Engineering Journal (Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok)
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1223 research outputs found
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Towards Sustainable Development Goal 7: Pakistan's Commitment to Accessible and Green Energy Solutions
Full text linkConventional fossil fuels have been used for electricity generation and cooking purposes since the known history of the human being. Since the industrial revolution, these energy sources have badly contaminated our environment by adding pollutants and GHG emissions, which must be rectified for the safety and conservation of our ecosystem. Providing everyone with inexpensive, dependable, clean, renewable, and sustainable energy is the goal of UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG-7). This research article provides an in-depth analysis of Pakistan's progress toward SDG-7, focusing on universal access to affordable, dependable, sustainable, and modern green energy. Unlike previous descriptive assessments, this study develops a composite evaluation framework that integrates access, efficiency, and investment indicators to assess Pakistan’s SDG-7 trajectory holistically. By 2021, Pakistan had made notable strides in improving energy accessibility, with 95% of the population enjoying access. However, challenges persist in ensuring access to clean cooking facilities, with only 51% of the population having such access. The country has shown significant advancements in renewable energy, accounting for 47% of overall energy consumption in 2020, and boasting a commendable renewable energy capacity per person of 55.7 watts in 2021. Despite these achievements, energy efficiency remains an area for improvement, with performance below the global average. Nonetheless, Pakistan has successfully attracted substantial international capital inflows for its energy sector, totaling $786.2 million in 2021. In summary, while Pakistan has made significant progress in various aspects of SDG-7, focused efforts are required to address remaining obstacles and accelerate the achievement of universal access to sustainable energy. This paper will serve as a valuable resource for investors looking to venture into renewable energy projects, expediting the attainment of SDG-7 in Pakistan
BIM Driven Lean Construction: Leveraging Navisworks and Leica Geosystems for Enhanced Transparency and Efficiency on a Bridge Project
Full text linkThis study investigated Building Information Modelling (BIM), specifically Navisworks and Leica Geosystems, in the design and construction of a bridge project in Lagos, Nigeria. To enhance transparency, reduce inefficiencies, and address corruption challenges within a lean construction framework. While the efficiency and effectiveness of BIM in achieving accurate designs through collaboration and coordination are established globally, its potential to mitigate corruption and inaccuracies in developing economies remains underexplored. This research bridges the critical gap by applying BIM and lean construction techniques to a real-world infrastructural project valued at over $ 50 million. The research design adopted incorporates semi-structured interviews with building professionals, including project managers, engineers, site supervisors, and surveyors, who are involved in the design and construction of the project. The data obtained from the in-depth interviews with key project stakeholders were transcribed and analysed through thematic analysis, highlighting key themes of transparency, anti-corruption, accuracy, and barriers to implementation. Findings show that Navisworks improved coordination through visualised clash detection, real-time tracking, and centralised data sharing, thereby reducing rework and corruption risks.
Additionally, Leica Geosystems enhanced surveying accuracy, thus eliminating setting-out errors that could incur rework costs. By demonstrating the advantages of lean construction driven by BIM as adopted on this project, this study offers an impactful perspective for improving outcomes and efficiency in similar infrastructure projects in emerging economies. Recommendations stress the importance of adopting BIM and addressing local barriers to its implementation. Through enhanced training, improving software interoperability, reducing costs, and fostering collaboration amongst stakeholders to build an enabling environment for BIM integration in emerging economies
The Study of Image Quality Effect on Model Performance for Bacteria Classification
Full text linkOne of the key requirements for supervised learning in deep learning model construction is the dataset for training and validation. For gathering the dataset, obtaining various image qualities from different resources is unavoidable, and this has been considered to affect the supervised model performance. This research proposes to demonstrate the effect of image quality involving high and standard datasets obtained from 2 different resources on the performance of models. The various cell characteristics with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria datasets were challenged for trial. These different datasets were matched and contributed to 5 cases; case 1: train and test with high-quality images, case 2: train with high-quality images and test with standard quality images, case 3: train and test with images of standard quality, case 4: train with standard-quality images and test with high-quality images, and case 5: train and test with combining these two image qualities. Pre-trained CNN models were implemented to prove the purpose with and without stratified K-fold cross-validation. The results of retrained models showed that the high-performance models require high-quality datasets obtained from the same resource as the testing set, which yield more than 90% of all performance evaluation metrics when tested on challenging unseen datasets. This study provides valuable insights for building high-performance models that can be applied to automate microbiology diagnostics, impacting public health and clinical practice
