This study evaluates the static and seismic stability of the Narasimharaya Sagar (Gorukallu Balancing Reservoir) earthen dam, located in India’s seismically active Zone II. Using GeoStudio software, seepage, slope stability, and liquefaction analyses were conducted to assess the dam’s performance under static and dynamic conditions. Static analysis revealed factors of safety above permissible limits, ensuring stability under normal conditions. Seismic analysis, incorporating ground shaking with a peak acceleration of 0.1 g, highlighted significant displacements (0.984 m) and a reduced factor of safety (FOS) (1.279), approaching the allowable threshold. Liquefaction zones were identified, particularly in the back shell, indicating a high vulnerability to seismic‐induced shear strength loss. To address these risks, geosynthetic reinforcements were applied, with optimized configurations (horizontal layers, 4 m vertical spacing, 20 m length) improving the FOS to 1.503. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of geosynthetics in mitigating soil liquefaction and enhancing seismic resilience, providing a robust framework for improving the safety of earthen dams in earthquake‐prone regions.

Cement used as binding material in concrete has significant impact on environment due to the emission of NO2, SO2, CO, CO2, dioxins, furans and particulate matter. The average values of NO2 and SO2 emissions are 117.09 and 1154.82 μg/m3, respectively. About 1 ton of carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere in the production process of 1 ton of cement. Therefore, there is a scope for developing sustainable and cost‐effective concrete for the construction industry. This research presents the potential uses of sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) as a replacement for ordinary portland cement (OPC). Four different percentages (0%, 3%, 6% and 9%) by weight of SBA were used as the replacement for cement to prepare 20 MPa concrete. Firstly, the properties of cement with different percentages of SBA were determined experimentally. The initial and final setting time, normal consistency and the compressive strength at 3, 7 and 28 days curing period were measured in the laboratory. Secondly, a total of 12 cylindrical specimens with different percentages by weight of SBA were prepared and tested at 28‐day curing period. Test results showed that a 3% replacement of OPC with SBA met standard requirements for setting time, normal consistency, and compressive strength. Notably, the compressive strength of concrete increased significantly at the 3% SBA level compared to the control mix. Economic analysis revealed that using 3% SBA could reduce costs by 87 BDT per cubic metre of concrete. For a practical highway project in Rajshahi City Corporation, this replacement translated into a relative slab thickness of a rigid pavement of 29 mm and a relative cost of 82.23%. These findings demonstrate that SBA possesses cementitious properties and can serve as an eco‐friendly alternative material while reducing construction costs.

Clay firing and cement production have demonstrated significant environmental impacts during conventional masonry unit manufacture. Additionally, conventional masonry walls containing natural aggregate generally exhibit poor thermal performance. This study investigated one‐part geopolymer cement and expanded vermiculite (EV) as a potential alternative low carbon binder and thermally insulating lightweight aggregate, respectively. This study developed the ambient‐cured fly ash (FA) and slag‐blended one‐part geopolymer concrete alternative masonry unit (AMU), substituted with EV at 15% by volume of the sand and synthesised by solid sodium hydroxide, sodium metasilicate pentahydrate and calcium hydroxide. The AMU microstructure, mechanical properties, density, durability properties, wall thermal properties, cost analysis and lifecycle assessment were investigated. With EV, the 28‐day strength decreased from 13.2 to 12.9 MPa, the elastic modulus reduced from 20.8 to 10.6 GPa, density reductions were observed, the water absorption (WA) increased by 33% in cold water, and 13% in boiled water, and the initial rate of absorption (IRA) increased from 0.16 to 0.34 kg/m2/min. The overall shrinkage was reduced by 40%, efflorescence was minimal and the thermal resistance decreased from 0.108 to 0.101 m2°C/W. While the cost of the AMU showed to be roughly two to four times higher than conventional masonry units, the cradle‐to‐grave carbon footprint was reduced by 79% and 85% when compared to conventional cement‐based and fired clay‐based masonry units, respectively. Overall, despite higher costs, the AMUs showcase acceptable strength and durability and offer significant carbon footprint reductions for sustainable masonry construction.

