Ali Akbar Firoozi

University of Botswana | UB · Department of Civil Engineering

Background: The East African Fracture Zone (EAFZ) stands as a testament to the dynamic forces of Earth, marked by heightened seismic activity that frequently triggers geotechnical disasters such as landslides and rockfalls. Traditionally, the study of earthquake-induced geological risks has been reactive, with a focus on post-incident analysis. Whi...

This manuscript delves into the transformative advancements in wind turbine blade technology, emphasizing the integration of innovative materials, dynamic aerodynamic designs, and sustainable manufacturing practices. Through an exploration of the evolution from traditional materials to cutting-edge composites, the paper highlights how these develop...

This chapter introduces the revolutionary integration of neuromorphic computing into civil engineering, marking a significant shift toward intelligent and adaptive infrastructure capable of addressing modern urban challenges. It outlines the theoretical framework that supports the application of neuromorphic computing to enhance urban resilience an...

This chapter examines the real-world application of neuromorphic computing within civil engineering through detailed case studies. These selected examples demonstrate how neuromorphic technologies tackle complex challenges in smart infrastructure, enhancing system resilience, efficiency, and adaptability. From optimizing smart grids and traffic sys...

This chapter delves into the practical aspects of incorporating neuromorphic computing into smart infrastructure, outlining systematic approaches for planning, deployment, scaling, and ongoing management. The chapter is structured to guide practitioners through the critical phases of implementation, from the initial conceptualization, which involve...

This chapter delves into the fundamentals of neuromorphic computing, a revolutionary approach that emulates the human brain’s neural architecture to enhance computational systems. This chapter explores the core components such as artificial neurons and synapses and introduces spiking neural networks (SNNs) that mimic biological processes. It discus...

The exploration of neuromorphic computing within the realm of civil engineering and smart infrastructure throughout this book reveals a landscape teeming with possibilities, challenges, and ethical considerations. As we stand on the cusp of a new era in engineering and urban development, the integration of neuromorphic computing technologies offers...

This chapter provides a comprehensive framework for the ethical design and development of neuromorphic computing systems within civil engineering. It outlines guidelines that emphasize transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and dedication to the public good. By implementing these guidelines, practitioners can ensure that neuromorphic computing...

This chapter delves into the transformative role of intelligent learning algorithms in enhancing smart infrastructure within civil engineering. Focusing on the automation of complex decision-making processes, these algorithms significantly improve the efficiency, resilience, and adaptability of infrastructure systems. Through a progressive examinat...

This chapter explores the pivotal role of innovative circuits and memory technologies in advancing neuromorphic computing. As the foundation of neuromorphic systems, these technologies enable the replication of complex neural behaviors and functions of the human brain, pushing the boundaries of computational efficiency and adaptability. The chapter...

While neuromorphic computing holds transformative potential for civil engineering, significant challenges hinder its full-scale implementation, and emerging trends promise to reshape its future applications. This chapter addresses the multifaceted challenges currently faced, such as system complexity, integration difficulties, scalability concerns,...

This chapter explores the essential strategies for managing risks and developing contingency plans in the integration of neuromorphic computing within civil engineering projects. Focused on ensuring the resilience and reliability of smart infrastructure, this chapter outlines systematic methods for risk assessment, identification, mitigation, and c...

This chapter explores the transformative integration of neuromorphic computing with smart infrastructure within the field of civil engineering, marking a significant evolution from traditional static structures to dynamic, intelligent systems. It delves into how neuromorphic computing enhances the functionality, resilience, and adaptability of urba...

As we conclude this exploration of neuromorphic computing’s transformative potential within the realms of civil engineering and disaster management, it is evident that we stand on the cusp of a technological revolution. This book has traversed the intricate landscape of neuromorphic computing, from its theoretical underpinnings and practical applic...

As neuromorphic computing advances and finds applications in civil engineering and disaster management, it introduces a host of ethical, legal, and policy challenges. This chapter examines the critical issues surrounding privacy, equity, and accountability that arise from deploying sophisticated computing technologies. It highlights the necessity f...

This chapter delves into the theoretical underpinnings of neuromorphic computing, tracing its development from conceptual foundations to advanced implementations. It highlights the evolution from traditional computing architectures to systems that emulate the brain’s neural architecture and processing style. Significant attention is given to spikin...

