Traffic congestion quantification is essential for effective transportation planning and management. Traditional methods rely on fixed infrastructure sensors, which are cost-prohibitive and privacy-invasive in developing countries. This study proposes a methodology for traffic congestion detection using smartphone multi-sensor data combined with stacked ensemble learning. Data were collected from 10 trips (total cumulative distance of 150 km) in New Delhi, India, representing heterogeneous urban traffic conditions. A signal preprocessing pipeline comprising median filtering, linear detrending, and causal Butterworth low-pass filtering extracts kinematic features from raw smartphone inertial and GPS signals, from which a physically interpretable congestion index—based on speed reduction, acceleration variability, and braking frequency—is formulated and discretized into Low, Medium, and High levels; these index-derived levels serve as the supervised labels, whose validity is established through external validation on independent datasets. A stacked ensemble combining Random Forest, XGBoost, LightGBM, and CatBoost base learners with a logistic-regression meta-learner is then evaluated under a leakage-free, day-grouped protocol in which training and testing are performed on disjoint days, complemented by leave-one-day-out cross-validation. Under this honest protocol the framework generalizes to entirely unseen days with a macro F1-score of approximately 0.76 and Cohen’s kappa near 0.62, with the stacked ensemble performing on par with the strongest single gradient-boosted tree (differences within cross-validation variability)—that is, robust rather than categorically superior. An optimistic stratified 80/20 split yields a macro F1-score of 0.867 but overstates field performance owing to within-trip temporal autocorrelation and is reported only as an upper bound. Crucially, the method is externally validated beyond the primary corridor: applied without modification to four further independent datasets spanning a second Indian city and from Brazil, it preserves the congestion index–speed relationship (Pearson r between − 0.90 and − 0.97) and transfers across cities, drivers, and vehicles without retuning (transfer macro F1-score 0.70–0.82, with a five-driver leave-one-driver-out mean of 0.89). The methodology offers a cost-effective, privacy-preserving, and interpretable approach for congestion monitoring using ubiquitous smartphone sensors, with real-time, edge-deployable inference and applications in Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) and intelligent transportation systems in resource-constrained urban environments.
Urbanization has complicated stormwater management, creating an urgent need for sustainable solutions. The No-Fines Concrete (NFC) is an alternative to traditional pavements, as it has a naturally porous structure that is not only stronger but also permeable. The objective of the present study is to investigate the strength and permeation characteristics of NFC with the addition of supplementary cementitious materials (SCs) such as fly ash, metakaolin, silica fume and rice husk ash. The experimental trials were conducted in accordance with ACI 522R, using different replacement levels of the cement by SCMs (ranging from 5
The structural performance of precast reinforced concrete (RC) slab-to-column connections remain a critical challenge due to the inherent discontinuity at the interface, which often leads to premature cracking, limited load transfer capacity, and brittle failure modes, particularly when the column is a concrete core encased within a steel box. This study investigates the structural performance of reinforced concrete slab-to-precast column connections, where the columns consist of concrete cores encased in steel boxes. A comprehensive numerical program was developed using ABAQUS to evaluate different mechanical connection strategies, including welded steel bars, anchorage bolts with varying embedment lengths, reinforcement spacing optimization, steel meshes, and embedded steel sections. The models were validated against reference configurations and then used to assess cracking load, ultimate load capacity, elastic stiffness, and load–deflection behaviour. The results demonstrate that all strengthening techniques significantly enhance connection performance compared to the unstrengthened case. Cracking loads increased by up to about 550
Building elevations are often modified to satisfy owner requirements, and such modifications may disrupt load paths and introduce stress concentrations, thereby increasing the potential for damage during earthquake shakings. Studies majorly focus on either stiffness or stiffness-strength irregularities, frequently omitting the sole effect of strength irregularities. Codes define strength irregularity by storey strength ratios, but their accuracy needs reassessment. Four sets of RC moment frame buildings are investigated, with different building configurations and the locations of strength irregularities (single or multiple storeys). Due to lack of guidelines, a simple method is used to estimate lateral storey strength, accounting for infill walls. Current codes miss irregularities at rooftops, in buildings with enlarged sections, or in consecutive irregular storeys. Designing strength irregular buildings with larger cross-sections by removing intermediate columns should be avoided. Fragility analysis indicates that higher-storey irregularities result in more column damage, while lower-storey irregularities cause fewer but more severe failures. Also, an irregular storey in a building can cause damage to structural elements both above and below it (extending to three storeys). To address this, a revised provision limits the storey strength ratio to 0.8, based on adjacent storeys and the average of three consecutive storeys. It is validated through damage-based assessments using nonlinear analysis.
