Civil Engineering Commons^™

Ensemble Learning Framework For Predicting Close Proximity Tire–Pavement Noise On Expressways, Woo Young Cho, Jin Hwan Kim, Guk Gon Song, Kyungnam Kim, Youngguk Seo

Faculty Articles

Traffic noise is a critical public health concern affecting millions of highway users and adjacent residents worldwide. In response, many transportation agencies have adopted functional surface materials to reduce noise at the source on pavement, but assessing their effectiveness remains expensive and logistically challenging. Close Proximity (CPX) testing quantifies tire-pavement noise but requires specialized equipment costing $50,000-$126,000 and is limited to existing pavement, preventing proactive noise assessment during pavement design. This study develops machine learning models to predict CPX noise levels from readily available pavement characteristics, eliminating the need for costly tests during design and planning phases. To train and …

Integrated Corridor Management Framework For Severe Freeway Incidents, Sanjida Afroz Iqra

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Traffic incidents are a major source of non-recurrent congestion on urban freeways, generating substantial mobility, safety, and economic impacts. Severe incidents that block multiple or all travel lanes are particularly disruptive because they degrade freeway operations and propagate congestion onto surrounding arterials. Effective Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) requires the ability to identify severe incidents, estimate their network-wide impacts, and anticipate the traffic conditions and driver behaviors that contribute to instability. This dissertation develops a data-driven ICM framework to address these challenges using real-world incident, crash, detector, and connected vehicle data from major Central Florida corridors, including I-4 and SR-417. The …

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

Student Scholar Symposium

No abstract provided.

The Equity Implications Of Pecuniary Externalities On An Electric Grid, Charles Sims, Gasser G. Ali, J Scott Holladay, Tim Roberson, Chien-Fei Chen, Islam H. El-Haddad

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The adoption of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems can create upward pressure on retail electricity rates as utilities are forced to spread their fixed costs of generation and transmission across a smaller customer base. Since high-income households are more likely to purchase PV systems, low-income households may be disproportionately impacted by these rate increases. Using a novel combination of agent-based computational economic modeling and a choice experiment of rooftop solar adoption, we show how this pecuniary externality between low- and high-income customers increases low-income electricity bills by 10% in an area with some of the highest poverty rates in the United …

Deep Reinforcement Learning Based Control For Enhanced Frequency Response With Multi-Energy Storage Systems, Abu Shouaib Hasan, Rui Fan, Wei Gao, Di Wu

Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Scholarship

This paper proposes an advanced strategy for managing multiple battery energy storage systems (BESS) to enhance frequency support during contingencies. A novel deep reinforcement learning (DRL) framework based on a guided surrogate-gradient-based evolutionary strategy (GSES) was developed to dynamically regulate BESS outputs for rapid power injection or absorption. This approach effectively mitigates the rate of change of frequency (ROCOF) and stabilizes the system frequency under varying operating conditions. Parallel computing techniques are employed to accelerate training and ensure robust performance. In addition, a genetic algorithm is implemented to determine the placement of BESS within the grid network, strategically minimizing ROCOF …

Magnesium Sulfate Attack Of Alite Paste And Mitigation By Surface Carbonation: Monitoring And Comparison Using Novel Portable Fiber-Optic Raman Probe, Bohong Zhang, Gao Deng, Hongyan Ma, Jie Huang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Sulfate attack on cement matrix is still a "confused world" especially when magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) is the sulfate source. Accurate assessment of sulfate attack is essential for evaluating the structural integrity and durability of concrete in relevant environments. This study presents a portable fiber-optic Raman probe approach with 125 μm spatial resolution, designed for depth-resolved sulfate ingress monitoring in tricalcium silicate (C₃S, Alite) pastes. The probe is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of surface carbonation in mitigating sulfate attack. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between sulfate penetration depth and Raman spectral intensity ratios of sulfate-related vibrational …

Non-Destructive Strength Monitoring Of Air-Entrained Concrete Via Electromechanical Impedance Technology, Xiangrui Kong, Rui He

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Accurate monitoring of concrete strength during curing is crucial, particularly in regions subject to harsh weather conditions, such as freeze-thaw cycles in Indiana. Air entrainment is crucial for durability, yet it can significantly reduce concrete strength, making timely and precise strength assessments vital. The primary objective of this study is to develop a non-destructive and real-time monitoring framework for evaluating mortar strength using electromechanical impedance (EMI) sensors and ultrasonic scanning technology.