This chapter showcases the practical applications and transformative potential of neuromorphic computing in the realm of civil engineering and disaster management through detailed case studies. These real-world examples illuminate how neuromorphic computing enhances the prediction, mitigation, and management of natural disasters. Covering diverse s...

This chapter delves into the groundbreaking advancements brought by neuromorphic computing to the field of disaster management, particularly in the realm of natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and urban fires. Through the implementation of neuromorphic computing, predictive models gain unprecedented levels of speed, accuracy, and efficiency...

This chapter explores the critical role of disaster management within the field of civil engineering, a discipline integral to protecting lives, safeguarding infrastructure, and maintaining community continuity in the face of natural and man-made disasters. Covering the historical development and current practices in disaster management, it emphasi...

This chapter investigates the integration of neuromorphic computing into intelligent decision-making frameworks within disaster management. These frameworks harness the sophisticated capabilities of neuromorphic systems to process vast and varied datasets in real-time, facilitating rapid and precise decision-making during emergencies. The chapter o...

This chapter delves into the complex ethical, legal, and policy challenges introduced by the integration of neuromorphic computing into civil engineering and disaster management. It discusses the pivotal need for rigorous standards and frameworks to navigate issues of privacy, data protection, and equitable access. The chapter highlights how neurom...

The escalating global housing crisis necessitates innovative solutions that streamline construction processes while enhancing sustainability and reducing costs. This paper explores the transformative potential of 3D printing technologies in the construction of affordable housing within the field of civil engineering. By examining the technical, eco...

The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents transformative opportunities for geotechnical engineering, fundamentally reshaping the monitoring and maintenance of infrastructure. This paper delves into the synergistic application of IoT sensors and AI algorithms to facilitate real-time monitoring, predict...

Amid rising global demand for sustainable energy, wind energy emerges as a crucial renewable resource, with the aerodynamic optimization of wind turbine blades playing a key role in enhancing energy efficiency. This systematic review scrutinizes recent advancements in blade aerodynamics, focusing on the integration of cutting-edge aerodynamic profi...

This chapter explores the dynamic interplay between Climate-Related Financial Regulations and Geotechnical Engineering, focusing on the resultant impacts, challenges, and opportunities. In an era marked by escalating climate concerns, these regulations have increasingly begun to shape practices across various sectors, particularly in geotechnical e...

The burgeoning demand for sustainable infrastructure necessitates the adoption of innovative soil stabilization techniques that are both effective and environmentally benign. This study introduces bio-grouting, a novel approach utilizing biologically induced calcite precipitation (BICP) mediated by Bacillus pasteurii, to enhance soil strength and d...

This paper presents proposed investigations of the influence of crushed glass and fibers on the mechanical properties of concrete. Conventional concrete has lack tension in order to improve its flexural strength and compressive strength. This study has adopted the addition of PET fibers and recycled waste glass fibers to concrete. The study uses M2...

This chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI), a key component in solving complex engineering challenges amidst rapid urbanization and changing environmental conditions. It elucidates the theoretical principles and practical implications of SSI, emphasizing its role in creating sustainable and resilient engineer...

Tsunamis, commonly induced by undersea earthquakes, are formidable natural hazards capable of causing widespread devastation. This comprehensive chapter examines the complex dynamics of tsunamis, their generation mechanisms, and their broad-reaching impacts. The multifaceted nature of tsunami triggers, both seismic and non-seismic, is dissected, hi...

The discipline of damage tolerance assessment has experienced significant advancements due to the emergence of smart materials and self-repairable structures. This review offers a comprehensive look into both traditional and innovative methodologies employed in damage tolerance assessment. After a detailed exploration of damage tolerance concepts a...

The increasing environmental concerns and depletion of natural resources have catalyzed the exploration of sustainable alternatives in civil engineering practices, particularly pavement construction. This study evaluates the efficacy of using recycled materials—crushed concrete aggregate (CCA), reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), and recycled plastic...

p>In the face of mounting geotechnical challenges within urban centers worldwide, the significance of engineering solutions extends beyond the immediate resolution of these issues to act as catalysts for socio-economic development. This paper examines specific geotechnical problems, such as soil instability and the underutilization of urban green s...

