Structural Materials Commons^™

Effect Of Citric Acid On Slump, Compressive Strength, And Setting Time Of Belitic Calcium Sulfoaluminate Concrete, Israel Aguilar Rosero

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Belitic calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement has well established advantages related to fast setting time, fast strength gain, long-term strengths, shrinkage, and sustainability. Due to its fast setting and hardening, this type of cement has historically been used to repair concrete structures, highways, and runways. This work provides much needed guidance on establishing mix design criteria for BCSA cement. Guidance is also given on the effects of set retarders on strength, slump, and setting times. Citric acid and a phosphonic acid-based admixture were tested as retarders for different concrete mixtures. Three studies were performed. In the slump study five different water …

Application Of Percentage Within Limits Concepts On A Balanced Mix Design Of Asphalt Mixtures, Elvis Alexander Castillo Camarena

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Many agencies have incorporated rutting, and more recently cracking, laboratory test requirements in the design process of asphalt mixtures. The objective of each additional specification is to produce a balance between the stability and durability of the final product. Although a performance-engineered mixture design (PEMD), denoted here as a balanced mix design (BMD), offers compelling benefits, there is concern regarding the compatibility of the BMD with current construction practices. The objective of this work is to correlate a BMD method with realistic binder content construction tolerances by applying the concepts of a percent-within-limits (PWL) approach to field QC/QA. First, Chapter …

3-D Fabry–Pérot Cavities Sculpted On Fiber Tips Using A Multiphoton Polymerization Process, Jonathan W. Smith, Jeremiah C. Williams, Joseph S. Suelzer, Nicholas G. Usechak, Hengky Chandrahalim

Faculty Publications

This paper presents 3-D Fabry–Pérot (FP) cavities fabricated directly onto cleaved ends of low-loss optical fibers by a two-photon polymerization (2PP) process. This fabrication technique is quick, simple, and inexpensive compared to planar microfabrication processes, which enables rapid prototyping and the ability to adapt to new requirements. These devices also utilize true 3-D design freedom, facilitating the realization of microscale optical elements with challenging geometries. Three different device types were fabricated and evaluated: an unreleased single-cavity device, a released dual-cavity device, and a released hemispherical mirror dual-cavity device. Each iteration improved the quality of the FP cavity's reflection spectrum. The …

Defect Evolution In High-Temperature Irradiated Nuclear Graphite, Steve Johns

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Graphite has historically been used as a moderator material in nuclear reactor designs dating back to the first man-made nuclear reactor to achieve criticality (Chicago Pile 1) in 1942. Additionally, graphite is a candidate material for use in the future envisioned next-generation nuclear reactors (Gen IV); specifically, the molten-salt-cooled (MSR) and very-high-temperature reactor (VHTR) concepts. Gen IV reactor concepts will introduce material challenges as temperature regimes and reactor lifetimes are anticipated to far exceed those of earlier reactors. Irradiation-induced defect evolution is a fundamental response in nuclear graphite subjected to irradiation. These defects directly influence the many property changes of …

Large Displacement J-Integral Double Cantilever Beam (Dcb) Test Method For Mode I Fracture Toughness, Joshua Gunderson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The J-integral is used to develop an alternative double cantilever beam (DCB) test method for the Mode I fracture toughness suitable for both small and large displacements. The current focus is the experimental determination of the Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of composite materials, but the method is generally applicable to other similar tests and material systems, such as to the Mode I fracture toughness of adhesives. A series of five identical specimens are tested to compare the linear-elastic fracture mechanics method recommended by ASTM, which makes use of linear beam theory with root rotation, large displacement, and end …

Machine Learning Prediction Of Mechanical And Durability Properties Of Recycled Aggregates Concrete, Itzel Rosalia Nunez Vargas

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Whilst recycled aggregate (RA) can alleviate the environmental footprint of concrete production and the landfilling of colossal amounts of demolition waste, there need for robust predictive tools for its effects on mechanical and durability properties. In this thesis, state-of-the-art machine learning (ML) models were deployed to predict properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). A systematic review was performed to analyze pertinent ML techniques previously applied in the concrete technology field. Accordingly, three different ML methods were selected to determine the compressive strength of RAC and perform mixture proportioning optimization. Furthermore, a gradient boosting regression tree was used to study the …

Manual For Thin Asphalt Overlays, Lerose Lane, R. Gary Hicks, Dingxin Cheng, Erik Updyke

Mineta Transportation Institute Publications

This manual presents best practices on project selection, mix design, and construction to ensure a superior product when constructing thin asphalt overlays. Experience shows these treatments provide excellent performance when placed on pavements in fair to good condition using proper construction techniques. Though sometime referred to by other names, thin asphalt overlays have been widely used for pavement preservation throughout the world for over 50 years.

