Engineering Commons^™

Performance Evaluation Of Sustainable Hot Mix Asphalt Using Construction Waste Materials, Mohamed A. Zaid, Ahmed E. Abu El-Maaty, Mohamed S. Ouf

HBRC Journal

This study aims to enhance sustainability, reduce environmental impact, minimize rutting, and improve performance by evaluating the use of construction material wastes. Ceramic waste powder (CWP), brick waste powder (BWP), and glass waste powder (GWP) were used as alternative fillers to conventional dolomite powder (DP) in hot-mix asphalt (HMA). The research investigates the effectiveness of these waste materials in improving asphalt performance, with the filler percentage fully replaced by these alternatives. Marshall Stability (MS), Marshall Quotient (MQ), moisture susceptibility, indirect tensile strength (IDT), and wheel tracking tests (WTT) were conducted to evaluate the impact of these waste materials on asphalt …

Eco Friendly Synthesis Of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles From Orange Peel Extract And Its Antimicrobial Studies, Rehab G. Hassan, Marwa M. El-Tyieb, N.Y Mohamed

HBRC Journal

The synthesis and stabilization of CuONPs at room temperature by using an aqueous extract of orange peel are described. The reason for the appearance of UV-vis absorption spectra peak at (∼439 nm) may be given as the evidence for forming CuONPs. In general, the XRD spectrum of the CuONPs agrees with the previous studies for Cu metal. Transmission Electron Microscopy exhibits irregular crystalline particles. Thus, the average particle size is ∼17 nm. CuONPs have shown potent bactericidal activities. The prepared CuONPs were applied against four pathogenic bacterial strains and three fungal strains as an antimicrobial agent. The inhibition growth zone …

Curved Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls (Msews) Behavior From Field Measurements And Numerical Analysis, Ahmed M. El-Hanafy, G. E Abdelrahman, Y. G Youssef, A. E Abdeltawab

HBRC Journal

Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls (MSEWs) are widely used for their ease of construction and cost-effectiveness. Current design equations primarily focus on two-dimensional approaches for straight sections, overlooking the unique challenges posed by curved sections. This study investigates the behaviour of convex curved sections in MSE walls under various factors. Field measurements were conducted on block-type MSE walls with a convex curved section to address gaps in design criteria. Measurements included lateral displacements and strain behaviour at different curve locations, with data collected from the curve start, centreline, and a straight section. The results revealed that horizontal displacements and strains were …

Performance Of Reinforced Soft Soil Using Geogrid-Encased Granular Piles Under An Embankment, Mohamed Elsawy

HBRC Journal

Geosynthetic encasements are used to promote the water outlet and reinforcement efficiency of stone piles in weak soil. The current study focuses on simulating an embankment with field measurements built on soft soil improved by conventional stone piles (CSPs). Both 3D and 2D plane strain models were employed to model various embankment components. The granular piles were improved with geosynthetic materials to evaluate the encasement leverage on the stone piles performance in soft soil. Consolidation process was conducted to examine the reinforced clay behavior at long-term conditions. The finite element analyses findings indicated good matching with field measurements for soft …

Cost Analysis For The Application Of Recycled Materials In Road Subgrade Layer: A Case Study In Egypt, Norhan Sayed Zayed, Anwar B. Badawy Abo-Sena, Tarek M. Attia, Alaa Ahmed

HBRC Journal

Egypt’s construction industry has lately experienced rapid growth, particularly for infrastructure and road projects. This expansion has exacerbated a pressing issue: the accumulation of Construction and Demolish Wastes (CDW). To tackle this challenge, there is a growing proposal to recycle CDW in construction projects. This research aims to assess the economic and environmental implications of integrating recycled materials into road subgrade layers, contrasting their benefits with those of natural materials. The research methodology involved a comprehensive analysis of subgrade material characteristics based on Egyptian code requirements. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the economic and environmental impacts …