This research holds significant value as it addresses the critical need for continuous, reliable concrete strength monitoring, potentially reducing reliance on destructive testing methods, which are costly and time-consuming. …

Design, Fabrication, & Laboratory Testing Of A Strain Gage Instrumentation System For Marine Applications, Salem C. Homrighausen

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A strain gage-based instrumentation system was designed and fabricated to measure the moment present at the base of a mock, diesel-engine snorkel for a submerged vehicle designed to operate in the surf zone. Afterwards, a lab experiment was designed and executed to determine the accuracy of the instrument and a 2-dimensional, matrix-vector equation was formulated to relate pairs of voltages, Vx and Vy, to moments, Mx and My for the experiment. Three versions of this model were built. The first model was created using traditional statics equations governing strain, stress, moment, force. The second and third models were built directly …

Remote Vibration Based Monitoring Of Bridge Scour, Alan Kazemian

Dissertations

The gradual erosion of the sediment around a bridge foundation is called Scour. This erosion is caused by water flow and increases during times of high-water flow such as flooding. The scour leaves the bridges structurally unsound over time and jeopardizes the safety of the structure. Approximately 60 percent of bridge failures in the United States are caused by scour. A variety of types of devices have been used to detect scour. Most of these devices only observe the scour and not the structural integrity of the bridge. The typical approach has relied on visual inspections of the bridges after …

Modeling Recovery Of The Florida Electric Transmission Grid After Severe Weather Event, Wei B. Guan

Theses and Dissertations

Predicted changes to the climate are expected to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. The Florida electric grid is a critical infrastructure system susceptible to severe weather events, especially hurricanes, causing widespread damage and outages. A foundational concept of the electric grid’s resilience is its ability to recover after extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and flooding. The recovery of the electrical grid after an extreme event is predicated upon the electrical asset's remoteness and the component's level of damage. Using fragility analysis, previous models have assessed the mean time to recover for transmission towers and substations …

Life Cycle Analysis Of Mobile Nuclear Reactor Compared To Other Alternative Fuels In Indopacom, Maria J. Hurtado

Theses and Dissertations

Energy is an item that makes the military vulnerable as it is something that they depend on the most which can have negative impacts. Mobile nuclear reactors are gaining the interest of many leaders in the military as a viable option of a potential alternative fuel source. There are many positives in utilizing mobile nuclear reactors in terms of environmental impacts and feasibility of transport. Studies have shown that mobile nuclear reactors can produce very low or negligible carbon emissions during operations. The focus of this thesis is to determine the environmental impacts of nuclear reactors, logistical requirements, and determine …

Reliability Improvement In The Traction System Of Tanzania Standard Gauge Railway, Yusufu Katuga

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

In recent years, many African governments have been developing Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to replace the old after becoming absolute, inefficient Meter Gauge System (MGR) to carry more loads at high mileage and speed while combating the oil and environmental crises. With the increase of SGR, the amount of traction systems has grown sharply, the service life of the traction system has increased gradually, and the components of the vehicle traction system have become worn and aged as a result. While Tanzania is transitioning to SGR with its gradually increasing traction systems, reliability improvement becomes a key for the sustainability …

Buckling Behavior Of Thin Wall Stiffened Cylindrical Shells Through Ml Techniques, Fnu Tabish, Muhammad Hamza Karim, Rajesh Godasu, Iraj H.P Mamaghani

SDSU Data Science Symposium

Stiffened cylindrical shell buckling strength mainly depends on the geometric and stiffness properties. A detailed parametric study was conducted to investigate the influence of these properties on the stiffened aluminium cylindrical shell buckling strength. The proposed framework involves an integration of finite element method and various machine learning techniques. The dataset obtained from the eigenvalue buckling analysis of 350 numerical simulations using ANSYS workbench 2022; however, the FE simulation of ten ring-stiffened cylindrical specimens was initially substantiated by experimental work conducted in the literature. 350 sample specimens were categorized into seven groups based on the no. of stiffeners varying from …