Ground contamination poses significant environmental and health challenges globally. Traditional remediation methods, while effective, have often resulted in secondary environmental issues. In light of this, there has been a distinct shift towards more sustainable solutions. This study delves into the potential of three environmentally friendly mat...

Within the domain of geotechnical engineering, risk assessment is pivotal, acting as the linchpin for the safety, durability, and resilience of infrastructure projects. While traditional methodologies are robust, they frequently require extensive manual efforts and can prove laborious. With the onset of the digital era, machine learning (ML) introd...

Geotechnical monitoring, essential for ensuring the safety and longevity of infrastructures, has predominantly relied on centralized systems. However, as computational capabilities soar and advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) burgeon, the potential for decentralized solutions comes to the fore. This chapter intricately weaves the principle...

Beam-column connection zones are high regions of interest in reinforced concrete (RC) structures, which are expected to respond elastically to seismic loads. Using carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) to improve these connections, performance is critical in retrofitting deficient RC frames because existing slabs may pose numerous limitations in...

This research investigates the potential of using crushed glass and waste bottle plastic fibers as sustainable additives to enhance the performance of concrete in terms of strength and flexural properties. The study involves incorporating varying percentages of crushed glass (CG) and waste bottle plastic fibers (PE) fibers into concrete mixtures an...

This systematic review, not financially supported by any funding body, aims to synthesize the current knowledge on the applications, potential benefits, and challenges of 4D printing in civil engineering, with a focus on its role in sustainable solutions. Comprehensive searches were conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using rela...

Bridges are among the most important transportation elements that may be damaged by earthquakes. An integral abutment bridge (IAB) is a bridge linking the superstructure directly to the substructure. As soil piles, abutments, and superstructures act as a combined system to resist lateral loading on the bridge, soil stiffness has a major impact on l...

The design foundation (i.e., pavements) on black cotton soil has always been a difficult task for engineers as the structure resting on black cotton soil cracks without any warning. This research evaluates the effect of lime (anhydrous sodium sulphate) on engineering properties of black cotton soil which are considered highly problematic to civil e...

The construction industry is a major contributor to global resource consumption and environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for sustainable material management. This study explores the integration of circular economy (CE) principles into the construction sector to enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste, and promote the reuse and recyclin...

For years, geotechnical engineers have been concerned about expansive soils. Expansive soils are characterized by large volumetric changes related to variations in moisture content. Variations in soil water content may take place naturally during seasonal changes or maybe manmade caused by dewatering activities. The quantity of shrinkage and swell...

Background Bridges are one of the most critical parts of a transportation network that may be damaged during earthquakes and it is necessary to have a prediction model for bridge responses under seismic loads that can be extended to other situations. Soil stiffness significantly affects load distribution when soil, piles, abutment, and superstructu...

Genetic programming (GP) of four levels of complexity, including artificial neural networks of the hyper-tanh activation function (ANN-Hyper-Tanh), artificial neural networks of the sigmoid activation function (ANN-Sigmoid), evolutionary polynomial regression (optimized with genetic algorithm) (EPR), and intelligent techniques have been used to pre...

Abstract Introduction: The aim of the present study is to understand the advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine by users. Method: This study shared the focus of grounded theory on 'social process', 12 licensed online psychologists the participants, share their experiences on research questions such as "how do you evaluate the advantages and...

Abstract Introduction: To endorse the implementation and absorption oftelemedicine, it is important to assess the overall clinical effectiveness to ensure that any change will not adversely affect patient outcomes. Due to the increasing use of remote health and technological advances in this field, a more contemporary study has been conducted. The...

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) foul aquatic ecosystems. The remediation of these contaminants is essential to promote public health, environmental quality, and the economy. To solve this problem, the efficiency of nanomaterial adsorption capacity was applied in this study to find the best way to decrease the amount of these risky materials in...

Bearing ultimate capacity of shallow footing on uniform soil can be evaluated experimentally. However, analytical and experimental methods are difficult to analyze and predict complicated behaviour of soil beneath the footing collapse failure on layered soil. A strip footing on dense sand overlying soft clay of bearing capacity is computed utilizin...

