International Journal on Engineering Technology

Editorial from Editor-in-Chief

2024-06-16T07:59:59+00:00

25^th April, 2024

Dear Esteemed Colleagues, Contributors, and Distinguished Readers,

It is with great pride that I announce the release of the Special Issue of the International Journal on Engineering Technology (InJET), featuring the KEC Conference 2024 Proceedings, Volume VI. As the Editor-in-Chief of InJET, I extend my warmest greetings to all participants who have contributed to this scholarly endeavor.

The theme of our conference, “Dedicated to Enhance Research Ability,” underscores the pivotal role of research in shaping the future of engineering and technology. Our commitment to fostering collaboration and advancing knowledge has been unwavering.

The KEC Conference, now in its 6^th Edition, continues to be a beacon for students, academicians, and researchers worldwide. This year, we have delved into various engineering and IT domains, including Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology, and Electronics Engineering.

Within this volume, you will find 29 meticulously reviewed research papers, authored by passionate individuals who share our vision for excellence. These papers have been scrutinized by national and international experts, ensuring their quality and relevance.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our diligent reviewers, whose critical insights have elevated the caliber of these proceedings. Their dedication to maintaining academic rigor has been instrumental in our international recognition.

In addition to the main conference, we hosted a Symposium on Traffic and Transportation Engineering in collaboration with the Society of Transport Engineers Nepal (SOTEN) and Safe & Sustainable Travel Nepal (SSTN). These symposiums provided a platform for in-depth discussions and innovative solutions in their respective fields.

I would like to acknowledge our esteemed partners and sponsors: TechAxis, Thoplo Machine, Evolve IT Hub Nepal, Broadway Infosys-Nepal, Deerwalk Training Center, Skill Spark, and Coding Technology. Their unwavering support has been pivotal in making this conference a resounding success.

Lastly, I express my sincere gratitude to Kantipur Engineering College for entrusting us with the responsibility of organizing this prestigious event. Their unwavering commitment to academic excellence has been our guiding light.

______________

Dr. Bibek Tamang
Editor-in-Chief
6^th International Conference on Engineering and Technology
KEC Conference 2024

Particle Filter Enhanced by CNN-LSTM for Localization of Autonomous Robot in Indoor Environment

2024-06-12T04:57:19+00:00

Particle filters play a crucial role in indoor localization tasks where GPS or similar sensors are unavailable, owing to their adaptability to dynamic environments and contribution to precise navigation. However, despite their effectiveness in non-Gaussian and non-linear settings, particle filters face challenges such as issues with particle initialization and recovery from scenarios like robot kidnapping. These limitations impede the complete autonomy of robots, a critical aspect of their functionality. This research presents a novel solution that integrates particle filters with a CNN-LSTM network to address these challenges. Leveraging the time-series image processing capabilities of CNN-LSTMs, this architecture aids in particle filter initialization and facilitates recovery from challenging situations. The integration enhances the overall performance and autonomy of robots, making them more efficient in indoor navigation tasks.

Study of Characteristics of Bitumen and Aggregate with Use of Plastic Waste

2024-06-13T02:10:56+00:00

Plastic is everywhere, and its use in different forms is increasing day by day despite discouragement from the government. Plastic waste disposal is a global issue since they are non-biodegradable and toxic in burning. Plastic pollution threatens food quality, human health, sanitation, and the ecosystem and contributes to climate change. The usage of plastic waste in elements (bitumen and aggregate) used in road construction was the main objective of this study. With use of appropriate plastic waste in building of road would not only reduce material cost but also contributes in solving plastic waste management issue. Nepal being a developing country with low Gross Domestic Product (GDP) where most of the districts are still deprived of good flexible pavement networks, plastic modified roads could be a value engineering and economic solution. The paper highlights by which method plastic waste can be used effectively in road construction by performing different experimental tests reflecting the characteristics of bitumen and aggregate on addition of plastic. The study has determined the penetration, softening point, ductility values of bitumen and impact and abrasion values of aggregate in addition to different percentage of plastic waste. According to the study, bitumen's penetration and ductility value drop with increasing plastic content, making it better suited for usage in warmer climates, but its softening point rises, ensuring a stronger resistance to flow in services. Comparably, when in aggregate plastic content rises, both its AIV value and its LA abrasion value fall, enhancing the aggregate's toughness and ability to endure greater wear and tear.

