Digital Commons Network^™

Mechanisms Behind Water Inrush Disasters Induced By Tbm Tunneling Passing Through Deeply Buried Fault Fracture Zones, Li Zhi, Dong Shuning, Shi Zhiyuan, Tong Renjian

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objectives While passing through a deeply buried water-rich fault fracture zone, a tunnel boring machine (TBM) frequently faces an extremely high risk of water inrushes, seriously restricting the engineering safety and efficiency. Methods This study aims to reveal the evolution patterns of water inrush disasters in the case where the TBM roadway tunneling passes through faults zones and propose technologies for advance prevention and control to mitigate the water inrush risk. Against the engineering background of the tunneling of a main roadway in a coal mine within a North China-type coalfield, this study established a 3D numerical model using the …

Tle-Unet-Based Image Segmentation And Feature Extraction Of Water-Cooling-Induced Complex Cracks In High-Temperature Rock Masses, Fu Tianyu, Hu Mangu, Zhang Xiaojun, Yang Xiaobin, Lyu Fu, Lyu Xiangfeng, Peng Lei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Method Water cooling-induced macroscopic surface cracks in high-temperature rock masses are characterized by fine scales, pronounced length variations, and severe class imbalance in images, posing significant challenges for image segmentation. To address these challenges, this study proposed TLE-UNet, a semantic segmentation network for rock crack images. First, through thermal treatment and uniaxial compression tests of granite specimens, crack images under varying temperatures were acquired. Then, using a self-developed Lite Edge Fusion module, high-resolution shallow features were finely aligned with deep semantic features at varying scales. Furthermore, edge detection and channel-attention mechanisms were combined to enhance crack boundary perception. …

Multiscale Fusion Aot-Gan Intelligent Filling Of Blank Strip For Formation Microresistivity Imaging Logging, Huang Luyi, Wang Fei, Kong Lingsong, Jiang Qishu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Formation microresistivity imaging (FMI) images features incomplete borehole coverage and thus contain blank strips due to the gaps between electrode pads, as well as their pushing and attachment mechanisms. Traditional blank strip filling methods suffer from several limitations, including susceptibility to image distortion and difficulty in retaining information on fine-scale structures such as fractures. This study developed an aggregated contextual-transformation generative adversarial network (AOT-GAN) for blank strip filling, aiming to achieve high-precision and high-fidelity information reconstruction. Methods Initially, a high-quality dataset was prepared based on original FMI images, along with full-borehole images obtained through image inpainting using CIFLog. Then, …

A Drilling-Punching-Hole Protection Integrated Hydraulic Caving Technology For Broken Soft And Low-Permeability Coal Seams, Yao Ningping, Hao Shijun, Zhang Jinbao, Wei Hongchao, Nie Chao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Method For broken soft and low-permeability coal seams, gas drainage achieved through permeability enhancement and pressure relief by cross-seam hydraulic caving in coal seam floor faces problems including serious borehole collapse in the drilled coal seam intervals, low construction efficiency, and poor gas drainage performance. To address these problems, this study proposed a high-efficiency drilling-punching-hole protection integrated gas drainage technology, which enabled hydraulic caving, permeability enhancement, and pressure relief. Furthermore, this study developed a drilling-punching-hole protection integrated caving device. Through laboratory experiments conducted under pressure conversion and central channels equipped with controllable opening/closing mechanisms, this study selected the …

Surface-Borehole Resistivity Tomography For Seepage Detection In Earth-Rock Dams, Tan Lei, Hu Xiongwu, Zhang Pingsong, Jiang Xiaoyi, Dong Ya, Liu Fuda, Li Chunyang, Xu Hu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Resistivity methods allow for effective detection of seepage in reservoir dams. However, when used to detect the hidden hazards of dams, the surface resistivity method fails to accurately identify vulnerable areas across an entire dam due to blind spots near both dam abutments and insufficient resolutions for deep parts. Methods This study proposed a seepage detection technique for earth-rock dams based on surface-borehole resistivity tomography, followed by the analysis of the distribution of surface-borehole resistivity under the lateral and vertical variations in a seepage zone through numerical simulations. This technique was applied to the Shibi reservoir dam. Using the …

A Gaussian Process Regression-Based Denoising Method For Transient Electromagnetic Signals, Wang Peng, Shi Jiaxing, Lu Kai, Hu Jinru, Wen Guangyuan, Zhai Haojie