Squeezing in tunnels is a major problem in tunnel engineering that involves cost and occupational safety risks as well as changes in tunnel shape. Accurate estimation of squeezing is important in the early stages of tunnel design and in terms of solving problems during construction. Previous studies on tunnel estimation evaluated tunnels under high overburden thickness. This study focused on tunnels excavated in schists with high tectonic effects, less than 300 m overburden, and weak rock masses. Within the scope of the study, an empirical expression is proposed, which provides fast and simple calculation opportunities. In the correlation, rock mass quality Q, maximum in‐situ stress (σmax) calculated with k value, and support stiffness (Kmax) were used as main parameters. The equation was obtained employing 342 different cases in four different tunnels constructed in schists subjected to high tectonic effects. While obtaining the empirical equation, calculations were performed with regression coefficients ranging from 0.01 to 0.99 in the “polynomial regression curvefit method,” one of the machine learning methods. As a result, it was determined that the empirical equation obtained with a regression coefficient of 0.21 predicted the tunnel squeezing condition with over 80% accuracy. In addition, it was determined that the proposed empirical equation also provides a usable approach for strain estimation. The empirical equation proposed in the study offers a new approach in predicting squeezing in tunnels where the overburden thickness and rock quality are low and tectonic effects are high, and it is recommended to expand its scope for different tunnel conditions.

To realize the comprehensive intelligent upgrade of the Three Gorges Dam safety intelligent monitoring system (IMS), we focus on three core pillars real‐time information processing, professional analytical evaluation, and digital management control systematically overcoming critical technical bottlenecks. By deeply integrating artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IOT), big data analysis, and geographic information system + building information modeling (GIS + BIM) ecosystems, we conducted a holistic diagnosis of existing monitoring systems to precisely identify operational pain points. Leveraging our proprietary innovations, including a GIS + BIM digital base, smart algorithm matrix, and BIM‐based finite element computing system, we successfully developed the Three Gorges Dam intelligent monitoring platform, delivering five core value propositions: (1) Achieve real‐time and historical aggregation of comprehensive data with dam safety management as the core, fully encompassing various types of environmental monitoring data. (2) Utilizing “GIS + BIM” as the technical foundation, construct a digital twin geometric model of the hub monitoring physical world, enabling intuitive and precise representation of engineering status. (3) Implement online rapid structural calculation, analysis, and early warning based on “BIM + Finite Element” technology, providing timely and reliable support for safety decision‐making. (4) Establish a monitoring data analysis model through machine learning intelligent algorithms, deeply mining data value to enable intelligent prediction of potential safety hazards. (5) Promote digital transformation of manual inspection workflows using “IOT + Micro‐INS” technology, enhancing inspection efficiency and accuracy. Additionally, our workflow engine ensures full‐process digital collaboration across safety monitoring operations, guaranteeing seamless interdepartmental coordination. These innovations have not only enhanced safety management efficiency but also cemented the Three Gorges Dam’s global leadership in hydraulic engineering. As a landmark achievement in national strategic infrastructure, it exemplifies the digital transformation of mega‐scale engineering projects in the modern era.

The use of fiber‐reinforced composite materials for the reinforcement and repair of reinforced concrete (RC) structures offers several technical advantages, including lightweight properties, high strength, and ease of construction. This paper presents a bending performance test on RC beams that are close to yielding damage, utilizing carbon fiber cloth for reinforcement. The study explores and analyzes the bending load capacity, short‐term stiffness, and reliability of damaged RC beams strengthened with carbon fiber cloth. Key factors influencing the bending load capacity of these damaged concrete beams include the height coefficient of the compression zone, steel reinforcement ratio, utilization factor of carbon fiber cloth strength, and failure modes. A calculation method is proposed for determining the bending load capacity of cracked damaged RC beams after unloading with carbon fiber cloth reinforcement; this method demonstrates high accuracy. Considering initial loading conditions, we analyze the variation in sectional stiffness due to carbon fiber cloth reinforcement in damaged concrete beams and establish a simplified calculation formula for their short‐term stiffness. The reliability of reinforced damaged RC beams is related to factors such as the amount of reinforcement applied, elastic modulus of carbon fiber cloth, and performance indicators associated with its guaranteed strength values. Results indicate that applying carbon fiber cloth can effectively enhance the bending load capacity of damaged RC beams. Furthermore, as additional layers are added during strengthening processes, both bending load capacity and short‐term stiffness increase progressively. The results from our proposed calculation formulas align well with experimental values while maintaining high precision. Utilizing structural reliability theory methods through calculations analyzing reliability indices reveals that reinforcing damaged RC beams with carbon fiber cloth significantly improves their reliability metrics. When Mk loading approaches My during unloading strengthening—while keeping other factors constant—the reliability index gradually increases alongside improvements in both performance indicator values related to guaranteed strength levels and additional layers used in strengthening efforts.