Different Demand Response Programs with its Implementation in Various Countries and the Role of TOU DR in the Context of Nepal

2024-06-13T05:39:54+00:00

With the increasing trend of electricity consumption worldwide, it creates a cumbersome, reliable power system and necessitates the construction of new generator companies, transmission lines, and other infrastructures. Despite investing in new infrastructures to manage occasional peaks, utilities can use the demand response concept to effectively handle demand during such peak time intervals, and in doing so, it enhance the grid stability. This assists in balancing the supply and demand for electricity, making the grid more resilient to fluctuations, and reducing the risk of blackouts. This paper delves into the diverse DR programs across different countries and comparative analysis for finding the suitable DR method to make a more reliable electric power network in Nepal.

Distribution System Survey and Analysis: A Case Study of Kathmandu University

2024-06-13T05:49:16+00:00

Load flow analysis helps to understand a power system's voltage profile and power flow distribution, enabling the identification of potential issues such as overloading and under-voltage conditions. Fault analysis ensures reliability and safety by understanding and mitigating abnormal conditions in electrical distribution systems. Together, they contribute to efficient operation, equipment protection, and overall system reliability. This paper presents the Kathmandu University distribution system's load flow and fault analysis. Starting from the careful study of the power usage of the Kathmandu University distribution system then followed by the load flow analysis employed in the Dig Silent Power factory software, critical insights into the system’s performance were unveiled. Additionally, fault analysis within the simulated distribution system provides valuable data to enhance the understanding of the different patterns of currents for the various types of faults that occur at different locations of the Kathmandu University distribution system. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the Kathmandu University distribution system. It identifies potential issues that can help to make the Kathmandu University power system more reliable and efficient in the future.

Factors Affecting the Waiting Time of Pedestrians at Unsignalized Crosswalks of Kathmandu: A Case Study of Bagbazar and Jamal Crosswalks

2024-06-13T06:03:42+00:00

Unsignalized crosswalks are the most common pedestrian crossing facilities on the city roads of Kathmandu. This sharing of the road between pedestrians and vehicles can be very unsafe for walking. To demur such conflict, analyzing pedestrians' waiting behavior and designing pedestrian signals considering different factors is the most efficient way. The degree to which pedestrians adhere to signals depends largely on their patience while waiting. Thus, it is crucial to account for pedestrian waiting tolerance when planning pedestrian signal timing. A study at unsignalized crosswalks of Bagbazar and Jamal were taken into consideration for this study. This research delves into analyzing the factors that impact the waiting time, a key indicator of pedestrian patience at unsignalized crosswalks in Kathmandu. Using SPSS, binary logistic regression is conducted with the waiting time of a pedestrian before crossing as the dependent variable and road width, the gap between vehicles, speed of accepted vehicles, pedestrian size, gender, crossing pattern, and the presence of a carried object as predictor variables. The article encountered that gender, crossing pattern, carrying any object, size of pedestrians, road width, and time gap between the vehicles at the nearer lane of a pedestrian are the significant factors that affect the waiting time. The results could be employed by planners to coordinate the design of pedestrian crossing facilities with the behavioral patterns of pedestrians at unsignalized crosswalks.

An Efficient DC-AC Power Integration Model for Single-Phase Systems, Simulated in MATLAB

2024-06-13T06:26:06+00:00

In the face of growing clean energy demands, this study presents a model for integrating Direct Current (DC) sources into the existing Alternating Current (AC) grid. The model is based on a single-phase system where a DC source is added. A converter, designed using the synchronous reference frame, is proposed to address integration issues. This converter allows for the control of both active and reactive power using a dq reference frame. A Proportional-Integrator (PI) controller is chosen for this purpose. To generate the necessary operational references, a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) is used. An LCL filter is also incorporated based on its performance quality. The entire model is simulated in MATLAB, and the output obtained confirms the model’s ability to control both active and reactive power when integrating DC with AC and T. This work significantly contributes to the efforts of integrating clean energy into our existing grid systems.

