Engineering Commons^™

Biochar As Additive And Modifier In Bitumen And Asphalt Mixtures, Chathurika Dassanayake, Nuha S. Mashaan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Incorporating biochar into pavement materials is a novel and environmentally sustainable approach that aligns with global sustainability goals and advances greener pavement technologies. Studies have shown that biochar significantly enhances the strength, durability, and stability of pavements, while also contributing to sustainability by lowering the carbon footprint associated with traditional construction materials. Additionally, the incorporation of biochar contributes to the sustainability of asphalt engineering by reducing reliance on petroleum-based products and promoting the valorization of biomass. The primary objective of this review is to critically evaluate and synthesize existing research on the use of biochar in bitumen and asphalt mixtures, …

Artificial Intelligence In Waste Management Systems: Applications, Challenges, And Prospects, Imane Belyamani

All Works

Despite global recognition of the climate crisis, greenhouse gas emissions are projected to rise by 8.8 % by 2030, primarily due to inadequate planning, poor implementation, and insufficient financial support. While international initiatives such as the ’Waste to Zero’ coalition launched at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 28) highlight the urgency of advancing decarbonization and the circularity of waste systems, this review focuses on how artificial intelligence (AI) can accelerate that transformation. It systematically explores the role of AI in advancing waste management practices, with a focus on predictive analytics, route optimization, and machine learning-based …

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting From Roadways: Challenges, Advances, And Future Directions, Heba Gaber, Mohamed Abdelraheem

Faculty Publications

As the global demand for renewable energy intensifies, piezoelectric energy harvesting from roadways has emerged as a promising avenue for sustainable power generation. This systematic literature review analyzes 61 peer-reviewed studies to assess the feasibility, performance, and potential of integrating piezoelectric systems into roadway infrastructure. While technology faces challenges, such as high installation costs, limited energy output, and a scarcity of thorough economic evaluations, findings suggest it holds considerable promise as a supplementary renewable energy source. The review analyzes the operational characteristics and efficiencies of various piezoelectric transducers, identifies key factors influencing system performance, and evaluates recent technological advances. It …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Effect Of Cryo-Milling On Pla/Cmc And Pla/ Caco3 Composites: A Comparison Study, Fatemeh Mahdiyeh-Boroujeni, Ron Kander

School of Design and Engineering Papers

This study examines a new approach for improving the dispersion of hydrophilic fillers into a hydrophobic polymer matrix, a long-standing challenge that often limits the thermal and mechanical performance of biocomposites. Two different fillers, natural cellulose microcrystals (CMC) and mineral calcium carbonate (CaCO3), were incorporated into polylactic acid (PLA) at five different weight fractions. Biocomposite films were prepared using physical mixing and cryo-milling, followed by hot pressing. Cryo-milling was explored as a strategy to enhance filler distribution within the matrix. Thermal properties, crystallization behavior, and mechanical performance were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile testing, …

Sustainable Practices For Aircraft Decommissioning And Recycling In A Circular Aviation Economy, Eva Maleviti, Dimitra Papadaki

Publications

The aviation industry requires a series of actions that will transform its current status, aiming for sustainable operations. Aviation’s end-of-life stream is a pivotal lever for circularity, yet current dismantling and recycling practices leave significant value unrealized. Circular Economy could be considered as a transformational approach to the aviation industry and address its environmental and economic challenges, meeting sustainability principles. This study conducts a PRISMA-guided qualitative systematic review across academic and industry sources to synthesize regulations, technologies, and economics of aircraft decommissioning. It aims to quantify material recovery potential and environmental gains at the aircraft level and assess technology readiness …

Mine Tailings As A Sustainable Filler For Asphalt Binder–Mastics: A Review, Daniel O. Oguntayo, Nuha S. Mashaan, Sanjay K. Shukla

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sustainability has become a primary focus on a global scale. However, there is a threat to sustainable development due to the substantial generation of waste from urbanization and industrialization. Particularly, the accumulation of mine tailings is a problem, an industrial waste by-product from the mining sector. To support sustainable development and promote circular economy, it is imperative to utilize the materials in the production of asphalt mastics. This review examines the performance of mining waste-modified asphalt binder–mastic to create an idea of what tailings might be used for in subsequent studies. This review contributes to knowledge by consolidating research efforts …