Mechanical And Electromagnetic Properties Of Incorporating Graphene Oxide In Cementitious Mixtures, Cherif Khalil

Theses and Dissertations

This multidisciplinary study aimed at investigating the impact of incorporating graphene oxide (GO) on the mechanical properties and electromagnetic (EM) shielding effectiveness of cementitious mixtures, as well as critically examining the mechanism with which GO affects their microstructure properties. Analysis of the literature review showed that there are discrepancies in reporting the impact of GO on the mortar mix. Consequently, this study focuses on exploring the cause for such discrepancies and identifies three main factors which are thoroughly investigated. The factors were the different sonication energies applied to the GO (Shear Mixing, 1.5 kJ/ml, 3 kJ/ml and 6 kJ/ml), the …

Isolation And Characterization Of Caffeine-Degrading Bacteria From Coffee Plantation Areas In Malaysia, Elvina Clarie Dullah, Mohd Fazli Farida Asras

Makara Journal of Technology

Decaffeination by microbial degradation is currently the most optimal and low-cost approach, involving only microbial cells and/or their enzymes. The bacterium was characterized using a series of biochemical tests. Positive results were obtained from carbohydrate fermentation, citrate utilization, and catalase tests, while negative results were obtained from Voges-Proskauer (VP) and indole tests. Three different caffeine concentrations of 0.25%, 0.4%, and 2% were tested and measured through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) analysis. The highest caffeine reduction (89.25%) was found when 0.25% caffeine was used in the media. Only a small amount of caffeine was reduced to 0.4% and 2%, with 34.78% …

Optimization Of The Building Envelope And Roof Shading To Reduce The Energy Consumption Of College Low-Rise Buildings In Indonesia, Nasruddin Nasruddin, Azimil Gani Alam, Mohammad Imroz Sohel

Makara Journal of Technology

Energy consumption in buildings is a crucial concern globally, prompting researchers to explore innovative solutions to mitigate its impact. This study investigates the optimization of building envelopes and roof shading systems of existing buildings in Indonesia to realize notable energy savings. Multiple scenarios were explored, with modifications to building envelopes and roof shading, highlighting the overall thermal transfer value as a key parameter. Using EnergyPlus simulations, the efficacy of natural ventilation in corridors and roof shading modifications was assessed in reducing energy consumption. The findings revealed that renovating existing buildings by optimization of the building envelope and roof shading by …

Designing A Model Of Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping System For Off-Grid Localities In Tanzania, Imani Mruma

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Modeling of photovoltaic (PV) water pumping system for rural water localities is vital especially in these modern days, in Tanzania. This is due to the rise of high number of solar-powered rural water projects constructed lacking appropriate design. The fate result into poor and substandard projects delivering below expectations. Kikombo Solar Water Project situated in Dodoma; Tanzania is one among poorly designed solar project chosen as a case study to validate proposed model. The main problem of Kikombo project is unsatisfactory amount of water from domestic points to satisfy population demand. This matter has been raised by pumping-station attendants and …

In Situ Monitoring Of The Hydration Of Calcium Silicate Minerals In Cement With A Remote Fiber-Optic Raman Probe, Bohong Zhang, Wenyu Liao, Hongyan Ma, Jie Huang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study utilized a novel in situ fiber-optic Raman probe to continuously monitor the hydration progress of tricalcium silicate (C3S) and dicalcium silicate (C2S) without the need for sampling, from early hydration stage to later stages, and from fresh to hardened states of paste samples. by virtue of the remarkable ability of this technique in characterizing either dry or wet and crystalline or amorphous samples, the hydration processes of C3S and C2S pastes with different water-to-solid (w/s) ratios could be monitored from the start of the hydration reaction. the main hydration products, calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) and portlandite/calcium hydroxide (CH), …