Investigating Affordability Of Eco Housing With Ceb And Clustered Urban Form, Mohammad Fahmy, Ayman Ibrahim, Omar Galal

HBRC Journal

This study examines the affordability of eco-housing through the integration of Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB) and clustered urban form. It hypothesizes that the combined approach of sustainable building materials and climate-responsive neighbourhood planning enhances cost and energy efficiency while maintaining social housing accessibility. By assessing economic feasibility alongside environmental and urban design strategies, the research aims to provide insights into sustainable solutions towards future urban developments and a 5th generation for Egyptian cities. Computational simulations utilizing ENVI-met for urban microclimate assessment and Design Builder for indoor environment evaluation demonstrated improved results for outdoor and indoor environments. For outdoor assessment, design …

The Squeezed Middle: Housing Affordability Challenges, Nazli Dongez, Almula Koksal

HBRC Journal

Neoliberalism has deepened economic inequality, which is now spreading globally. Even though this economic inequality affects mostly lower-income households, international reports show that inequality has spread to the middle-income group. The decline in the purchasing power of the middle-income group has led to the issue of housing affordability, referred to as the squeezed middle-income group. Despite the global scope of this problem, only a limited number of academic studies have conducted a comprehensive assessment. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the problem of housing affordability for the middle-income group. The study employed the systematic literature review method. The Web of …

Correlations Between Geotechnical Parameters And Electrical Resistivity For Limestone At Beni Suef, Egypt, Gihan E. Abdelrahman, Elsayed A. Issawy, Walid I. Hammad, Ahmed A. Moheb

HBRC Journal

This study presents an integrated geotechnical–geophysical investigation of limestone formations in Ezbet Deir El-Hadid, Egypt. The research combines conventional geotechnical testing with two-dimensional (2D) electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to develop a cost-effective subsurface characterization methodology. Forty-one boreholes (15–30 m depth) provided direct measurements of unconfined compressive strength (q_u) and rock quality designation (RQD), while twenty-five ERT profiles enabled spatial resistivity mapping. Three distinct geological conditions were identified: (1) intact limestone exhibiting resistivity of 21–602 Ω·m, (2) water-saturated zones with reduced resistivity (14–37 Ω·m), and (3) cavities showing higher resistivity (1,038–4,035 Ω·m). An optimized investigation protocol …

Factors Affecting The Cost Of Dynamic Architecture During The Execution Phase, Lamiaa Mohamed Said Elsherif, Eman N. Shaqour, Abdullah Badawy Mohammed, Sherif Mohamed Sabry El Attar

HBRC Journal

This study is part of a larger study on the factors affecting the cost of dynamic architecture during three phases (design, execution and operation), A research paper on the design phase has been published. and we will specialize in this research by studying the execution phase.

This research study is based on identifying the main factors affecting the cost of dynamic, buildings by conducting a questionnaire and analyzing it statistically by using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. To get to the definition of dynamic architecture and Types of movement directions in dynamic buildings.

By studying each of the principles of movement …

Assessment Of Urban Resiliance By Using (Ahp) In Relation With (Anp), Sara Mahmood Al-Jawari

HBRC Journal

Urban resilience is an important part of the sustainable urban development agenda, providing a proactive approach to the growing challenges within cities and making them more responsive and safer for the future. Therefore, the research problem was to ask: How can the integration of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Analytical Network Process (ANP) be used to determine which cities have the most resilient systems in the event of an emergency? It is assumed that the use of integration between the AHP and ANP will facilitate the initial assessment of the resilience of city systems and the development of policies …

Users’ Expectations Of The Water Element As A Recreational Feature On University Campuses, Zubaidah Nadhem Mahmood Alzubaidi, Gökçen Firdevs Yücel Caymaz

