Engineering Commons^™

Experimental Study On Bending And Shear Performance Of Joint With Looped Reinforcement In Prefabricated Components, Liu Zhiquan, Hu Ke, Shi Xuefei, Zhong Yuzhuo

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

A joint with looped reinforcement is a type of steel bar connection structure with wet joints characterized by quick construction.In order to study the bending and shear stress performance and load-bearing capacity characteristics of the wet joints,four bearing capacity tests for bending and shear were designed and conducted for common application scenarios.The load,strain,and displacement changes of the specimens during the test process were tested,and the failure characteristics,load–displacement changes,and ultimate bearing capacity of this type of wet joint were analyzed.The results show that the wet joint with looped reinforcement has good ductility and conforms to the design principles of reinforced concrete.The …

Bending Moment Calculation And Reinforcement Recommendations For Cast-In-Place Cover Slabs In Slab Culverts, Li Yukun, Wan Kecheng, Fu Fulin

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To address the complexity and lack of practical methods for calculating bending moments of cast-in-place cover slabs in slab culverts,the slabs were simplified as one-way slabs with a pair of opposing edges simply supported and the other pair of edges free.Theoretical formulas for calculating the bending moments within the slabs under uniformly distributed loads were derived using elastic theory.The accuracy of the theoretical formulas was validated through case studies via finite element software.Various combinations of length,width,and fill heights exist in highway projects,making the use of theoretical formulas for bending moment calculations cumbersome.Therefore,a simplified method for calculating maximum bending moments in …

Research On Whole-Hole Testing Technology For Under-Anchor Tension In Prestressed Concrete Girders, Zhu Jianzhao, Dong Hao, Gu Jungang, Feng Lu, Li Shuyang, Zhang Shoulong, Chen Chaung

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

This study aims to propose a new testing method,namely whole-hole back-pull testing technology,to reduce costs and increase efficiency in under-anchor tension testing,effectively addressing the engineering challenges of large testing volume and tight schedules.Based on the principle of the traditional back-pull method,the mechanism of whole-hole back-pull testing technology was explained through theoretical analysis and formula derivation.Technical optimization was carried out in conjunction with experimental research,and a complete application method was proposed.A feasibility analysis was carried out.The study obtained the simplified mechanical model and typical test curves of the whole-hole back-pull testing technology and proposed a formula and application method for determining …

Settlement Mechanism And Re Inforcement Measure For Large-Diameter And Small-Clearance Parallel P Ipe Jacking Undercrossing Complex Building, Tang Gang, Huang Wen Jie, Zhang Wenbo, Li Wenjie, Liang Bin

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

This study aims to study the settlem ent changes and distribution of various parts of a complex building during the construction of a large-diameter and small-clearance parallel pipe jacking undercrossing complex building.On the basis of the pipe jacking project of water quality guarantee engineering 2# for Tiegang –Shiyan Reservoir in Shenzhen,the settlement mechanism of pipe jacking undercrossing construction was analyzed.Through numerical simulation,the influence of the presence or absence of grouting reinforcement,and parameters such as longitudinal spacing and burial depth of pipe jacking on the variation trend and distribution law of building settlement was analyzed.The theoretically predicted values,numerical simulation values,and on-site …

Bridge Damage Detection And Bim Localization Methods Based On Image Recognition, Li Yu, Guo Hongjun

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To overcome insufficient information of 2D detection data in traditional bridge maintenance,which hinders precise decision-making,this study proposed an automated method based on deep learning and structure from motion (SfM ) technology,which realized the complete process from image recognition to the accurate mapping of damage information in a building information model (BIM ).First,the YOLOv 8 deep learning model was used to automatically detect bridge surface damage.Second,the SfM technology was applied for the local 3D reconstruction of the damage area and to determine the 3D coordinates of the damage.Then,the least squares method was used to align the local coordinate system with the …

Bending Capacity And Strengthening Design With Bonding Steel Plates Of Concrete Sections In French Standards, Wu Zi

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In the French general technical clauses widely used in Francophone African countries,only the calculation principles for the bending capacity of normal concrete sections are provided,with explicit formulas not listed,and the strengthening design of structures is not involved.According to the fundamental principles of concrete structures and French standard regulations,the calculation formulas for the bending capacity of normal concrete sections were derived.On the basis of the assumptions of strengthening design,calculation formulas for strengthening with bonding steel plates were derived.Through practical engineering calculations conducted on the VDN Expressway project in Senegal,the applicability and reliability of the proposed formulas were verified.This study can offer …

Quantitative Evaluation Of Tunnel Rock Mass Integrity Based On Mwd Technology, Zhang Kunmu, Peng Hao, Liang Ming, Han Yu, Song Guanxian

