Digital Commons Network^™

A Maximum Energy Release Rate Computational Framework For Fatigue Crack Trajectory And Life Prediction Under Mixed-Mode Proportional And Nonproportional Loading, Nahla Helmy Matar

Theses and Dissertations

The problem of mixed-mode fatigue crack growth has been a persistent research challenge. The determination of fatigue crack propagation direction directly impacts the safety and integrity of components and structures, making it crucial in various industrial applications, including welded drilling pipes, aerospace, and automotive engineering. Unlike uniaxial loading, mixed-mode cracks tend to change direction frequently (kinking), and nonproportional loading adds to the complexity of the problem. This research aims to estimate the crack propagation direction and fatigue crack life in linear elastic materials subjected to mixed-mode (I+II) loading conditions under proportional or non-proportional cyclic loading. Numerical software was developed based …

Dynamic Baseline Schedule Updates Using Digital Twinning: A Case Study On Aluminum Formwork Construction, Ahmed Hamdi Sweilam

Theses and Dissertations

Repetitive high-rise construction using aluminum formwork couples consecutive floor cycles through a reused panel set and a floor-level inspection and pour barrier, so productivity loss compounds upward rather than being absorbed locally. The baseline schedule is nevertheless fixed before execution and is not revised as evidence of realized productivity accumulates. This thesis develops a simulation-based digital twin that updates the baseline from observed as-built durations and acts on its own forecast. A discrete-event simulation of a ten-story residential tower is built in AnyLogic® and verified analytically at 180.00 hours per floor. After each completed floor the twin infers activity productivity …

Sar Ship Detection Based On Shallow Feature Guidance, Chenxu Xia, Peng Chen, Ya Zhang, Ying Li

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Maritime ship detection is of great significance for both military security and civilian applications. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), with its all-weather and all-day imaging capability, plays a vital role in maritime surveillance. Nevertheless, SAR ship targets typically appear small in scale, embedded in complex backgrounds, blurred at boundaries, and easily confused with near-shore features, which pose substantial challenges for accurate detection. To address these issues, we propose a SAR ship detection network that integrates dual enhancements of small-object representation and edge information. The network introduces two key components: the Small Target Refine Pyramid (STRP) to strengthen shallow feature representation for …

Thermally-Driven Equiaxation Of Columnar Grains And Α″ Nanoparticles Enabling Isotropic Β-Ti Alloys With Strength–Ductility Synergy Manufactured By Laser Powder Bed Fusion, Lei Qin, Shengfeng Zhou, Jianbo Jin, Huan Yang, Kunmao Li, Cheng Deng, Yujie Yuan, Lai-Chang Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The transient thermal cycling characteristics during laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) induce elemental segregation and columnar growth, resulting in significant mechanical anisotropy and strength–ductility trade-off in titanium alloys. In order to break through this bottleneck, this work proposes a strategy of inducing equiaxation of columnar grains through recrystallization and regulating the morphology of the α″ phase (from an acicular shape to nanoparticles) to synergistically optimize the uniformity, strength and ductility of LPBF-fabricated Ti-35Nb-5Cu-xMo (Ti355x, x = 0, 1, 2, 4 wt%) alloys. The results demonstrate that LPBF-fabricated Ti355x alloys display equiaxed/columnar microstructures with significant mechanical anisotropy and strength–ductility trade-off. After …

Extending Geometric Acoustic Ray Tracing To Multi-Room Environments: A Case Study On Gunshot Sound Transmission Between Adjacent Rooms, Tyler Ton

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate localization of gunshots in multi-room building environments remains a challenging problem in acoustic forensics and public safety applications. Existing approaches model sound propagation within a single room, neglecting the transmission of acoustic energy through walls and other building materials. This thesis presents a study on modeling multi-room gunshot acoustic transmission, combining geometric ray tracing with structural acoustic transmission-loss modeling to generate impulse responses for two horizontally adjacent rooms separated by a shared wall, providing a foundation for future inter-room gunshot localization work. The proposed system uses GSound-SIR, a geometric acoustics engine, to simulate sound propagation in both of the …

