Architecture Commons^™

Development And Experimental Validation Of A Bio-Based Co2 Purification Medium Derived From Puffed Rice Waste For Indoor Air Quality Improvement, Abeer Fuad Othman

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Indoor environments are crucial for human activity, as people spend over 90% of their time indoors. This extensive indoor presence makes these spaces crucial for overall well-being. The growing awareness of Indoor Air Quality's (IAQ) impact on health, productivity, and wellness contrasts with buildings' contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through construction materials such as exterior walls, upper floors, and interior finishes. Classrooms are especially concerning because they house many students who are exposed to indoor air pollutants for extended periods. Given the significance of IAQ in educational settings, there is an urgent need for effective solutions to improve air …

Urban Form, Density, And Energy Efficiency: A Typo-Morphology-Based Simulation Framework For Superblock Planning And Densification In Abu Dhabi, Najeeba Ali Kunju

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Urban form plays a critical role in shaping environmental performance, particularly building energy. In Abu Dhabi and other GCC cities, development is structured around superblocks—large arterial-bounded land parcels units derived from NPU planning principles. Rapid urban expansion, rising energy demand, and the predominance of low-density suburban growth (now exceeding 55% of Abu Dhabi’s footprint) highlight the need for frameworks that can evaluate the energy implications of this morphology and guide both new development and retrofitting strategies. Superblocks therefore offer a consistent and policy-relevant scale for analysing form–energy interactions in the GCC’s hot-desert context, where early-stage, morphology-informed planning tools are essential. …

Transdisciplinary Perspectives On Ai: The Fourth Annual Conference Of The European Culture And Technology Laboratory, Connell Vaughan, Ioana Madalina Moldovan, Silivan Moldovan, Noel Fitzpatrick

Books/Book Chapters

The fourth annual conference of the ECT Lab+ was hosted by Technical University of Cluj-Napoca over two days in October 2024 at the Cluj Innovation Park. The conference brought together experts from the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Technology, and other fields to discuss and reflect on the advent of Artificial Intelligence and how the associated technologies are transforming how we live, work and study. Under the title Transdisciplinary perspectives on AI: Alternative Histories, Current Practices and Possible Futures the conference moved beyond simplistic technophila and technophobia to consider whether we can co-evolve with these new technologies which combine machine learning …

Evolving Towards Efficient Technologies In Power Systems: The Paradigm Of Energy Internet Survey, Dina Emad, Omar Abdel-Rahim, Tanemasa Asano, Sobhy M. Abdelkader

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The Energy Internet represents a significant advancement in the modernization and automation of electricity systems, offering a framework for future smart grids where all electrical devices are interconnected through energy routers. This system integrates advanced power electronics, information technology, and smart control technologies, enabling the accommodation of diverse energy sources and storage devices. With its bidirectional energy flow and sharing capabilities, the Energy Internet holds great promise for the future. However, several challenges must be addressed to fully realize this potential. This review provides an overview of the Energy Internet framework and explores key challenges, particularly those related to energy …

Art Teams Year 4 Annual (Ad Hoc) Report 2024-2025, Guy Trainin, Kimberley D'Adamo, Hyeonjin Yoon, Azadeh Hassani, Zohreh Tamimdari, Jiabin Lyu, Michael Nti Ababio, Sarah Trainin

Research and Evaluation in Education, Technology, Art, and Design

This report documents the fourth year of the Art TEAMS project, a multi-year professional learning initiative focused on arts-integrated, transdisciplinary teaching practices across Nebraska K-12 schools. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the project advanced work with its second cohort of educators while maintaining engagement with the first cohort to assess the sustainability of implementation. The second cohort brought increased diversity in art forms, including ceramics, digital media, and career and technical education, demonstrating the versatility of arts integration across curricula.

Year Four activities included delivering refined professional development courses grounded in emergent curriculum design, with significant curriculum modifications based on …

Assessment Of Traffic Related Air Pollution Effects On Indoor Air Quality In Educational Buildings, Ahmed Gouda Mohamed, Mohamed Sherif Dr., Fahad Alqahtani Dr., Yousif Deeb Eng.