Towards Autonomous Energy Management: Machine Learning For Effective Auditing And Optimization, Sameh O. Abdellatif, Sherif Ashraf, Mira Mohsen

Electrical Engineering

This study presents a fully automated procedure for energy management and auditing, applicable to a diverse range of residential and commercial loads, leveraging machine learning techniques across three key phases: load classification, benchmarking, and smart monitoring. The model effectively categorizes energy loads based on consumption patterns, establishes performance benchmarks through historical data analysis, and employs real-time monitoring to identify inefficiencies and predict future energy usage. Evaluating the model through four distinct case studies demonstrates its capability to optimize energy consumption in a techno-economic manner, achieving significant energy savings of 34.73 MWh/year for essential loads in Egypt, 215.67 MWh/year for HVAC …

Sustainability Literacy In Ceng, The Knowledge-Attitude Disconnect In Sustainability Education: Evidence From Ceng Students, Myron Chen, Rohit Kota

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Higher education institutions are increasingly incorporating the concept of sustainability into the curricula, but the evaluation of students' level of sustainability knowledge is underdeveloped. The proposed research focuses on Cal Poly's efforts to integrate sustainability principles within the engineering curricula and the impact on students' knowledge. By analyzing existing data collected on the sustainability literacy of Cal Poly’s engineering students, this project aims to enhance teaching strategies and align them with the sustainability goals of both the College and the University. This initiative builds on work initiated last summer and seeks to better prepare engineering students to become future contributors …

Building Services Engineering September/October 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Compost Grinder For The University Of South Carolina Office Of Sustainability, Rori E. Pumphrey, Grace Yaegel, Aaron R. Sawyer, Bradley White

Senior Theses

This project originates from a collaboration with the USC Office of Sustainability, which seeks to improve the handling and processing of food waste generated on campus. The primary challenge is the difficulty in composting certain types of food waste, such as avocado pits, pumpkin rinds, and other dense or fibrous organic materials that are not easily broken down using conventional methods. Existing commercial solutions are often too large and expensive, or electrically powered, and are thus not well suited for the volume or nature of USC's food waste. To address these limitations, our team designed a manually operated food waste …

Neutrosophic Set Model For Controlling Electronic Waste Requirements Management Policies To Minimize Ecological Impact And Improving Resilience And Sustainability, Mohamed Abouhawwash, Nitin Mittal, Sudeep Tanwar

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

The growing issue of electronic waste (e-waste) necessitates management approaches that promote sustainability and resilience while reducing environmental effects, particularly considering global disruptions and pressure on manufacturers to implement extended producer responsibility laws. There is a research gap in our knowledge of the link between sustainability and resilience since most of the literature currently available on e-waste management focuses on either operational efficiency or sustainability. This study proposes multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methodology for controlling electronic waste requirements management policies to minimize ecological impact and improving resilience and sustainability. We use the EDAS methodology to rank the alternatives. The criteria …

Fdm In Textiles - Present Scenario, Challenges And Future Prospects, Kaniz Farhana, Abdul Mahadin Labid, Mahnur Rahman Jahwa, Sabikun Nahar Sadia, Kamal Tafcir Rayhan, Abu Shadate Faisal Mahamude

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

In contemporary society, additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is the most valuable production process. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is the most concentrated version because of its versatility, output quality, speed, and other attributes. The goal of this study is to give readers a thorough understanding of FDM and the graphic examination of its effects in the textile industry. This article provides a detailed examination of FDM technology, covering its history, benefits, drawbacks, sustainability, and contributions to many FDM fields. A particular emphasis on the role that FDM plays in the textile industry, as well as its prospects for …

Sustainable Additive Manufacturing Of Polymer Composites: A Review, Wan Sharuzi Wan Harun, Faiz Ahmad, Farhana Mohd Foudzi, Fujio Tsumori, Arun Kumar Thirugnanasambandam, Mohammed Saber

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

Additive Manufacturing (AM) of polymer composites has matured from a prototyping tool into a viable process for functional components. This review critically assesses this progress, focusing on the intersection of performance, sustainability, and industrial readiness. Advancements in AM processes now accommodate diverse reinforcements, from nanoscale fillers to continuous fibres, yielding parts with exceptional mechanical properties. Concurrently, a sustainability strategy has emerged, prioritising bio-based and recycled feedstocks, enhanced process energy efficiency through novel out-of-oven curing, and circular economy principles. However, widespread industrial adoption is hindered by persistent challenges. These include managing fibre-matrix interfacial integrity, the inherent anisotropy of printed parts, complex …

Bioresources And Bioproducts: A New Open Access Journal, Ronald C. Sims

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Greetings to the bioresource and bioproducts community! I will serve as the Editor-in-Chief to collaborate with you as we promote the aims and scope of this new MDPI journal [1], with the help of its distinguished Editorial Board, by publishing Special Issues, Topics, Topical Collections, and Editorials, and by providing high-impact scholarship through the outstanding published work of each of our contributors.