Challenges In Optimization For The Performance On Sustainability Dimensions In Reverse Logistics Social Responsibility, Sumarsono Sudarto, Katsuhiko Takahashi, Mochammad Dewo

Makara Journal of Technology

Reverse logistics social responsibility is preferred as the most acceptable solution for addressing the challenges in stakeholders’ debate regarding social responsibility in supply chains because it involves as many actors as possible in the supply chain to perform social responsibility to achieve sustainability. This paper explores the challenges in achieving optimal policies in sustainability dimensions for collection and recycling facilities in reverse logistics. Sustainability dimensions include economic, environmental, and social aspects. The reverse logistics is modeled on System Dynamics, and a simplified statistical analysis using a contour chart is employed in numerical experiments. Results show a narrow area of optimal …

Trace Dna Detection Using Diamond Dye: A Recovery Technique To Yield More Dna, Leah Davis

Master's Theses

This study aspires to find a new screening approach to trace DNA recovery techniques to yield a higher quantity of trace DNA from larger items of evidence. It takes the path of visualizing trace DNA on items of evidence with potential DNA so analysts can swab a more localized area rather than attempting to recover trace DNA through the general swabbing technique currently used for trace DNA recovery. The first and second parts consisted of observing trace DNA interaction with Diamond Dye on porous and non-porous surfaces.

The third part involved applying the Diamond Dye solution by spraying it onto …

Rattus Norvegicus As A Biological Detector Of Clandestine Remains And The Use Of Ultrasonic Vocalizations As A Locating Mechanism, Gabrielle M. Johnston

Master's Theses

In investigations, locating missing persons and clandestine remains are imperative. One way that first responder and police agencies can search for the remains is by using cadaver dogs as biological detectors. Cadaver dogs are typically used due to their olfactory sensitivity and ability to detect low concentrations of volatile organic compounds produced by biological remains. Cadaver dogs are typically chosen for their stamina, agility, and olfactory sensitivity. However, what is not taken into account often is the size of the animal and the expense of maintaining and training the animal. Cadaver dogs are typically large breeds that cannot fit in …

Full-Scale Testing Of Power Transfer Roadways, Oscar Moncada

Purdue Road School

A dynamic wireless power transfer roadway refers to the integration of wireless power transfer technology into a new and existing road infrastructure to provide motive power, battery charging, or both to electric vehicles. The objective of this presentation is to evaluate the mechanical and thermal performance of the system when incorporated in both flexible and rigid pavement structures.

Deep Learning To Predict The Hydration And Performance Of Fly Ash-Containing Cementitious Binders, Taihao Han, Rohan Bhat, Sai Akshay Ponduru, Amit Sarkar, Jie Huang, Gaurav Sant, Hongyan Ma, Narayanan Neithalath, Aditya Kumar

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Fly ash (FA) – an industrial byproduct – is used to partially substitute Portland cement (PC) in concrete to mitigate concrete's environmental impact. Chemical composition and structure of FAs significantly impact hydration kinetics and compressive strength of concrete. Due to the substantial diversity in these physicochemical attributes of FAs, it has been challenging to develop a generic theoretical framework – and, therefore, theory-Based analytical models – that could produce reliable, a priori predictions of properties of [PC + FA] binders. in recent years, machine learning (ML) – which is purely data-driven, as opposed to being derived from theorical underpinnings – …

Deployment Of Inductive Loop Vehicle Traffic Counters Along Trunk Roads In Tanzania, Daudi Simbeye

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

As Tanzania's population grows, there is a greater demand for efficient, effective, and strong road design, as well as a smooth transportation system with a balanced traffic management network architecture. To plan for maintenance and expansion of such a vast network, a credible data inventory and network condition must be established. The deployment of vehicle inductor loop counters along Tanzanian trunk roads is presented in this paper. At test sites, inductor loop sensors and control cards were used to capture vehicle traffic data, which was then wirelessly sent using GSM technology for vehicle classification verification and storage for future road …

Energy Assessment Of E-Motorcycles As A Clean Transport Mode For Passenger Mobility: A Case Of Ilala District, Dar Es Salaam, John Shirima

