The growing number of older bridges has resulted in an increase in structural flaws, demanding frequent inspections and maintenance. Structural degradation accelerates post-damage recovery, emphasizing the necessity of preventive interventions. The use of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Systems (UASs) for bridge inspections represents a significant development in structural health monitoring (SHM). Traditional inspection methods are labor-intensive, time-consuming, expensive, and require access to high or difficult-to-reach areas, posing safety risks to inspectors. This study focuses on identifying drones that can efficiently support bridge inspection activities. Key factors influencing UAS selection include flight performance, flying modes, cost, sensor capabilities, payload capacity, and controller communication. The primary objective of this paper is to provide guidance to inspectors and transportation agencies regarding the capabilities and limitations of commercially available drones. It also outlines potential cost considerations associated with drone selection, including pilot skill level, platform cost, and sensor integration. These factors may vary depending on the type and complexity of the bridge being inspected. By addressing these aspects, this paper aims to assist decision-makers in making informed choices regarding the use of UASs for bridge inspection applications.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in building construction projects, with safety measures being a major concern for workers and the public. This study aims to assess the barriers to safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic on building construction projects in Nepal. A total of 330 responses were collected from construction professionals in Nepal using a Likert scale. To ensure the data's suitability for factor analysis using Principal Component Analysis, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, Bartlett's Sphericity test, inter-component correlations, and Cronbach alpha scores for internal consistency were checked, and principal components were extracted. A 25-item safety barrier to safety measures in building construction projects during the COVID-19 pandemic was identified through an extensive review of the literature; six components were retained using Principal Component Analysis which represented the model of choice and explained 62.86 % of the data variance. The components were; inappropriate safety guidelines, psychological working pressure, inadequate hygiene monitoring and control, lack of safety awareness, improper working culture, and insufficient planning and scheduling. The internal consistency for the retained components was high; Cronbach α scores ranged from 0.72 to 0.796. “Inappropriate Safety Guidelines” was the most critical barrier to implementing safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in building construction projects, according to the rankings of the six identified components. It is recommended that construction professionals and regulatory bodies prioritize the development and adherence to robust safety protocols tailored to pandemic conditions. Regularly updating and reinforcing these guidelines will be crucial in safeguarding the health and well-being of workers while ensuring project continuity. Additionally, investing in thorough training and awareness programs can significantly mitigate this barrier's impact.

The COVID-19 epidemic has created unprecedented challenges for global economies, affecting every industry, including the building construction industry in Nepal as well. This research aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the building construction industry in Nepal. This study examines institutional, psychological, individual, operational, contractual, and financial factors. To achieve the objective, data were collected from 330 Nepalese construction professionals using a structured Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed with Smart PLS version 3 software for partial least squares structural equation modeling. The reliability and validity of both the measurement and structural models were tested and found satisfactory. All six factors were found to be significant at a 5% level of significance. Among all factors, the institutional factor was found as the most significant factor with a t-value of 7.654 and a beta value of 0.679, emphasizing the crucial role of institutional support in Nepal's building construction industry. The psychological factor also emerged as the second most significant influential factor (t value: 6.087, beta value: 0.463), underscoring the profound effect on the mental well-being of professionals in the field. The finding highlights the critical importance of institutional support and the profound influence of psychological factors on the well-being of construction professionals, necessitating targeted interventions to support the industry's recovery and resilience.

This study investigates optimized hydraulic cylinder positioning for erecting and lowering small-scale wind towers. Static structural analysis was performed for multiple connection configurations to minimize required force while maintaining geometric feasibility. A locally available 3000-psi hydraulic cylinder was evaluated, and a prototype was constructed to compare theoretical energy consumption with measured electrical energy trends. Results indicate that the optimal connection point occurs at the horizontal distance of 7.5 ft from the tower and the vertical distance of 5 ft from the base; however, locally available cylinders lack sufficient capacity for controlled lowering, requiring custom designs for safe retraction. The findings highlight placement constraints, cylinder capacity limits, and energy consumption characteristics, demonstrating the potential for improved hydraulic solutions in residential wind tower systems.