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The transient electromagnetic (TEM) method serves as a primary geophysical technique for groundwater detection in coalfields at present, with the detection results directly influencing the implementation of water hazard prevention and control in coal mines. Since it is difficult to avoid electromagnetic interference sources such as power lines during data acquisition, TEM signals are prone to be contaminated by electromagnetic noise. Given that primary denoising techniques such as wavelet transform and empirical mode decomposition (EMD) are yet to be further improved, this study developed a novel Gaussian process regression (GPR)-based denoising method for TEM signals. Methods First, time alignment …

Ainet: Integrating Mamba And Cbam For Enhanced Camouflage Object Detection, Henry O. Velesaca, P. Andrea Mero, Abel A. Reyes-Angulo, Angel D. Sappa

Michigan Tech Publications

This paper introduces AINet, a novel deep learning architecture designed for detecting camouflaged objects in complex and diverse environments. The objective of this work is to design an end-to-end camouflaged object detection architecture that simultaneously captures long-range dependencies and refines subtle camouflage cues, improving segmentation accuracy and boundary delineation across both standard COD benchmarks and real-world agricultural scenarios. AINet leverages the strengths of Mamba, an efficient sequential state model for capturing long-range dependencies, and the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) for feature refinement through attention mechanisms. Detecting camouflaged objects is a significant challenge across a wide range of real-world applications, …

Synergistic Breaking Of Composite Key Strata And Energy Evolution Of The Overburden Under Mining Disturbances, Wu Boqiang, Wang Xiaodong, Zhu Shibin, Xu Ganggang, Zhang Yuehong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective This study aims to explore the synergistic breaking responses and energy evolution mechanisms of composite key strata under mining disturbances. These efforts will provide robust theoretical support for the prevention and control of disaster-causing accidents in the surrounding rocks of coal seams and hold great significance for ensuring safe mining operations underground. Methods The breaking and instability characteristics of composite key strata under mining disturbances were analyzed by integrating physical simulation using similar materials, numerical calculation, and theoretical analysis. Accordingly, the accumulation and release patterns of strain energy and gravitational potential energy in the overburden were investigated. Finally, the …

Post-Fire Inspection, Material Testing, Repair, And Field Load Testing Of A Full-Scale Concrete Box Girder Bridge: Delta Bridge Case Study, Ahmed S. Eisa, Hilal Hassan, Mohamed A. Badran, Ayman El-Zohairy

Faculty Publications

Bridges are critical components of transportation networks, and fire accidents can significantly impair their structural integrity, leading to safety risks and major economic losses. This study presents a comprehensive inspection, materials testing, repair, and field load testing program for a full-scale concrete box girder bridge (Delta Bridge, Alexandria, Egypt) following a fire exposure on two spans. A total of 28 concrete core samples were extracted and tested, revealing average compressive strengths of 48.50 MPa (slab), 53.90 MPa (web), and 45.88 MPa (columns), representing moderate reductions of approximately 8.5%, 7.9%, and 10.8%, respectively, relative to the original in situ concrete strength …

Mechanism And Prevention Of Rockburst In Deep Asymmetric Goaf Areas Coal Seam Main Roadway, Lu Xihui, Zhao Weiwei, Hao Yinghao, Cao Anye, Su Shijie, Lyu Guowei, Bai Gang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective With an increase in the utilization of main roadways in coal seams, rockburst have occurred increasingly more frequently in these main roadways. Investigating the mechanisms behind these rockburst under specific conditions, as well as differentiated prevention and control measures, holds great significance for the safe extraction of deep coal resources.Methods This study investigated the main roadways at risk of strong rockburst within a coal mine in Inner Mongolia. By integrating a range of methods, including field measurement, theoretical analysis, and FLAC3D-based numerical simulation, this study examined the evolutionary patterns of both the surrounding rock stress and the overburden …

Sedimentary Evidence For The Connection Between The Southern Margin Of The Ordos Basin And The Paleotethys Ocean During The Permian To Early Triassic, Li Zonglin, Shi Yongsheng, Li Wenhou, Chen Long, Sun Jiaopeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Understanding the Permian-Early Triassic sedimentary environments along the southern margin of the Ordos Basin (also referred to as the SMOB) and their tectono-sedimentary responses to the Paleotethys Ocean plays a key role in determining the paleogeographic evolution and energy resource potential of the southern margin of the North China Craton. Methods This study investigated the Qinling Orogenic Belt (QOB) and the SMOB. Through systematic sedimentological examination based on drilling data and outcrop sections, along with a systematic review of existing paleontological findings, this study re-determined the Permian-Early Triassic tectono-paleogeographic frameworks along the SMOB. Furthermore, this study explored the paleogeography …