Pavement deterioration, especially potholes, compromises road safety and increases vehicle maintenance costs. Traditional inspection methods are periodic and reactive, delaying early detection. Recent studies have explored automated pavement monitoring using computer vision and deep learning techniques; however, many rely on static image datasets and offline processing. This paper focuses on the practical feasibility of low-cost real-time pavement monitoring under real traffic conditions using vehicle-mounted vision and onboard AI inference, and also presents a real-time AI system that leverages vehicle-mounted cameras and on-board inference to monitor road surfaces and detect defects, addressing the lack of scalable and low-cost real-time solutions identified in previous works. By processing images locally, the system minimizes latency. In preliminary trials, the system achieved high precision under static conditions and acceptable performance under dynamic real-world conditions, achieving a precision of 89
Low-rise residential buildings account for a significant portion of energy consumption, underscoring the need for comprehensive efficiency assessments. This study presents an analytical framework for evaluating and enhancing energy performance, focusing on building envelope contributions. The proposed framework integrates energy audits, building information modeling (BIM)-based simulations, and a sensor-aided living lab approach. Two low-rise apartment buildings serve as case studies. The methodology develops Building Information Model (BIM) from audit data for energy simulation, validated through a sensor-aided living lab setup. Real-time sensor data is analyzed for temperature, humidity, and lumens, assessing thermal comfort and natural light usage patterns. Based on this assessment, ten improvement measures were proposed, including the sealing of air gaps, insulating walls and roof with EPS, use of Triple LoE glass in windows, window shades of 2/3rd window height, installation of daylight and occupancy controls, ventilation duct and exhaust fan over stove, replacement of florescent tubes with LEDs, inverter air conditioning, and solar photovoltaic installation. Implementation of these measures resulted in energy savings of 21
The increasing global emphasis on sustainable and cost-effective road construction has accelerated the adoption of cold mix technologies as alternatives to conventional hot mix approaches. Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) has emerged as one of the most promising cold mix rehabilitation techniques, and it pulverizes the existing asphalt surface along with a portion of the underlying base materials in-place and stabilizes the blended mixture using cement, bitumen emulsion, or foamed bitumen to form a new structural base layer. Among the three stabilization techniques employed under FDR-mechanical, chemical, and bituminous-this study focuses exclusively on chemical and bituminous stabilization due to their superior long-term durability and consistent performance under varying traffic and environmental conditions. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric review of global FDR advancements over the past 35 years (1991–2025), analyzing 83 peer-reviewed articles across five continents: Asia, North America, South America, Europe and Africa. Key parameters examined include Stabilizer type, mix design, compaction, curing, performance criteria, and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement incorporation. Results reveal that the United States leads global research output, followed by India, Georgia, China, and Canada. Cement dominates as the primary stabilizer across Asia and Africa, while bituminous stabilization prevails in North America and Europe. Nearly half of all articles emerged within the last five years (2020–2025), confirming rapid growth in global FDR research interest. This review consolidates existing knowledge, identifies critical research gaps, and provides researchers ad practitioners with valuable insights into technological advancements and future directions in FDR-based pavement rehabilitation.
