We watch bridges, pavements, and water systems carry entire cities every day, and we see the reports that turn raw ideas into real projects. We work with students who need civil engineering report topics that fit tight timelines, available data, and real-world constraints. Today we at TopicSuggestions will share a focused set of topics that are practical, researchable, and classroom-ready.
Good Report Topic Ideas on Civil Engineering
We will organize ideas by core areas—structures, geotechnical, transportation, water and environmental, construction and project management, materials, and sustainability—with quick-win choices and capstone-level picks. We will also note suggested methods where helpful—lab tests, field surveys, open-data analysis, and simple numerical modeling—so you can choose a topic and start fast.
1. We propose circadian-synchronous assistive robotics for personalized daily rhythm alignment
How do we infer individual chronotypes and phase shifts from passive multimodal sensing without violating privacy?
Can we co-adapt robot task scheduling and actuation patterns to stabilize sleep, mood, and metabolic markers over months?
How should we design evaluation protocols that let us attribute causal wellbeing changes to robot circadian alignment versus confounders?
2. We engineer microbiome-informed self-healing soft robots using living polymer composites
How can we maintain symbiotic microbial consortia that trigger targeted material repair under mechanical stress while meeting biosafety constraints?
Can we model and control nutrient flows and byproduct diffusion to optimize healing speed without compromising stiffness or actuation?
How do we validate long-term stability and containment across sterile and open environments with fail-safe shutdowns?
3. We develop on-device social homeostasis for multi-robot teams via embedded language models
How do we formalize a social temperature state that we can regulate with LLM-mediated communication and role assignment?
Can we guarantee safety, latency, and energy bounds when we run small language models as coordination controllers on edge hardware?
How should we measure emergent cohesion and resilience benefits over classical consensus controllers in real tasks?
4. We learn from counterfactual teleoperation by capturing what I would have done intent streams
How do we design interfaces that let us record counterfactual corrections without interrupting primary control?
Can we fuse counterfactuals with demonstrations through causal representations to improve sample efficiency and safety?
How do we benchmark robustness under distribution shift against standard imitation and offline RL baselines?
5. We build grief-aware companion robots that adapt to acute bereavement trajectories
How do we detect and respect shifting grief states using consented, privacy-preserving multimodal signals without overstepping clinical boundaries?
Can we personalize interaction pacing, language, and silence in ways that reduce loneliness while avoiding problematic attachment?
How should we co-design protocols with clinicians and ethicists to ensure escalation, transparency, and harm mitigation?
6. We mediate human–wildlife interactions using robots that translate and respond to bioacoustic cues
How do we learn actionable, species-specific acoustic affordances that let us de-escalate encounters without habituation or stress?
Can we coordinate robot placement and signaling to route humans and animals safely while preserving habitat integrity?
How do we audit ecological impact and ensure our interventions remain reversible and minimally intrusive over time?
7. We create thermal-commons perching robots that scavenge, store, and trade energy across buildings
How do we model and predict spatiotemporal energy flows so we can schedule perching, charging, and sharing under uncertainty?
Can we design incentive-compatible energy-trading protocols that keep occupant comfort and grid constraints satisfied?
How do we co-optimize mechanical design, battery health, and HVAC coupling for net energy benefits?
8. We formalize explainability contracts that robots and humans co-negotiate before collaboration
How do we represent explanation obligations, rights, and costs so we can adapt granularity on the fly?
Can we link these contracts to task-level reward shaping and accountability logs that withstand audits?
How should we measure changes in trust calibration and error recovery under contract-based explanations versus ad hoc ones?
9. We design soft burrowing robots for minimally disruptive, in-situ soil carbon ground-truthing
How do we achieve controlled peristaltic locomotion that preserves soil structure while reaching target depths and horizons?
Can we calibrate spectral and electrochemical sensors in heterogeneous soils without frequent retrieval using self-check routines?
How do we validate carbon estimates against core samples at scale while respecting landowner constraints and biodiversity?
10. We embed legal-intent simulators onboard robots for real-time norm reasoning and compliance
How do we encode jurisdiction-specific norms so we can simulate potential interpretations before acting in edge cases?
Can we fuse normative reasoning with uncertainty-aware planning to proactively avoid violations and explain choices?
How do we verify, audit, and update these simulators over-the-air without creating attack surfaces or brittleness?