Determination of Motorcycle Equivalent Unit and Road Capacity: A Case Study of Selected Road Sections of Kathmandu Valley

2024-06-13T06:40:53+00:00

The research focused on road congestion in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, caused by the prevalence of small motorized vehicles, especially motorcycles. The objective of the study was to quantify the impact of different vehicle classes on congestion by calculating Motorcycle Equivalent Units (MEU) and determining roadway capacity using speed and effective space parameters. The field data collected over two locations in Kathmandu Valley were analyzed using Speed Estimation from Video Data (SEV) software that revealed a strong correlation between vehicle speed and effective space, represented by a quadratic non-linear model. MEU values were determined for different vehicle classes, and fundamental speed-flow-density relationships were used to calculate roadway capacity. Vehicles like motorcycles, standard cars, big cars, utility, minibusses, buses, light commercial vehicles, two/three-axle trucks, and multi-axle trucks had MEU values of 1, 3.32, 4.91, 4.65, 9.22, 12.22, 6.72, 13.57 and 18.04 respectively. The study indicated peak capacities during the evening hours on specific road sections. For instance, the Gatthaghar-Kaushaltar and Balkumari-Gwarko sections reached their maximum capacities at 12,335 and 20,589 (motorcycles per hour per direction), respectively. The study emphasized the significant influence of speed on effective space and roadway capacity, suggesting further exploration of additional factors like driver characteristics, gender, age, income, road geometry, and level of service using MEU, along with the potential for developing a motorcycle simulation model in Kathmandu valley.

Identification of Risks Associated with Strategic Road Network Construction in Karnali Province from the Perspective of Employer and Contractor

2024-06-13T07:40:59+00:00

Completion on time, within the allocated budget, according to the specifications, and with stakeholder satisfaction is a key to a successful project. Stakeholders, including the contractor, consultant, and employer, in almost all construction projects including highways, fail to give the risk assessment due consideration in Nepal. The purpose of this study was to determine the risks related to the key road network construction in Karnali province. Using purposive sampling, a questionnaire survey was administered to the stakeholders. The opinions of the participants were evaluated under five distinct categories: public sector management risk, engineering risk, construction risk, resource procurement risk, and social risk. Based on its RII value, each heading was rated after undergoing a distinct study. Authorization to use the forest land and remove or cut down trees (RII value: 0.90) was the highest risk that was obtained. This was followed by approval to move the electric pole from within the right-of-way (RII value: 0.88), "Lack of coordination between different related organizational parties (water supply, irrigation, building department, etc.)" (RII value: 0.87), "Unavailability of material" (RII value: 0.86), and, finally, "Land acquisition and bad quality of workmanship with RII value 0.85."

Road Traffic Accident Data Visualization: A case study of Bhaktapur

2024-06-13T07:46:31+00:00

This study focuses on multiple dynamics of road safety. It utilizes a dataset comprising recorded road traffic accidents (RTAs) in Bhaktapur to reveal the patterns, contributing factors, and demographic associations by data visualization. The research uncovers distinct high-risk locations as Thimi, Radhe Radhe, and Sallaghari. Demographic insights and gender-based disparities are observed. The study examines the prevalent modes of transportation involved in RTA. Findings show the addressing of identified issues which can be used for taking actions based on its results.

Power System State Estimation with Optimal PMU Placement under Contingencies

2024-06-13T07:52:26+00:00

It discusses the significance of Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) in monitoring and protecting power systems. DC load flow method is used to analyze power flow in electrical networks, assuming certain conditions like Constant voltage magnitudes and steady-state analysis. It introduces a novel algorithm for optimal PMU placement based on maximum connectivity considering both normal and contingency conditions. Additionally, a new state estimation algorithm is presented for estimating the system states (Voltage magnitude and angle) by minimizing the weighted least-square problem with respect to x. The effectiveness of the algorithms is demonstrated through testing on various bus test systems, showcasing their suitability for practical applications in power system monitoring.

Determination of Passenger Car Unit and Capacity at Grades of Two Lane Undivided Highway: A Case Study of Khurkot–Dhulikhel Section of BP Highway

2024-06-13T08:03:17+00:00

The majority of Nepal’s National Highway and feeder road system comprises two-lane highways with heterogeneous traffic conditions. Factors such as lane width, gradient, lateral clearance, and shoulder conditions can influence the passenger car unit (PCU) and roadway capacity. Recognizing that grade magnitude (%) is an important yet unexplored roadway factor in Nepal, and the present study primarily aims to estimate the passenger car unit on two-lane undivided hilly roads with gradients under prevailing heterogonous traffic conditions.

This study aims to determine the PCU values and roadway capacity at grade under mixed nature traffic flow for a two-lane undivided highway. In this research, the necessary data were collected at five sections of BP highways using a digital video recorder, which was then analyzed to assess traffic characteristics and calculate PCU values. Using the PCU values, the road capacity was estimated using Greenshield’s model. For capacity estimation, flow and density were addressed using dynamic PCU values.

