4,380 research outputs found
Evolutionary data division methods for developing artificial neural network models in geotechnical engineering
No full textIn recent years, artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been applied to many geotechnical engineering problems and have demonstrated some degree of success. In the majority of these applications, data division is carried out on an arbitrary basis. However, the way the data are divided can have a significant effect on model performance. In this report, the relationship between the statistical properties of training, testing and validation sets and model performance and the effect of the proportion of data used for training, testing and validation on model performance are investigated for the case study of predicting the settlement of shallow foundations on cohesionless soils. In addition, a novel approach for data division, which is based on a self-organising map, is introduced and evaluated for the above case study. The results obtained indicate that the statistical properties of the data in the training, testing and validation sets need to be taken into account to ensure that optimal model performance is achieved. The data division method introduced in this paper is found to negate the need to choose which proportion of the data to use for training, testing and validation and to ensure that each of the subsets are representative of the available data.M A Shahin, H R Maier, M B Jaks
Gender and Engineering Identity among Upper-Division Undergraduate Students
No full textThe construction industry’s long-term health depends upon continued efforts to understand historically excluded students’ attrition from engineering programs. For women, lack of identification with engineering may motivate their departure. Because professional persistence relates to engineering identity, it benefits attrition interventions to understand this identity development. Focusing upon students demonstrating some persistence in engineering, this research examines if and how engineering identity differs across gender among upper-division undergraduates. Surveying 11 American public university civil and construction engineering programs, the authors capture how central engineering is to self-concept, how positively students view engineers and perceive others to view engineers, and how students feel they belong. Using structural equation modeling, the authors find that among upper-division students and compared with cis men, cis women more strongly define themselves as engineers, are more confident of their place among fellow engineers, and feel more positively about engineers. A stronger engineering identity may help cis women cope with marginalization and may be limited to the upper-division undergraduate years. This study offers guidance for sustaining upper-division cis women’s strong engineering identity.This is a manuscript of the article Published as Hamlet, Leigh C., Arkajyoti Roy, Giovanna Scalone, Regina Lee, Cristina Poleacovschi, and Jessica Kaminsky. "Gender and engineering identity among upper-division undergraduate students." Journal of Management in Engineering 37, no. 2 (2021): 04020113. doi: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000876. © 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers
Remote sensing in civil engineering.
No full textA book written for practising engineers, civil engineers, geologists and surveyors. After an introduction examines; photographic systems, scanning systems, digital processing, applications in civil engineering, topographic mapping, regional planning, site investigations, highway engineering, environmental engineering and water resource engineering. The 11 chapters are separately abstracted in Geographical Abstracts G.-after Author
A Decision Support Tool for the Valuation of Variations on Civil Engineering Projects
No full textThe valuation of variations has been recognised as a prime cause of conflict and dispute in construction management. Such disputes often concern the prices and/or rates to be applied to the varied works. Previous research has identified the subjectivity of the decision-maker in interpreting the valuation rules to be the major problem, particularly with regard to defining the work conditions and/or characteristics during a variation event. Findings of a survey, conducted to elicit the views and perceptions of experienced practitioners towards interpreting the valuation rules are presented. The development of a decision-making tool based on a robust framework for valuing variations in civil engineering projects is described. The tool was developed by analysing changes in various decision attributes. The result of the changes was then mapped to relevant sets developed using fuzzy-logic principles. Various operators were used to perform the fuzzy-aggregation operation. The modelling technique was demonstrated to be reliable in replicating the decision-making process performed by experienced practitioners. As such is considered a suitable aid for decision-making involved in valuing variations on civil engineering works. The results of the analysis reported here have suggested the fuzzy-logic as an appropriate tool to model human decision-making, particularly in valuing variations on civil engineering works. This is considered an essential progress of the current study in modelling human decision-making process, particularly since there are so many unknown aspects associated with such a process. The modelling technique successfully developed here is then used as the main algorithm for decision-making in the subsequently developed Knowledge Based System (KBS) which is intended to assist practitioners minimise conflict and dispute arising from the valuation of variations
Safety effectiveness of pedestrian crossing enhancements
No full textsubmitted by Christopher M. Monsere, Ph.D., P.E., Associate Professor, Portland State University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Miguel Figliozzi, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Portland State University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering ; for Oregon Department of Transportation, Research Section.Title from PDF title page (viewed on April 10, 2020).Covers OCLC #1149991068."SPR# 778."This archived document is maintained by the State Library of Oregon as part of the Oregon Documents Depository Program. It is for informational purposes and may not be suitable for legal purposes.Mode of access: Internet from the Oregon Government Publications Collection.Text in English
Use of FRP in civil engineering systems
No full textThe aim of this report is to explain and evaluate how Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) are being utilized in civil engineering systems. The use of FRPs in Civil Engineering Systems is growing. As FRPs are light-weight, resistant to corrosion and have high strength, civil engineers are beginning to shift their focus towards FRPs instead of conventional construction materials such as concrete and steel. FRPs are therefore widely utilized in reinforcing bars, seismic retrofitting of concrete columns, rehabilitation of deteriorating concrete structures and hybrid bridge decks.