HBRC Journal

Water is an important element in campus landscaping. Hence the importance of the lake opposite the Department of Architecture at the University of Mosul. However, the lake and its surroundings are currently neglected and in need of development. But any development must consider the expectations of the users, as the lake is there for them. Therefore, the research aims to identify users’ expectations of the lake as a recreational element on the campus, which can be used in any development of the lake. To this end, the literature review identified several characteristics related to the lake, such as size, movement, …

The Criteria For Identifying The Memory Of The City In Valuable Parks: Happy Land Park In Mansoura City, Esraa Ahmed Mansour, Esraa Mohamed Elazab, Sherif Ahmed Sheta

HBRC Journal

Urban memory is a complex phenomenon that develops gradually within the urban environment. However, the rapid physical changes required by today’s fast-paced world often led to the destruction of recognizable urban elements. These changes also create unfamiliar settings and erode many intangible experiences, including both positive and negative memories. Research shows that parks are among the most influential urban spaces in shaping collective memory. Even Egyptian parks designated as heritage sites suffer greatly. This status has not always ensured the preservation of their unique character. This highlights the need to review and strengthen protective laws to better maintain these parks …

A Classification Framework For Egyptian Governorates According To Strategic Plan Implementation Requirements, Noor El Hoda Hamdy, Sammy Amin Ammer, Walid Nabil Bayomi

HBRC Journal

The implementation of strategic plans varies across regions based on their developmental typologies and the distribution of economic, natural, and human resources. This study explores differentiated approaches to strategic plan implementation by identifying typologies of development management, their mechanisms, and criteria for application. Drawing upon theoretical frameworks and global experiences, the research employs a comparative methodology to align the requirements of each development management model with the socio-economic and administrative characteristics of various Egyptian governorates. It further examines the prerequisites and success factors of each model, highlighting the suitability of each region. Key findings include the development of a novel …

Experimental Study On The Improvement Of Bearing Capacity Of Soft Clay By Using Reinforced Sand Cushion Resting On Encased Stone Columns, Gihan Elsayed Abdelrahman, Youssef Gomaa Youssef, Mahmoud Eid Abd

HBRC Journal

Soft clay deposits present challenges such as high settlement and low bearing capacity in construction projects. Various techniques, including stone columns and encased stone columns, have been developed to reduce settlement and enhance bearing capacity in soft clay soils having cohesion (Cu) less than 25 KPa. This research investigates the use of ordinary stone columns and encased stone columns through experimental modeling. Additionally, the study aims to enhance the bearing capacity of soft clay soil by using reinforced sand cushion resting on encased stone columns. A series of tests were conducted with various parameters such as geosynthetic materials, column diameter, …

Assessment Of The Relationship Between Performance Attributes And The Social Sustainability Framework Of Construction Projects, Van Luy Tong, Truong Van Luu

HBRC Journal

The study addresses the missing aspect of assessing social sustainability in construction project performance evaluation. While environmental and economic aspects have been widely considered, social sustainability remains largely unexplored. The study seeks to analyze whether 11 performance attributes (including 5 short-term project performance attributes and 6 long-term project performance attributes) in the construction project performance model being implemented in Vietnam reflect social sustainability in construction projects. The study applies structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationship between these 11 performance attributes and the social sustainability criteria framework. A questionnaire was designed to collect data from stakeholders involved in construction …

Geophysical Characterization Of Soil Properties For Infrastructure Development: A Ves Study At The Awfi City Electrical Station, Babylon, Iraq, Amer Atyah Al-Khalidy, Qassim Abed Al-Tamimi, Hussein Kh. Chlaib, Amer J. Al-Khafaji

HBRC Journal

An electrical resistivity survey was conducted for the proposed Secondary Transformer Electrical Station project in Awfi City, Babylon Governorate, Iraq. Seven vertical electrical sounding (VES) profiles were acquired using the Schlumberger array with a spacing of 25 meters. The interpretation revealed 4 to 5 geoelectrical zones at each station, indicating significant variations in resistivity with depth. Low resistivity values (as low as 0.2 Ω.m at Station 4) correspond to clay-rich layers saturated with saline groundwater, typically increasing in concentration with depth. In contrast, high resistivity values (up to 36.3 Ω.m at Station 4) are associated with silt and …