This study reveals that the PCU of all categorized vehicles increases linearly with the increase in gradient while roadway capacity decreases with an increase in grade. It was observed that PCU values obtained for two-wheelers in all sections are smaller than the PCU values specified in NRS 2013, whereas for buses, trucks, and LCVs, they are higher than the PCUs given in NRS 2013. The study highlights the impact of road grade on the PCU for different vehicle categories on a highway. Additionally, the study demonstrates that the developed capacity values are realistic and consistent with the values presented in the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) of developing countries such as Indonesia and China. These results are expected to be beneficial for practitioners and the ongoing effort to develop a highway capacity manual.

A Review on Single Phase AC System of Railway Electrification

2024-06-13T08:16:02+00:00

The widespread adoption of 25 kV, 50 Hz single-phase AC supply in long-distance electrified railway systems poses significant challenges to power quality in transmission networks. This paper presents an in-depth investigation into the influence of electric railway systems on a 110 kV transmission system, with a specific focus on locomotives equipped with diode rectifiers. Harmonic currents generated by these locomotives and unbalanced voltages introduced by single-phase traction loads are known to adversely affect power system components, leading to issues such as overheating, additional losses, and interference with communication systems. The focus of this paper is not only to understand the fundamental principles but to conduct a deep exploration of the functioning of various components such as locomotives, contact lines, and substations. High voltage This voltage is supplied from the substation or directly from the generating station. This high AC voltage (25KV) is first transformed into low AC voltage (415V). Three-phase induction motors are used because they provide high torque, are reliable, and are more efficient. The AC voltage in the second phase is rectified to DC and then converted into a phase AC using VFD. The VFD provides variable frequency and voltage to run the induction motor at different speeds.

Design of Major Components of Green Urea Production Plant

2024-06-13T08:25:39+00:00

Green urea refers to urea produced using renewable energy sources such as municipal solid wastes (MSW) to create a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to waste management and urea production. As the economy, population, and living standards proliferate swiftly, municipal solid waste has become a significant challenge, particularly in developing countries such as Nepal. This project aims to size the major components of a green urea plant that uses decomposable and combustible waste as feedstock. 15 CSTR digesters with a volume of 53323.2 m³ produced 41473.2 m³ of biogas to convert 740.6 Tons Per Day (TPD) of decomposable waste and 220.06 TPD of combustible waste into 574.4 TPD of green urea. A circulating fluidized bed gasifier, a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, and an air separation unit using the cryogenic process were also selected. The study also involved picking a tubular steam methane reformer as the primary and an auto-thermal steam methane reformer as the secondary steam methane reformer. The shift reaction was carried out using a catalytic water gas shift reactor, and a three-bed type ammonia reactor was chosen for the Haber Bosch process. Finally, the Snamprogetti process was selected for urea synthesis.

In addition, the study involves the preparation of a 2D system layout to understand the process flow and a 3D solid works drawing to visualize the plant design. The financial analysis of the green urea plant includes the calculation of CAPEX and OPEX, and it is found that total capital investment is 431.45 M$ and operating expenses are 102.2M$/year. Gasification, steam methane reformer, Air separation unit, ammonia synthesis, urea synthesis, electrolyzer, water gas shift reactor, and anaerobic digestion plant consist 7.15%, 13.55%, 3.32%, 16.13%, 26.12%, 13.37%, 13.43% and 6.93% of total capital investment respectively and 14.62%, 1.61%, 7.78%, 19.73%, 5.71%, 32.6%, 12.9% and 14.62% of total operating costs per year.