Civil Engineering

This study assesses the impact of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on indoor air quality (IAQ) within a Riyadh school. The main objectives are to pinpoint factors influencing IAQ and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing ventilation and filtration systems. Air quality Egg sensors monitored nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10) levels both indoors and outdoors over 30 days. Findings revealed average indoor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations of 14.09 µg/m3 and 18.15 µg/m3, respectively, while outdoor concentrations averaged 20.63 µg/m3 and 27.88 µg/m3. A strong positive correlation was observed between indoor and outdoor PM levels, …

2025 - The Sixth Annual Fall Symposium Of Student Scholars

Symposium of Student Scholars Program Books

The full program book from the Fall 2025 Symposium of Student Scholars, held in November 2025. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.

Working With Local Government Planning Staff: The Need-To-Know Basics, Kimberly K. Gerhart-Fritz

Civil Engineering Professional Development Seminar

Many civil engineers will need to interact with local government during their careers. Understanding WHAT local government planners do and WHY they do it can make that process much easier to navigate, for all involved.

Mass Timber Construction: Products, Performance And Design, Anthony Harvey

Civil Engineering Professional Development Seminar

Due to their high strength, dimensional stability and positive environmental performance, mass timber building products are quickly becoming materials of choice for sustainably‐minded designers. This presentation will provide a detailed look at the variety of mass timber products available, including glue‐laminated timber (glulam), cross laminated timber (CLT), nail laminated timber (NLT), heavy timber decking, and other engineered and composite systems. Applications for the use of these products under modern building codes will be discussed, and examples of their use in U.S. projects reviewed. Mass timber’s ability to act as both structure and exposed finish will also be highlighted, as will …

Designing And Writing Effective Data Management Plans For Grant Proposals, Rubab Shahzad, Ibis Anette Moreno-Lozano

Day Family Research Lab Workshop Series

Fundamentals of research data management and how to create effective Data Management Plans (DMPs).

Optimization Of Bioethanol From Plantain Peel Using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Akinjide A. Akinola, Olawole O. Olanipekun, Paul A. David

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This research aimed to evaluate the potential of using plantain peels as a raw material for producing bioethanol with the help of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The study utilized a four-factor Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the fermentation conditions. The factors considered for optimization were substrate concentration (1-4 g), pH (5-7), temperature (30-45°C), and fermentation time (24-96 hours). Through this optimization process, the study found that the optimal conditions for bioethanol production were 4 g substrate concentration, pH 6, 45°C temperature, and 60 hours of fermentation time. Utilizing these optimal conditions resulted in a bioethanol yield of …

Editorial: Healthcare Technologies And Space: Therapeutic Built Environment As A Health Technology And Technologies For Improved Healthcare Settings, Evangelia Chrysikou, Fernando Loizides, Marianna Obrist, James Barlow, Paul Barach

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Domed Architecture On The Architectural Character Of Western Desert Oases, Nader Mohamed Gharib, Mo’Men Abdelqader, Yousab Magdy Shafik

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The visual disharmony arising from the indiscriminate and architecturally unplanned integration of curved roofing elements, notably domes, into the built environment of the Western Desert oases has become a significant issue, particularly in the Siwa Oasis, where the adoption of domed architecture was first introduced in the village of Jafar in 1997. This research delves into a detailed study that focuses on how pivotal historical, cultural, environmental, aesthetic, functional, and technical factors have crucially shaped the widespread integration of these iconic curved roofing superstructures in the oases' architectural heritage over generations, contributing to the uniquely recognizable architectural character and sense …

Water-Based Logic: The Water Heritage Of Greater Nanning And Its Role In Urban Authenticity, Tiansheng Li

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Water heritage plays a pivotal role in establishing Greater Nanning as a central city in the upper Pearl River basin of southern China. However, this heritage has largely been overlooked due to an urban narrative dominated by land-centrism. This article explores methods to create a comprehensive understanding of the water heritage of Greater Nanning and discusses how it can be integrated into the concept of urban authenticity. It argues that both tangible and intangible water heritages are essential elements to safeguard urban authenticity and promote sustainable cultural development. This study adopts an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, combining quantitative analysis with …

Seismic Responsive Buildings: Comparison Between Egyptian Code 2012 With Different International Codes For Seismic Structural Irregularities At Architectural Design, Aya Abd El Ghaffar Mohamed, Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Fikry, Mai Mohamed Abdo