11. We propose: Microplastic–fiber interactions in reinforced concrete under cyclic loading
— Research questions: We ask how microplastic particles influence fiber–matrix bonding, crack propagation, and fatigue life of fiber-reinforced concrete; We ask what threshold concentrations and particle geometries change damage mechanisms under repeated loads. Overview: We will design lab fatigue tests on concrete mixes with controlled microplastic types and volumes, characterize interfacial zones with microscopy and micro-CT, and develop meso-scale numerical models to link particle distributions to fatigue crack growth rates.
12. We propose: Volcanic-ash-derived geopolymer aggregates for seismic-resilient low-cost housing
— Research questions: We ask whether volcanic ash can be converted into lightweight, high-damping geopolymer aggregates suitable for masonry and precast units; We ask how these aggregates affect damping, stiffness, and post-yield behavior in seismic events. Overview: We will synthesize geopolymer aggregates from varied ash chemistries, test mechanical and dynamic properties in the lab, produce small-scale structural prototypes, and perform shake-table tests combined with lifecycle and cost analyses.
13. We propose: AI-driven adaptive inspection schedules for bridge fleets using opportunistic vehicle-mounted sensors
— Research questions: We ask how sparse, mobile sensor data from fleet vehicles can be fused with structural models to prioritize inspections; We ask what reinforcement-learning strategies yield safe, cost-effective adaptive inspection policies. Overview: We will collect opportunistic vibration and visual data from instrumented commercial vehicles, train Bayesian state-estimation models for damage probability, and implement reinforcement-learning agents to propose inspection schedules validated against expert inspections and historical failure records.
14. We propose: Quantum gravimeter arrays for high-resolution subsurface void detection in dense urban environments
— Research questions: We ask whether compact quantum gravimeters can detect meter-scale voids and tunnels beneath urban infrastructure with acceptable deployment logistics; We ask how sensor fusion with ground-penetrating radar and ambient noise correction improves reliability. Overview: We will conduct controlled field deployments of portable quantum gravimeters over known subsurface anomalies, develop drift and noise-correction algorithms, and fuse gravity anomalies with GPR and borehole data to map voids and assess false-positive rates.
15. We propose: Biochar-amended road base layers for carbon-negative pavements and frost-susceptibility control
— Research questions: We ask how incremental additions of engineered biochar change thermal conductivity, frost heave potential, and shear strength of base/subbase mixtures; We ask what mix designs optimize both carbon sequestration and pavement performance. Overview: We will produce graded base mixes with variable biochar types, run freeze–thaw and resilient modulus testing, measure in-situ thermal profiles in test sections, and perform a cradle-to-grave carbon and cost assessment for pilot road segments.
16. We propose: Tidal morphotecture — engineered micro-topographies on riverbeds to reduce scour around bridge piers
— Research questions: We ask whether patterned bedforms or modular bed units can passively alter flow to reduce local scour depths; We ask how scaling from flume to prototype affects efficacy across tidal and fluvial regimes. Overview: We will design bedform geometries inspired by biomimicry, test them in hydraulic flumes under varied flow and sediment conditions, develop coupled CFD–morphodynamic models for design scaling, and plan small pilot installations with remote scour monitoring.
17. We propose: 3D-printed sacrificial formwork with embedded, dissolvable sensors for optimized mass-timber construction
— Research questions: We ask whether sacrificial printed formwork can carry curing and moisture sensors that dissolve or deactivate after use, enabling in-situ monitoring without retrieval; We ask how formwork geometry can be optimized to reduce waste while improving form accuracy and timber–concrete interfaces. Overview: We will fabricate biodegradable printed formworks with integrated printed electronics, instrument concrete pours for mass-timber composite slabs, monitor curing/moisture development, and evaluate post-process removal/dissolution impacts on finish and waste reduction.
18. We propose: Engineered microbial consortia for autonomous asphalt self-healing activated by porewater ingress
— Research questions: We ask whether tailored microbial communities can precipitate binders or biopolymers in microcracks upon activation by water, restoring mechanical properties; We ask how to encapsulate and deliver consortia to survive thermal and mechanical stresses in pavements. Overview: We will screen microbes for binder-precipitating capabilities, develop encapsulation strategies (e.g., polymer microcapsules or lightweight aggregates), test healing under controlled cracking and wetting cycles, and quantify recovered stiffness, permeability reduction, and durability.