Lrq-Solver: A Transformer-Based Neural Operator For Fast And Accurate Solving Of Large-Scale 3d Pdes, Peijian Zeng, Guan Wang, Haohao Gu, Xiaoguang Hu, Tiezhu Gao, Zhuowei Wang, Aimin Yang, Xiaoyu Song

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Solving large-scale PDEs on complex three-dimensional geometries remains a central challenge in scientific and engineering computing, often due to expensive pre-processing stages and high computational overhead. We present Low-Rank Query-based PDE Solver (LRQ-Solver), a physics-integrated deep learning framework for efficient CAE simulations of complex three-dimensional geometries in CAD-driven design analysis. Built upon the Parameter-Conditioned Lagrangian Modeling (PCLM) that embeds physical consistency into the learning process and the Low-Rank Query Attention (LR-QA) module that reduces attention complexity from O(N2) to O(NC2+C3) via covariance decomposition, LRQ-Solver supports multi-configuration analysis within iterative design workflows. On two benchmark datasets, it achieves a 28.6% error …

Integrating Tacit And Explicit Knowledge Across Construction Projects: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Of Knowledge Transfer, Lessons Learned, And Organizational Learning, Felix M. Delmonte

Mechanical and Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Abstract

Construction projects rely on knowledge distributed among temporary, multidisciplinary teams, firms, and lifecycle stages. Practical judgment often remains with experienced participants, while written accounts may omit the conditions and reasoning needed for later use. This research examines how construction scholarship explains the movement of project knowledge from capture through sharing and retrieval to reuse on another project. It treats these activities as distinct, and considers tacit expertise alongside explicit records, with attention to who contributes knowledge, who needs it, and where it must travel. The planned approach is a qualitative synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research from 2022–2026. The available …

Synthesis Protocols For Solar Cell Materials From Laboratory Fabrication To Scalable Manufacturing, Ayad Abbood Abdulhasan, A. M. Mustafa, Mohanad Muzahem Khalaf

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

Photovoltaic (PV) technology has evolved over seven decades from single-crystal silicon cells with modest efficiencies to a diverse portfolio of silicon, thin-film, and emerging solar-cell architectures approaching or exceeding thermodynamic single-junction limits when combined in tandem configurations. Device efficiency and long-term operational stability are governed not only by the choice of absorber material but, critically, by the synthesis protocol used to fabricate it the crystal-growth method, deposition technique, solvent system, thermal budget, and interface-engineering strategy all leave a lasting imprint on morphology, defect density, and carrier transport. This review provides a comprehensive, protocol-centered survey of solar-cell synthesis across three technology …

Analysis And Study Of The Content Of Chloride Salts In Oil, Natalia Evgenievna Sheina, Muborak Akramovna Mirshomilova

Technical science and innovation

The article addresses the critical issue of crude oil quality control, specifically focusing on the determination of chloride salts (sodium, calcium, and magnesium), which exert a destructive impact on processing equipment. The paper provides a detailed analysis of the adverse effects of salts, which lead to severe equipment corrosion, scaling, and a reduced yield of valuable oil fractions. The chemical principles and specific applications of two standardized methods for analyzing aqueous extracts according to GOST 21534-2021 and ASTM D3230 are described: indicator (argentometric and mercurimetric) and potentiometric titration. The experimental section presents the results of a comparative analysis of crude …

Mining-Geological And Technological Aspects Of The Development Of The Taushan Gold Deposit, Umid Azamjonovich Atakuziev, Aleksey Rashidovich Khasanov

Technical science and innovation

The paper presents a comprehensive study of the geological, geotechnical and geomechanical characteristics of the Taushan gold deposit that determine the selection of an efficient open-pit mining technology. The lithological structure, tectonic framework, ore body geometry and variation of rock mechanical properties with mining depth were analyzed. The results indicate that intensive fracturing, variable ore body thickness, complicated geological conditions and increased seismic activity significantly reduce the efficiency of conventional drilling-and-blasting mining methods. The application of surface miners as an alternative non-blasting mining technology is substantiated. Mechanical rock excavation provides higher mining selectivity, lower ore losses and dilution, reduced disturbance …

