Regression (REG-1DCNN) based unsupervised bridge damage detection using vehicle induced acceleration response and dynamic time warping algorithm

Large-scale transportation infrastructure, such as highways and bridges, is critical to people’s everyday lives, necessitating a high demand for safety and maintenance. With a growing number of ageing bridges carrying traffic loads that exceed their intended design capacity, there is a need to establish reliable and efficient methods of monitoring structural safety and integrity. Structural Health Monitoring is an approach for analyzing and evaluating the condition of structures to ensure their safety, repair, and rehabilitation. In this article, a regression-based 1D-CNN algorithm (REG-1DCNN) is designed to learn the sequence pattern inherent in the vehicle-induced acceleration responses, which are complex and non-stationary in nature. Deviations in the sequence pattern are extracted as the damage-sensitive features. The proposed algorithm relies solely on the acceleration responses from undamaged bridge and operates in an unsupervised learning mode, as real-world data from damaged bridges is scarce. Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), a statistical distance metric tool, is employed to manage high-dimensional damage-sensitive features, as these make damage detection challenging and time-consuming. From the numerical investigation, the findings show that this approach can successfully identify damaged state of the bridge, with varying damage severity levels as low as 5 %, utilizing only a single sensor. The proposed methodology is then validated using a laboratory-scale experimental bridge, which also resulted in successful damage detection across various damage scenarios, irrespective of the sensor position.

• Talukder, R., Siddique, F., Rana, S. (2025), “Regression (REG-1DCNN) based unsupervised bridge damage detection using vehicle induced acceleration response and dynamic time warping algorithm”, Measurement (2025), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2025.118380

A Numerical Study on Early Damage Detection of a Bridge Based on Vehicle Induced Dynamic Response using a Deep Learning Algorithm

All constructions are important, but bridges are especially important since they play a vital role in transportation and communication. Structural health monitoring ensures that these structures stay safe. A rapid, reliable, and cost-effective early damage detection method is required to detect bridge damage so that additional safety measures can be taken to decrease the probability of a collapse. This study focuses on a regression-based deep learning approach for identifying early damage via vehicle-induced acceleration response. Vehicle-Bridge Interaction (VBI) modeling is created by combining dynamic models of the bridge structure and vehicle subsystems, interaction requirements, and road roughness modeling. The coupled VBI is then solved numerically to obtain the vehicle-induced acceleration responses. A deep learning-based One-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D-CNN) model has been developed based solely on the acceleration response of the undamaged bridge. The trained model's performance is evaluated across various damage scenarios using a damage index. The study's findings show that this approach can effectively identify damage across all damage scenarios in the bridge span using a single sensor.

• Siddique, F., Talukder, R., Rana, S. (2025). “A Numerical Study on Early Damage Detection of a Bridge Based on Vehicle Induced Dynamic Response using a Deep Learning Algorithm” 1st International Conference on Core Engineering & Technology (IUT-ICCET 2024)

Thermal Analysis of Concrete Box Girder Bridge Exposed to Interior Fire Using SAFIR
Box girder is a widely used bridge system and, consequently, quite common in Bangladesh. The structural capacity of such box girders can be significantly affected during fire exposure due to their thin webs and prestressing tendons. In this study, the thermal behavior of box girder sections exposed to both standard and hydrocarbon fire within the interior hollow part has been investigated using the non-linear FEM software SAFIR. The standard fire has been used to simulate any accidental fire that could occur during the construction or operation phase of a box girder structure. On the other hand, hydrocarbon fire has been applied to simulate an explosion of gas pipelines that could run through the interior of a box girder section. A parametric study has been conducted with varying web thickness and fire duration (ranging between 30 and 240 minutes) in order to observe the effect of such parameters on the structural capacity of fire affected box girder section. It has been found that type and duration of fire could have significant impact on the structural capacity of the prestressed box girder. A preliminary understanding of the effectiveness of a box girder section after a fire event can also be obtained from the outcome of the study. For instance, a web thickness of 200 mm or higher for hollow pc box girder, have been found to be effective for fire exposure considered in the study. However, further investigation with representative fire curves and variable parameters will be required to develop a comprehensive guideline

• Talukder, R., Siddique, F., Islam, S.R., Manzur, T. (2024). Thermal Analysis of Concrete Box Girder Bridge Exposed to Interior Fire Using SAFIR. In: Alam, M.S., Hasan, G.M.J., Billah, A.H.M.M., Islam, K. (eds) Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Advances in Civil Infrastructure and Construction Materials (CICM 2023), Volume 1. CICM 2023. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 511. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-63276-1_37

Role of Civil Engineers in Society

Have you ever thought about what would happen if there were no disaster shelters in coastal regions? It's a scary thought, but civil engineers have made it possible to build these shelters that can withstand harsh weather conditions. A mistake by a civil engineer could have catastrophic consequences, putting thousands of lives in danger. Bangladesh is a country of rivers, and our city is connected to the southern and northern areas of the country by the Padma and Jamuna bridges. These bridges not only facilitate communication but also promote economic progress. Civil engineers are putting in a lot of effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and address environmental issues such as the prevalence of arsenic in natural water sources and the practice of open defecation. 

