Amirkabir University of TechnologyAUT Journal of Civil Engineering2588-28999320251101Prediction of Shear Strength in SCS Panels with One-End Welded BP Shear Connector Using Numerical Modeling and Gene Expression Programming (GEP)185204583810.22060/ajce.2025.23945.5907ENMahdiDaliriCivil Engineering Department, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, IranHamedGhohani ArabCivil Engineering Department, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, IranMahmoudMiriCivil Engineering Department, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, IranSeyed HashemKhatibiCivil Engineering and Architectural Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Heydarieh, IranJournal Article20250224Steel-concrete-steel (SCS) sandwich structures, comprising steel faceplates and a concrete core, are valued for their strength and durability. Among various shear connectors, one-end welded box-profile (BP) connectors have shown strong potential in resisting interfacial shear forces. However, no precise formula exists to estimate their shear strength, especially considering the overlap ratio. This study addresses this gap by developing a predictive model for the shear strength of these connectors. Using the Taguchi experimental design, 18 numerical models were created, varying connector width, thickness, concrete core strength, and overlap ratio. Finite element simulations, validated against experimental push-out tests, analyzed load-slip behavior and failure modes. A Gene Expression Programming (GEP) algorithm was applied to derive an equation linking shear strength to geometric and material properties.The resulting equation demonstrated high accuracy, with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.919 and lower error metrics compared to existing methods. By incorporating overlap ratio effects, this model provides engineers with a more precise tool for designing safer and more efficient SCS systems. The findings enhance the understanding of BP connector mechanics and offer a cost-effective approach for optimizing SCS structures in various structural applications.https://ajce.aut.ac.ir/article_5838_a91bc76c2a6302e573badedcbf57bf7a.pdfAmirkabir University of TechnologyAUT Journal of Civil Engineering2588-28999320251101Analytical Dynamic Analysis under Impulse Loadings Using Laplace Transform205220583910.22060/ajce.2025.23211.5861ENJalalAkbariDepartment of Civil Engineering, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran0000-0001-9713-8652SamanehMirzaeiUniversity of Genoa, Savona compose, Genoa, ItalyJournal Article20240521The application of impulse loading is commonly observed in practice, and accurately estimating the corresponding response through numerical techniques poses significant challenges. This study introduces an analytical formulation to assess the dynamic responses of multi-degree-of-freedom (MDF) beams subjected to impact loading, utilizing the Laplace transform. By focusing on simple beam configurations, this research aims to illuminate previously unexplored aspects of the system's dynamic behavior under impulse loading. Throughout the investigation, any arbitrary or irregular impact loading in the time domain was transformed into the Heaviside step function using the Laplace transform technique. Initially, analytical forced-vibration responses corresponding to the impact loading were mathematically derived. Subsequently, the proposed forced-vibration formulation was validated through laboratory-scale experimental tests. The experimental data were also used to update the finite element model (FEM) for evaluating numerical responses using the Newmark HHT-alpha method under short-time loading. The results indicate that unconditionally stable schemes, such as Newmark HHT-alpha, encounter challenges related to numerical damping, amplitude decay, period elongation, and spurious frequency errors when subjected to impulse loading; however, the proposed method effectively mitigates these errors. The robustness of the proposed method was examined for unusual shock-type loads, and the results demonstrate that the error associated with traditional methods, such as the Newark HHT method is significantly high, with some cases exceeding 300 %.https://ajce.aut.ac.ir/article_5839_f610a13de080fb8df6cf972fc01ad93f.pdfAmirkabir University of TechnologyAUT Journal of Civil Engineering2588-28999320251016Transit-Oriented Development in Medium Cities, A User`s Viewpoint; A Case Study: Kermanshah221232586310.22060/ajce.2025.23671.5894ENShahabHasaninasabFaculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran0000-0002-9134-3732KatayounMiraniFaculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, IranJournal Article20241113Population growth within the cities has challenged the transportation network, making it crucial to pay special attention to the development of rail transportation. Additionally, in suburban areas and areas with poor transportation services, it is difficult to provide services such as the fire department, emergency services, security, and so on. The present research is an analysis on the economic, social, and transportation factors affecting transport development. A questionnaire was compiled. In the first part of this questionnaire, descriptive statistics were analyzed. The conducted surveys and analysis of the questionnaires, based on structural equations, show the need for an integrated developer transport that has the appropriate amenities and desirable services, including a clear understanding of the city under study. The results clearly indicate that all three transportation, social, and economic variables have a decisive role in public transport development. Despite good correlation among these factors, the parameters involved in the transportation variable have shown to have the greatest impact, with a 0.864 Pearson correlation factor; this factor in economics and social variables is almost 0.76. The results also showed the willingness of people to live and mix with applications near the railway station. Additionally, the user accepts the strategic investments to improve the transport situation and have a sustainable city. https://ajce.aut.ac.ir/article_5863_4722176876d0b766e2ce8328108416b9.pdfAmirkabir University of TechnologyAUT Journal of Civil Engineering2588-28999320251101Optimizing Dynamic Scheduling in Construction with BIM: A Framework for Budget-Constrained Resource Management233252587010.22060/ajce.2025.23350.5873ENAli AkbarShirzadi JavidSchool