Integrating Gis With Interim Payment Valuation In Road Construction Projects: A Conceptual Framework, Abdulrahman I. Iro, Juma M. Matindana, Julian Ijumulana

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Abstract

Interim Payment Valuation is a critical process in road construction contract administration, yet conventional valuation practices remain heavily dependent on manual measurements, fragmented documentation, spreadsheets, and professional judgement. These limitations can affect measurement accuracy, transparency, traceability, and the timeliness of payment certification. Although Geographic Information Systems have increasingly been applied to construction planning, quantity measurement, progress monitoring, infrastructure management, and decision support, their integration with contractual and financial processes for interim payment valuation remains insufficiently explored. This study therefore develops a conceptual framework for integrating GIS with Interim Payment Valuation in road construction projects. A PRISMA-guided structured literature review …

Artificial Neural Network-Based Modelling And Prediction Of Key Performance Indicators In Road Construction Projects, Hussein Mativila, John M. Kafuku, Beatus A. T. Kundi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Road construction projects in developing countries including Tanzania experience several challenges including cost overruns, schedule delays and poor quality. The causes of these challenges include complex interdependencies project’s uncertainty factors. This makes traditional methods for predicting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) less effective. This study has developed a robust Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model for accurate modelling and predicting KPIs for road construction projects in Tanzania. The analysis was based on data obtained from 281 projects implemented by TANROADS in 11 regions from 2015 to 2025. Fourteen uncertainty factors were measured on a five-point Likert scale and screened using Principal Component …

Could 'Real Existing Ai' Be Sentient?, Tim Crane

Animal Sentience

Jonathan Birch is rightly sceptical about the idea that today’s AI machines (e.g. LLMs) are candidates for sentience. Nonetheless, he gives three reasons for taking the future possibility of AI sentience seriously. I dispute them all. Birch fails to distinguish the very idea of an artificial mind from computational AI (what I call ‘Real Existing AI’); he does not adequately distinguish a simulation from a replica or copy; and he fails to acknowledge that the appeal to computational functionalism in this context is straightforwardly question-begging.

The Algorithmic Narcissus: Ai Validation And The Atrophy Of The 'Athletic' Social Self, Ilham Phalosa Reswara, Anggi Mayangsari

Jurnal Psikologi Sosial

Artificial intelligence systems designed around continuous affirmation and minimal friction are becoming increasingly prominent as social and relational partners in everyday life. This article examines how sustained interaction with such frictionless AI systems may reshape the developmental conditions under which social selfhood forms and is maintained. Drawing on Cooley's (1902) looking glass self, Kohut's (1971) concept of optimal frustration, and the developmental literature on social competence, the article argues that frictionless AI may distort the social mirror through which identity forms, remove the manageable frustration that appears necessary for psychological growth, weaken empathic capacity, and erode the social stakes that …

Biosensor Development In East Africa: A Systematic Review Of Technologies, Applications, Challenges, And Future Directions, Ally Mahadhy

Tanzania Journal of Science

Biosensors integrate biological recognition elements with signal transduction systems to generate quantitative or semi-quantitative analytical information and have applications across healthcare, food safety, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and wildlife health. Despite substantial global advances, biosensor development in East Africa remains poorly characterized. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, evaluated published evidence from 1995 to 2025 within a predefined East African Community geographical scope. Eligibility was based on IUPAC-aligned operational criteria requiring an integrated biological recognition element, transduction mechanism, and quantitative or semi-quantitative signal output. Three locally developed biosensors met the criteria: an electrochemical nano-biosensor for schistosomiasis diagnosis in …