Characteristics And Mechanisms Of Guar Gum Degradation By Indigenous Bacteria In Coal Seams, Li Bing, Guo Hongyu, Zhou Xiao, Wang Haichao, Jian Kuo, Chen Zhaoying, Zhang Bin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Hydraulic fracturing serves as a stimulation technique extensively used in the commercial development of coalbed methane (CBM), in which guar gum is commonly used as a fracturing fluid thickener. However, under the low-temperature conditions of coal reservoirs, conventional chemical gel-breaking methods often suffer from incomplete gel breaking and high residue content, resulting in formation damage and a decrease in the production efficiency of CBM wells. Methods Using indigenous bacteria in coal seams as functional strains, this study conducted microbial gel-breaking experiments. It systematically investigated the characteristics of guar gum biodegradation by these bacteria and determined the dominant microbial taxa …

A Method For Diffracted Wave Separation And Imaging Based On The Gwa-Vmd, Lin Peng, Liu Yulin, Peng Suping, Cui Xiaoqin, Guo Changbo, Yang Jie

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Small-scale discontinuous geobodies such as faults, collapse columns, and pinch-out points are widely present in underground spaces. They are closely associated with the safe production and development of underground resources such as coals, oil, and gas. As the wave field responses of small-scale discontinuous geobodies, diffracted waves can overcome the shortcomings of traditional reflected wave imaging, being capable of accurately identifying and localizing small-scale geobodies. Objective and Method This study aims to achieve diffracted wave imaging of discontinuous geobodies. Based on the differences in kinematic and dynamic characteristics between reflected and diffracted waves, this study leveraged the precise self-adaptive …

A Reflected Radio Wave-Based Exploration Method For Goaves In Closed/Abandoned Mines And Its Application, Pang Yao, Wu Rongxin, Wang Jinguo, Hu Ze'an

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Method The redevelopment and reutilization of closed/abandoned mines hold great research significance and practical production value due to their substantial number. In China, the secondary development and utilization of energy and spatial resources in such mines started late, rendering foundational theories and key technologies relatively underdeveloped. To investigate the developmental characteristics of underground spaces within goaves in closed/abandoned mines, this study proposed a reflected radio wave-based exploration method. Specifically, an observation system with a fixed transmitter-receiver (TR) spacing was deployed in rock roadways above/below or on both sides of the mining face in a closed/abandoned mine. Then, a …

Cross-Modal Lidar-Camera Joint Calibration For Heading And Mining Face In Coal Mines, Yang Wenjuan, Ren Zhiteng, Zhang Xuhui, Du Yuyang, Li Changpeng, Zhang Chao, Xu Jie, Wan Jicheng, Lei Mengyu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective In underground coal mines, it is challenging to extract the features of the heading and mining face stably under insufficient illumination, significant dust interference, and sparse point clouds. This severely undermines the accuracy and robustness of camera-LiDAR joint calibration based on underground unstructured scene characteristics.Methods Targeting complex operating conditions, including fully mechanized mining face and tunneling roadways, this study developed a LiDAR-camera joint calibration method based on cross-depth feature coupling. In this method, an improved random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm for multi-plane fitting was designed for feature extraction. By integrating normal vector-based pre-clustering and an adaptive iteration mechanism, …

Note: Greenvent – Revolutionizing Methane Management With Hybrid Energy Processing In Mine Ventilation, Roman J. Jędrzejczyk, Damian K. Chlebda, Jacek Dańczak, Piotr Rosikowski, Monika A. Koperska, Robert E. Hayes, Joseph P. Mmbaga, Robert Hildebrandt, Joanna Profic-Paczkowska

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Methane plays a significant role in intensifying the greenhouse effect, possessing a global warming potential more than twenty times greater than that of CO₂ when measured on a carbon-dioxide-equivalent basis. Hence, identifying efficient methods to mitigate methane emissions is crucial for safeguarding the environment, ensuring economic viability, and maintaining practicality. Globally, research initiatives are dedicated to crafting an effective catalyst system for methane oxidation, which involves developing catalysts, comprehending their characteristics, and determining the best way of bonding them to structural supports to enhance functionality. Notably, systems that incorporate metals from the non-noble d-block of the periodic table as …

Enhancing Workforce Development In Construction Management Through Collaborative Teaching (Co-Teaching) Models, John Annor, Francois Jacobs

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a collaborative co-teaching initiative implemented across three educational institutions—the University of State, Community College, and High School—through two key construction courses: Construction Materials and Methods and Construction Safety. Designed to bridge gaps across educational levels, the initiative adopted a mixed-methods research approach to assess student learning outcomes, instructional effectiveness, and stakeholder perceptions. Quantitative data were collected from standardized assessments, including quizzes, a safety plan project, and exams administered across multiple years. Analytical techniques such as Welch's two-sample t-tests and Welch ANOVA were employed to compare student performance between and within institutions, adjusting for unequal …