of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-6105-5991ShahrzadOmraniSchool of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, IranSaharFalegariSchool of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, IranJournal Article20240716Project scheduling is a fundamental part of construction management, as it controls activity timing, costs, and resource allocation. Despite the available tools for planning a project, such an important role still relies heavily on the scheduler's experience and goes through many trial-and-error situations during the project. This research develops a new framework for time and resource allocation optimization in a project to further facilitate project planning. The framework also attempts to gather, store, and process all of the project’s data in order to achieve an accurate estimation. Building Information Modeling (BIM) was used to store the necessary data, and after defining the constraints, the model was transferred to Simphony.NET via a Visual Basic (VB.NET) data-exchange module that queried and exported task dependencies, resource limitations, and budget constraints stored in an MS Access database. The transfer mechanism preserved the relational data schema (foreign keys linking tasks, resources, and costs), thereby ensuring interoperability and preventing data loss. Finally, the ant colony algorithm was used for optimization. The outcome was compared to a real-life case study, and the reliability of the algorithm was validated. Results show that compared to the actual project duration of 108 days and the contractor’s initial planned duration of 90 days, our model predicted 97 days. This reduced the time estimation error from 16% (initial vs. actual) to 10% (model vs. actual). Furthermore, relative to the actual project outcome, the optimized schedule achieved an 18% improvement in project duration and a 13% reduction in total cost.https://ajce.aut.ac.ir/article_5870_1f74a54f39b3123ad272ca0a06e7463f.pdfAmirkabir University of TechnologyAUT Journal of Civil Engineering2588-28999320251101Iterative Data Enhancement of Ambient Vibration Tests for the Nitrate-Prilling Tower in Shiraz Petrochemical Complex253278587110.22060/ajce.2025.23610.5889ENEmadAhangar EbrahimiDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faulty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.HassanYousefiDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faulty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.0000-0001-6784-7546IrajMahmoudzadeh KaniDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faulty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.AlirezaTaghavi KaniDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faulty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20241019In this study, the discrete wavelet packet transform (DWPT) has been used for the single-step and iterative denoising methods for enhancing data with a high level of noise to identification of modal frequencies in ambient vibration tests on a petrochemical process tower in Shiraz, Iran. The ambient vibration test is performed by the wind load. All mechanical systems operated during the test; hence, different noise sources exist. Here, both high and low frequency ranges are decomposed effectively in the DWPT, and it provides a lot of global and localized information. The DWPT-based one-step denoising method fails to properly denoise the high-level noisy data with denoising thresholds obtained by different theoretical methods. For this reason, the so-called peeling approach achieved by an iterative denoising method is used to enhance the quality of the signal. For this iterative method, the parameters are obtained by the trial-and-error method. After the signal-enhancement stage, the signal processing step is performed by continuous wavelet transforms (CWTs) to detect the time-frequency information in the data. Furthermore, the modal frequencies are directly identified by the cross wavelet transform (XWT) and the corresponding spectral power density. Finally, the estimated frequencies by XWT are compared with the natural frequencies of a damaged model simulated by the finite element (FE) method.https://ajce.aut.ac.ir/article_5871_07bba581a2dd8d098a3be0f683560643.pdfAmirkabir University of TechnologyAUT Journal of Civil Engineering2588-28999320251110The Influence of Cement Stabilization on Marl-Gravel Mixtures for Application in Road Pavement Layer Construction279294588510.22060/ajce.2025.24136.5920ENMohammadMosaviDepartment of Civil Engineering, Ta. C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, IranRouzbehDabiriDepartment of Civil Engineering, Ta. C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran0000-0002-1807-1945Journal Article20250509Marl is recognized as a problematic soil type in geotechnical engineering, particularly in the construction of flexible pavement structures, due to its sensitivity to environmental conditions. Upon moisture infiltration, marl exhibits significant swelling and volumetric expansion. Conversely, exposure to elevated ambient temperatures induces shrinkage, volume reduction, and deterioration of mechanical strength, primarily resulting from pore development within the marly layers. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cement stabilization on argillaceous marl–gravel mixtures sourced from Tabriz, to enhance their suitability for use in road pavement layer construction. In the experimental program, marl was mixed with gravel at proportions of 10% and 30%, followed by the addition of cement in the amounts of 4%, 6%, and 10% by weight. The prepared specimens were cured under standard conditions for a period of 28 days. To assess the performance of the stabilized mixtures, a comprehensive suite of laboratory tests was conducted, including evaluations of plasticity, dry density, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) under both dry and saturated conditions, unconfined compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, and permeability. The findings revealed that the optimum mixture consisted of marl with 30% gravel and 10% cement. This formulation demonstrated a 15.2 times enhancement in unconfined compressive strength, a 1.38times increase in CBR, and a 15.2% reduction in swelling. These results underscore the potential of the optimized mixture for effective application in road pavement construction, particularly in cold and moisture-prone environmentshttps://ajce.aut.ac.ir/article_5885_75877cb75154206c4e65e76b88a12712.pdf