Intersection Control Evaluation for Highway Safety Analysis

2024-06-13T08:36:01+00:00

Road traffic accidents take more lives than a combination of other accidents and natural disasters. An article published on September 9, 2023, in the Nepali Times, reported that between April 2022 and April 2023, a total of 2,320 individuals lost their lives, with 28,856 sustaining injuries, many resulting in lifelong impairment. Traffic studies have revealed that Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) facilitates strategic decision-making through the use of factual information, data, and metrics. The primary objective of this research on intersection control evaluation is to explore how the screening process and the selection of alternative intersections in ICE contribute to the reduction of accidents at intersections. A focused examination of the literature assessing the methodology's effectiveness in maintaining intersection safety suggests that intersection control evaluation aids in strategy selection during expansion and signal usage at major intersections. Subsequent discussions utilized various spreadsheet tools and online forums. The findings indicate that ICE serves as an effective framework for screening intersection alternatives and identifying optimal solutions. Results show that tools such as 'Capacity Analysis for Planning of Junctions' (CAP-X) effectively evaluate intersection types. Additionally, 'Safety Performance of Intersection Control Evaluations' (SPICE) is employed for safety analysis at grade intersections. Cost analysis, based on results obtained from the Life Cycle Cost Estimation Tool (LCCET) spreadsheet, demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of this approach.
In light of the results and discussions, intersection control evaluation should play a crucial role in implementing safer, more balanced, and cost-effective solutions at road intersections.

Road Traffic Accident and its Characteristics in Kathmandu Valley

2024-06-13T08:46:32+00:00

Road Traffic Accident (RTA) is defined as an accident, which takes place on the road between two or more objects, in which one is any kind of moving vehicle and the other is another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, or stationary object. The major scope of this study is to analyze factors influencing road accident in Kathmandu Valley (i.e. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur district), Nepal. Data used in this research were collected from Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police for FY 2070/71 to 2079/80 of the Nepalese Calendar. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis of data was performed. There were several variables used to analyze the collected data including age of driver, gender of driver, fatality rate, time of accident, reason of accident, type of vehicle involved in an accident. The result of analysis shows that 76752 accidents took place in FY 2070/71 to 2079/80. Vehicles most involved in accidents were motorcycle/scooters (54675) followed by car/jeep/van (46928) (both combining, contributing total of almost 75%). The number of male deaths was three times more than that of female death, (i.e. male death victims were 1360 and female were 409). Based on the age, 55% of total death victims were of age group 16-35 i.e. 969 deaths were of this age group. Largest number of accidents (31473) took place during 12:00-18:00 and the major cause of accidents was reckless driving. Other cause of road accident includes over speeding, alcohol consumption, pedestrian’s carelessness, road condition, physical and mental condition of driver. The objective of this research is to identify the trend of accident, investigate the possible causes of accidents, and suggest countermeasures for reducing road traffic accident.

Labor Management Practices of Selected Construction Contractors in Nepal

2024-06-13T08:54:09+00:00

The objective of this study is to assess the labor management practices in Class 'A' construction contractors of Nepal. By identifying the challenges and exploring possible remedial measures, the study aims to contribute to the improvement of labor management practices in the industry. The paper is based on primary data and descriptive research design. The findings of the study shed light on several aspects of labor management practices. It was observed that hiring trained and experienced workers was a common practice. However, issues related to poor communication and planning were identified. The study also revealed significant challenges such as inadequate wages, a lack of occupational health and safety measures, an absence of comprehensive labor policies, unfair hearing practices, and insufficient training opportunities. Based on the study's findings, it is recommended that contractors prioritize to employee staffing, performance evaluation, work environment improvement, training initiatives, and compensation management. Addressing these areas can significantly enhance labor management practices.

Comparison of Travel Time Reliability of Different Bus Service Providers: A Case Study of Airport to Narayan Gopal Chowk Route, Kathmandu

2024-06-13T09:01:40+00:00

The diminishing preference for the public transportation system in the Kathmandu Valley has been a longstanding issue, attributed to factors such as uncontrolled urbanization, increased motorization, inadequate transit infrastructure, and diminished reliability. The issue of less reliability of public transport in Kathmandu has drawn significant interest of public authorities, policy makers, planners and researchers. The lack of reliability in the public transportation system may compel commuters to choose personal vehicles, primarily motorcycles and cars. The increase in these smaller vehicles, sharing routes with larger ones, not only leads to an increase in congestion but also diminishes overall reliability. Hence, it becomes imperative to maintain the public transport system at an optimal level of reliability. Thus, this research focuses on the performance of public transport, particularly buses, employing measures of travel time reliability. Planning time and planning time index are used as a measure of the travel time reliability. This study includes a comparative analysis of the travel time reliability among different bus service providers operating on the case study route. On board technique was adopted to collect the data. Among the different public service providers operating in the area, four bus service providers Mahanagar Yatayat, Mahasagar Yatayat, Mayur Yatayat and Khwopa Yatayat were selected for this study. The comparison of travel time reliability among various bus service providers was conducted using an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and post-hoc test.