Transportation Engineering

Can you imagine spending a significant amount of time doing nothing while waiting in traffic? The new Metro Rail service in Dhaka City offers citizens a reliable and efficient mode of transportation, giving them more time to live their lives. The authorities in charge reported a cost savings of approximately Tk 3,500 crore annually. This is due to the reduction in travel time and vehicle operation costs. The metro rail is capable of transporting up to 60,000 people per hour, resulting in a significant reduction in travel time between Uttara and Motijheel. The journey now takes just 38 minutes, compared to the previous duration of over 2 hours.

Environmental Engineering

Water is an abundant substance in the world, yet it is the most precious. The importance of clean water cannot be overstated, especially when you are surrounded by it but cannot drink it. The rising sea levels caused by global warming have been extensively reported which makes drinking water scarcer. Environmental engineers are responsible for the success of providing clean water to our homes. Every day, hundreds of people work to ensure that clean water is available to us. Civil engineers play a critical role in constructing and operating water treatment facilities that purify water for human use. Even a single mistake can cause thousands of people to lose access to clean water. The significance of a clean environment in our daily lives cannot be overstated. If you have heard of "The Great Stink" of the Thames River in London, you are aware of the importance of this issue. In the 1860s, all of the industrial waste and sewage was dumped directly into the river, leading to severe contamination and three cholera outbreaks that killed over thousands of people. The diligent efforts of civil engineers have prevented numerous disease epidemics that could have claimed thousands of lives.

Structural Engineering

Engineers primarily focus on designing and constructing structures but often overlook the importance of maintaining and monitoring their condition over time. Engineering structures are susceptible to various types of damage during their service life due to environmental, operational, and human-induced factors. As civil structures are relatively large, inspecting them for damage has been reported to be laborious and expensive. However, it is essential to regularly inspect civil structures to prevent structural failure that can lead to catastrophic consequences in terms of human life and economic assets. For instance, in 1953, a volcanic mudslide caused a train to derail in New Zealand which undermined part of the tracks, causing six carriages to plunge into the river. The incident had 151 casualties including the crew. Therefore, ensuring the structural integrity of bridges is crucial to meet safety, durability, and serviceability requirements. Structural health monitoring (SHM) is an active research area, with promising technological implications for evaluating structural performance and identifying damage during the service life of a structure.

Geotechnical Engineering

The Burj Khalifa is an impressive architectural masterpiece that dominates the Dubai skyline. Its stunning design and towering height make it one of the most impressive feats of engineering and design in the world. Its foundation is also a testament to the brilliant work of civil engineers. The building's superstructure is expertly supported by a massive reinforced concrete mat, which is bolstered by reinforced concrete piles that are bored into the earth. This design allows for even distribution of the load across the soil, while the piles transfer the weight to deeper, more robust layers of soil and carbonate rock. The mat is an impressive 3.7 meters thick and was constructed in four separate pours using 12,500 cubic meters of concrete. The piles are equally impressive, with a diameter of 1.5 meters and a length of 43 meters, making them the largest and longest piles available in the region. To prevent any negative effects of corrosive chemicals in the local groundwater, the foundation used a high-density, low-permeability concrete, as well as a cathodic protection system under the mat.

 “The beauty of engineering lies in its ability to turn dreams into tangible solutions that change the world.” ― Marie Curie. Civil engineers play a crucial role in shaping our lives. From building structures to revolutionizing transportation, fighting climate change and global warming, to constructing high-rise structures in adverse soil conditions, civil engineers have impacted our lives in significant ways. Remarkable civil engineers like Fazlur Rahman Khan and Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury have made outstanding contributions to humanity. Unlike doctors who may only be responsible for one person's life at a time, civil engineers have the potential to impact thousands of lives with a single mistake. 

• Talukder, R., Siddique, F. (2024). The Role of Civil Engineers in Society. ASCE Student Chapter BUET Yearly Magazine 2024,  https://ascesc.ce.buet.ac.bd/publications/