High‐pressure water jet reaming and permeability enhancement technology is a widely used technology in the field of coal mining, especially in the mining of low‐permeability soft outburst coal seams. This technology can effectively improve the permeability of coal seams and reduce the safety risk in the mining process. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the application and effect of high‐pressure water jet reaming and permeability‐increasing technology in the mining of low‐permeability soft outburst coal seams. ANSYS is used to simulate the rotating jet, and the three‐dimensional modeling of the nozzles is carried out to study the influence of the impeller guide angle on the jet diffusion angle. Considering the diffusion angle and hydraulic energy loss of the jet, it is considered that the impeller guide angle of 45° is more suitable for field application requirements. The influence of jet distance on the punching effect of a high‐pressure rotating water jet was studied by laboratory experiments. By analyzing the relationship between rock‐breaking depth, reaming diameter, and jet distance, the rock‐breaking depth and reaming diameter decreased with the increase of jet distance under submerged conditions. The best structural characteristics of the high‐pressure rotary water jet nozzle were identified by numerical modeling and laboratory testing, and the equipment and technology for safety assurance were matched. The implementation of three‐dimensional high‐pressure jet reaming and slotted permeability‐increasing technology in engineering may greatly enhance the pure gas flow and gas concentration during the extraction of gas from low‐permeability coal seams. It accomplishes the purpose of raising permeability and coalbed methane generation in low‐permeability coal seams and has a clear strengthening extraction impact.

Construction delays (CDs) pose persistent challenges in building projects, leading to budget and schedule overruns. This study aimed to investigate the root causes of CD in Somaliland, and ranks the factors based on significance. A cross‐sectional study design was employed to collect quantitative data through questionnaires and qualitative insights through interviews with key industry stakeholders. In total, 95 delay factors were considered and 41 were selected through preliminary screening. Among the 41 tested factors the critical top 10 factors were identified. It is found that poor construction site management is the first significant cause of delay in projects (relative importance index, RII = 0.863). The escalation of material prices secured the second position (RII = 0.834). The lack of capable consultants takes the third rank (RII = 0.833). Poor resource management by contractors and low labor productivity, inadequate early planning, take the fourth, fifth, and sixth ranks, respectively. Interview findings agree with these results, highlighting poor construction management practices, delay in payments, poor cash‐flow managements, inadequate project planning, and material price escalation, lack of capable consultants, weather conditions, and inaccurate project estimations. In conclusion, poor site management, escalation of materials price, lack of capable consultants, low productivity of labor, lack of supervision, inadequate early planning of the project, delay in payment, and poor cash‐flow management are critical factors requiring attention to improve timely completion. Therefore, the stakeholders in Somaliland and similar contexts can proactively work on assigning the right person in the right position, develop a comprehensive project plan that includes a detailed resource allocation strategy, clearly define the scope of work for consultants, including their responsibilities, deliverables, and project milestones, and conduct regular inspections of the site to identify any potential issues or deviations from the project plan. Additionally, the project clients should ensure timely payment, and the contractors should enhance their cash‐flow management.

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is one of the modern vehicle digitalization inventions over the world. It automatically adjusts the speed of a subject vehicle to match the speed of the vehicle in front of the subject vehicle. The ACC systems will be the more advanced driving assistant techniques in the next generation of Bangladesh. Therefore, a broad review on the ACC systems has been performed in the present study. In this study, the past researches on ACC systems over the world, the present scenario of ACC systems in Bangladesh, and future challenges in Bangladesh to implement ACC systems have been studied in detail. From the study, it is noticed that ACC systems were used in the world in the very beginning of 1995. These systems have been paid high attention to reduce the accident and accidental death rate, to save the energy, to reduce the impacts on the environment, and to fulfill the sustainable development goals (SDGs) declared by the United Nations (UN). It was first imported to Bangladesh in 2015, but most of the drivers do not feel comfortable on applying it. Studies have found some drawbacks of the ACC systems in banking of roads, turning points on roads, and making drivers less conscious. The system also has some issues in terms of traffic flow stability and control over lane positions. This article also attempts to summarize the current road condition, workability of ACC systems, drawbacks of ACC, the traffic flow stability, and existing challenges for ACC systems in Bangladesh’s road conditions.