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Seismic codes are laws and regulations that establish the basic requirements for building structures that can withstand seismic activity. Each country has different restrictions under different subheadings, depending on the seismic history of the region and the economic situation of the country. "Structural irregularity" is the most significant aspect of earthquake codes contributing to architectural design. A regular design of a structure leads to more rational behavior during earthquakes, enhancing resistance to dynamic loads and economic performance in comparison to irregular buildings. Architects must understand how earthquakes impact structures, as the structural system shapes the building's form and aesthetics, and …

How Can Smart Resilience Cities Provide Sdgs? An Integrative Framework Regarding Climate Change Mitigation, Asmaa M. Hassan, Manar A. Kotb

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Urbanization and climate change influence public health and wellbeing, which presents challenges facing architects and urban planners towards providing sustainable and resilient cities. In this context, smart city concept has been adopted to contribute to mitigating such influence. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis within the previous scope. Then an integrative framework for climate change mitigation towards resilient smart cities based on SDGs is accomplished. The results indicate that further efforts are needed to develop “smart tools”, “urban economy”, and “carbon footprint. In addition, the proposed framework provides a significant paradigm shift towards mitigation of climate change impacts, …

Data Cleaning With Excel, Rubab Shahzad

Day Family Research Lab Workshop Series

This workshop will delve into the importance of cleaning research data and why clean data is an important part of the larger research data lifecycle. This session will also provide an overview of data cleaning and preprocessing using Microsoft Excel including a hands-on demonstration.

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Heritage-Based City Branding Case Study Of Fayoum City, Menna Mounir, Sameir Hammad

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Uniqueness and distinction have become fundamental requirements in promoting and branding cities. Influencing people's perceptions is best achieved by reinforcing the city's identity. This identity is the main component that can transform any ‘space’ into a ‘place’. Promoting a city should extend to highlighting the Heritage, landscape, religious sites, pathways, cuisine, inhabitants, activities, and personal experiences. These elements collectively express the city spirit and enrich visitors’ experience.

This study aims to enhance the image of heritage-based cities by exploring the potential for city branding and leveraging heritage to boost the national economy.

Fayoum was selected as a case study for …

Revitalizing Rural Grocery Stores In Northern New Mexico: A Community Handbook, Emily Arasim

Student Publications

Rural grocery stores are cornerstone institutions that are central to the health and well-being of their communities - not only providing food, but also serving as spaces of economic development, cultural and historic preservation, social connection, and resilience. In response to the loss of many rural stores over recent decades, the ‘Revitalizing Rural Grocery Stores in Northern New Mexico’ handbook brings together community histories, political analysis, and practical strategies to support their protection and resurgence. The handbook shares findings on the multi-faceted importance of rural grocery stores and the causal factors in their loss; maps and photographs documenting the condition …

Intro To Arcgis - Creating And Navigating Maps Using Esri Arcgis, J. Morgan Rowe-Morris, Elizabeth Bittner

Day Family Research Lab Workshop Series

This ArcGIS workshop offers an introduction to the fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems using the ArcGIS pro platform.

Durability Performance Of Sustainable Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete Incorporating Waste Glass, El-Said Abdelsalam Maaty, Mariam Farouk Ghazy, Mohamed Gamal Eldmarny

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The cement and concrete industries contribute significantly to environmental degradation through high CO₂ emissions and extensive resource consumption. Cement manufacturing accounts for nearly 8% of global CO₂ emissions, primarily from limestone calcination, while raw material extraction leads to resource depletion and ecological disruption. Increasing attention is being directed toward the use of recycled glass as an eco-friendly substitute in geopolymer concrete, offering a sustainable solution to existing challenges. This study investigates the effectiveness of replacing fly ash with waste glass powder (WGP) at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, and substituting natural sand with waste glass sand (WGS) at 0%, 15%, …

What Is In A Plant Name? A Semantic Analysis Of Indigenous Plant Names Among The Yao Of Southern Tanzania, Julius John Taji

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study investigates the meanings conveyed by indigenous plant names among the Yao of Masasi, southern Tanzania, whose native language is Chiyao (Bantu, P21). The study specifically explores what plant names communicate beyond functioning as tools for labelling and identifying. The data for the study were collected through semi-structured interviews and jungle-walk-and-identify methods and they were analysed using the framework of onomastics, particularly the area of phytonyms. The sample of the study consisted of nine native speakers of Chiyao from three villages in the Masasi District in Tanzania, namely Chiwata, Kanyimbi and Mkululu. The findings show that indigenous plant names …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Mozambican Languages And Their Role In Indigenous Ecological Knowledge Preservation: The Case Of Medicinal Plants In Anyungwe Community, Crisófia Langa Da Câmara, Amani Lusekelo

