Publications, Presentations and Media

ATIC researchers actively contribute to the scientific community through peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, technical reports and public media. Publications and presentations are organized below by category.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Hyperspectral and Noncontact Sensing

Besharatian, B., & Dorafshan, S. (2025). Moisture exposure detection in timber using NIR spectroscopy: A feasibility study for railroad condition assessment. Transportation Geotechnics, 101844.

Das, A., & Dorafshan, S. (2025). Feasibility of hyperspectral sensing for detection of early stages of corrosion in structural steel. NDT & E International, 154, 103399.

Ichi, E., & Dorafshan, S. (2025). Proposed wet-fouled contamination index for railroad ballast fouling assessment. International Journal of Rail Transportation.

Ichi, E., & Dorafshan, S. (2023). Spectral characterization of fouled railroad ballast using hyperspectral imaging. Construction and Building Materials, 394, 132076.

Jafari, F., & Dorafshan, S. (2026). Noncontact surface carbonation detection and monitoring in concrete structures. Measurement, 120399.

Nondestructive Evaluation and Bridge Decks

Ichi, E., & Dorafshan, S. (2024). Evaluation of Infrared Thermography Dataset for Delamination Detection in Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks. Applied Sciences, 14(6), 2455. 

Yu, Y., Rashidi, M., Dorafshan, S., Samali, B., Farsangi, E. N., Yi, S., & Ding, Z. (2024). Ground penetrating radar-based automated defect identification of bridge decks: a hybrid approach. Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring.

Lavadiya, D. N., & Dorafshan, S. (2023). Deep learning models for analysis of non-destructive evaluation data to evaluate reinforced concrete bridge decks: A survey. Engineering Reports, e12608.

Ichi, E., & Dorafshan, S. (2022). Effectiveness of infrared thermography for delamination detection in reinforced concrete bridge decks. Automation in Construction, 142, 104523.

Ichi, E., Jafari, F., & Dorafshan, S. (2022). SDNET2021: Annotated NDE Dataset for Subsurface Structural Defects Detection in Concrete Bridge Decks. Infrastructures, 7(9), 107.

Jafari, F., & Dorafshan, S. (2022). Comparison between Supervised and Unsupervised Learning for Autonomous Delamination Detection Using Impact Echo. Remote Sensing, 14(24), 6307.

Jafari, F., & Dorafshan, S. (2021). Bridge Inspection and Defect Recognition Using Impact Echo Data, Probability, and Naive Bayes Classifiers. Infrastructures, 6, 132.

Dorafshan, S., & Azari, H. (2020). Deep learning models for bridge deck evaluation using impact echo. Construction and Building Materials, 263, 120109.

Dorafshan, S., & Azari, H. (2020). Evaluation of bridge decks with overlays using impact echo, a deep learning approach. Automation in Construction, 113, 103133.

Dorafshan, S., Thomas, R. J., & Maguire, M. (2018). SDNET2018: An annotated image dataset for non-contact concrete crack detection using deep convolutional neural networks. Data in Brief, 21, 1664–1668.

Dorafshan, S., Thomas, R. J., & Maguire, M. (2018). Comparison of deep convolutional neural networks and edge detectors for image-based crack detection in concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 186, 1031–1045.

Dorafshan, S., Thomas, R. J., & Maguire, M. (2019). Benchmarking Image Processing Algorithms for Unmanned Aerial System-Assisted Crack Detection in Concrete Structures. Infrastructures, 4(2), 19.

UAS-Assisted Inspection & Corrosion Detection

Das, A., Dorafshan, S., & Kaabouch, N. (2024). Autonomous Image-Based Corrosion Detection in Steel Structures Using Deep Learning. Sensors, 24(11), 3630.

Das, A., Ichi, E., & Dorafshan, S. (2023). Image-Based Corrosion Detection in Ancillary Structures. Infrastructures, 8(4), 66.

Jafari, F., & Dorafshan, S. (2025). Condition assessment of bolted connections in steel structures using deep learning. Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, 10(2), 65.

Jafari, F., & Dorafshan, S. (2025). Vision based stockpile inventory measurement using uncrewed aerial systems. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 16(2), 103251.

Jafari, F., & Dorafshan, S. (2026). Granular stockpile volume measurement. Data in Brief, 112631.