High User Perception Of The Social Housing Of The State Intervenor In The South Suburban Zone, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Laura Del Carmen Moreno-Chimely, Yolanda Guadalupe Aranda-Jiménez, Carlos Alberto Fuentes-Pérez

HBRC Journal

Uninhabited social housing in the Southern Conurbation Zone of the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico (Tampico, Altamira) reflects 21.19%. Currently 11.32% is located in Altamira in subdivisions built by the private sector during the facilitator state. The social housing of the public sector of the intervenor state by governmental institutions such as INFONAVIT and FOVISSSTE, located in Tampico with more than 50 years old are almost entirely inhabited even with deteriorated constructive characteristics and economic depreciation. The objective of the research is to analyze the perception of the users of the housing state intervenor prior to 1992 and state facilitator 1993–2010 …

Sulfurized Serpentine And Perovskite Assisted Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanocomposites For Photocatalytic Green Hydrogen Production, Yahia Alanizan

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Green hydrogen production has received great attention in recent years as a solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions resulted by burning fossil fuels. This thesis focuses on development of photocatalytic water splitting green hydrogen production under visible light irradiation of g-C3N4 based sulfurized naturally occurring serpentine rock and oxysulfide perovskite nanocomposites. This work reveals the effect of partial sulfurization of co-catalysts to boost charge generation, charge transfer, and light absorption. The presented work determined the potential of sulfurizing naturally occurring rocks and minerals acting as support and enhanced co-catalysts that exhibit narrower band gaps, with sulfur rich sites for visible …

Blind Medical Image Watermarking Method Using Combined Nsct/2d-Dct Domains, Ali Kouadri, Ali Benziane, Abdelhalim Rabehi, Mohamed Lebcir

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

This paper presents a novel blind watermarking framework that combines Non-Subsampled Contourlet Transform (NSCT) and 2D Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) domains. The proposed method embeds the watermark’s data within low-frequency coefficients of sub-vectors extracted from a concatenated NSCT/2D-DCT transforms processing. The embedding procedure involves simple differential processing which ensures a straightforward watermark extraction. Extensive testing across medical imaging modalities (X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound) confirmed strong imperceptibility and robustness against attacks like JPEG compression, noise, filtering, and geometric manipulations. Compared to contemporary techniques, our NSCT/2D-DCT method shows stronger robustness against attacks without compromising diagnostic quality, proving its viability for medical image …

The Environmental Integration - An Introduction To The Sustainability Of The Urban Heritage Of Nubia (Applied To Gharb Suhail), Ahmed Mohamed Said Elsaadany

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The Nubia region is an important historical and cultural place, as it is distinguished by a unique architectural heritage. The influence of the surrounding environment on the designs of buildings and structures in this region is evident. Traditional architecture arose spontaneously over long periods of time, but it was essentially based on correct scientific concepts. The architecture of Nubia in southern Egypt, which is located on the banks of the Nile River, was a mud architecture that used natural building materials from the environment influenced by Ancient Egyptian architecture, some influences from Islamic architecture represented in privacy and courtyard in …

Upcycling Carbide Slag Waste For Low-Temperature Co2 Sequestration: Direct Application And Adsorption After Chemical Alteration, Manisha Sukhraj Kothari

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Excessive carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and large-scale industrial waste generation are the results of rapid industrialization and ever-increasing energy demand. The recent trend of repurposing waste materials for pollution prevention is a promising approach to address both these environmental challenges. One such industrial waste residue generated from acetylene gas production is called carbide slag (CS). Its high Ca(OH)₂ content presents a promising opportunity for its utilization in CO₂ sequestration. However, CS waste is primarily studied as a CaO source for the intensive Ca-looping process. Despite the great potential, the high temperature requirements of the Ca-looping process limit its industrial application. …