Roads play a significant part of economic development. Due to financial constraints, in many developing countries like Botswana, there are large networks of unpaved roads. The major detriment effect of unpaved or gravel roads is dust emissions. Dust affects the climate change which in turn increases the generation of dust. This has a huge impact on...

The swelling potential analytics and the ion exchange reaction of highly expansive soils in a soil stabilization process have been reviewed. The importance of these factors in deciding suitable construction materials and chemical additives utilized as alternative or supplementary binders in clayey soil stabilization has been discussed also. The out...

The stability and safety of precast concrete structures furnished with different types of connections has been a focus of researchers and engineers in the recent decade. In this study, the new design for connection of precast walls has been proposed by implementing and installing a pair of U-shape steel channels to each wall as male and female part...

The shrinkage limit is one of the Atterberg limits and is a fundamental geotechnical parameter used to assess the settlement and other volume change parameters of engineering soils containing clays. This paper describes shrinkage limits and index tests results on expansive soil treated with rice husk ash (RHA) and 5%, 10% and 15% quicklime activate...

The shrinkage limit is one of the Atterberg limits and is a fundamental geotechnical parameter used to assess the settlement and other volume change parameters of engineering soils containing clays. This paper describes shrinkage limits and index tests results on expansive soil treated with rice husk ash (RHA) and 5%, 10% and 15% quicklime activate...

A soil underneath foundation structure must satisfy design criteria of bearing capacity analysis which is safety against failure and tolerable settlement. Failure analysis of bearing capacity shows differently for a strip foundation on a single layer of soil or layers of soil in a deposit. For a design criterion, the strip foundation on layer depos...

A soil underneath foundation structure must satisfy design criteria of bearing capacity analysis which is safety against failure and tolerable settlement. Failure analysis of bearing capacity shows differently for a strip foundation on a single layer of soil or layers of soil in a deposit. For a design criterion, the strip foundation on layer depos...

The smart home industry is looking for new growth opportunities, including home-based health and wellness solutions and independent living products and services. This report examines the potential for smart home platforms to support new home-based digital health applications and services and the requirements for related business models and partners...

widespread outbreak of COVID-19 and compulsory quarantine, which can be extended in critical situations, endanger the quality of life, physical and psychological health. Vitamin D deficiency due to deprivation of sun exposure, decreased physical activity, changes in nutrition and sleep pattern, and communication conflicts with family members all re...

The construction industry is increasingly turning to use of environmentally friendly materials in order to meet the sustainable aspect required by modern infrastructures. In the last two decades, the expansion of this concept and the increasing global warming have raised concerns on the extensive use of Portland cement and fly ash due to the high a...

In this research study, fuzzy logic modelling technique was adapted for the prediction of the plasticity, consistency and swelling characteristics of clayey soil-QARHA mixture. The additive QARHA gotten from agricultural waste helped to improve the swelling properties of the problematic expansive clayey soil; this helps to encourage the recycling a...

The quality of the subgrade is depending on the geotechnical properties, strength and the stabilization technique adopted for problematic soil in order to increase the bearing value. In Malaysia, soft soil is a challenging due to very low strength value and low California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value as well. The soil stabilization process is conducte...

Bridges are one of the most critical parts of transportation networks that may suffer damages against earthquakes. Also, seismic responses of most bridges are significantly influenced by soil-structure interaction effects. Taking out expansion joints in the bridges may cause many difficulties in design and analysis due to the complexity of soil-str...

Clays in general and expansive soils in particular have been a major concern to geotechnical engineers for many years. Moisture variations produce big volume changes in these types of soils. Several factors like amount and type of clay minerals, soil structure, dry density, confining pressure, moisture content and climate changes influence the amou...

Cement is one of the most interesting materials widely used in civil engineering construction. However, the reduction of the environmental impact of production and usage of cement is achieved through to use less of cement content in structures by partial replacement of cement with nanomaterials. In addition, nanotechnology has the potential to make...

Mixing of nano-sized powders with soils (macro-sized powders) is a noteworthy issue for geotechnical projects. Thus, this study examined the horizontal ball mill mixing of nano-copper oxide with kaolinite. Ball milling parameters (rotation speed, weight ratio of balls to powder and milling time) of the planetary ball milling were optimized for prop...