19. We propose: Modular on-site graywater cascades for construction water circularity and dust suppression
— Research questions: We ask what modular combinations of low-energy filtration, electrocoagulation, and phytoremediation achieve construction-grade reuse for dust control and compaction; We ask how system mass, footprint, and operational complexity scale for different site sizes. Overview: We will design containerized graywater modules, run pilot systems on active sites measuring water quality and reuse performance, model lifecycle energy and cost, and develop operational guidelines and a decision tool for deployment sizing.
20. We propose: Crowdsourced smartphone barometer networks for real-time urban subsidence and flood-risk mapping
— Research questions: We ask how a high-density, low-cost network of smartphone barometer readings can detect cm-scale relative elevation changes and rapid inundation onset in cities; We ask what privacy-preserving aggregation and calibration methods are required for reliable mapping. Overview: We will develop a calibration pipeline using fixed-reference stations, collect spatially tagged barometer data from volunteers and transit fleets, apply statistical leveling and inversion to derive subsidence/flood maps, and validate results against GNSS benchmarks and flood sensors.
21. Biohybrid self-healing bridge bearings: integrating microbial calcite precipitation with embedded sensors
We propose research questions:
– Can we quantify how embedded microbial capsules restore bearing surface integrity under cyclic loads?
– How can we design sensor-triggered nutrient delivery so we can activate healing only when needed?
– What lifecycle carbon and maintenance cost reductions can we demonstrate if we implement biohybrid bearings at scale?
Overview: We will combine laboratory fatigue tests with cyclic loading chambers, embed microencapsulation and miniaturized sensors in prototype bearings, and develop trigger algorithms; we will validate healing by mechanical re-test, microscopy, and cradle-to-gate LCA.
22. Urban subsurface thermal storage impacts on deep foundation performance in mixed clay-sand profiles
We propose research questions:
– How does seasonal thermal storage in shallow subsurface layers alter shear strength and consolidation behavior of deep foundation soils?
– Can we predict long-term differential settlement changes when we integrate thermal storage next to pile groups?
– What design adjustments can we recommend so we can safely co-locate foundations and thermal energy storage systems?
Overview: We will perform controlled laboratory thermal-mechanical triaxial and oedometer tests on layered specimens, couple thermo-hydro-mechanical finite element models, and calibrate with field thermal response tests adjacent to instrumented piles.
23. Drone-swarm edge-AI for sub-minute post-disaster structural reconnaissance and prioritization
We propose research questions:
– Can we coordinate a heterogeneous drone swarm so we can map structural damage and prioritize inspections in under 60 seconds per building footprint?
– How can edge-AI running on drones fuse visual, acoustic, and inertial cues so we can reliably detect critical failure modes without cloud latency?
– What communication and airspace-control protocols do we need so we can deploy swarms in congested disaster zones?
Overview: We will develop distributed AI models optimized for low-power hardware, implement consensus-based swarm path planning, and validate performance in staged urban damage drills with ground-truth structural sensors.
24. Carbon-negative alkali-activated binders using recycled electric vehicle battery slag
We propose research questions:
– Can we formulate alkali-activated concretes in which cathode/anode recycling slag is a reactive precursor and we can achieve compressive strength >40 MPa?
– How do we optimize activator chemistry so we can minimize embodied alkalinity and maximize CO2 sequestration potential via mineral carbonation?
– What durability pathways must we address so we can certify structural use in temperate and marine environments?
Overview: We will characterize battery-recycling slags chemically and mineralogically, screen activators in factorial mix-design experiments, conduct accelerated durability and carbonation tests, and produce a preliminary LCA showing net carbon balance.
25. Permafrost-aware dynamic pavement design using biochar soil stabilization and active thaw management
We propose research questions:
– How can we couple biochar amendment and shallow thermal control layers so we can limit thaw-induced rutting and heave?
– What dynamic pavement design rules do we need so we can account for seasonal stiffness variation and freeze–thaw hysteresis?
– Can we demonstrate a cost-benefit where we can extend pavement service life under projected Arctic warming scenarios?
Overview: We will perform lab freeze–thaw resilience tests with biochar-treated aggregates, develop viscoelastic pavement models with temperature-dependent properties, and run multi-year field pilot sections instrumented for thermal and mechanical response.