Alternative Design and Development of Material Handling Platform
No full textIn a world where efficiency and sustainability in logistics are increasingly significant, innovative load-carrying solutions are essential. This study investigates the mechanical performance of a conventional plastic pallet compared to a newly proposed P-Sling design using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). FEA serves as a powerful tool to simulate real-world conditions, enabling accurate predictions of stress, deformation, and structural reliability. Initial results show that the original P-Sling design exhibits higher displacement and stress, which aligns with its intended flexibility for dynamic use. In contrast, the plastic pallet, designed as a rigid structure, displays only minor bending but may be prone to failure under prolonged stress. To further enhance the P-Sling’s performance, its base thickness is increased from 1 mm to 10 mm, significantly reducing stress and deformation while maintaining its flexible nature. Although the plastic pallet maintains greater rigidity, the improved P-Sling presents a promising and adaptable alternative, particularly in environments that require both flexibility and strength under dynamic loads. This study addresses an important gap by applying Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to the P-Sling design, offering new insights into optimizing the performance of flexible load-bearing structures in changing conditions
Immersive Learning Environment Platform: ChulaVerse’s 3D Interactive University
No full textAs immersive technologies continue to evolve, the metaverse has emerged as a promising direction in smart education. This study presents the design and evaluation of ChulaVerse World, a virtual reality platform developed to replicate Chulalongkorn University’s campus and support immersive learning through 3D navigation and virtual classrooms. The system integrates a detailed 3D university map and an interactive communication layer to facilitate spatial orientation and collaborative academic experiences. Two pilot courses were conducted using an exploratory case study approach: the first, “Beginner to Metaverse,” involved on-site training for first-year engineering students, while the second, “Full Experience Online Metaverse,” was delivered entirely online. Quantitative data were collected using a structured survey instrument based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), with qualitative feedback captured through open-ended responses and in-class observations. The results showed strong student interest in using the platform in future courses and moderate satisfaction with its performance, interface, and usability. These outcomes align with previous studies in metaverse-based education, emphasizing the importance of onboarding support, user interface clarity, and scalable technical design. The study highlights the potential of ChulaVerse World to enhance accessibility, engagement, and digital transformation in university-level education
Public Charging Station for Electric Vehicles in Thailand: A Comprehensive Practical Roaming Service Model
No full textThe electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Thailand is currently encountering several challenges, especially in facilitating customer journeys and streaming customers across public charging stations. Given the charging service is continually growing among the shortages of EV charging stations, customers are forced to navigate through several mobile applications (apps) for service accessibility due to those charging stations being operated fragmentedly. Albeit notional entities endeavour to implement EV roaming, to integrate the fragmented charging station across the country, they face several problems on unfulfillable of the current adopted technology. This situation reflects the customer satisfaction and behavioural trend, surfacing dissatisfaction in several customer experience areas, particularly the non-extensiveness of the reservation system. This research addresses these gaps by proposing a tailored-made roaming service model that not only aligns with the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) framework, which is currently adopted in Thailand but also incorporates specific adjustments for the market needs. Stakeholder acceptance of the model is twofold: operators' acceptance is measured by its capacity to deliver Business, Operational, and Technical Excellence, while end-user acceptance hinges on a seamless charging experience.the target is to establish a new conceptual service model that bridges the gaps of unfulfillments and enhances the EV charging journey on customer satisfaction, technology acceptance, and operational effectiveness. In addition, key practical solutions are offered for Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and E-Mobility Service Providers (EMSPs) to deliver a seamless and user-centric charging experience
Influence of pH-Driven Synthesis on the Performance of NiO as a Hole Transport Layer in Perovskite Solar Cells