The construction industry remains heavily dependent on traditional concrete production methods, contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions and limiting innovation. Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing (3DP), presents a transformative opportunity for sustainable construction by enabling automated, material-efficient, and design-flexible concrete production. This research explores the integration of construction and demolition waste (CDW) into 3D-printed concrete (3DPC) and 3D-printed geopolymer (3DPG) systems as a sustainable alternative to conventional raw materials. CDW, including recycled concrete, brick, ceramic, and glass, can be processed into aggregates and binders, offering circular economy benefits while reducing the environmental footprint. CDW significantly influences fresh properties such as flowability, open time, extrudability, and buildability due to its variable water demand, particle morphology, and reactivity. In hardened state, it affects strength, shrinkage, interlayer bonding, and microstructure development, often introducing anisotropy and requiring careful mix design adjustments. This review explored and evaluated the 3DP-related properties of CDW-based 3DPC and 3DPG, highlighting the critical role of rheology, activator chemistry, and material optimization. Overall, the incorporation of CDW in 3DP materials offers a promising pathway toward low-carbon, resource-efficient, and structurally viable construction technologies.
Ensuring the longevity and performance of asphalt pavements requires precise mixture design and construction practices, considering both the economic costs of frequent repairs and environmental impacts. This study investigates factors contributing to premature pavement failures through a case study of a highway section exhibiting slippage cracks within six months of completion. Comparative analyses between the cracked and intact sections employed three approaches: evaluation of design and construction records, assessment of weather conditions, and bitumen testing. Data from 360 reports were analyzed using SPSS, covering parameters such as aggregate gradation, bitumen content, and asphalt temperature, while meteorological data were obtained from the National Meteorological Organization. Bitumen quality was assessed via penetration tests. The results identified significant differences in asphalt temperature, ambient temperature, bitumen content, aggregate apparent specific gravity (Gagg), and dust exposure between the intact and cracked sections. The findings suggest that prolonged exposure to high temperatures, combined with excessive heating during asphalt production and increased dust contamination, may have contributed to reduced interlayer adhesion and lower interface shear resistance. In addition, penetration test results indicated a higher degree of binder hardening in the cracked section, suggesting that binder aging may have further aggravated these conditions. Collectively, these factors were associated with conditions favorable to the development of slippage cracks. The results underscore the importance of appropriate temperature control during production and paving operations, effective surface cleanliness prior to layer placement, and proper material selection to improve pavement durability and reduce the risk of premature failures. This study provides practical field-based insights into factors associated with slippage cracking and contributes to the development of more resilient and sustainable pavement construction practices.
Present study provides a comprehensive review of standard penetration test (SPT) and resistivity studies, focusing on their methodologies, applications, and comparative effectiveness in geotechnical engineering. SPT, a globally adopted invasive in-situ testing method tends to generate pivotal information regarding soil parameters in the form of strength, density, and lithological subsoil stratification. Conversely, resistivity studies measures electrical resistance of subsurface materials which tends to offer non-invasive techniques for assessing soil composition, detect groundwater contamination, and mapping of subsurface structures. The review explores the fundamental principles behind both techniques and examines recent advancements that enhance their accuracy and applicability. The strengths and limitations of each method are highlighted. While the SPT is highly effective for direct soil sampling and mechanical property evaluation, resistivity studies excel in providing a broader spatial overview of subsurface conditions without disturbing the soil. By Combining SPT and resistivity data, researchers and practitioners can achieve a more comprehensive understanding of subsurface conditions, thereby improving the reliability of geotechnical investigations. In geotechnical engineering, SPT and resistivity methods have been widely adopted across various research topics. This review summarizes their applications and depicts the statistical trends in published papers. Additionally, the study discusses proposed correlations between SPT N values and soil resistivity data, supported by a case study to check the applicability of these correlations. The findings of this study contribute to the advancement of geotechnical engineering by providing a robust framework for Combining SPT and resistivity.
