Understanding geomechanical properties of rocks at multiple scales is critical and relevant in various disciplines including civil, mining, petroleum and geological engineering. Several upscaling frameworks were proposed to model elastic properties of common rock types from micro to macroscale, considering the heterogeneity and anisotropy in the samples. However, direct comparison of the results from different upscaling methods remains limited, which can question their accuracy in laboratory experiments. Extreme heterogeneity of natural rocks that arises from various existing components in them adds complexity to verifying the accuracy of these upscaling methods. Therefore, experimental validation of various upscaling methods is performed by creating simple component materials, which is, in this study, examining the predicted macroscale geomechanical properties of 3D printed rocks. Nanoindentation data were first captured from 3D printed gypsum powder and binder rock fragments followed by, triaxial compression tests on similar cylindrical core plugs to acquire modulus values in micro and macroscale respectively. Mori-Tanaka (MT) scheme, Self-Consistent Scheme (SCS) method and Differential Effective Medium (DEM) theory were used to estimate Young’s modulus in macroscale based on the results of nanoindentation experiments. The comparison demonstrated that M-T and SCS methods would provide us with more comparable results than DEM method. In addition, the potential applications of 3D printed rocks were also discussed regarding rock physics and the geomechanics area in petroleum engineering and geosciences.

This paper explores the relationship between human factors in construction safety and their effects on operational efficiency. It investigates how safety incidents resulting from human errors influence productivity, project timelines, and overall costs, while examining how strategic safety management can improve organizational performance. The study employs a mixed-methods design that combines quantitative statistical modeling with qualitative case analysis to ensure both empirical rigor and contextual depth (R² = 0.87, p < 0.001). Data were drawn from four construction firms, encompassing a sample of 120 employees across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. Variables such as training hours, fatigue levels, safety compliance, and technology adoption were analyzed against key operational performance indicators, including rework hours, schedule adherence, and productivity scores. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 29 and AMOS 28, incorporating descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and mediation testing to examine the pathways linking human factors, safety performance, and operational productivity. Reliability and validity were confirmed through Cronbach’s alpha and variance inflation factor (VIF) diagnostics. Results demonstrate that safety compliance acts as a mediating variable connecting training, fatigue, and technology adoption to measurable business outcomes. By providing a quantitative framework that links human factor management to operational efficiency, this research contributes to both construction management theory and practice, emphasizing safety as a strategic driver of performance and competitiveness.

In this investigation, fragility analysis of a cantilever retaining wall with a height of 6-m and cohesionless and cohesive backfills is conducted to evaluate the probability of failure due to earthquake peak ground acceleration (PGA). Calibrated seismic analyses of retaining walls are conducted using the finite difference method. Seven different earthquake ground motions are used to assess the seismic behavior of retaining walls under different earthquake conditions. The maximum relative displacement of retaining walls was determined for models with various earthquake loads as well as different backfill materials. Consequently, fragility analyses are conducted to determine the effect of earthquake intensity in terms of PGA and backfill cohesion on the failure risk of the retaining wall. Fragility results are provided based on probability curves demonstrating the likelihood of different levels of damage in a given earthquake PGA for various backfill cohesions. According to the fragility analysis, with consideration of 50% as the probability of failure, the threshold PGA free-field of the failure zone is 0.47 and 0.75 g, respectively.

Public transit agencies are increasingly expected to support smart city goals, but the existing assessment tools often examine transit technology, urban design, environmental performance, or service quality separately. This paper develops a multidisciplinary framework for assessing how ready a public transit system is for integration into a smart city environment. The framework organizes readiness into eight dimensions: technological integration, accessibility, mobility, sustainability and environmental impact, data security and privacy, resilience and adaptability, community engagement and feedback, and safety, security, and rider comfort. These dimensions are further divided into operational subcategories that can be examined using quantitative indicators, public documents, and expert ratings. The framework is applied to Austin, Texas, using CapMetro service information, static GTFS data, census and ACS data, public agency documents, and a short expert rating exercise. The Austin case indicates relatively stronger performance in sustainability and technology adoption, supported by electric and hybrid fleet investments, mobile fare payment, and real-time vehicle information. Lower scores are observed in resilience, community feedback, mobility, and spatial accessibility, particularly in areas where peripheral neighborhoods have limited stop coverage or long scheduled headways. The paper contributes a practical screening tool that can help planners identify where public transit systems are aligned with smart city objectives and where additional investment, governance, or data transparency is needed.