Assessing Service Quality of Bike Sharing Service within Kathmandu Valley

2024-06-13T05:37:42+00:00

Embracing a sustainable transportation paradigm requires a shift towards more eco –friendly modes of travel such as bike sharing services like Pathao & Indrive, Introducing a potentially disruptive and beneficial change to the transportation landscape in Nepal, bike-sharing hold a significant presence in Kathmandu, evidenced by their daily ridership and public recognition. Being a comparatively new concept, its service assessment becomes critical for the persistence of the facility. Perceived service quality assessment is a result of convoluted decision making process which require careful considerations of various factors including observed and unobserved variables. The study focuses on evaluating the service quality of Pathao & Indrive bike service employing the concept of structural equation modeling through the identification of unobserved influencing factors. Six latent variables were identified through factor analysis. An empirical model was developed to identify the interactions among major variables affecting service quality. SPSS 22 and SPSS Amos 21 were used for model development. The findings of the study presented that, the variable that have significant effect on service quality, was user’s safety followed by latent variables service accessibility & application efficiency. The study will provide practical insights to these services to enhance their effectiveness and usability making the service more acceptable. It will also provide clarity in understanding to inform adoption of suitable policy decisions.

Assessment of Relationship between Asphalt Concrete Pavement Performance Indicators: Pavement Condition Index and RoadRoid based International Roughness Index

2024-06-13T05:43:09+00:00

Pavement condition assessment is one of the important tasks to be carried out to prioritize maintenance needs of the road. The Pavement Condition Index and International Roughness Index are some of the most widely used and comprehensive indices for the assessment of pavement condition. The maintenance planning is generally carried out in terms of SDI in Nepal which is only a subjective measure so PCI can be used as a more objective indicator than SDI. The PCI is more representative of the overall condition of the pavement surface by considering all forms of distresses. Whereas, IRI, which is a measure of perceived road roughness is mainly concerned with the ride quality and is based on the distresses occurring on the wheel path. The research aimed to develop the correlation between the two indices to look for usability of either of the indices whenever required. For the determination of PCI, visual inspection survey was carried out based on which the distress type, density and severity were quantified. The IRI data was collected with the help of RoadRoid application after calibration and validation using Laser Profiler. The data matching in respective sections was carried out and relationships between the two indices are determined in terms of linear, logarithmic and polynomial models of different degree. The coefficient of determination for polynomial relationship model was found to be the highest with coefficient of determination of 0.7858. All the models presented with negative correlation between the indices indicating the increase in IRI would cause the decrease in PCI value and vice versa.

Analysis of the Use of Waste Plastics Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) along with Bitumen in the Construction of Asphalt Pavement using the Marshall Test

2024-06-13T05:51:32+00:00

Plastic disposal is a significant problem as it is non-biodegradable and causes air pollution if burned. The utilization of waste plastics in road construction has gained attention due to environmental concerns and the need for sustainable development of infrastructure. This research investigates the performance waste plastics, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and, in the asphalt road along with the bitumen based on the Marshall Stability Test. The Optimum bitumen content (OBC) is found to be 5.2%. Different concentrations of LDPE (8% and 10% by weight of bitumen) were used. The use of LDPE on the asphalt pavement has Marshall Stability and Marshall flow values in the usable range as specified in the specification criteria of the Standard Specification for Road and Bridge Works (SSRBW). Also, the use of waste plastics in the pavement reduces the cost and helps to promote an environmentally friendly approach to infrastructure development.

Evaluating the Alignment between Intended Project Durations and Standard Time Cost Models: A Comparative Analysis in Basic Hospital Construction Projects in Nepal

2024-06-13T05:59:15+00:00

This study examines the congruence between the intended projected duration expressed in bidding documents for basic hospital construction projects and Nepal's time cost model specific to health building projects. Through a comparative analysis approach, data from bidding documents and the time cost model equation were analyzed to identify disparities or alignments. The findings reveal moderate to strong positive correlations between the intended project completion time and the time calculated from costs, with variations in correlation strength depending on the specific variables used for cost estimation. The study highlights the need for refining cost estimation methods, enhancing training and capacity building, regular calibration of time-cost models, and further research to improve project management practices in the Nepalese construction industry.