Limited infrastructure funding at the local, state, and federal levels has resulted in greater emphasis on the use of pavement preservation techniques to extend pavement life and reduce maintenance costs. Thin asphalt overlays are …

A Modified Johnson-Cook Model Incorporating The Effect Of Grain Size On Flow Stress, S. Ganguly, Mario F. Buchely, K. Chandrashekhara, Semen Naumovich Lekakh, Ronald J. O'Malley

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The mechanical properties of steel are influenced by grain size, which can change through mechanisms such as nucleation and growth at elevated temperatures. However, the classic Johnson-Cook model that is widely used in hot deformation simulations does not consider the effect of grain size on flow stress. In this study, the Johnson-Cook model was modified to incorporate the effects of austenite grain size on flow stress. A finite element model was employed to characterize the effects of grain size on the flow stress for different steel grades over a range of temperatures (900⁰ to 1300⁰). Simulation results show good agreement …

Rational Design Of Cell Configurations For High-Performance Na-O2 Batteries, Xiaoting Lin

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Na-O₂ batteries are considered as the promising candidates for electric vehicles due to their ultrahigh theoretical energy densities. However, state-of-the-art Na-O₂ batteries suffer from serious challenges including 1) pore clogging and insufficient O₂ transportation within the air electrode; 2) degradation of air electrode, 3) Na dendrite growth; and 4) Na corrosion induced by O₂/O₂^- crossover. This thesis, therefore, focuses on rational design of cell configurations to address these problems and understanding the insight mechanisms.

3D printing of “O₂ breathable” air electrodes for Na-O₂ batteries were first developed. The unique air electrode …

The Applications Of Auxetic Material, Faizal Arifurrahman

English Language Institute

To date, increasing structural efficiency has become a main objective in material science and engineering. One focus is an auxetic material with a unique characteristic obtained by fabricating cellular forms. With its higher strength-to-weight ratio, auxetic is becoming popular in the real-world to produce products that are light but more durable. This study examines potential application of auxetic compared to that of conventional material.

Homogenization Of Composite And Cellular Materials Incorporating Microstructure And Surface Energy Effects, Ahmad Gad

Mechanical Engineering Research Theses and Dissertations

In the last few decades, the popularity of composite and cellular materials has rapidly increased through their widespread applications in multiple engineering fields including aerospace, automotive, civil and biomedical. However, to a large extent, the success of their practical applications depends on our ability to predict their mechanical behavior by using high-fidelity mechanics models.

Micromechanical modeling of composite and cellular materials is a challenging task due to the heterogeneous nature of such materials and the interactions among various constituent phases at the microscopic level, which result in non-homogeneous deformation, strain and stress fields. Therefore, it is necessary to develop simple …

Cracking And Earing Phenomenon In Deep-Drawn Stainless Steel Alloys: Role Of Transformation Kinetics, Microstructure, And Texture, Peijun Hou

Doctoral Dissertations

The enhancement of formability of advanced high-strength TRIP-assisted steel alloys is a challenging assignment for industrial application due to the cracking phenomenon. The critical factor governing the cracking behavior is residual-stress concentration resulting from the inhomogeneous plastic deformation and microstructural evolution during the forming processes. Martensitic phase transformation kinetics, constituent phases, and crystallographic texture in TRIP-assisted steel alloys are correlated to the microstructure evolution, resulting in phase-specific stress concentration. In the current study, we are aiming at understanding the fundamental mechanisms responsible for the cracking phenomenon and thus improving the formability of TRIP-assisted steel alloys. Four stainless steel (SS) alloys …

Mechanism Of Compaction With Wrinkle Formation During Automatic Stitching Of Dry Fabrics And The Size Effect Of Compression Molded Discontinuous Fiber-Reinforced Composites, Anibal Benjamin Beltran Laredo

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

With an ever-increasing demand for composites, more ways of manufacturing them are becoming popular and widely used. Stitching of dry fabrics is an efficient method for improving delamination resistance. Discontinuous fiber reinforced composites can be used as a lightweight alternative material for metals through a process of compression molding, which allows for complex shape manufacturing while offering structural grade mechanical properties.

This study demonstrates how the stitching of dry fabrics can be adapted to more complex surfaces. The consequences of stitching of curvilinear surfaces can result in defect formation. Therefore, to understand the physical formation of possible defects, experimental characterization …

Formula Sae Monocoque Chassis Development, Kc Egger, Brian Ford, Kyle Nagao, Neal Sharma, Donovan Zusalim

Mechanical Engineering

Formula SAE is a collegiate competition hosted by SAE International with the primary goal being to design, manufacture, and race an open wheel race car. The Cal Poly Racing Formula SAE team strives for improvement every race season and has remained competitive as a result. The 2019-2020 management team determined that further research and development towards the chassis would yield the greatest performance benefit for future seasons, as the previous chassis platform limited packaging and mounting options for vehicle subsystems which interfaced with the chassis.