A Longitudinal Study Of Workforce Trends And Challenges In The Construction Industry Of A Rural State: A Case Study Of Wyoming, John Annor, Francois Jacobs

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

Wyoming’s construction sector, while often eclipsed by extractive industries, plays a vital role in supporting statewide economic activity and infrastructure development. This study investigates key labor force trends in the sector from 2010 to 2024, focusing on employment patterns, age-based workforce composition, and wage trajectories. Drawing on monthly data from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, the analysis employs descriptive statistics, time series modeling, and cross-variable analysis to explore sectoral vulnerabilities. Findings reveal a cyclical employment structure marked by seasonal peaks and troughs, with a notable disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The workforce is aging rapidly, with workers …

Tetramethylbenzidine Loaded Pva Nanofibers Strip For Visual Detection Of Hydrogen Peroxide Via Cu2+ Catalysis And Its Applications, Samar A. Salim

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Background Advancements in sensor technology have facilitated the development of cost-effective and highly sensitive sensors which have significantly improved the detection of biological analytes in various fields. This study presents a novel approach for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), a critical analyte in both biological and environmental systems. A simple and sensitive colorimetric sensing platform was developed based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers loaded with tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Results The nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, confirming the formation of smooth, spindle-shaped fibers with diameters from 324 to 551 nm. The colorimetric detection method utilized TMB, which undergoes oxidation …

Uas Path Planning With Dynamic Rerouting Using A Space-Time Graph, Kimoy Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

UAS systems have emerged as multifaceted technologies with applications across a wide range of sectors. Their ability to access areas that are difficult or unsafe for manned systems has made them invaluable tools in various domains. As a result, UAS have transformed numerous industries, including infrastructure inspection, delivery and logistics, military and defense, as well as precision agriculture and environmental monitoring.

The advancement in UAS technology is fundamentally reliant upon ongoing research efforts in the specialized area of UAS path planning. Optimal flight planning is essential for a UAV to effectively execute its mission’s task safely, effectively, and in congruence …

Automated, High-Resolution, Three-Dimensional Pest Scouting In Orchards Using Aerial And Ground Vehicles, Sierra N. Young

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Interfacial Engineering Of Electrodes And Solid-State Electrolytes For High-Performance Lithium-Ion And Sodium-Ion Batteries, Ahmad Helaley

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

The rapid expansion of electrified transportation and renewable energy integration demands advanced lithium-ion (Li-ion) and sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries with enhanced safety, long-term reliability, and high energy efficiency. However, conventional systems employing liquid electrolytes continue to exhibit persistent failure modes, including thermal instability, parasitic interfacial reactions, transition-metal dissolution, and electrode degradation under high-voltage or fast-charging conditions. These limitations become even more critical in solid-state configurations, where insufficient ion mobility and interfacial incompatibility can severely restrict electrochemical performance. The first part of this dissertation develops an atomic-layer-scale interfacial stabilization strategy using atomic layer deposition (ALD) coatings. ZnO-modified graphite anodes in Li-ion cells …

“What You Bring Matters”: A Case Study Of Middle School Engineering Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Jessica D. Gale, Dyanne Baptiste Porter, Meltem Alemdar, Sunni H. Newton, Abeera P. Rehmat, Jasmine Choi

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

Precollege engineering teachers bring unique backgrounds to their teaching practice. Many follow nontraditional routes to teaching engineering, often coming from teaching other subjects or careers in other fields. Among the many variations influencing engineering teaching practices is pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). This multiple case study explores the PCK of five middle school engineering teachers implementing the same middle school engineering curriculum, STEM innovation and design (STEM-ID). STEM-ID engages students in contextualized challenges that incorporate foundational mathematics and science and advanced manufacturing tools such as computer-aided design and 3D printing while introducing engineering concepts such as pneumatics, aeronautics, and robotics. Drawing …

Controlling Of Monopile Seismic Response Using Concrete Skirt, M. Mancy, T. Sorour, M. Abdel-Motaal

HBRC Journal

Bridges are considered one of the major infrastructure projects that pose many challenges for design and construction. This is because they require highly efficient structural systems that last for many years, require minimal maintenance, and provide a short construction period. Monopiles are the most common foundation system concept in wind turbines, but they have also proven to be an economically sound foundation solution in bridge foundation systems (as seen in monorails, railway bridges, bridges extensions and ramps) owing to their simple design, easy construction, low manufacturing costs, and minimal excavation work. However, the durability of bridges resting on monopiles …