Engineering Small-Sized Cations With Strong Solvation For High-Voltage Supercapacitors, Tong Huo, Pan Liu, Hao Chen, Peng Zhang, Zhen-Lei Chen, Guo-Fu Sun, Zhi-Qiang Shi, Jing Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Supercapacitors (SCs) have attracted much attention in the field of energy storage due to their high power density and long cycle life. However, their relatively low energy density limits their application in a wider range of fields. Methods to increase energy density include enhancing specific capacitance and extending operating voltage window. Herein, we report a novel electrolyte salt, tetramethylammonium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (TMA-FSI), the resulting electrolyte formed with propylene carbonate (PC), designated as TMF, exhibited a wide electrochemical stability window (ESW) of 5.09 V. On the one hand, we found that the small size of TMA⁺ enables it to enter the …

Exploring Conceptions Of Engineering Design And Sustainability In Informal K–12 Engineering Education, Mobina Beheshti, Eunice Y. Kang, Avneet Hira

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

In this study we investigate K–12 students’ conceptualizations of sustainability, their perspectives on the role of engineers in sustainable practices, and how augmented reality (AR) can facilitate sustainability-oriented engineering design activities in informal settings. The AR technology used in this study includes the Merge Cube (a physical cube that serves as a digital canvas for AR) and CoSpaces Edu (an online platform that allows students to create 3D models and animate them using code). We employ a design-based research methodology, using qualitative narrative and artifact analysis to address the research questions: (1) What are students’ conceptions of sustainability and the …

Occurrence Pattern Of Adsorbed And Free Gas In Deep Coal Seams Under The Control Of Pore Structure: A Case Study Of The No. 8 Coal Seam In The Daning-Jixian Block Along The Eastern Margin Of The Ordos Basin, Bian Liheng, Shen Jian, Shi Rui, Zhang Wei, Ma Zhuang, Liang Xuemin, Dong Jiying, Zhu Peipei, Ma Tianyu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Deep coalbed methane (CBM) holds an important strategic position in China's unconventional natural gas system. However, concerning deep CBM occurrence, there remains a lack of systematic quantitative understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the controlling effects of pore structure. Methods This study investigated high-rank coal samples collected at a burial depth of approximately 2000 m from the No. 8 coal seam in the Daning-Jixian block along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. Using multiscale pore characterization techniques, including low-temperature liquid nitrogen adsorption, high-pressure mercury injection, and low-temperature CO₂ adsorption, the full-scale pore size distribution of the coal …

Controlling Effects Of Ash Yield On The Adsorption-Desorption Behavior And Production Potential Of Methane In Deep Coal Reservoirs, Huang Daojun, Liu Xinshe, Chen Shida, Sun Wen, Jiao Pengshuai, Wang Huaichang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The lithotype and quality characteristics of coals significantly affect the reservoir permeability and production potential of coalbed methane (CBM). However, there remains a lack of clear understanding of the controlling effects of ash yield on the gas-bearing properties and methane adsorption-desorption behavior of coal seams under comparable thermal maturity. Focusing on coal samples obtained through continuous sealed coring from the No. 8 coal seam in well M172 in the east-central part of the Ordos Basin, this study aims to clarify the impacts of ash yield on the pore structure, adsorption capacity, desorption process, and resource recoverability. This effort is …

An Improved Brittleness Characterization Method For Deep Coalbed Methane Reservoirs And Its Application To Well Logs, Huang An’Er, Gong Fei, Peng Suping, Zou Guangui, Zhang Zhaoji, Wu Yiquan, Rong Zhihong, Li Qingrun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Deep coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs are characterized by high pressure, low porosity, and low permeability. Therefore, large-scale volume fracturing is required for their commercial development. As an important engineering sweet spot parameter for selecting optimal fracturing targets, the brittleness index can reflect the difficulty in generating complex fracture networks during fracturing. However, existing brittleness characterization methods are largely applicable to strata with high brittle mineral content, such as shales and sandstones, while methods for characterizing the brittleness of deep CBM reservoirs with high organic matter content and low brittle mineral content are lacking. Methods Rock physics experiments on 20 …

Multi-Solution Ternary Grover’S Algorithm For Logic-Based Quantum Machine Learning With Pseudo-Kronecker Reed–Muller Form Minimization, Sophia Lee, Ali Al-Bayaty, Marek Perkowski