26. Resilient multifunctional flood-control levees that integrate battery storage and distributed micro-hydro modules
We propose research questions:
– Can we design levee cross-sections that we can embed battery systems and low-head turbines without compromising geotechnical stability?
– How can we manage coupled flood-resilience and energy-harvesting operations so we can prioritize safety during extreme events?
– What are the maintenance and failure-mode implications when we co-locate electrochemical systems with flood defenses?
Overview: We will perform slope stability and seepage analyses on novel cross-sections, create operational control strategies for energy vs. safety priorities, and prototype modular turbine-battery units for bench and scaled physical model testing.
27. Acoustic metamaterial linings for urban tunnels that combine noise mitigation with load-bearing capacity
We propose research questions:
– Can we design metamaterial lining panels that we can tune to attenuate target traffic frequencies while we retain required structural capacity?
– How does long-term exposure to humidity, abrasion, and impact alter acoustic performance and structural integrity?
– What installation methods allow us to retrofit existing tunnels so we can minimize service interruptions?
Overview: We will use topology optimization to design unit cells, fabricate panels with additive manufacturing and composite layups, test acoustic transmission loss and mechanical strength, and run accelerated aging protocols to inform retrofitting guidelines.
28. Smart permeable pavements that harvest stormwater hydropower while preserving infiltration and pollutant removal
We propose research questions:
– Can we integrate micro-turbine arrays within permeable pavement voids so we can generate meaningful energy without reducing infiltration capacity?
– How can we design self-cleaning mechanisms so we can avoid clogging and maintain both hydraulic and power performance?
– What is the net urban water-management benefit when we can combine energy harvest with pollutant attenuation?
Overview: We will prototype modular permeable units with embedded micro-turbines, run hydraulic and particle-transport flume tests, develop clog-mitigation strategies (vibration, flushing), and model city-scale benefits under storm scenarios.
29. 3D-printed modular living seawalls combining structural defense, habitat scaffolds, and wave-energy converters
We propose research questions:
– How can we design printable modular geometries that we can stack to provide prescribed overtopping resistance and interstitial habitat complexity?
– Can we embed flexible piezoelectric or oscillatory converters so we can recover wave energy while maintaining structural resilience?
– What construction and maintenance workflows do we need so we can deploy at scale with local materials and additive manufacturing?
Overview: We will iterate parametric designs for mechanical and ecological performance, print scaled modules with composite concrete mixes, test hydrodynamic loading and ecological colonization in flume and mesocosm trials, and develop assembly and repair protocols.
30. AI-driven multisensor fusion for early prediction of progressive collapse from correlated multi-hazard events
We propose research questions:
– Can we fuse structural health monitoring, weather, seismic, and human-activity data so we can identify precursors to progressive collapse with useful lead times?
– How do we model interdependencies so we can assess cascade risk from simultaneous hazards (fire-plus-shock-plus-flood)?
– What explainability and decision thresholds do we need so emergency engineers can trust and act on model outputs?
Overview: We will develop probabilistic graphical models that incorporate multi-source data, train hybrid physics-informed neural networks on simulated and historical multi-hazard sequences, validate with tabletop progressive-collapse experiments, and design human-in-the-loop alerting protocols.
31. Biochar‑amended geopolymer revetments for accelerated coastal erosion resistance
We propose investigating geopolymer revetments amended with engineered biochar to increase abrasion resistance and carbon sequestration. Research questions: how does biochar particle size and surface chemistry affect geopolymer matrix toughness and pore structure; what are the trade‑offs between scour resistance and long‑term durability in saline environments; how much net carbon is sequestered over service life; what are optimal placement and maintenance strategies for field implementation? We will synthesize geopolymer mixes with graded biochar, run mechanical (compressive, flexural), abrasion and salt‑spray tests, perform microstructure (SEM, XRD) and porosity analyses, model long‑term carbonation and erosion using coupled hydrodynamic‑material degradation simulations, and deploy small pilot revetment panels for monitored coastal exposure trials.
32. Bacteria‑encapsulated polymer capsules for self‑healing modular bridge bearings
We propose embedding microencapsulated, spore‑forming bacteria in polymeric bridge bearing pads to enable autonomous crack sealing and friction recovery. Research questions: what encapsulation chemistries ensure survival and activation of bacteria under bearing compression and temperature cycles; how effectively do activated bacteria precipitate minerals to restore mechanical properties and friction; what are the failure modes and maintenance needs; what regulatory and biosafety controls are required? We will design encapsulation methods (alginate, silica), characterize bacterial viability under cyclic compression/temperature, perform tribological and stiffness recovery tests on instrumented bearing prototypes, model healing kinetics under realistic load histories, and assess environmental biosafety and scalability.