Model Verification With Experimental Tests Data Of Slender Pipe Steel Columns Strengthened With Filling Of Eps Concrete, M. S. Hasaneen, M. E. Abdel-Ghaffar, M. Ragaee

HBRC Journal

Thin-walled steel circular hollow sections (CHS) with concrete infill have been widely investigated in previous research. The aim of this study is to investigate the behavior of axially loaded thin-walled CHS tubes filled with lightweight concrete, with the goal of achieving the lightest possible column weight while providing optimal axial capacity. Three concrete mixes incorporating Expanded Poly-Styrene (EPS) aggregates instead of conventional gravel were used. The dry densities of the mixes were 1000, 1100, and 1400 kg/m$^3$, and their compressive strengths were 3.8, 6.3, and 13 MPa, respectively. A comparison was conducted between bare steel columns and EPS-filled columns to …

Harnessing Higher Education For Regional Transformation: Case Of King Salman International University, South Sinai, Egypt, Ashraf S. Hussein, Dalia A. Elsorady

HBRC Journal

As the globe becomes more urbanised, anchor Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are becoming increasingly crucial to the well-being of cities and communities. Egypt's Vision 2030 positions universities as key pillars of national development, aiming to transform them into fourth-generation universities that foster innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and community service. The plan aligns education with economic needs, promotes a knowledge economy, and improves quality of life through digital transformation and specialized institutions to meet rising demand and accomplish Sustainable Development Goals. This paper explores the role of fourth-generation universities as anchor institutions in promoting regional development, considering various aspects, including education, urban, …

A Capability Maturity Model For Artificial Intelligence Integration In Supply Chain Management, Lordt Becklines

Dissertations

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming Supply Chain Management (SCM), yet many organizations struggle to assess their readiness for AI adoption and to understand how AI capabilities develop across maturity stages. This dissertation addresses this gap by developing a Capability Maturity Model (CMM) for AI integration in SCM, grounded in Organizational Information Processing Theory (OIPT), the Resource-Based View, and related capability frameworks. The model provides a structured approach for evaluating an organization's information-processing requirements, resource configurations, and alignment needed for effective AI-enabled supply chain operations.

Using a design science research approach, the AI-SCM CMM and its associated assessment instrument were derived …

Population Satisfaction Indicators Of The Quality-Of-Life Standards During The Work Trip (A Case Study Of The Cities Of Minia And New Minia), Shimaa Mohammed Hamdy Derbala, Amna Waz Amgad Ali

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The research examined the indicators of population satisfaction with the quality of life during work trips in the cities of Minia and New Minia, in relation to the problem of low urban communication between the two cities and the continued dependence of debtors on each other to provide employment opportunities. The research examined previous studies linking the quality of life of work trips to the environmental, social and psychological aspects of the movement and economy, A questionnaire was designed for a sample of the population (388 individuals) to assess the residents' impression of the quality of life during their work …

Simulating Cyber-Resilience: The Strategic Role Of The Locked Shields Exercise In Enhancing International Cyber Preparedness, Christopher A. Ramezan, Ludwig Christian Schaupp, Elizabeth A. Vitullo, William J. Walker

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

As cyberthreats to critical infrastructure remain prevalent, national response mechanisms must evolve beyond the technical domain to incorporate legal, communicative, strategic, and cross-sector coordination. This work explores Locked Shields, an annual exercise conducted by NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, as a pedagogical and conceptual framework for simulating whole-of-government responses to cyber incidents. Unlike traditional cyber exercises, Locked Shields engages legal advisors, media strategists, and civil-military roles in realistic, scenario-driven simulations that portray the political and operational conditions of a real international-scale cyber crisis. We detail the exercise architecture, contrast with other cyber exercises, and assess its pedagogical and …

A New Highly Oxygen-Deficient And Cubic Pr3Zro8-Δ For Intermediate-Temperature Thermochemical Production Of Oxygen And Hydrogen, Jiaxin Lu, Yongliang Zhang, Luhong Chen, Yan Chen, Ke An, Yasser Shoukry, Xinfang Jin, Zhi-Hao Wang, Sai Mu, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

Two-step thermochemical cycles offer a clean route for hydrogen and oxygen production but are typically limited to high temperatures exceeding 1500 °C. Lowering operating temperatures would enable the use of alternative heat sources such as industrial waste heat. Here, we report Pr₃ZrO₈ as a new enabling material for efficient intermediate-temperature redox cycling, with thermal reduction at 900 °C in argon and steam oxidation at 400 °C. Pr₃ZrO₈ adopts a face-centered cubic structure similar to CeO₂ but exhibits significantly greater oxygen deficiency, achieving average oxygen and hydrogen fluxes of 331.7 and 70.3 µmol·g-1, respectively, …