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Optimization problems in machine-learning (ML) applications can be computationally challenging for classical methods, particularly when they involve large, unstructured search spaces. Quantum computing offers a promising approach to combinatorial optimization by utilizing quantum superposition and amplitude amplification. This paper presents a new methodology using logic-based quantum machine learning (QML) as a complete framework for employing a multi-solution ternary Grover’s algorithm to minimize incomplete binary functions represented by Pseudo-Kronecker Reed–Muller (PKRO) expansions, consistent with Occam’s razor principle. Unlike previous quantum approaches based on Kronecker Reed–Muller (KRO) or fixed-polarity Reed–Muller (FPRM) representations, our work introduces the first Grover-based optimization framework for PKRO …

Improving Mechanical Properties Of Soft Clay By Deep Soil Mixing In North Delta, Egypt Vs. Finite Element Simulation, Ali Gamal Abdel Zaher, Sherif Abdelaziz Mazek, Samir Abdelfattah, Mostafa Merzk

HBRC Journal

Soft clay layers in the Northern Nile Delta pose significant geotechnical challenges due to low shear strength, high compressibility, and susceptibility to settlement. This study implements a section of a canal embankment in the field using Deep Soil Mixing (DSM) with a cement content of 165 kg/m³ and aims to evaluate its effectiveness in stabilizing soft clay while providing practical design tools for similar deltaic environments. Long-term field monitoring and laboratory testing, including UCS and permeability measurements, were conducted to support the analysis. A Finite Element Model (FEM) was developed in PLAXIS 2D v21 and calibrated against field data, …

Hands-On Ransomware: An Experiential Wannacry Case Study For Undergraduate Cybersecurity Education, Eli Creek Richmond, Thomas R. Devine

Military Cyber Affairs

Ransomware represents one of the most disruptive threats in the cyber landscape, yet hands-on malware analysis remains rare in undergraduate cybersecurity curricula. This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of an experiential learning module centered on the WannaCry ransomware case study, deployed in a senior-level course at West Virginia University. Students performed static and dynamic analysis using industry-standard tools. Pre- and post-module assessments demonstrated measurable gains in self-reported competency across seven technical dimensions. The module's competencies align directly with DoD Cyber Workforce Framework Work Role 212, Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst, supporting education-to-workforce pipeline development.

From Framework To Toolchain: Implementing Zero Trust Architecture In Cloud-Native Environments For Dow Compliance, Shelby C. Snyder

Military Cyber Affairs

Federal agencies face a fiscal year 2027 target for enterprise-wide Zero Trust deployment, but NIST SP 800-207A defines logical components without identifying the Kubernetes technologies that implement them. This paper proposes a three-tier mapping of the Policy Engine, Policy Administrator, and Policy Enforcement Point to service mesh, microsegmentation, and perimeter tooling, stating the criteria by which each component is classified. It then applies a defined rubric to six Zero Trust vendors across component alignment, Kubernetes capability, federal authorization posture, and evidence quality, finding that no single vendor covers all three tiers. The mapping is a testable architectural proposition; a Stage …

Comparison Of Gravity Separation And Flotation For Pyrite Recovery From Tailings, Gülay Bulut, Gönül Göksu Gökçe, Dilruba Karamanlı, Oğuzhan Mert Gürkan, Ergin Sarp Zenzirci, Binnur Kırım, Alim Gül

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Tailings generated during the production of lead, zinc, and copper concentrates contain significant amounts of sulfide minerals, particularly pyrite. Pyrite, which remains in tailings after the recovery of other metals, is one of the main contributors to acid mine drainage (AMD). Therefore, recovering pyrite from tailings is environmentally and economically an important issue. In this study, pyrite recovery from tailings was investigated using flotation and gravity separation methods. Mineralogical characterization and liberation analyses were conducted by Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA), indicating that pyrite is the major sulfide mineral with over 76% liberation degree even in the coarsest fractions. Flotation tests …