33. AI‑driven temporary scaffold layouts that optimize urban microclimate and pedestrian comfort
We propose integrating urban microclimate models with AI optimization to design scaffold configurations that minimize heat/isolation effects and pedestrian wind discomfort while meeting safety and access requirements. Research questions: how can we couple CFD microclimate simulations with surrogate ML models for rapid scaffold layout optimization; what metrics best balance structural safety, microclimate mitigation, and construction cost; how do seasonal solar and wind variations change optimal designs? We will collect microclimate sensor data around scaffolds, develop high‑fidelity CFD cases to train ML surrogates, formulate multi‑objective optimization (safety, comfort, cost), and validate optimized scaffold prototypes in live urban settings with sensor feedback.
34. Recycled photovoltaic glass cullet in structural translucent concrete for daylighting façades
We propose using processed PV glass cullet incorporated into concrete glazing elements to achieve structural translucency while recycling end‑of‑life PV panels. Research questions: how does PV glass cullet size, surface treatment and residual coating content affect optical transmittance, mechanical strength and freeze‑thaw durability; what is the thermal and glare performance of cullet‑concrete units in façades; what processing pathway minimizes leachable contaminants? We will develop cullet processing protocols to remove cell fragments and coatings, produce concrete‑cullet panels, test optical, mechanical and thermal properties, perform leachate and aging tests, and model building energy and daylighting impacts.
35. Piezoelectrically‑tuned micro‑actuators embedded in pavement layers for active rutting mitigation
We propose embedding networks of micro‑actuators with piezoelectric sensing to actively redistribute loads in asphalt layers and reduce rut development under heavy, repetitive traffic. Research questions: can embedded micro‑actuators measurably alter stress concentrations to slow rutting; what power budgets and control strategies enable sustained operation, potentially coupled to energy harvesting; how does this affect long‑term pavement performance and maintenance cycles? We will design actuator arrays compatible with asphalt compaction, simulate coupled thermo‑viscoelastic responses, build laboratory slab rigs with cyclic loading and active control, quantify rutting mitigation, and evaluate lifecycle energy and cost tradeoffs.
36. Mixed‑reality guided emergency seismic retrofits for unreinforced masonry monuments
We propose developing MR tools that guide technicians during emergency seismic retrofits to maximize speed and conservation quality of heritage masonry during post‑event stabilization. Research questions: how much does MR guidance improve retrofit accuracy, speed and preservation fidelity compared to conventional methods; what sensor fusion (photogrammetry, LiDAR) workflows best create deployable MR instructions under constrained site conditions; how do MR‑guided retrofits perform under subsequent shaking? We will build MR workflows linked to rapid photogrammetric surveys, create stepwise retrofit instructions, run human factors trials with masons on mockup walls, and perform dynamic tests on retrofitted specimens to quantify performance.
37. Tunable friction connections for dynamic load redistribution in modular tall timber buildings
We propose developing mechanical connectors with adjustable frictional interfaces to actively tune load paths and damping in modular mass timber structures under wind and seismic excitation. Research questions: what mechanisms (mechanical, thermal, rheological) can reliably adjust friction in situ; how does friction tuning influence modal properties, drift control and energy dissipation; what are robustness and fire/aging implications? We will design adjustable connectors, characterize their static and dynamic behavior, implement control strategies for real‑time tuning during events, perform numerical modal and nonlinear time‑history analyses, and validate on full‑scale frame tests including fire exposure protocols.
38. Nanocellulose‑reinforced engineered clay barriers for radionuclide immobilization in shallow disposal sites
We propose incorporating nanocellulose into clay barrier matrices to enhance mechanical integrity and radionuclide adsorption while maintaining low permeability. Research questions: how does nanocellulose dosage and functionalization affect hydraulic conductivity, swelling, and sorption capacity for common radionuclides; what are the biodegradation and long‑term stability pathways under landfill geochemistry; how do freeze‑thaw and wetting cycles affect containment performance? We will produce nanocellulose‑clay composites, measure permeability, mechanical and adsorption isotherms, run accelerated aging and leach tests, and simulate long‑term barrier performance with coupled geochemical transport models.
