Journal of Brilliant Engineering (BEN)

Md. Mahbur Rahman Md Abu Sayed Md. Shefat Islam Md. Emran Ali

According to the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC), there are around 55 earthquakes each day around the planet, for a total of 20,000 annually. Fortunately, most are too weak to inflict harm; nevertheless, bigger earthquakes, depending on location and other conditions, can result in casualties, injuries, and property damage especially in earth earthquake-prone regions like Bangladesh, which is located where the India-Burma-Eurasia plates meet, confronts considerable seismic dangers, particularly in areas such as Bogura, which are classified as seismic zone III. This study assesses the seismic susceptibility of reinforced concrete (RC) structures in Bogura, Bangladesh, utilizing the Tier 1 technique of the Turkish Seismic susceptibility Assessment Method, which is based on FEMA's (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) procedure. The study intends to improve earthquake resilience in Jahurul Nagar, a densely populated neighborhood of Bogura, by providing insights into efficient urban planning and risk mitigation techniques. Field observations of 408 buildings examined features such as soft storeys, heavy overhangs, pounding consequences, and soil characteristics. Heavy overhangs (41%), pounding possibilities (58%), short columns (27%), and soft stories (27%) were highlighted as key vulnerabilities. The study classified examined buildings as safe, moderate, or unsafe, indicating different levels of seismic susceptibility. Low-rise buildings performed better overall, however mid- and high-rise structures demonstrated major risks. These findings highlight the need for targeted measures to improve the seismic resilience of RC buildings in Bogura, particularly taller structures, in order to effectively limit possible seismic risks.

https://doi.org/10.36937/ben.2025.4972

Ömer Kaya Merve Pınar Öztürk

The effect of road damages on the road surface on driver safety and comfort depends on the damping mechanism of the vehicle. Since micro mobility vehicles have small wheels, road damage affects them with varying severity. This study aims to determine road damage based on the response of bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters to the road surface. In order to achieve this goal, firstly synthetic data approach is adopted. There are 10 000 samples in this data set and it was produced on Google Colab based on Python. These samples simulate data collected with a three-axis accelerometer. In order for the road damage distributions to represent the real world, flat roads (undamaged), cracks and potholes are determined as 7 000, 2 000 and 1 000 samples, respectively. In order to prevent the distribution from being biased and to eliminate the overfitting problem, unbalanced class distribution and sensor noise are simulated. Random Forest algorithm is used for the classification of damages. The classification accuracy rate of the damages is 95%. In addition, the K-Means clustering algorithm helps analyse how each micro mobility vehicle type responds to road damages. The Silhouette Score is 0.543, which shows how intertwined the clusters are and how separate they are from each other. The results confirm that the proposed approach integrates well with real-world data. To validate model performance, researchers should collect real accelerometer data alongside simulated data.

https://doi.org/10.36937/ben.2025.4980

Ahmed Mancy Mosa Lubna Abdulrahman

Highways are the main facility among the transportation modes. Pavement represents the main component in the road as it provide comfortable and safe riding surface to the vehicles. Rigid pavements is sometimes preferred over flexible pavements due to its long service life and its capability to accommodate heavy traffic loading. Therefore, constructing rigid pavements with high quality is an essential concept. However, bad conditions if occur during construction process can reduce the quality of pavements and lead to sever damages in its structure which may require costly remedies sometimes reaches to removal and reconstruction. Understanding of all conditions, their effects, their precautions, and effective actions to overcome their influences is a complicated process which require wide expertise. Such expertise may not always available in the site of construction. Absence of expertise may lead to incorrect decision by novices which can lead to huge losses in time, money, and efforts. Therefore, providing an advisory system to help the novices in the site of construction can control such problems. This study aims to develop this system. To attain the objective of this study, the domain knowledge extracted from different references such as books, journals, and guides as well as the expertise of experts in the domain of pavements engineering. The extracted knowledge covered 7 problems, their cause, and the effective actions that must be taken to control those problems. The extracted knowledge was refined and represented in form of rules. Afterward, the represented knowledge was coded in software. The software included 3 main components. First, the graphical interface which is responsible of communication with the user (pavements engineer) via input-output process to evaluate the problem and to suggest the effective actions. Second, the working memory which represents the data structure; it changes with each problem situation, which makes it the most dynamic component of the system, assuming that it is updated. Third, the inference engine which controls the mechanism that organizes the problem data and searches the knowledge base for applicable rules. The inference engine reaches a conclusion by matching appropriate rules under a set of specific facts. The developed system can be used by site engineers to overcome domain problems which can save efforts and money. It can be adopted as a media to archive and to transfer knowledge

https://doi.org/10.36937/ben.2025.4982

Naci Büyükkaracığan

Ponds and dam lakes constructed for various purposes can alter the local climate by influencing the climate factors of the region. The exchange of heat and mass between large water bodies and air masses leads to microclimatic changes. The environmental and climatological effects of such projects are analyzed through long-term meteorological measurements. Water resource projects play a critical role in areas like agriculture, energy production, and drinking water supply, while also having significant impacts on ecosystems and climate. Specifically, dams and ponds can contribute to environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, disruptions in the hydrological cycle, and greenhouse gas emissions. However, with careful planning and management, these projects can also provide environmental benefits. Developing strategies to maintain ecological balance and adopting sustainable water management policies are essential. Therefore, comprehensive assessments should be conducted during the planning phase of water resource projects, taking into account their long-term environmental and climatological effects. This approach would allow for the most efficient use of water resources without harming natural ecosystems. This study examines the Güneysınır Pond and Irrigation Project, located in the Konya Basin in Turkey and managed by the State Hydraulic Works (DSI). The goal is to assess the ecological, hydrological, and climatological impacts of the Güneysınır Pond and propose measures to ensure environmental sustainability. Among the hydrogeological effects of the pond are the rise in groundwater levels and changes in surface flow regimes. While it contributes to agricultural production by increasing irrigation capacity, uncontrolled water management can lead to problems such as erosion and soil salinity. Therefore, measures should be taken to minimize the environmental impacts of the Güneysınır Pond, and sustainable water management policies should be implemented.

https://doi.org/10.36937/ben.2025.4989

ABDULKADİR CÜNEYT AYDIN AYSAN ARDALANI

Semi-rigid connections in steel structures represent an essential design element that bridges the gap between fully rigid and simple pinned connections, significantly influencing the structural performance of steel frames. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the behavior, classification, and design considerations of semi-rigid connections, addressing their mechanical properties, historical development, and practical applications. The study explores moment-rotation relationships, load transfer mechanisms, and the effects of connection stiffness on structural stability. Additionally, analytical and numerical models for semi-rigid connections are reviewed, highlighting advancements in finite element modeling and component-based approaches. Experimental validation, including moment-rotation testing and structural response assessments, is discussed to reinforce theoretical findings. Case studies demonstrate the successful implementation of semi-rigid connections in industrial buildings, bridges, and large infrastructure projects, showcasing their advantages in terms of flexibility, energy dissipation, and seismic resilience. The paper also examines future trends in semi-rigid connection design, emphasizing the role of advanced materials, computational modeling, and innovative construction techniques. By integrating theoretical insights with practical applications, this research provides a foundational framework for engineers and researchers seeking to optimize the design and performance of semi-rigid connections in modern steel structures.

https://doi.org/10.36937/ben.2025.4990