and steel production accounting for approximately 15% of total emissions. As global infrastructure demands continue to rise, there is an increasing need for practical tools that support low-carbon construction practices in line with international climate commitments. This research presents the development and testing of a mathematical, adaptable decision support system designed to assess both the environmental and financial impacts of material selection in concrete production. Focusing on life cycle stages A1 to A3, raw material extraction, transportation, and manufacturing, the decision support system enables …

Ai-Driven Stratified Modeling For Early Liver Disease Detection: A Comparative Study Of Ensemble And Conventional Machine Learning Classifiers, Ghadeer Murtadha Ali, Ali Aqeel Hadi, Mustafa Abdulkareem Abbas, Abdullah Alkarar Mohammad, Ahmed Fadhil Abdulhussein

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

Background: Early prediction of liver disease remains challenging in routine clinical diagnostics due to the multifactorial nature of hepatic dysfunction and the limited discriminative capacity of conventional laboratory-only assessments.

Objective: This study aims to develop and rigorously evaluate a robust machine learning framework for binary liver disease classification, emphasizing predictive stability, diagnostic balance (sensitivity–specificity), and statistical reproducibility across repeated experiments.

Methodology: A structured dataset of 1,700 records with 11 features representing demographic, behavioral, genetic, and clinical determinants was used to train and compare five supervised models: CatBoost, AdaBoost, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Decision Tree. Performance was assessed …

Human-Machine Communication: Complete Volume. Volume 12

Human-Machine Communication

This is the complete volume of HMC Volume 12.