Industrialized building system (IBS) was presented to complete construction projects at the lowest cost and time. The connection of precast components in IBS structures plays a significant role to provide stability of buildings subjected to various loads. Hence, structural engineers have quite a lack knowledge on the proper connection and detailed...

Abstract: The construction industry is increasingly turning to the use of environmentally friendly materials in order to meet the sustainable aspect required by modern infrastructures. Consequently, in the last two decades, the expansion of this concept, and the increasing global warming have raised concerns on the extensive use of Portland cement/...

Clayey soils are usually stiff when they are dry and give up their stiffness as they become saturated. Soft clays are associated with low compressive strength and excessive settlement. This reduction in strength due to moisture leads to severe damages to buildings and foundations. The soil behavior can be a challenge to the designer build infrastru...

Environmental concerns have significantly influenced the construction industry regarding the identification and use of environmentally sustainable construction materials. In this context, enzymes (organic materials) have been introduced recently for ground improvement projects such as pavements and embankments. The present experimental study was ca...

_________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT— Clays in general and expansive soils in particular have been a major concern to geotechnical engineers for many years. Moisture variations produce big volume changes in these types of soils. Several factors like amount and type of clay minerals, soil structu...

The Nanotechnology is helping to considerably improve, even revolutionize, many technology and industry sectors: chemical, energy, environmental science, medicine, information technology homeland security, food safety, and transportation, among many others. Today's nanotechnology harnesses current progress in chemistry, physics, materials science,...

Freeze–thaw (FT) cycles and moisture susceptibility are important factors influencing the geotechnical characteristics of soil–aggregates. Given the lack of published information on the behaviour of base course materials stabilised with styrene butadiene emulsions (SBE) and cement–SBE-treated base (CSBETB) under environmental conditions, especially...

Nanotechnology is helping to considerably improve, even revolutionize, many technology and industry sectors: information technology, energy, environmental science, medicine, homeland security, food safety, and transportation, among many others. Today's nanotechnology harnesses current progress in chemistry, physics, materials science, and biotechno...

This study investigated the effects of the addition of a carboxylated styrene–butadiene emulsion (Tylac® 4190) and Portland cement on the long-term performance of road base. To achieve the goals of this study, a literature review, laboratory investigation, and data processing and analyses were accomplished. The specimens stabilized with Portland ce...

Nanotechnology is helping to considerably improve, even revolutionize, many technology and industry sectors: information technology, energy, environmental science, medicine, homeland security, food safety, and transportation, among many others. Today's nanotechnology harnesses current progress in chemistry, physics, materials science, and biotechno...

Objective: The effects of type and amount of portland cement as a traditional additive and carboxylated styrene-butadiene emulsion (Rovene® 4045) as a non-traditional additive on the short-term and long-term performance of road base layer were investigated using laboratory mechanistic evaluation of stabilized soil-aggregate mixtures. Methodology: C...

The construction of roads on soft clay soils is a challenging task and therefore considered as one of the biggest concerns in geotechnical engineering. The utilization of soft soils in tropical regions is currently low, although construction on them has become increasingly necessary due to economic reasons. Recent developments in nanoscience and na...

Soil stabilization, using a variety of stabilizers, is a common method used by engineers and designers to enhance the properties of soil. The use of nanomaterials for soil stabilization is one of the most active research areas that also encompass a number of disciplines, including civil engineering and construction materials. Soils improved by nano...

Enzymes are organic degradable materials, recently introduced as soil improvement additives for earthen pavement layers and embankments. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three enzymes on the unit weight and unconfined compressive strength of illite mixed with black soil. The optimum moisture content (OMC) and maximum dry density o...

There are several questions that are not well understood with respect to the long-term stability characteristics of lime-treated clay soils in spite of being used as a conventional technique to improve the properties of clay soils. This paper investigates the influence of freeze-thaw cycles on the unconfined compressive strength of kaolinite and il...

This study investigated the effects of the type and amount of Portland cement and cationic slow setting bitumen emulsion additives on the short- and long-term performance of road-based properties using laboratory mechanistic evaluation. Stabilised specimens with Portland cement (0–6%) and bitumen emulsion (0–6%) were compacted, cured for 7, 28 and...