Comparative Analysis Of Life Cycle Assessment Of Traditional And Contemporary Timber Buildings, Sadık Akşar, Gökçe Tuna

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Wood has long been used as a primary building material, but with the Industrial Revolution and the spread of multi-story structures, its structural limitations became evident. In the 21st century, engineered timber products have reintroduced wood as a sustainable alternative, offering advantages such as lightness, rapid assembly, and recyclability. At the same time, buildings are responsible for significant environmental impacts, making assessment methods essential. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one of the most widely used tools for evaluating these impacts across all stages of a building’s life cycle. This study applies LCA to timber construction systems, focusing on both traditional …

Cost-Effectiveness Model For Reservoir Sediment Management Economics, Connor Ronald Hale

Theses and Dissertations

Reservoir sediment deposition poses a challenge to sustainable water supplies around the world. Sediment management has proven to be an expensive endeavor. Two models have been developed to guide economic analysis for reservoir sediment management, namely the Reservoir Sediment Economics Model (RSEM) and the Reservoir Conservation Model 2 (RESCON 2). While these are helpful tools for benefit-cost prefeasibility studies, they rely heavily on sometimes elusive estimations of the benefits of water supply. In this study, a new method for economic analysis is proposed that foregoes benefit-cost analysis in favor of a cost-effectiveness approach. The Sediment Management Cost-Effectiveness Model ranks sediment …

Comparative Study On The Performance Of Ggbs, Uggbs, And Rha-Incorporated Cement Mortar Mixes, Devansh Goel, Sudarshan D. Kore

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The environmental footprint of cement production has accelerated the pursuit of sustainable alternatives in the construction industry. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), particularly those derived from industrial and agricultural waste, offer a promising approach to reducing cement consumption while maintaining performance. This study evaluates the fresh and mechanical behavior of binary, ternary, and quaternary cementitious mortar blends incorporating ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), ultrafine GGBS (UGGBS), and rice husk ash (RHA) as partial replacements for cement. A total of 32 mortar mixes were designed with water-to-binder (w/b) ratios ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 and varied replacement levels of RHA (0-20%), GGBS …

7e And Sustainability Analysis Of Photovoltaic Thermal System (Pvt) Incorporating Graphene And Al2o3 Nano-Particles With Paraffin Wax Integrated Fin Arrangements, Md Shahriar Mohtasim, Utpol K. Paul, Md Golam Kibria, Barun K. Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The efficiency and electricity production of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system are significantly influenced by the temperature of the PV module. Numerous studies have incorporated nanomaterials into phase change materials (PCM) integrated with PV systems to enhance thermodynamic performance; however, life-cycle aspects and the 7E sustainability indicators remain largely unaddressed. No study has yet explored paraffin wax hybridized with Al2O3 and graphene nanomaterials in specific ratios within a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) and fin system at an optimal fluid flow rate. Three different scenarios have been explored in this study, including a PVT/PCM system with a water-flowing fluid, a PVT/Fin arrangements/hybrid …

Building A Sustainable Home On The Central Coast: An Owner’S Perspective, Austin Chase Anderson

Construction Management

As awareness and technology increase, sustainability as a focus in home construction is also increasing. This case study based research project seeks to understand the process of building a home on California’s Central Coast with sustainability in mind. An interview was conducted with an owner who built their home in Templeton in 2019. The interview was in a semi-structured format which included specific qualitative questions but mostly focused on an open-ended discussion which allowed the owner to share their own experience. The key challenges learned from this interview were that the owner believed price to be the main factor that …

Building Services Engineering July/August 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Quantifying The Effect Of Initial Molecular Weight Distribution On The Degradation Of Linear Polyethylene At High Temperatures Using Dissipative Particle Dynamics, Cassandra L. Simpson