Relative Rate Observer-Based Online Tuning Mechanism For Single-Input Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Pid Controllers, Oqba Aldreiei, Cenk Ulu, Mert Can Kurucu, Müjde Güzelkaya

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

The characteristics of the footprint of uncertainty (FOU) in interval type-2 membership functions (IT2-MFs) are crucial to the performance and robustness of interval type-2 fuzzy controllers (IT2-FCs). However, existing IT2-FC design approaches mostly use fixed FOU structures. This study proposes an online membership function (MF) adjustment mechanism for a single-input interval type-2 fuzzy PID controller (SIT2-FPID)  that adjusts the FOU of the antecedent MFs and weights of the consequent MFs, respectively, to achieve high performance and robustness. The proposed online adjustment mechanism consists of a relative rate observer (RRO), a two-input rule-base adjustment system, and a first-order smoothing filter. The …

Cuip-X25: A Real-World Network Intrusion Dataset For Next-Generation Ai-Driven Security, Arshad Iqbal, Sohail Asghar

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

The efficacy of artificial intelligence (AI) in intrusion detection systems (IDS) is critically dependent on high-fidelity training data. However, as detailed in the manuscript's literature review, existing benchmark datasets are predominantly synthetic, outdated, or imbalanced and fail to capture the complexity of the contemporary threat landscape. To bridge this gap, this study introduces CUIP-X25, a novel real-world cyber-attack dataset captured over a four-month period using a dionaea honeypot deployed on a public network. Unlike synthetic alternatives, this dataset provides an authentic representation of modern adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures, encompassing 3.16 million real events across ten distinct attack categories, including …

Empowering Edge Intelligence Through Reparameterized Lightweight Transformers And Distributed Inference, Hosein Esmaeili, Mohammad Ali Afshar Kazemi, Reza Radfar, Nazanin Pilevari

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Deploying advanced transformer-based models on resource-constrained edge devices remains a significant challenge due to their high memory footprint and substantial compute requirements. In this paper, we propose a reparameterized transformer framework that integrates High-Rank Factorization (HRF) during training, layer merging at inference, and dynamic, load-balanced distributed inference across multiple devices. To further reduce resource usage, our framework supports mixed-precision quantization down to 4-bit, enabling flexible accuracy–latency–energy trade-offs. Experimental evaluations on the ESC-50 environmental sound dataset demonstrate that our method matches or exceeds the performance of larger baseline models while using 20–30% fewer parameters, achieving up to 48% latency reduction in …

Measurement-Aware Zero-Phase Iterative Learning Control For Robust Regulation Of Nonideal Boost Converters In Electric Vehicle Fast Charging, Aytaç Altan, Mohammed S. Alzaidi, Cağfer Yanarateş

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Integrating battery energy storage with DC-DC boost converters for electric vehicle fast charging exposes the regulator to ageing-induced parameter drift, periodic load pulses, and, critically, the nonidealities in the output-voltage sensing chain. This paper proposes a measurement-aware, zero-phase iterative learning control scheme for robust output-voltage regulation of a nonideal boost converter whose parameters are matched to those of a commercial Texas Instruments TPS6102x battery regulator. The controller combines an inner proportional-integral stabilizing loop with an outer zero-phase learning law that updates a feedforward correction based on the sensor-captured output trajectory; a forward-backward robustness filter suppresses the amplification of measurement noise …

Range–Angle-Dependent Oam Beamforming With A Concentric Helical Circular Fda, Uğur Yeşi̇lyurt

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Secure and spatially selective wireless transmission requires orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams that are confined to a specific range and angle, rather than propagating indefinitely along the beam axis. In this paper, a concentric helical circular frequency diverse array (CHCFDA) is proposed to generate range–angle-dependent OAM beams without requiring external phase shifters. The helical element positioning inherently provides the necessary interelement phase distribution through physical step height, while logarithmically increasing frequency offsets are applied across concentric rings—and optionally across individual elements—to eliminate range periodicity and achieve a single, well-focused OAM beam exclusively at the target location. Both linear and logarithmic …