Jafari, F., & Dorafshan, S. (2026). SDNET 2025—Annotated dataset of steel bolted connection evaluation. Data in Brief, 112254.

Besharatian, B., Das, A., Awawdeh, A., Dorafshan, S., & Maguire, M. (2023). Benchmarking dynamic properties of structures using non-contact sensing. Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration, 22(2), 387–405.

Dorafshan, S., Campbell, L. E., Maguire, M., & Connor, R. J. (2021). Benchmarking Unmanned Aerial Systems-Assisted Inspection of Steel Bridges for Fatigue Cracks. Transportation Research Record.

Dorafshan, S., Thomas, R., Maguire, M. Fatigue Crack Detection Using Unmanned Aerial Systems in Fracture Critical Inspection of Steel Bridges. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 23(10), 04018078.

Dorafshan, S., Maguire, M. Bridge Inspection: Human Performance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Automation. Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring, 8(3), 443–476.

Dorafshan, S., Maguire, M., & Collins, W. (2018). Infrared Thermography for Weld Inspection: Feasibility and Application. Infrastructures, 3(4), 45.

Dorafshan, S., Thomas, R., Coopmans, C., Maguire, M. Practitioner’s Guide to Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for Bridge Inspection. Infrastructures, 4(4), 72.

3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) & Additive Construction

Hasani, A., & Dorafshan, S. (2025). Evaluation of Fresh, Hardened, and Durability Properties of 3DCP Pipes. ACI Materials Journal.

Hasani, A., Besharatian, B., & Dorafshan, S. (2025). Additively Constructed Plain Concrete Pipes: Structural Performance and Site Implementation. Journal of Architectural Engineering, 31(3), 04025023.

Hasani, A., & Dorafshan, S. (2024). Transforming construction? Evaluation of the state of structural 3D concrete printing in research and practice. Construction and Building Materials, 438, 137027.

Transportation Safety & Other Topics

Besharatian, B., & Dorafshan, S. (2025). A pipeline to enhance animal vehicle collision analysis in crash report dataset. Journal of Safety Research, 92, 245–261.

Dorafshan, S., Johnson, K., Culmo, M., Maguire, M., Halling, M., Barr, P. Friction coefficients for slide-in bridge construction using PTFE and steel sliding. Journal of Bridge Engineering.

Dorafshan, S., Maguire, M., Halling, M. W., Barr, P. J., & Culmo, M. P. (2019). Dynamic Effects Caused by SPMT Bridge Moves. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 24(3), 04019002.

Behnamfar, F., Dorafshan, S., Taheri, A., & Hashemi, B. H. (2015). A method for rapid estimation of dynamic coupling and spectral responses of connected adjacent structures. The Structural Design of Tall and Special Buildings.

Dorafshan, S., Behnamfar, F., Khamesipour, A., & Motosaka, M. (2013). Condensed hyperelements method of non-vertical consistent boundaries for wave propagation analysis in irregular media. Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration, 12(4), 547–559.

Conference Proceedings

Bonsu, B.N.K., Assuah-Damoah, E.K., & Dorafshan, S. Automated Delamination Detection from Thermal Images for Digital Twin Use. IABMAS 2026, July 7–10, 2026.

Das, A., & Dorafshan, S. (2025). UAS-Assisted Corrosion Detection in Steel Using Combined Human and Machine Intelligence. 2025 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS), pp. 400–407. IEEE.

Jafari, F., & Dorafshan, S. (2025). Application of Unmanned Aerial Systems for Progress Monitoring of Pavement: A Case Study. Airfield and Highway Pavements 2025, pp. 815–825.

Jafari, F., Dorafshan, S., & Kaabouch, N. (2023). Segmentation of fatigue cracks in ancillary steel structures using deep learning convolutional neural networks. 2023 IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (AIM), 872–877.

Heichel, J., Mitra, R., Jafari, F., Das, A., Dorafshan, S., & Kaabouch, N. (2023). A System for Real-Time Display and Interactive Training of Predictive Structural Defect Models Deployed on UAV. 2023 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS), 1221–1225.

Mitra, R., Das, A., Heichel, J., Dorafshan, S., & Kaabouch, N. (2023). A Comparative Analysis of Two Deep Learning Neural Networks for Defect Detection in Steel Structures Using UAS. 2023 IEEE International Conference on Electro Information Technology (eIT), 430–435.