All Theses

Polyolefins are the primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and supply chain energy requirements with respect to other commodity polymers. In order to explore more efficient methods for recycling and upcycling these plastics, it is important to consider the kinetics of polymer fragments during the degradation process to more accurately reflect experimental outcomes. The molecular weight distribution of synthetic polymers is an important factor to consider when synthesizing, processing, and manufacturing industrial plastics. The breadth of this distribution, or dispersity, is determined by the ratio of the weight average molecular weight to the number average molecular weight, and is correlated …

Biological Hydrogen Process Improvements By High Temperature Simultaneous Saccharification And Fermentation, Frank W. Jeffries V

All Theses

The hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga neapolitana is established as a versatile organism for fermentative hydrogen (H₂) production. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the cell yield, product yield, and kinetic parameter values for individual media containing five carbohydrates. The highest H₂ yield of 15.56±0.31 mmol-H₂/g-carbohydrate was reported for glucose medium. H₂ yield was measured to be 14.51±0.38, 14.44±1.15, 11.88±0.84, and 11.53±0.73 mmol/g for media containing xylose, cellobiose, arabinose and xylan respectively. Acetic acid yield followed a similar trend, where the obtained values were 0.470±0.01, 0.462±0.04, 0.431±0.01, 0.409±0.03, and 0.406±0.01 g-acid/g-carbohydrate for glucose, cellobiose, xylose, …

Advancement Of Biocarbon Materials In Sustainable Thermal And Electrochemical Energy Storage With Future Outlooks, Md Shahriar Mohtasim, Barun K. Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Biocarbon exhibits significant potential in thermal and electrochemical energy storage owing to its higher surface area, flexible porosity, and superior thermal stability, facilitating effective energy absorption, storage, and conversion. Additionally, its sustainable and cost-effective nature, derived from renewable biomass, aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions. There is not enough review work that offers comprehensive details on the unique properties of biocarbon (both animal and plant-derived), synthesis and characterization methods, the root level mechanism of biocarbon's interaction with phase change materials (PCMs) matrix, the generalization of thermal and electrochemical regulation with an emphasis on the benefits to the environment …

The Operational Performance Of Buildings In A Humid Subtropical Climate: Insights From Empirical Data And Assessment Models, Oluwafemi Awolesi

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis evaluates the operational performance of residential and non-residential buildings in a humid subtropical climate, emphasizing Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and energy performance through empirical data and assessment models. Motivated by the increasing need for integrated sustainability evaluations, this study combines a systematic review with multi-method field investigations to advance understanding in this domain. The systematic review critically analyzed 99 case study articles, identifying dominant IEQ assessment methodologies and highlighting methodological inconsistencies that hinder cross-study comparability. Emerging computational approaches, although promising, remain underutilized. The review advocates for standardized, climate-responsive, and feedback-oriented evaluation frameworks. Field investigations assessed IEQ and energy …

Integrated Evaluation Of Airtightness, Acoustics, Thermal Performance, And Life-Cycle Carbon Emissions In Code-Compliant Wood-Framed And Thin-Shell Concrete Dome Residential Structures, Eduardo Ibanez Vasquez

Theses and Dissertations

The residential construction industry faces increasing demands for energy-efficient and sustainable housing solutions. In the U.S., residential buildings significantly contribute to energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, highlighting the need for enhanced building envelope performance. This study compares four residential structures: a traditional code-compliant wood-framed structure built in 1970, a traditional code-compliant wood-framed structure built in 2016, a modular code-compliant wood framed structure built in 2024, and a thin-shell concrete dome built in 2022. The analysis focuses on airtightness, acoustic insulation, passive thermal performance, and life-cycle carbon emissions, including both embodied (cradle-to-gate) and operational energy use. Field-based methods included …

Rethinking Green Building Development Through Policy And Operational Metrics: Insights From Baton Rouge And Beyond, Oluwafemi Awolesi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the challenges and opportunities associated with the development, adoption, and performance of green buildings in regions with relatively low certification uptake, drawing insights from Baton Rouge and its parish system as a case study. It addresses three primary research questions: (1) How can the adoption rate of green buildings be enhanced? (2) How do certified buildings perform compared to their non-certified counterparts? (3) What operational metrics can be applied to better evaluate building performance in the future?

Using a mixed-methods approach, the study examines stakeholder perceptions in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, investigates energy performance, indoor environmental quality, …