Journal of Civil and Construction Engineering

Artificial Intelligence in Civil Engineering: Applications, Research Gaps, and Future Directions

Mahadeva M. — 2025-10-09

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology in civil engineering, enabling predictive analytics, real-time monitoring, and automation. Unlike traditional deterministic models, AI offers data-driven approaches that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability. This study reviews the applications of AI in structural health monitoring, project management, materials research, transportation systems, and disaster management. Comparative analysis demonstrates AI’s superior performance, such as improving crack detection accuracy to over 90%, reducing project delays by 15%, and achieving ±5% accuracy in predicting concrete compressive strength. Research gaps, such as a lack of standardized datasets, model interpretability, and integration with codes, are discussed. Case studies from India and abroad provide proof of AI’s effectiveness. The findings suggest that AI can redefine civil engineering by augmenting human expertise, creating safer, smarter, and more sustainable infrastructure.

From Centralized to Collaborative Governance: Analyzing the Proposed Institutional Reforms for Nepal’s Building Regulation

Sushil Kumar Shrestha — 2025-11-05

The 2015 Gorkha earthquake devastated over 1.8 million structures in Nepal, exposing the profound implementation failures of the National Building Code (NBC) despite its existence since 1994. This paper analyzes institutional reforms proposed in Nepal’s 2022 National Framework, advocating a shift from centralized, ad hoc processes to collaborative governance through a Nepal Building Standards Council (NBSC). Through comparative policy analysis with the U.S. International Code Council (ICC) and India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the paper benchmarks the NBSC against global best practices. The model aligns well with key pillars dedicated to institutional home, participatory processes, and mandated review cycles, but faces implementation risks in political legitimacy, financing, and cultural shifts. Drawing on updates through 2025 (e.g., NBC 105:2020 and NBC 205:2024 revisions), the paper argues that this reform is essential for disaster resilience, offering recommendations for enabling legislation and capacity building. This case study informs regulatory evolution in federalizing nations.

A Review on the Effect of Structural Performance of Cable-stayed Bridges

Avinash Kumar — 2025-10-06

Cable-stayed bridges have become a preferred choice for long-span crossings due to their aesthetic appeal, structural efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. The performance of these bridges is highly influenced by factors such as cable arrangement, pylon height, deck stiffness, and material properties. This review critically examines recent studies on the structural performance of cable-stayed bridges, focusing on parameters such as load-carrying capacity, deflection behavior, vibration characteristics, and durability under various environmental and loading conditions. The review highlights the influence of design configurations, stressing techniques, and construction methodologies on the overall structural behavior. Additionally, challenges related to fatigue, cable tensioning, and dynamic response are discussed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting performance. The findings can assist engineers and researchers in optimizing design strategies and improving the safety, durability, and efficiency of future cable-stayed bridge projects.