No full textThe hole transporting layers (HTL) is a fundamental layer in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) structures. Generally HTL composed of PEDOT:PSS material that has a drawback of a high cost, lengthy synthesis process, and insufficient stability. Nickel oxide (NiO) as an inorganic HTL has been emphasized in PSCs owing to low cost, solution-based processing and the good band alignment. This study presents the effect of synthesized NiO at different pH values (9-12) using a spin-coating method annealed at 500 ºC, 600 ºC, and 700 ºC. The in-depth characterization of the synthesized NiO was executed by XRD, SEM and FTIR to investigate their structural, element composition and morphological. According to XRD findings, all the prominent diffraction peaks of NiO at 37.2º, 43.36º, 63.04º, and 75.51º were observed only in pH 11. The SEM revealed the surface morphology of pH 11 have good coverage with less agglomeration of particles as compared to other pH values. A strong absorption peak was observed in FTIR analysis (400cm-1 to 600cm-1), ascribed to the presence of NiO vibration. Based on these findings, NiO produced at pH 11 annealed at 700 ºC exhibited promising characteristics, suitable for HTL in PSCs
A New Assessment of Drought Risks on Economic and Social Sectors in Sukhothai Province, Thailand
No full textThis research introduces a novel approach to assess multiple drought risks through the development of a comprehensive Drought Risk Index (CRI). This index is developed by multiplying a newly formulated Multiple Drought Hazard Index (MDHI) with a Combined Vulnerability Index (CVI) and a Combined Exposure Index (CEI). The MDHI accounts for the impacts of meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural droughts, while the CVI and CEI encompass combined economic and social dimensions. The computed drought risk maps delineate various risk levels across the Sukhothai Province from 2007 to 2020. Given data limitations, the observed drought damages in the area are utilized to estimate vulnerability. The economic analysis predominantly focuses on agricultural losses, whereas the social analysis examines the impacts on affected populations, households, particularly females, children, those in poverty, and the aging population. Economic exposure is assessed based on the values of agricultural products while social exposure is based on population density, households and vulnerable social contents. Analysis of drought risk maps spanning 2007 to 2020 reveals a consistent escalation in drought-affected areas, transitioning from absence of drought to severe occurrences over the decades. Evaluating direct impacts in monetary terms and the number of affected population and households provides valuable insights into the historical and present-day ramifications of droughts. This study pioneers a novel methodology for drought risk assessment, aiming to adapt and mitigate potential future drought impacts
Vulnerability of the Upper Coast of the Gulf of Thailand
No full textMangrove forests are vital ecosystems as they serve as a vital link between terrestrial and marine environments. They act as natural barriers against winds, waves, and erosion, protecting coastlines. Therefore, this study focuses on the extensive mangrove forest as one of the factors in assessing the coastal vulnerability index in the upper Gulf of Thailand. Geographic information systems (GIS) were utilized to analyze the levels of vulnerability, which were divided into five categories, ranging from very low vulnerability (level 1) to very high vulnerability (level 5). The study considered seven variables influencing vulnerability, including coastal slope, shoreline change rate, significant wave height, mean sea level rise, land use, population density, and mangrove forest width. The results of the study indicate that the majority of the coastline has a very low vulnerability level, covering an area of approximately 42.19 square kilometers (41.5% of the total area). The next level is high vulnerability, covering an area of 19.60 square kilometers (19.3% of the total area). The moderate vulnerability level covers approximately 15.85 square kilometers (15.6% of the total area). The low vulnerability level covers an area of about 14.04 square kilometers (13.8% of the total area). Lastly, the very high vulnerability level covers an area of 9.88 square kilometers (9.7% of the total area). The variables that have the most influence on the high vulnerability level are mangrove forest width, population density, and land use, in that order. This study provides valuable information for integrated coastal zone management to ensure the long-term sustainability of coastal areas
Evaluation of Building Performance Against Large Subduction Earthquakes Incorporating Ground Response and Structural Dynamics Analysis
No full textThis study presents an integrated methodology combining ground response and structural dynamics analysis to analyse the earthquake-induced impacts on the resilience of the Integrated Laboratory building at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Bengkulu, during significant earthquakes. The investigation begins by conducting a site characterisation to collect geological data for the study location. A seismic ground response analysis is performed to assess ground motion at the pile tip, followed by the propagation of earthquake waves to evaluate the response of structures to earthquakes. Weak structures are identified through stress ratio evaluation, and retrofitting techniques are applied to enhance their load-bearing capacity. The results indicate that retrofitting has a significant improvement in structural performance. The study highlights the importance of combining ground response and structural dynamics analysis to enhance the safety and durability of buildings in earthquake-prone areas