In this report, the emphasis is on Carbon and Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs, GFRPs respectively). CFRPs will be under the purview of the author while GFRPs will be covered by Mr. POON BUKCHENG. Single-layer unidirectional (0° or 90°) and multi-layer cross-ply (0°/90°, 0°/90°/0°, 90°/0°/90°) laminates will undergo tensile tests using the Instron 5900R machine to determine the ultimate tensile strength, failure strain, Young’s Modulus and Poisson’s Ratio of CFRPs. The orientation and layers of fibre plays a significant role in the material properties of FRPs. Experimental results show that 0° single layer unidirectional CFRP laminates are sufficient in ensuring that the ultimate tensile strength of concrete structures is improved with a negligible reduction in ductility.
FRPs are gradually gaining acceptance from civil engineers and authorities worldwide. They are now widely used in the strengthening of deteriorating civil infrastructures. Universities and training schools will need to be updated with the latest developments in FRPs. These improvements will lead to greater usage of FRPs in civil engineering systems.Bachelor of Engineering (Civil
Risk factors for pedestrian and bicycle crashes
No full textsubmitted by Christopher M. Monsere, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Portland State University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Haizhong Wang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Oregon State University, School of Civil and Construction Engineering ; for Oregon Department of Transportation, Research Unit.Title from PDF title page (viewed on April 8, 2020)."Project Number SPR 779."Covers OCLC #1149151502.This archived document is maintained by the State Library of Oregon as part of the Oregon Documents Depository Program. It is for informational purposes and may not be suitable for legal purposes.Mode of access: Internet from the Oregon Government Publications Collection.Text in English
Calibration of LRFD resistance factor for the wave equation analysis of pile driving program
No full textsubmitted by Trevor Smith, Professor, Portland State University, Civil and Environmental Engineering ; for Oregon Department of Transportation, Research Unit.Title from PDF title page (viewed on April 6, 2020)."SPR 683."Covers OCLC #1149067582.This archived document is maintained by the State Library of Oregon as part of the Oregon Documents Depository Program. It is for informational purposes and may not be suitable for legal purposes.Mode of access: Internet from the Oregon Government Publications Collection.Text in English
Application of proteomics in environmental science
No full text10.1007/s11783-009-0145-xFrontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering in China34393-40
The supply chain response to environmental pressures
No full textThesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program; and, Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (p. 131-135).Understanding and shaping the relationship between supply chain management and the natural environment is critical not only to human health and the environment, but to the future success of business. While the cumulative environmental impacts of industrial production are best addressed at the supply chain level, little research has connected the overall context of supply chain management, including the characteristics of environmental pressures and market drivers, to a general approach for developing operational supply chain processes that may deliver environmental and economic performance improvements. Findings from a series of semi-structured interviews indicate that there are four sources of environmental pressure currently affecting supply chain management in unique ways. These include regulations, customer demands, resources, and ethical responsibility. Corporations that are better able to identify and understand these impacts will be better positioned to address them strategically. A framework of supply chain environmental excellence is presented to illustrate how corporations may integrate environmental operating models, operational objectives, and new supply chain processes into a comprehensive corporate strategy.(cont.) A case study of the emergence of reverse supply chains within the electronics industry illustrates why supply chain processes should be developed in a context defined by environmental pressures and market drivers. As the electronics industry is faced with environmental pressure from evolving regulatory directives, liability concerns, and social responsibility demands, leading companies are researching and piloting reverse processes to varying extents. Findings from a second series of industry interviews reveal a number of regulatory, behavioral, and economic trends and challenges that collectively shape both strategic considerations for individual corporations and the overall supply chain capabilities of the industry.by Julie Rebecca Paquette.S.M
- …