A redesign of the Cal Poly Racing Formula SAE team’s carbon fiber reinforced polymer monocoque …

Semi Real-Time Detection Of Subsurface Consolidation Defects During Concrete Curing Stage, Chongsheng Cheng, Zhigang Shen

Faculty Publications in Construction Engineering & Management

Subsurface consolidation defect is a common issue in concrete pavement construction, and the hidden defects often require costly repairs after project delivery. Therefore, being able to identify this type of defect during construction will enable contractor to conduct quick repairs to avoid costly post-construction rework. In this paper a semi real-time detection approach using infrared thermography is introduced. The developed approach utilizes the hydration heat during curing time to identify the subsurface voids based on the regional temperature contrast. Experimental studies were conducted using artificial void-defect in different sizes and depths. The thermographic analysis is employed to locate the void-defects …

Boron Nitride Nanotube Based Lightweight Metal Matrix Composites: Microstructure Engineering And Stress-Transfer Mechanics, Pranjal Nautiyal

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lightweight metals, such as Aluminum, Magnesium and Titanium, are receiving widespread attention for manufacturing agile structures. However, the mechanical strength of these metals and their alloys fall short of structural steels, curtailing their applicability in engineering applications where superior load-bearing ability is required. There is a need to effectively augment the deformation- and failure-resistance of these metals without compromising their density advantage.

This dissertation explores the mechanical reinforcement of the aforementioned lightweight metal matrices by utilizing Boron Nitride Nanotube (BNNT), a 1D nanomaterial with extraordinary mechanical properties. The nanotubes are found to resist thermo-oxidative transformations up to ~750°C, establishing their …

Simultaneous Effects Of Rice Husk Silica And Silicon Carbide Whiskers On The Mechanical Properties And Morphology Of Sodium Geopolymer, Akm Rahman, Chirag Shah, Nihkil Gupta

Publications and Research

The current research is focused on developing a geopolymer binder using rice husk ash–derived silica nanoparticles. Four types of rice husks were collected directly from various rice fields of Bangladesh in order to evaluate the pozzolanic activity and compatibility of the derived rice husk ashes with precursors of sodium-based geopolymers. Silicon carbide whiskers were introduced into sodium-based geopolymers in order to evaluate the response of silicon carbide whiskers to the interfacial bonding and strength of sodium-based geopolymers along with rice husk ashes. Compression, flexural and short beam shear tests were performed to investigate the synergistic effect of rice husk ashes–derived …

Automatic Delamination Segmentation For Bridge Deck Based On Encoder-Decoder Deep Learning Through Uav-Based Thermography, Chongsheng, Zhexiong Shang, Zhigang Shen

Faculty Publications in Construction Engineering & Management

Concrete deck delamination often demonstrates strong variations in size, shape, and temperature distribution under the influences of outdoor weather conditions. The strong variations create challenges for pure analytical solutions in infrared image segmentation of delaminated areas. The recently developed supervised deep learning approach demonstrated the potentials in achieving automatic segmentation of RGB images. However, its effectiveness in segmenting thermal images remains under-explored. The main challenge lies in the development of specific models and the generation of a large range of labeled infrared images for training. To address this challenge, a customized deep learning model based on encoder-decoder architecture is proposed …

Analysis Of Burning Wood In The Transient State And The Application To Structural Design, Roberta Veliz, Kimberly Guzman

Architectural Engineering

Determining the extent of the contribution of exposed timber on compartment fire dynamics in open floor plans is a complex process. Designers traditionally used compartmentalization design methods which create spaces where flashover is likely, given the fuel load and ventilation conditions. However, due to the large geometric dimensions and spread of fuel, fires in open floor plans are more likely to remain as localized or traveling fires. As such, an understanding of not only ignition potential but also flame spread is critical to characterizing the contribution of exposed timber. An integral step in characterizing the potential contribution is through an …

Miniaturized Ultraviolet Imager Phase Iii, Bradley D. Albright, Nicolas A. Armenta, Colin W. Harrop

Mechanical Engineering

This document details the work to date, June 9, 2020, done by the Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering senior project team, Miniaturized Ultraviolet Imager: Phase III (MUVI III), sponsored by the University of California, Berkeley – Space Sciences Laboratory (UCB SSL). MUVI III is the third senior project team of an ongoing design, MUVI: the prototype of a 2U sized CubeSat intended to capture aurora images in the ionosphere. The first team, MUVI I, finished development of the UV imager. The second team, MUVI II, designed the mirror mounting and deployable door mechanisms. The goal of MUVI phase III is to …