Cut Slope Stability Analysis on Terrain with Slope at Besishahar, Lamjung

2024-06-13T06:08:07+00:00

Building construction on sloped terrain presents a myriad of challenges that necessitate specialized engineering solutions and careful planning. Though the cut slopes are prone to failure, the increase in urbanization makes construction in such landscape inevitable. The complex topography of this region poses significant scientific and technological challenges, demanding innovative solutions for slope stability analysis and effective mitigation measures. This study incorporates geotechnical and geological study of the Manab Sewa Ashram Site in Besishahar, the cut slope failure analysis using Limit Equilibrium Method and Kinematic failure analysis and suggesting mitigating measure. Three different profiles with critical slopes were selected to represent the overall area for Slope Stability modeling and Kinematic Failure Analysis. The calculation of Factor of Safety for slope stability was done using Slide v.6.020 software under Rocscience package. Since non-engineered cutting of slopes is predominantly existing in the context of Nepal, slope management contributes by majorly focusing on the safety of the structure on or around the slopes.

Comparative Analysis of Environmental Protection Provisions in Construction Procurement: A Case Study of Nepal's Projects Funded by National and International Agencies

2024-06-13T06:14:33+00:00

This study investigates the environmental protection provisions embedded in procurement processes of construction projects in Nepal, funded by various national and international agencies. The research aims to compare and analyze the environmental safeguarding measures outlined in bidding documents from different funding sources, along with examining relevant legal frameworks and policies governing environmental protection in construction projects. Through a qualitative approach and content analysis methodology, the study delves into the scope, limitations, and significance of environmental considerations in construction procurement. Findings reveal diverse approaches across funding agencies, highlighting the emphasis on contractor responsibilities, safety measures, and project management. While Nepal's standard bidding documents establish foundational environmental provisions, projects funded by international agencies demonstrate a higher commitment to environmental sustainability. The study underscores the importance of comprehensive environmental measures in construction projects to mitigate ecological impact and promote long-term environmental conservation.

Trends of Marshall Mix Design Practices in Nepal: A Perspective on Compliance with Standard Specification of Road and Bridge Work 2016 Section 1309 and Fuller’s Maximum Density Gradation

2024-06-13T06:20:42+00:00

This comprehensive study delves into the minute details of Marshall Mix Design practices in Nepal, specifically examining their compliance with Section 1309 of the Standard Specification for Road and Bridge Works 2016 (SSRBW 2016). The research utilized robust secondary data collection from diverse sources, including laboratories, projects, and construction sites, enhancing the dataset's utility and uniqueness. Compliance checks against SSRBW 2016 standards indicated satisfactory performance in stability and flow but highlighted concerns in the Marshall and Filler-Binder Ratio. For the Marshall Quotient, only 82% and 76% and for the Filler-binder ratio, only 61% and 38% of mix designs of gradation type I and type II respectively, followed the standard specified in SSRBW 2016, indicating tender mix design practice in Nepal. Furthermore, the study employs statistical analyses to scrutinize critical parameters, including Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), shedding light on significant disparities in mid-point gradation and sample mean of the dataset. It also investigates the compliance of mix designs with Fuller's ideal gradation for maximum density, emphasizing the significance of aggregate gradation in pavement performance. The evaluation of gradation at 0.45, 0.5, and 0.55 exponents extends to the interplay of volumetric properties, emphasizing the need for refined gradation specifications to enhance the durability and overall performance of asphalt mixtures in the Nepalese context. In this study, RMSE results offer a quantitative measure of the percentage discrepancies between observed gradation and anticipated values of Fuller’s gradation, resulting in RMSE values computed at 3.37%, 4.77%, and 6.74% for percentage passing in the mid-point grade of type I, and 8.23%, 10.89%, and 13.30% for mid-point grades of type II. This analysis provides a clear understanding of the deviation from Fuller's maximum density gradation. The study concludes with actionable recommendations for practitioners and policymakers, aiming to optimize mix designs gradation of Section 1309 of SSRBW 2016 for asphalt pavements in Nepal.

American Sign Language Classification using CNNs: A Comparative Study

2024-06-13T06:39:00+00:00

American Sign Language (ASL) classification is crucial in facilitating communication for individuals with hearing impairments. Traditional methods rely heavily on manual interpretation, which can be time-consuming and error-prone. Inspired by the success of deep learning techniques in image processing, the paper explores the application of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for ASL classification. The paper presents a CNN architecture tailored specifically for this task and investigates the effectiveness of transfer learning by leveraging four pre-trained models: VGG16, InceptionV3, ResNet50, and DenseNet121. A comparative analysis of these architectures has been presented in this paper. The experimental results show that the customized CNN model outperformed other models with a testing accuracy of 99.93% when provided with testing set images. Consequently, it is concluded that customized CNN outshines other models in accurately classifying sign languages.