Radiation-shielding concrete (RSC) is widely used in nuclear, medical, and industrial facilities because it combines structural functionality with the ability to attenuate ionizing radiation. This review provides an integrated analysis of the main material strategies used in RSC, with emphasis on the relationships among material composition, shielding efficiency, mechanical performance, and thermal stability. Unlike previous studies that focused on isolated material classes or single performance aspects, the present review synthesizes conventional heavyweight aggregate systems, sustainable and waste-derived concretes, nanomaterial-modified mixtures, fiber-reinforced formulations, and the influence of elevated temperature within a unified analytical framework. To support this analysis, a structured literature database was developed from a screened subset of experimental studies selected from a broader literature survey. Studies were included in the quantitative synthesis when they reported original experimental data on radiation-shielding concrete and provided sufficiently extractable information on mixture composition, density, exposure conditions, shielding response, and/or mechanical properties. This screening process yielded 382 analyzable mix/specimen records from 24 source studies, described by 19 variables covering mixture composition, additives, exposure conditions, shielding indicators, and engineering properties. Shielding performance was evaluated using key parameters, including the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), mean free path (MFP), and radiation protection efficiency (RPE). The findings confirm that attenuation efficiency is governed primarily by density, elemental and mineralogical composition, concrete thickness, and radiation energy. Comparative analysis shows that heavyweight aggregate systems generally provide superior gamma-ray shielding compared with ordinary concrete, as reflected by higher LAC values and lower HVL, TVL, and MFP values. Within the compiled evidence, magnetite- and barite-based concretes show the strongest overall gamma-ray attenuation potential, hematite-containing systems provide a favorable balance between shielding efficiency and mechanical strength, and slag-based concretes offer competitive attenuation performance together with sustainability benefits. However, the relative ranking of these systems depends on photon energy, mixture design, aggregate mineralogy, and the required balance between shielding effectiveness, workability, strength, durability, and thermal stability. Sustainable and modified systems, including recycled aggregates, steel slag, CRT glass, nanomaterials, and fibers, show promising potential for combining shielding capability with improved environmental performance, although their long-term durability and elevated-temperature behavior remain insufficiently standardized. Overall, this review provides an evidence-based understanding of current RSC development and identifies future directions for designing high-performance, durable, and sustainable shielding concrete systems.
This study primarily focused on the effect of grouting pressure on the internal forces of a TBM tunnel lining under the influence of Rayleigh waves propagating in three different directions: horizontal, vertical, and inclined, based on the frequency content of these waves. Assuming undamped soil, a TBM tunnel segment from the Algiers Metro project was modeled. The analysis considered Rayleigh wave effects in the frequency range of 1 to 5 Hz on both the dynamic soil–tunnel response and the lining. Additionally, the same frequency range was used to study the influence of varying grouting pressure levels on the internal forces of the TBM tunnel lining. The results revealed that the frequency content had a greater influence on vertical and inclined waves compared to horizontal ones. This was reflected in the higher internal force values in the tunnel structure. Furthermore, the total acceleration above the tunnel was several times higher than below it in all directions, confirming the tunnel’s role as a wave damper. It was also observed that increasing the grouting pressure contributed to reducing the sagging bending moment. The hogging bending moment, on the other hand, exhibited more complicated behavior and occasionally even increased. In addition to the effect of wave frequency content, the axial force increased with increasing grouting pressure because of the consequent increase in the stiffness of the surrounding soil. These results demonstrate that the internal forces acting on the tunnel lining are significantly influenced by both grouting pressure and Rayleigh wave frequency.