Lavadiya, D. N., Ichi, E., & Dorafshan, S. (2022). Hyperspectral Imaging for Moisture Content Measurement in Ballast: A Feasibility Study. Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Railway Technology, Civil-Comp Press, Paper 8.14.

Besharatian, B., & Dorafshan, S. (2022). Non-Contact Bridge Deck Evaluation Using Infrared Thermography, A Pipeline for Data Annotation. 2022 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS), 1389–1396.

Mitra, R., Hackel, J., Das, A., Dorafshan, S., & Kaabouch, N. (2022). A UAV Payload for Real-time Inspection of Highway Ancillary Structures. 2022 IEEE International Conference on Electro Information Technology (eIT), 411–416.

Ahmadvand, M., Dorafshan, S., Azari, H., & Shams, S. (2021). 1D-CNNs for autonomous defect detection in bridge decks using ground penetrating radar. Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems XV, SPIE, Vol. 11593, pp. 97–113.

Dorafshan, S., Campbell, L., Maguire, M., & Connor, R. J. (2021). Benchmarking UAS-Assisted Inspection of Steel Bridges for Fatigue Cracks. Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting.

Dorafshan, S., Coopmans, C., Thomas, R., & Maguire, M. (2018). Deep Learning Neural Networks for sUAS-Assisted Structural Inspections: Feasibility and Application. ICUAS18, IEEE, Dallas, Texas.

Johnson, K., Halling, M., Dorafshan, S., Maguire, M., Barr, P., & Culmo, M. (2018). Bearing friction values for slide-in bridge construction. 9th International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management, Melbourne.

Dorafshan, S., Maguire, M., Halling, M., & Barr, P. (2018). Dynamic Effects Caused by SPMT Bridge Transport. 9th International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management, Melbourne.

Dorafshan, S., Maguire, M., Hoffer, N. V., & Coopmans, C. (2017). Challenges in bridge inspection using small unmanned aerial systems: Results and lessons learned. 2017 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS), pp. 1722–1730.

Dorafshan, S., & Maguire, M. (2017). Autonomous Detection of Concrete Cracks on Bridge Decks and Fatigue Cracks on Steel Members. Digital Imaging 2017, pp. 33–44, ASNT.

Dorafshan, S., Maguire, M., & Chang, M. (2017). Comparing Automated Image-Based Crack Detection Techniques in Spatial and Frequency Domains. 26th ASNT Research Symposium, Jacksonville, Fla.

Technical Reports

Das, A., Jafari, F., Reitz, D., Heichel, J., Mitra, R., Dorafshan, S., & Kaabouch, N. (2024). Smart Inspection of Ancillary Structures in North Dakota Using Unmanned Aerial Systems. Final Report, North Dakota Department of Transportation.

Ichi, E., Das, A., & Dorafshan, S. (2021). Advanced Evaluation Methods for Concrete Bridge Decks: Data Acquisition, Validation and Annotation. Final Report, North Dakota Department of Transportation.

Dorafshan, S., & Maguire, M. (2018). Infrared In-line Weld Inspection — Feasibility Study. Nucor Building Systems.

Johnson, K., Halling, M., Dorafshan, S., Maguire, M., Barr, P., & Culmo, M. (2018). Dynamics and Friction of ABC Bridge Moves. CIAT-UTC-NC 13, Final Report.

Dorafshan, S., Maguire, M., Hoffer, V., Coopmans, C., & Thomas, R. (2018). Investigating Unmanned Aerial Systems for Fatigue Crack Detection. CIAT-UTC-NC31, Final Report.

Dorafshan, S., Maguire, M., Hoffer, V., & Coopmans, C. (2017). Fatigue Crack Detection Using Unmanned Aerial Systems in Under-Bridge Inspection. Final Report RP 256, Idaho Transportation Department.

Dorafshan, S., Maguire, M., & Qi, X. (2016). Automatic Surface Crack Detection in Concrete Structures Using OTSU Thresholding and Morphological Operations. Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications, Paper 1234.

Dissertations & Theses (Major Adviser)

Ichi, E. O. (2024). NIR-Spectroscopy with Data-Driven Application for Inspection and Prediction of Combined Fouling and Moisture Contamination in Railroad Ballast. Ph.D. Dissertation.