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In tunnel construction,the quantitative evaluation of rock mass integrity heavily relies on information from the exposed face,and there are challenges when drilling data is used for integrity evaluation.To this end,this study introduced a novel method for quantitative evaluation of rock mass integrity during drilling,integrating numerical statistics with machine learning.A substantial dataset of digital drilling data was collected,covering three common types of rock mass integrity:relatively intact,relatively fractured,and fractured.Subsequently,a high-performance random forest model for the classification of rock mass integrity was developed through data preprocessing and hyperparameter optimization.The interpretability of the model ’s predictive results was enhanced using Shapley additive explanations (SHAP …

Object Detection And Tracking Based On Fusion Of Radar And Camera On Highway Side, Zeng Yongqiang, Zhang Yonghua, Zhao Hui, Liu Xin, Xu Mingsheng, Shen Jianwei, Hu Zhiwei, Chen Zhenquan

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Camera is the most widely used sensor in intelligent transportation systems (ITS),but the decline of detection and positioning accuracy caused by target occlusion and external environment interference has always been an important factor restricting the development of ITS.In order to solve this problem,a multi-mode fusion target detection and tracking method based on millimeter-wave radar (MWR ) and camera on highway side was designed.Compared with cameras,high-resolution MWR had better measurement accuracy and weather robustness,serving as a better complement to camera perception.The proposed method used the center point-based radar and camera fusion algorithm for target detection and adopted the greedy algorithm for …

Use Of Alaçatı Stone Aggregate In Conventional And Self-Consolidating Concretes, Tahir Kemal Erdem

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Alaçatı stone or Alapietra stone is widely used mostly for building cladding. However, its production and use in the construction sites generate high amounts of waste (debris), causing environmental pollution in Çeşme which is a touristic district. This study investigated the reuse of Alaçatı stone as lightweight aggregate (LWA) in both conventional and self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mixtures. The concretes were prepared to have three different water-to-cement ratios (w/c), which were 0.38, 0.42 and 0.48. For each w/c, a conventional concrete mixture and two SCC mixtures with 60 or 70 cm slump flow were produced by varying the superplasticizer SP content. …

A Decision Support Model For Building Material And Component Reuse In The Context Of Circular Buildings, Havva Aksel

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Construction activities cause significant environmental impacts such as waste generation, pollution, resource consumption, and land use, which are expected to increase with global construction demands. To mitigate these environmental problems, the circular building occurs as an emerging concept depending on in the circular economy, which aims to minimize waste and redefine the “end-of-life” concept by reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering materials. The reuse of building materials and components (BMCs) from existing structures represents a crucial strategy for achieving circularity in the built environment. Within this framework, design plays a key role. However, designing with reclaimed BMCs remains complex due to …

Integrated Chitosan-Based Coagulation And Microbubble Pre-Treatment For Improved Microplastic Fibre Removal From Water, Nimesha Thathsarani, Mohadeseh Najafi, Mehdi Khiadani, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Microplastic fibres (MPFs) dominate treatment plant influents but are difficult to remove due to their morphology, composition and low density, limiting the effectiveness of coagulation flocculation pre-treatment. Integrating coagulation-flocculation with microbubble introduction offers a sustainable route to improve MPF removal, yet conventional inorganic coagulants often require high dosages, show strong pH dependence, and pose environmental risks. Chitosan is a biodegradable and non-toxic green alternative, but its application is limited due to its low solubility and pH sensitivity. In this study, two amphoteric derivatives of Chitosan have been successfully developed: CMC-CTA, produced by modifying carboxymethyl Chitosan (CMC) with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium …

Flood Prediction With Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar From Hurricane Helene, Jingyu Xiao, Jessica Li

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Floods are the most common natural disaster globally, causing thousands of deaths every year. Timely and accurate flood forecasts are crucial for developing early warning systems, evacuation plans, and effective strategies to enhance community resilience. Soil moisture is an important parameter in flood forecasting. Unfortunately, existing soil moisture sensor networks and optical remote sensing–based techniques for soil moisture estimation lack the spatial resolution needed for accurate flood forecasting. This study presents an approach for flood prediction using Sentinel-1 C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. SAR offers high spatial resolution and operates day and night under all weather conditions, making it …

From Test Tracks To Carbon Tracks: Evaluating The Carbon Emissions Of Autonomous Vehicle Development, Sarah Deniz

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Autonomous vehicle (AV) development has seen a sharp increase in the past 10 years, and there is a significant energy cost of training AVs to meet safety regulations. The training process includes virtual simulation training as well as physical training on public roads and within private testing facilities. The high energy expenditure associated with AV training has a respective environmental cost that can be quantified as a lifetime “carbon debt” of released carbon emissions. The environmental sustainability of AVs has not been thoroughly studied in currently available literature, and this paper showcases a model that quantifies the total “carbon debt” …

