2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Enhancing Graduate Engagement in Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure through Digital Twin Simulation: An ICAP- and SDT-Informed Living-Lab Study at an HBCU

Addressing challenges related to climate change and infrastructure resilience requires engineering graduates who can reason about sustainability, data-driven performance, and complex system trade-offs. Digital Twin (DT) technologies, which provide virtual representations of physical assets through modeling and simulation, offer opportunities to support experiential learning in sustainability-focused engineering education.
This study presents an exploratory, post-module investigation of student engagement within a Digital Twin–enabled living-lab module implemented in a graduate Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure course at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The module was centered on an existing residential building, which served as a real-world case study for sustainability and retrofit analysis. Students developed retrofit strategies using SketchUp, simulated energy and carbon performance using OpenStudio powered by EnergyPlus, and interpreted results through performance visualization dashboards.
The study is grounded in the Interactive-Constructive-Active-Passive (ICAP) framework as the primary lens for cognitive engagement, with Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) used as supporting perspectives to contextualize motivation and technology use. Student engagement, motivation, technology acceptance, and perceived learning outcomes were examined using a post-module survey, with analysis limited to descriptive statistics and internal consistency measures.
Results indicate moderate to high levels of cognitive engagement across ICAP modes, with notable constructive and interactive engagement despite the short duration of the activity. Students also reported positive perceptions of learning relevance, interest in sustainable building design, and the usefulness of Digital Twin tools for understanding sustainability concepts. While exploratory in nature, the findings demonstrate the feasibility of using Digital Twin representations of existing residential buildings to support meaningful engagement in sustainability-focused graduate engineering education. The study also highlights the potential of HBCUs as contexts for innovation in digital pedagogy within engineering education.

Authors

Tolulope Abiri Morgan State University [biography]

Tolulope Abiri is a graduate student in Civil Engineering at Morgan State University, where he also serves as a Research Assistant. He holds a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). His current research focuses on the sustainability and resilience of transportation infrastructure in the face of sea level rise, with a particular emphasis on coastal vulnerability and adaptive planning for future climate scenarios.
Tolulope is passionate about engineering education and research, with a strong appreciation for field experiences that bridge theory and practical application.
Ayobami Christianah Dunmoye Morgan State University [biography]

Ayobami Dunmoye holds a BSc in Architecture and is currently pursuing a PhD in Civil Engineering, specializing in Construction Management. Her research and academic focus center on Sustainable Infrastructure and Resilient Engineering, with a strong passion for developing smart, sustainable, and resilient built environments. Dedicated to bridging the gap between design, engineering, and construction management, Ayobami aims to contribute to the advancement of innovative practices that support sustainable development and resilient infrastructure.
Adeolu Victor Banjo http://orcid.org/0009-0009-2807-8065 Morgan State University [biography]

Banjo Adeolu Victor is a doctoral student and research assistant in the Department of Civil Engineering at Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. With Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture and years of professional practice in the architecture and construction industry, he combines academic teaching experience with industry expertise. His research explores the integration of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to advance sustainable infrastructure engineering. Passionate about innovation and education, he has participated in several conferences and workshops, contributing to immersive learning, sustainable construction, and infrastructure resilience initiatives.
Julius Ogaga Etuke http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2710-2803 Morgan State University [biography]

Julius Ogaga Etuke is a seasoned civil engineer and Ph.D. Candidate in Civil Engineering at Morgan State University, where his research focuses on sustainable and resilient infrastructure engineering. With over 15 years of consulting and project leadership experience, primarily in Nigeria's infrastructure landscape, he brings a robust, practical perspective to academic inquiry. His doctoral research is at the cutting edge of transportation resilience, integrating virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), climate adaptation modeling, and data-driven solutions to improve disaster preparedness and risk mitigation in complex transportation systems. As a COREN-registered engineer and member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, his work emphasizes impactful research and consultancy that bridges structural design principles with urgent sustainability and resilience challenges.
Dr. Oludare Adegbola Owolabi P.E. Morgan State University [biography]

Dr. Oludare Owolabi, a professional engineer in Maryland, joined the Morgan State University faculty in 2010. He is the director of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Smart Innovation and Resilient Engineering Research Lab, Department of Civil Engineering at Morgan State University.
Michael Oluwafemi Ige Morgan State University [biography]

Michael Ige is a graduate of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Morgan State University, Maryland, where he obtained an M.eng. in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a concentration in Construction Management and Transportation Engineering. He earned his B.Tech. in Building Structure from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
He currently works as a Civil Engineer at Stacy and Witbeck, contributing to the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Project in Baltimore, Maryland, a major transportation infrastructure initiative.
His research interests include the integration of digital tools in construction education, resilient building design, and asset management in civil infrastructure.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026