Wiken, E. E. (2024). Determination of the Water to Cement Ratio of Fresh Concrete Using NIR Hyperspectral Imagery. M.S. Thesis.

Hasani, A. (2024). Investigating the Potential of 3D Concrete Printing for Unreinforced Structures. M.S. Thesis.

Ichi, E. O. (2021). Validating NDE Dataset and Benchmarking Infrared Thermography for Delamination Detection in Bridge Decks. M.S. Thesis.

Selected Presentations

National & International Conferences

Besharatian, B., & Dorafshan, S. (2026). Toward a Mineralogy Based Fouling Index Using Hyperspectral Imaging for Track Safety Monitoring. AREMA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo, Kansas City, Mo.

Besharatian, B., & Dorafshan, S. (Jan 2025). Under-tie Ballast Condition Assessment via Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: A Feasibility Study. Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Besharatian, B. (2026). Presentation at the 105th Annual Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Hasani, A., Besharatian, B., & Dorafshan, S. (Jan 2025). Unreinforced 3D Concrete Pipe Construction and Site Implementation: Opportunities and Challenges. Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Hasani, A., Besharatian, B., Dorafshan, S., & Maguire, M. (Nov 2024). Investigating the Seam Effect on Structural Failure of Additively Constructed Pipe Culverts. TRB Conference on Advancing Additive Manufacturing and Construction in Transportation, Irvine, Calif.

Hasani, A., & Dorafshan, S. (Nov 2024). Impact of Additive Construction on Structural, Mechanical, and Durability Performance of Unreinforced 3DCP Buried Structures. ACI Concrete Convention, Philadelphia, Pa.

Dorafshan, S., Ichi, E., & Besharatian, B. (Jan 2024). Railroad Substructure Moisture Measurement and Monitoring Using Hyperspectral Sensing: Phase 1. Transportation Research Board Track Support Mechanics Workshop, Washington, D.C.

Ichi, E., & Dorafshan, S. (Jan 2024). An Alternative Contamination Index for Noncontact Evaluation of Railroad Ballast. Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Das, A., & Dorafshan, S. (May 2024). Image-based autonomous corrosion detection in steel structures. Engineering Mechanics Institute Conference (EMI/PMC 2024), Chicago, Ill.

Wiken, E., & Dorafshan, S. (Oct 2023). Measuring the Water to Cement (W/C) Ratio of Fresh Concrete Using Hyperspectral Imagery. ACI Fall Convention, Boston, Mass.

Dorafshan, S. (Oct 2023). Artificial Intelligence in Condition Assessment of Concrete Structures. ACI Fall Convention, Boston, Mass.

Ichi, E., & Dorafshan, S. (Jan 2023). Noncontact Measurement and Evaluation of Moisture Content in Railroad Ballast. Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Local & Regional

Damoah, E., & Dorafshan, S. (Jan 2026). Additive construction of culverts. North Dakota Association of County Engineers, Grand Forks, N.D..

Dorafshan, S. Autonomy for Transportation Infrastructure Monitoring and Construction. North Dakota Transportation Conference, Bismarck, N.D.

Besharatian, B., & Dorafshan, S. (Nov 2024). Light Reflectance for Infrastructure Maintenance. Chemistry Seminar Series, University of North Dakota.

Jafari, F., & Dorafshan, S. (Mar 2024). UAS Imagery LiDAR for Stockpile Volume Measurement. North Dakota Transportation Conference, Bismarck, N.D.

Hasani, A., & Dorafshan, S. (Mar 2024). Large-Scale Additive Construction Utilizing a Robotic Arm. North Dakota Transportation Conference, Bismarck, N.D.

Hasani, A. (Nov 2023). 3D Concrete Printing in Construction: Concepts, Applications, and a Case Study. ASCE North Dakota Chapter PDH Presentation, Grand Forks, N.D.

Das, A., et al. (Oct 2023). Smart UAS Inspection of Ancillary Structures in North Dakota. NDDOT Research Advisory Committee Meeting, Virtual.

Jafari, F., & Dorafshan, S. (Mar 2023). Application of UAS for NDDOT Stockpile Inventory. North Dakota Transportation Conference, Bismarck, N.D.