This study investigated the effect of curing temperature on the thermo-mechanical behavior of alkali-activated mortars (AAMs) produced from ceramic sanitaryware waste (CSW) partially substituted with ceramic glaze (G). Owing to the predominantly crystalline nature and limited reactivity of CSW, ceramic glaze rich in amorphous silica and calcium was incorporated at replacement levels ranging from 10 to 40
Earthen construction has been used since ancient times, but has limited strength and resistance to external exposure despite its unique advantages, such as low operational energy requirements, recyclable materials, and better indoor thermal control. Cement and lime are commonly used to improve the strength and durability of soil blocks, but are energy-intensive to produce and render the blocks non-recyclable. This study aims to assess the feasibility of using a sustainable, lesser-known biopolymer, ‘inulin’, to improve the mechanical and durability properties of soil blocks. Inulin was added at 0.5, 1, and 1.5
Monitoring the changes in the Renaissance Dam Lake isn’t just a dry hydrological exercise. It seems to be vital for understanding broader regional impacts. This study utilizes observed multi-temporal Sentinel-1 SAR data from 2018 and real satellite acquisitions from July 2025 to map changes, focusing on both the reservoir’s extent and water volume. The analysis was performed using two parallel workflows: SNAP 11/ArcGIS Pro and a methodologically flexible, fully scripted Python process. A Sentinel-2 optical scene from June 2025 served as an independent validation source. When examining spatial change detection using VV/VH log-ratio imagery, the expansion patterns along the reservoir margins were remarkably consistent across both platforms. The classification results, which pitted Python’s XGBoost against ArcGIS’s SVM, also largely converged. That said, some minor disagreements arose in the shallow shoreline areas, likely where the models struggled to distinguish between saturated soil and actual water. Results indicate the reservoir has reached a total cumulative storage of 58–61 billion cubic meters, representing approximately 78.4–82.4
The cement industry is identified as being primarily responsible for anthropogenic CO2 emissions, and there is an imminent need for sustainable materials for construction purposes. A low-carbon alternative, alkali-activated fly ash (AAFA), lacks scientifically valid approaches to achieve higher strength, especially compressive strength. In the current investigation, the alkali-activated fly ash (AAFA) composites based on the incorporation of industrial wastes, such as fly ash (FA), glass fibers (GF), and white china clay (WCC), are studied through structural, mechanical, and microstructural analyses. By optimizing the composition accurately, the compressive strength of AAFA has been enhanced upto 40 MPa, a 30
Subsurface geological characterization is essential for validating engineering design assumptions, particularly in tropical weathered terrains where heterogeneous ground conditions may compromise infrastructure stability. However, geophysical investigations are often constrained by inversion uncertainties and the inherent complexity of subsurface materials. This study presents a machine learning-assisted geophysical–geotechnical framework that integrates Electrical Resistivity Tomography, Seismic Refraction Tomography, and borehole-derived Standard Penetration Test (SPT-N) data to improve subsurface characterization and engineering site assessment. Unsupervised K-means clustering, supported by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the Elbow method, Silhouette analysis, and simple linear regression (SLR), was employed to identify lithologicalal domains and establish empirical relationships between resistivity and P-wave velocity (Vp). A total of 491 spatially coincident resistivity–Vp observations extracted from an 800 m survey conducted in Kabota–Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, were analysed. The integrated workflow successfully delineated four lithologicalal units exhibiting distinct resistivity and Vp characteristics consistent with borehole lithologicalal logs and SPT-N measurements. The clustering solution demonstrated strong performance, with an RS index approaching unity, a maximum Silhouette score of 0.78, and an 88
The mechanical and durability performance of cementitious materials can be significantly enhanced by a promising bio-based approach called “microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICCP)”. Its use in large scale, however, is hampered by the exorbitant expense of the conventional laboratory grade nutrient media like peptone, meat extract and glucose. Wheat husk waste is low-cost agricultural by-product, in this study it is used to grow soil derived ureolytic bacteria and 100
The current study numerically investigates the buffeting response of long-span cable-supported bridges to cyclonic winds, addressing the critical need for innovative technologies to address severe weather and structural damage mechanics. Buffeting-induced fatigue progressively degrades the structural integrity and serviceability of the structure. The research employs Power Spectral Density functions to quantify the aerodynamic effect. The performance of various passive aerodynamic countermeasures has been comparatively assessed under varying cyclonic wind speeds. Results demonstrate that a specific deflector configuration is the most effective mitigation measure, significantly reducing response amplitude and vibration energy. This work provides a rational basis for aerodynamic vibration control, directly contributing to the sustainable design and improvement of bridge structures in hazard-prone regions.
Waste management of industrial and agricultural by-products is a major concern that requires sustainable approaches in geotechnical engineering. This research explores the use of industrial and agricultural waste materials such as red mud and paddy stubble for clay soil stabilization. An extensive experimental investigation was undertaken to examine the influence of different ratios of red mud and paddy stubble on the physical, mechanical and microstructural behaviour of the soil. The findings reveal that the combination of red mud (15, 20 25