Evaluation And Calibration Of Coupled Low-Cost Particulate Matter Sensors, Tyler Cargill

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Low-cost sensors (LCS), if used appropriately, are useful instruments to elucidate human exposure to particles suspended in the air (i.e. particulate matter, PM). Characterizing this exposure is crucial, as exposure to PM2.5 (i.e. particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) negatively affects the respiratory, cardiovascular, and other organ systems and is the leading environmental burden for global mortality. Similarly, exposure to particles with aerodynamic diameters greater than 2.5 μm and less than or equal to 10 μm, here forth termed as PMCoarse, is known to cause health ailments for the upper respiratory system. This dissertation focuses on the MODULAIRTM-PM (MOD-PM), …

Global Carbon Mitigation From Bacnet Adoption In Commercial Building Automation Systems 1995-2030, Fei Han, Weiwei Mo

Faculty Publications

Building Automation Systems (BAS) play a critical role in improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings, yet their long-term carbon mitigation potential has not been comprehensively quantified at a global scale. As the dominant open communication standard enabling interoperability in modern BAS, BACnet has played a central role in expanding automation adoption worldwide. This study develops a cohort-based modeling framework to estimate historical (1995–2025) and projected (2026–2030) CO₂e mitigation from BACnet-based BAS adoption across four regions: the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Rest of World (ROW). The model combines regional commercial floor area, baseline electricity and natural-gas energy intensity, BAS …

An Integrated Multivariate Econometric Modeling Framework For Risky Driving Behavior Related Crashes: Evaluating Crash Risk And Severity Across Zones, Pabitra Kumar Roy

Dissertations and Theses

Rapid advancements in crash modeling have yet to fully integrate multiple behavior-driven crash types and their severity outcomes within a single, scalable framework, specially in a way that captures the sequential nature of these behaviors where one risky action may amplify another. This study proposed an integrated multivariate econometric framework to jointly model crash frequency and severity outcomes for three major behaviorally driven crash types: alcohol-related, distraction-related, and aggressive-driving-related crashes. Specifically, using Oregon's 2022 census block group-level crash data, we propose an Integrated Multivariate Negative Binomial – Generalized Ordered Probit Fractional Split (IMNB–GOPFS) model to analyze these dimensions simultaneously while …

Traffic Study, Kennedy Case, Koryn Harms, Min Kaung, Abel Assefa, Eli Lockert, Dj Church

Student Scholar Symposium

No abstract provided.

Nashville Bus System Efficiency, Koryn Harms

Student Scholar Symposium

Nashville’s recently approved “Choose How You Move” plan creates a dedicated funding source for transportation improvements in the city. A key component of the plan is to increase transit service throughout Nashville to make it more accessible and reliable. In order to optimize the use of the funding, an analysis of existing conditions would allow officials to locate and target specific areas in need of improvement. The aim of this research is to determine the efficiency of different bus routes in Nashville based on ridership and on-time rates. The analysis will focus on the eight primary bus routes in the …

Gaylord Opryland Congestion Reduction, Kennedy Case

Student Scholar Symposium

Lipscomb University’s College of Engineering is working collaboratively with Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center to explore potential solutions to its traffic congestion problem, particularly during peak times such as the holiday season. This research aims to identify strategies that can alleviate congestion in the resort area. With over one million visitors during the holiday season each year and limited parking capacity, the traffic congestion poses a significant challenge to both operational efficiency and visitor experience. The primary objective of this research is to identify strategies that optimize parking usage, reduce congestion, and improve the overall visitor experience. Beginning with …

Green Roof, Elizabeth Fulton

Student Scholar Symposium

Green roofs, a concept dating back over 100 years, offer a sustainable solution to urban environmental challenges such as poor air quality, the urban heat island effect, and increased stormwater runoff. This study focuses on green roofs as an effective way to address these issues in cities like Nashville, which are experiencing rapid urbanization. By transforming rooftops into green spaces, green roofs can improve air quality, manage stormwater, and reduce urban heat, while also enhancing the aesthetic value of urban environments. The research explores the integration of green roofs, considering factors like substrate composition, plant selection, and environmental conditions. Key …

Smart Traffic Lights, Roa Ghanem

Student Scholar Symposium

Nashville is quickly growing, and as a result, traffic congestion is becoming a bigger challenge for commuters. Longer travel times and increased vehicle emissions are major concerns. This research examines how smart traffic lights can improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the city. By analyzing peer-reviewed journal articles, this study explores how AI, IoT, and machine learning can optimize traffic signal timing in real time. In particular, simulation models illustrate how these technologies adapt dynamically to changing traffic patterns in cities similar to Nashville. Furthermore, this research compares the cost-effectiveness of smart traffic lights with other solutions, such as …

Ai In Construction, Samuel Gilbert

Student Scholar Symposium

No abstract provided.