39. Crowd‑sourced smartphone photogrammetry for real‑time road microtexture assessment
We propose an app and algorithmic pipeline that uses opportunistic crowd‑sourced smartphone imagery to estimate pavement surface microtexture (MPD, PSV proxies) for friction and skid risk mapping. Research questions: what image capture protocols and computer vision methods yield microtexture estimates comparable to profilometer measurements; how to correct for variable lighting, camera optics and motion blur; what incentive and privacy frameworks maximize participation and data quality? We will define minimal capture guides, collect paired smartphone and profilometer datasets across pavement types, train photogrammetric and ML models to predict microtexture metrics, validate on test sections, and prototype deployment with privacy‑preserving aggregation.
40. Hydrophobically treated fungal mycelium composites as capillary break layers in intensive green roofs
We propose using engineered mycelium composite mats made hydrophobic to act as lightweight capillary break and drainage layers that are biodegradable and improve stormwater retention control. Research questions: can hydrophobic treatments maintain water repellency under UV, root penetration and microbial exposure; how do mycelium composites influence substrate moisture dynamics, plant performance and thermal behavior; what is the lifecycle decomposition pathway and effect on substrate chemistry? We will cultivate structural mycelium mats, apply and test durable hydrophobic coatings, run roof‑scale lysimeter trials with vegetation, monitor hydrology and plant health, and perform accelerated aging and biodegradation analyses.
41. Biodegradable temporary scaffold materials for accelerated bridge repair
— research questions: Can we develop load-bearing biodegradable composite scaffolds that maintain structural integrity for the duration of short-term repairs and then degrade harmlessly? How do degradation byproducts affect adjacent concrete and soil chemistry? What are the optimal fiber-matrix compositions for tunable service-life from weeks to months?
We propose to synthesize polymer-natural fiber hybrids and test them in accelerated environmental chambers. We will perform mechanical load cycles, controlled biodegradation assays, and leachate chemistry analyses. We will validate promising mixes in full-scale temporary support prototypes on noncritical bridge spans and monitor degradation with embedded strain and pH sensors.
42. Smart mass-timber node systems with embedded adaptive dampers for seismic resilience
— research questions: Can we integrate compact, passive-electronic dampers into timber connector nodes to adapt damping properties during earthquake shaking? How does the damper integration affect long-term moisture-driven creep and fire performance? Can we model and optimize node geometry for both structural strength and damper efficacy?
We will design node geometries that house magnetorheological or granular dampers and fabricate scaled specimens. We will carry out quasi-static and dynamic cyclic tests, moisture conditioning, and small-scale fire exposure. We will develop nonlinear FE models coupling timber orthotropy and damper behavior, then run parametric optimization for retrofit and new-build applications.
43. Ambient-vibration tomography for urban shallow-subsurface mapping in dense infrastructure corridors
— research questions: Can we adapt passive ambient vibration arrays to resolve meter-scale heterogeneities in urban shallow strata beneath utilities and pavements? How can we suppress cultural noise and extract reliable dispersion curves in highly nonstationary urban noise environments? Can we integrate results with GIS utility maps to predict differential settlement hotspots?
We will deploy dense vertical geophone arrays in test corridors and implement time–frequency stacking and noise-source separation algorithms. We will invert dispersion data for lateral and vertical shear-velocity variations, then co-register with utility and soil borings. We will validate predictions against targeted Cone Penetration Tests (CPT) and recent settlement records.
44. Micro-algae biofilm coatings as active corrosion inhibitors for marine steel structures
— research questions: Can selected micro-algae consortia form persistent biofilms that materially reduce cathodic reaction rates on immersed steel? What nutrient/control regimes sustain beneficial films without promoting macrofouling or biogenic sulfide production? How durable are these coatings under tidal shear and UV exposure?
We will screen micro-algae strains for biofilm formation on steel in controlled tanks and measure electrochemical impedance and corrosion rates. We will iterate nutrient dosing and light cycles to favor protective biofilms and monitor sulfide and oxygen fluxes. We will test durability in simulated tidal flumes and small-scale field deployments on pier piles.