An Enhanced Cyber Security For Finger Knuckle Print Recognition System Using Rubik’S Cube With Rabbit Encryption Algorithm, Haitham Salman Chyad, Tarek Abbes

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

Cybersecurity in biometric systems is an urgent requirement due to their increasing use in identity verification, especially in smartphones, surveillance systems, and electronic transactions. These systems depend on distinctive and immutable biological features, such as fingerprints, Knuckles and facial features, making them potential targets for cyberattacks. In this context, the need to develop advanced security mechanisms, including encryption, forgery detection, and multi-factor authentication, has emerged to guarantee the confidentiality of biometric data and protect it from identity theft or manipulation. This trend emphasizes the need to integrate cybersecurity and biometric technologies to secure and ensure the reliability of systems in …

Fusion Of Simulation And Ai Methods For Understanding Hov/Hot Lane Operational Flow Dynamics, Deo Chimba, Therezia Matongo, Hellen Shita, Erickson Senkondo, Masanja Madalo, Afia Yeboah

Civil and Architectural Engineering Faculty Research

This study investigated the impact of converting High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes on fundamental traffic flow characteristics, focusing on speed, density, and flow relationships. A 25-mile HOV corridor along I-24 Westbound in Nashville, Tennessee was evaluated using both microscopic simulation via VISSIM and data-driven machine learning through a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural network. Four operational scenarios were assessed: (1) HOV lanes without enforcement, (2) HOV lanes with effective occupancy enforcement, (3) HOT lanes with limited access points, and (4) HOT lanes with intermediate access points. Flow-density and speed-flow relationships were modeled using Greenshields theory …

Retrieval Augmented Framework For Deepfake Audio Detection, Avinash Saxena

Master's Theses

The widespread use of AI-based audio deepfakes threatens severely to undermine media integrity and public trust. Speech synthesis techniques have improved dramatically in voice conversion (VC) and text-to-speech (TTS) in recent years, making forgeries sound highly realistic, and concerns are raised about possible malevolent uses. Existing state-of-the-art techniques for identifying fake speech have proven to be effective in some cases but are still limited in application and robustness when faced with novel attacking strategies, different acoustic conditions, or alternative linguistic domains. To address some of these limitations, the current research presents a novel deepfake audio detection system based on personalized …

Development Of A Digestion Procedure Using Fe2+ Ions For Electrochemical Detection Of Mno2 Particles In Drinking Water, Kayla Elliott, Sarah Jane Payne, Zhe She

Journal of Electrochemistry

Developing methods for detection contaminants in drinking water is essential to ensuring that safe and acceptable quality drinking water is delivered to consumers. While manganese (Mn) was previously known only as a mere aesthetic issue, recent epidemiological data has shown to have negative neurological effects on humans, especially on children, prompting new health-based guidelines by Health Canada and the World Health Organization. In drinking water, Mn exists predominantly as Mn(II) and Mn(IV), and is regulated based on total Mn levels. Interestingly, measurement of Mn particulate using electroanalytical methods has not yet been reported in the literature. Herein, a digestion procedure …

Regulating Lithium Metal Nucleation And Growth For Dendrite Suppression: From Liquid-Electrolyte To Solid-State Batteries, Ao Du, Juan Zhang, Pan Xu, Ya-Jie Li, Kang-Yu Yi, Zhen-Zhen Shen, Hui-Lin Ge, Guang-Wen Zhang, Chao-Hui Zhang, Yu-Hao Wang, Chen-Zi Zhao, Meng-Yang Xu, Yu-Lin Jie, Rui Wen, Shu-Hong Jiao, Si-Qi Shi, Qiang Zhang, Chun-Peng Yang, Yu-Guo Guo