Leed Certified Building Remodel And Addition, Ruth Fessehaye, Elizabeth Fulton, Roa Ghanem, Samuel C. Gilbert, Juan Henriquez-Hernandez, Jackson Stephens

Student Scholar Symposium

Engineering practices are increasingly adopting sustainable methods, with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) being a widely recognized standard. LEED ensures environmental health and efficiency in building projects. This project focuses on renovating an existing building and adding a warehouse for the PENCIL Foundation, a local non-profit. The design includes structural, mechanical, and HVAC drawings along with stormwater and indoor water use evaluations, and EPSC (Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control) plans. This project allowed Lipscomb University students to gain hands-on experience in client-based design while adhering to site regulations and ASHRAE standards. The project aims to achieve a Gold …

Ai Photography-Based Gradation Feasibility Study For Streams And Rivers In Davidson County, Tn, Nolen Ritzel, Lauren Baker

Student Scholar Symposium

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has demonstrated significant potential in engineering applications, specifically in soil gradation analysis using two-dimensional imagery. While studies have shown experimental success, AI-based soil gradation methods are not widely used in industry due to the lack of field research performed. Moreover, the current methodology is suitable but lacks advancement. The motivation behind the research was to aid in bridging this gap between experimental research and industry application by determining whether existing AI tools can and/or should be applied to bank soil in streams and rivers in the Greater Nashville Area. Several locations next to streams and rivers distributed …

Xibalbay, Guatemala Water Distribution System Design, Nolen Ritzel, Lauren Baker, Robert Trey Owen, Jessamine Reckard, Joelle Noble, Sara Berry-Brown

Student Scholar Symposium

This study presents the design and validation of a water distribution system for Xibalbay, Guatemala, in collaboration with the Peugeot Center and a local Guatemalan engineering firm, ADICAY. The project aimed to ensure reliable water access while maintaining residual pressures to the US standard, between 20 to 120 psi. The proposed design was a two pressure-zone system with pumps in series. A comprehensive hydraulic model was developed using WaterGEMS to analyze system pressures, pump performance, and tank levels under various conditions. Limited on-site testing was performed by this team due to construction delays and electricity issues at the time of …

Blast Resistant Structure, Juan Henriquez-Hernandez

Student Scholar Symposium

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Traffic Safety And Geometric Characteristics Using Machine Learning Ensemble Techniques: A Case Study Of Egyptian Rural Multi-Lane Divided Roads, Sania R. Elagamy, Ahmed N. Awaad, Usama E. Shahdah, Sherif M. El-Badawy, Marwa E. Elbany, Eman K. Ali

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Crash prediction models are essential for evaluating traffic safety by analyzing crash occurrence, frequency, or severity. Recently, machine learning techniques have gained prominence in statistical regression modeling and data analysis. This study assesses the effectiveness of machine learning in predicting crashes on Egyptian rural multi-lane divided roads using limited regional data. Supervised machine learning ensemble techniques were applied to predict crash-prone segments (classification) and estimate the total number of crashes per segment (regression). A comparative analysis aims to identify the most suitable method. The Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) addressed data imbalance, while K-means Clustering (KC) enhanced regression model accuracy, …

Evaluating The Impact Of Precast Vs. Cast-In-Place Concrete: A Life Cycle Assessment Of A Parking Garage In Nashville, Robert Trey Owen

Student Scholar Symposium

Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials in the construction industry, generating $64 billion in revenue, according to the Concrete Financial Insights Index. Given the material’s extensive use, construction professionals seek ways to optimize construction project budgets and schedules. Precast concrete, which is manufactured offsite and then transported to the project when needed, is a potential solution for these goals. This research aims to quantify the benefits of precast concrete over typical cast-in-place methods using a life cycle analysis for a parking garage structure located in Nashville Tennessee.

The data for the two materials will be compared …

Improving Home Affordability In Greater Nashville Through Construction Efficiency And Innovations, Nate Mclain

Student Scholar Symposium

Engineering Greater Nashville Home Affordability

Long Term Financial Analysis For Opry Mills Hotel And Resort, Eli Lockert

Student Scholar Symposium

In 2024 a Lipscomb Senior Design team completed a design project for the Opryland Hotel. The project, aimed at reducing humidity levels in the large greenhouse-like atrium and overall power usage, included multiple phases and equipment. This research continues the work of that team in an effort to determine whether the proposed system is a cost-effective approach. The research specifically evaluates the system outlined in the Opryland Final Design Report, completed in April of 2024. Using a holistic approach, this study employs life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) to assess the economic feasibility of the proposed system through various empirical methods. A …