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Since language is accredited for the preservation and transference of indigenous ecological knowledge (IEK) across generations, this paper presents the findings about the correlation between languages and indigenous knowledge system of the Anyungwe community. Specifically, the paper presents the outcome of the investigation of medicinal plants used by the Anyungwe in Tete Province in Mozambique. The data comes from the Marara area in the Cinyungwe speaking village in Tete Province. Images of medicinal plants were photographed in Tete Province by a research assistant, and their uses were explained by three elders living in Kachembe. Our findings illustrate that IEK studies …

A Study Of Nonlinear Duffing Equations Using The Haar Wavelet Method, Kumbinarasaiah S., Yeshwanth R., Nandeesh K C.

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The main goal of this study is to solve Duffing equations, which are nonlinear differential equations (DEs), using the Haar wavelet technique. The solutions to this equation for an externally pushed and damped oscillator show intriguing dynamic behavior. Mathematicians have recently become more interested in wavelet analysis because of its real-world applications. A few real-world problems have been considered to assess the current methodology. Here, the (OMI) Operational Matrix of Integration and collocation points transform the non-linear ODEs into a system of nonlinear algebraic equations. The resulting system of algebraic equations is then solved using the Newton-Raphson technique to retrieve …

The Functional Efficiency Of Healing Gardens Elements And Its Impact On The Functional Aspect Of Hospitals, Menna Allah Hesham Mohammed, Heba Mohamed Abdou

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Communication with nature has a positive effect on human health and well-being in different civilizations all time. But technological development caused the production of purely functional buildings that are far from communicating with nature, although some buildings contain gardens to achieve communication with nature, their elements are poor. Therefore, healing gardens are considered one of the main elements to raise the efficiency of the functional performance of the health building because they contain the resting places and healing departments. Therefore, this study focuses on determining the functional criteria for the elements of the garden that must be considered when designing …

Pause For Thought – Exploring Ai Error In The Assessment Of Industrial Sustainability Reports, Jake Mooney, Colm Tormey, Cillian Gleeson, Shane Hoban, Dylan Kirby, Christine Nangle

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Planning For Solar Equity: Zoning And Land Use Strategies For Community Solar Gardens In Rural Minnesota, Mahmoud Othman

Community and Regional Planning Program: Theses

This project examines how land use planning and zoning can support equitable deployment of community solar gardens (CSGs) in rural Minnesota counties and townships. Although Minnesota is widely regarded as a policy leader in community solar, most solar arrays are concentrated in metropolitan areas with greater planning capacity and demand. By contrast, rural jurisdictions must navigate dispersed populations, limited staff, and competing agricultural land uses. Focusing on Clay, Stearns, and Chisago Counties, the study analyzes local ordinances and related land use policies to understand how community-scale solar is defined, sited, permitted, and decommissioned.

Solar regulations are systematically coded for key …

Poster Abstract: Field Evaluation Of Body Thermoregulation-Based Dynamic Bedroom Air Temperature Control To Improve Sleep, Wenhao Zhang, Stefano Schiavon, Clayton Miller

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Sleep is essential for human health and well-being. Previous lab-based studies have shown that dynamically adjusting bedroom temperature according to body thermoregulation can improve sleep quality and thermal satisfaction. However, such strategies have not been tested in real-world settings, and there is a lack of practical solutions developed for residential buildings. In this work, we test a body thermoregulation-based dynamic air conditioning (AC) control strategy designed for typical Singapore homes and evaluated it in a pilot field deployment. The preliminary findings suggest that the proposed strategy can be successfully implemented in real bedroom settings and may improve sleep outcomes.

Retrofitting Through The Facade: An Integrated Architectural Retrofit Assesment, Marie Danielle Danso

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Dynamic façades can be used as architectural tools to reduce heat gain in a building. This kinetic design reforms energy efficiency and can improve user comfort. Dynamic façades change their form and appearance in response to the environment. They can reduce stress on heating and cooling systems by mitigating the amount of solar radiation a building receives. Additionally, this architectural approach can control internal heating and cooling loads by managing the intake of sunlight. This study investigates a dynamic façade as an architectural tool to substantially reduce the heat gain of the Engineering Research Building on the campus of The …