Journal of Electrochemistry

Lithium metal anodes, with a theoretical capacity of up to 3860 mAh·g⁻¹, are regarded as the cornerstone for developing next-generation high-energy-density batteries. However, several key challenges hinder their practical applications, including dendrite formation, unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), side reactions with electrolytes, and associated safety risks. This review systematically explores the mechanisms of lithium nucleation, growth, and stripping in both liquid and solid-state battery systems, analyzing critical theoretical concepts like heterogeneous nucleation thermodynamics, surface diffusion kinetics, space charge effects, and SEI-induced nucleation, which are crucial for understanding the genesis of dendrite growth. Additionally, the review discusses the electrochemical-mechanical …

Fluorosilane-Induced Softening And Collapse Of Micropillar Arrays, Gabriela Moreira Lana, Maja Fehlberg, Petra Herbeck-Engel, Gisela Heppe, Raimund Schlüßler, Torsten Jähnke, Eduard Arzt, Roland Bennewitz

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Replica molding is a widely used technique for the fabrication of polymer microstructures. As structural dimensions decrease, anti-stick surface treatment of the mold becomes increasingly critical to ensure clean demolding and preserve structural integrity. We fabricated arrays of micropillars with 20 µm diameter and 60 µm height using medical-grade polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), MDX4-4210, and observed a high fraction of collapsed pillars for the first molding after fluorosilanization of the mold to reduce sticking. To address this issue, we systematically investigated the surface treatment protocol for the molds, made from the PDMS Sylgard 184. We provide results from complementary measurement methods, to …

Biocompatible And Antibacterial Pcl-Tio2@Ag/Γ-Cd Mof Nanocomposite Coating For Corrosion Resistance Of Magnesium Alloy In Simulated Body Fluid, Sara Dehghan-Chenar, Hamid R. Zare, Zahra Mohammadpour, Maryam Sadat Mirbagheri-Firoozabad

Journal of Electrochemistry

Magnesium alloys are promising candidates for bio-implant applications due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, their rapid corrosion remains a critical limitation. This study presents the development of a multifunctional nanocomposite coating designed to enhance the corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties of magnesium alloy implants. The coating comprised γ-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (γ-CD MOFs) decorated with TiO₂@Ag core-shell nanoparticles, embedded in a polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix. Immersion tests in a simulated body fluid (SBF) revealed an initially higher corrosion rate for the PCL-TiO₂@Ag/γ-CD MOF coating compared to the coating without TiO₂@Ag nanoparticles; however, it demonstrated significant …

Groundwater Quality And Health Risk Assessment In The Fujairah Region Using Hydrogeochemical, Statistical, And Spatial Approaches, Mohammed Khaled Alawlaqi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Groundwater is a valuable resource in the arid climate of the United Arab Emirates, where growing population, agricultural, and industrial activities are putting increasing pressure on limited groundwater reserves. This study investigates the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Fujairah region, with a particular focus on major ions and trace metals, to assess water quality and potential health risks. A total of 64 groundwater samples were collected from the Eastern Shallow Aquifer (ESA) and the Ophiolite aquifer in the study area and were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, major ions, and trace metals. Hydrogeochemical interpretation was conducted using Piper, Gibbs, Chadha, …

Enhancement Of Aeration And Activated Sludge Processes Using Micronanobubbles For Efficient Wastewater Treatment, Marwa Ahmed Abdelhamid

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Aeration is considered one of the most reliable and efficient processes in wastewater treatment. However, conventional aeration systems show low performance with respect to the gas transfer during the treatment process. This poses a challenge in maintaining sufficient dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations essential for the treatment. The use of micronanobubbles (MNBs) in the aeration process has been proposed as effective tool in water and wastewater treatment owing to their stability and longevity. MNBs’ stability is a distinctive property resulting from several mechanisms, including the repulsion force due to charged surfaces that helps bubbles to resist coalescence/bursting. MNBs’ longevity is represented …