45. Energy-harvesting stormwater drainage pavements for local sensor and lighting power
— research questions: Can we design drainage channels or permeable pavements that harvest kinetic energy from storm flows to power distributed sensors or safety lighting? What transducer technologies (microturbines, piezoelectric arrays, or hydrokinetic generators) offer best efficiency for intermittent urban runoff? How do harvesters affect hydraulic capacity and maintenance of storm systems?
We will prototype low-head micro-harvesters integrated into gutter channels and permeable pavers and test them under scaled rainfall simulators. We will measure power output profiles, hydraulic losses, clogging susceptibility, and maintenance regimes. We will couple harvested energy to LoRaWAN sensors and evaluate lifecycle energy payback and cost-benefit for municipal adoption.
46. Self-healing ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) using acoustically triggered microcapsule networks
— research questions: Can we embed networks of microcapsules whose rupture is triggered by micro-crack acoustic emissions to release healing agents precisely when needed? What acoustic thresholds reliably discriminate damaging crack events from benign background noise? How does capsule incorporation affect UHPC mechanical and durability properties?
We will synthesize microcapsules with varied shell toughness and healing chemistries and embed them in UHPC mixes. We will instrument specimens with acoustic emission sensors and develop event-detection algorithms to trigger lab-scale rupture verification. We will perform mechanical testing, permeability recovery, and freeze–thaw cycles to quantify healing effectiveness and longevity.
47. Rapid-deploy 3D-printed modular cofferdams with inflatable sealing for emergency flood barrier construction
— research questions: Can we design interlocking 3D-printed modules that, when assembled and coupled with inflatable inboard seals, form reliable temporary cofferdams for rapid flood response? What print materials and geometries balance stiffness, buoyancy control, and reusability under repeated deployment? How quickly can unskilled teams assemble and deploy such systems in constrained urban waterways?
We will CAD-optimize interlock geometries for mechanical fit and seal channels, then 3D-print prototypes in recyclable polymers. We will field-test assembly time with mixed-skill crews, evaluate seal performance with inflatable gaskets under hydrostatic load, and conduct cyclic deployment-dry storage durability tests. We will also model hydrodynamic interactions and flotation stability in surge scenarios.
48. Stabilizing wildfire-scorched slopes using biochar-enhanced enzymatic soil binders
— research questions: Can enzyme-activated binders combined with biochar rapidly restore soil cohesion and reduce post-fire erosion without harming revegetation? What enzyme formulations and biochar particle sizes best promote aggregate formation and moisture retention? How do these treatments interact with ash chemistry and hydrophobic soil layers common after high-severity fires?
We will prepare soil columns from burned-site samples and apply binder+biochar treatments in controlled rainfall simulators. We will measure shear strength, runoff, sediment yield, and plant germination metrics. We will analyze chemical interactions with ash and evaluate field pilot plots for seasonal performance and ecological compatibility.
49. Accelerated testing protocol for hydrogen-assisted corrosion in reinforced concrete using cyclic cathodic polarization
— research questions: Can we develop an accelerated lab protocol that reproduces hydrogen uptake and embrittlement mechanisms observed in RC under hydrogen-rich environments? What cyclic cathodic polarization regimes best simulate field hydrogen charging without unrealistic artifacts? How do design variables (cover depth, concrete resistivity, and crack geometry) modulate hydrogen ingress and rebar performance?
We will design electrochemical chambers enabling controlled cyclic cathodic polarization of embedded rebars within concrete prisms, measure hydrogen profiles with microelectrodes, and test post-charging tensile properties of extracted bars. We will vary cover depth, crack width, and concrete mixes to map sensitivities. We will cross-validate with field-exposed samples from hydrogen infrastructure corrosion sites.
50. Probabilistic digital-twin framework for adaptive maintenance of buried utility tunnels using sparse sensor networks
— research questions: Can we create a reduced-order probabilistic digital twin that fuses sparse IoT sensor data, inspection reports, and physics-based degradation models to prioritize tunnel maintenance intervals? How can we quantify epistemic uncertainty from intermittent data and propagate it to decision risk metrics? What sensor placement strategies maximize inspection value under budget constraints?
We will develop a Bayesian state-space digital-twin that couples simplified structural and hydraulic deterioration models with intermittent sensor updates. We will run synthetic-information experiments to optimize sensor locations via information-gain metrics and validate on an existing utility tunnel with periodic inspections. We will produce decision-support outputs (risk of failure, optimal maintenance timing) and test robustness through scenario analysis.