Comparison of Foundation by Direct Shear Test in Different Soil Condition

2024-06-13T06:44:55+00:00

In this paper, we mainly focused on the comparison of foundation in two different locations. Size of foundation depends on bearing capacity of soil. Standard proctor test has been conducted to determine Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) of soil and Direct shear test has been conducted to determine the shear strength parameters in OMC. Bearing capacity of soil is calculated from shear strength parameters using Terzaghi’s equation. Area of foundation is calculated and it is found that area differ by 34.47% at two locations.

Crop Recommendation System Using Machine Learning: A Comparative Study

2024-06-13T06:50:06+00:00

Agriculture, as a fundamental aspect of human existence, faces challenges in crop selection, impacting resource allocation and productivity. This project addresses these challenges by proposing a stable system employing a soft voting classifier ensemble method. The ensemble comprises Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree, and Random Forest classifiers, offering personalized crop recommendations. Feasibility analysis encompasses technical, operational, economic, and scheduling aspects, ensuring practicality and efficacy. Development follows an incremental model, emphasizing continuous enhancement through feedback. Results indicate accuracies for individual classifiers (’Decision Tree’: 98.38%, ’Random Forest’: 98.90%, ’Naive Bayes’: 98.14%, ’SVM’: 98.50%), with an ensemble accuracy of 98.99%. Cross-validation confirms robustness. Evaluation metrics such as recall, precision, and F1 score demonstrate that the soft voting ensemble outperforms individual classifiers, highlighting its effectiveness in optimizing crop selection processes in agriculture and facilitating improved resource management and productivity.

Facial Emotion Recognition System Using CNN for Song Mapping

2024-06-13T06:56:13+00:00

This project introduces a novel system that integrates Facial Emotion Recognition (FER) with music mapping to enhance human-computer interaction. Leveraging a custom Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) algorithm, developed using the FER2013 dataset, we classify emotions into four categories- happy, sad, neutral, and angry- employing Haar Cascade for precise face detection and grayscale conversion for optimal CNN input. Our custom CNN demonstrates superior performance, achieving a testing accuracy of 77.23%, notably surpassing established models like VGG16 and ResNet50, which achieved 55.87% and 62.76% respectively. This system swiftly identifies emotions and recommends songs from the "278k Emotion Labeled Spotify Songs" playlist, aiming to boost user satisfaction. Through nuanced comparisons with VGG16 and ResNet50, our approach underscores its inherent strengths, suggesting promising advancements in Facial Emotion Recognition (FER) and music recommendation systems. With a focus on precision in emotion detection, our system subtly elevates user experience, contributing meaningfully to ongoing research in the field.

Performance Evaluation of Ekantakuna Intersection

2024-06-13T07:06:09+00:00

Majority of the intersections in Kathmandu valley are unsignalized and hence traffic management becomes one of the emerging issues for traffic police and traffic designers. The number of vehicles in Kathmandu Valley is increasing at the rate of 12% annually (Department of Transport Management, 2018). The manual traffic management is very tedious and hectic nowadays. The consequence leads to traffic congestion and sometimes crashes too. Hence, the performance evaluation of such unsignalized intersection is essential and considering the real time situations, scenario analysis should be done. The research was carried out in Ekantakuna Intersection. The data's were collected in Ekantakuna Intersection through video-graphic surveying during weekdays: Monday to Friday both morning and evening during peak hours (9 to 11 AM in morning and 4 to 6 PM in evening).The model was developed in PTV VISSIM ( Micro-simulation software ) and thus the developed model was calibrated and validated using traffic volume. The relationship between field volume (actual volume) and VISSIM volume (Simulated Volume) was found with the help of R² Value (Coefficient of Determination) which is found to be 0.9993 which indicates that variance of VISSIM output explains 99.9 percentage of variance in field data's. Pedestrian movement was not given priority and hence pedestrian simulation is not considered. Total three scenario analysis were performed in base case scenario. Among them the best scenario analysis was found to be scenario 1 which indicates the restriction of vehicles from service lanes to main lanes and allowing the movement of vehicles from Balkhu(service) to Satdobato(service) and Jawalakhel lanes, and Satdobato(service) to Balkhu(service ) and Bhaisepati lane.