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Electric motorcycles or e-motorcycles is a clean mode of road transport that present a prominent solution toward decarbonizing cities. Despite of e-motorcycles being cleaner than gasoline ones, at the moment, there is missing information whether it is feasible to replace gasoline motorcycles with e-motorcycles used for business transport purposes. This paper, therefore, presents the results comparing energy usage when using e-motorcycles and when using the gasoline motorcycles. The energy demand for driving passengers using an e-motorcycle in the precarious routes originated from Gongo la Mboto bus stop to Segerea bus stop, Buguruni Malapa, Gerezani bus stop, Kivukoni bus stop, and …

Damage Stability Study Of A 500 Dw Ro-Ro Ferry Vessel, Zulfaidah Ariany, Budhi Santoso, Sarwoko Sarwoko, Nauval Abdurrahman Prasetyo

Makara Journal of Technology

The development of the crossing transportation industry is currently increasing in the island areas. The use of Ro-Ro type ferry boats is extremely efficient in moving people, goods, and vehicles. The current research focuses on the damage stability of the 500 DWT Ro-Ro ferry, which aims to meet the needs of the Ro-Ro ferry in the archipelago area. The previously existing initial design of a barge hull with a main size Lpp = 40.15 m, B = 12 m, H = 3.2 m, and T = 2.15 m was used to analyze the damage stability condition further. First, the drawings …

The Rise Of Terrorism In Africa And What It Means For U.S. Policymakers, Bridget Mary Hughes

Master's Theses

This thesis utilizes three case studies to measure the rise of terrorism in Africa. This qualitative data leads the reader to one ultimate question: what does the rise in terrorism in Africa mean for the United States (U.S.) and U.S. policymakers, National Security academia, students in National Security, if anything at all? The answer is: if civilian and military compounds are being targeted by these violent extremists, as these three case studies demonstrate, it is my recommendation that U.S. policymakers cease sending troops to the African theater and, instead, allocate funding to the citizens and nonprofits of the countries whom …

Development Of A Smartphone Application As An Asset To Pavement Management Engineers, Smartp3m, Damien Stephens

Electrical Engineering Theses

An application specific multi-platform smartphone application can utilize on-board accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS sensors, along with software derived signals from the same sensors, to sample vibrational and geolocation datasets to capture pavement distresses such as potholes when mounted in a standardized configuration in a vehicle. Several observations were made with regard to the signals obtained from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS sensors, and it was determined that the raw sensor outputs are capable of sampling statistically significant datasets which can be used to distinguish pavement distress from normal driving conditions. Furthermore, an approximate sensor noise margin is established, and a …

Evaluation Of Material Request Order To Support Sustainable Construction, Fajar Susilowati, Nur Nahdiah Anggraeni

Makara Journal of Technology

This study was conducted on one of Indonesia’s apartment projects, in which reinforced concrete is the main structure. Based on existing project data, this project experienced a decline in the construction work’s progress, thus reducing the project’s overall progress. This decline occurred because the delivery of concrete reinforcement material was delayed. This study aimed to determine the process of material request order and its relationship with the work implementation, as well as the factors that influenced the delayed arrival of concrete reinforcement material at the project site. The method used in this study was observation and interview. Data were analyzed …

Enhancement Of Biogas Production Through Solid-State Anaerobic Co-Digestion Of Food Waste And Corn Cobs, Lukhi Mulia Shitophyta, Anisa Salsabila, Firanita Angraini Putri, Siti Jamilatun

Makara Journal of Technology

Although biogas has been primarily produced through liquid anaerobic digestion, this method leads to the floating and stratification of fibers and non-homogeneous mixing, which can reduce the biogas yield. Alternatively, biogas can be produced by the solid-state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) of organic material with a high solid content, such as corn cobs. We investigated the co-digestion of food waste and corn cobs as a biomass feedstock for SS-AD in biogas production. We measured the effects of the total solid (TS) content, percentage of food waste, and reduction in volatile solids (VS), from which we determined its appropriate kinetic model. We …