Engineering Commons^™

A Framework For Field Inspection Of In-Service Frp Reinforced/Strengthened Concrete Bridge Elements, Armin Mehrabi, Seyed Saman Khedmatgozar Dolati, Pranit Malla, Antonio Nanni, Jesus Ortiz Polanco

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The main objective of this project is to develop the framework for inspection and condition assessment of in-service FRP reinforced/strengthened concrete (FRP-RSC) bridge elements. The framework applies to both FRP reinforced structures (FRP internal application) and FRP strengthened structures (FRP external application) and conforms with National Bridge Inspection Standard (NBIS). This framework will be also applicable to other structural components that have incorporated FRP materials including Hybrid Composite Beams (HCB), Concrete-Filled Arch, and Tub girders. This research project highlights the similarities and differentiating aspects between conventionally reinforced concrete and FRP-RSC elements. The report presents the information available to-date and innovative …

Apple “Porn” 2.0: Apple’S Vision (Pro), Suzanne E. Ferriss

Class, Race and Corporate Power

This article extends the argument made in “Apple ‘Porn’: Design Videos as Seduction and Exploitation” (Ferriss 2018) to consider the corporation’s filmed representation of its newest device: an augmented reality headset dubbed Vision Pro. It argues that Apple’s latest narratives further relegate human work and community to the margins by presenting human experience as thoroughly mediated by computer-enhanced simulation, its pinnacle achieved through its Apple Vision Pro headset that turns the home and workspace into one immersive audiovisual world. Rather than its devices and software becoming an inseparable part of our personal and shared spaces, they become the spaces. We …

Spatial And Temporal Analysis Of Location And Usage Of Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure In The United States, Levente Juhasz, Hartwig H. Hochmair

GIS Center

Switching to electric vehicles (EVs) has increased rapidly over recent years. This paradigm change provides an important pillar in the United States transport sector to reach sustainability goals. EVs rely on a network of charging locations to operate. This study analyses the spatial distribution, accessibility and usage patterns of the public EV infrastructure in the US. First, using a negative binomial regression model, the influence of socio-economic and other factors on the abundance of EV charging locations in a state is investigated. Second, analysis of the network’s use and of service areas generated around charging locations provides insight into the …

Power Outage And Environmental Justice In Winter Storm Uri: An Analytical Workflow Based On Nighttime Light Remote Sensing, Jinwen Xu, Yi Qiang, Heng Cai, Lei Zou

GIS Center

The intensity of extreme weather events has been increasing, posing a unique threat to society and highlighting the importance of our electrical power system, a key component in our infrastructure. In severe weather events, quickly identifying power outage impact zones and affected communities is crucial for informed disaster response. However, a lack of household-level power outage data impedes timely and precise assessments. To address these challenges, we introduced an analytical workflow using NASA’s Black Marble daily nighttime light (NTL) images to detect power outages from the 2021 Winter Storm Uri. This workflow includes adjustments to mitigate viewing angle and snow …

Image Analysis For Swnt Growth On Shutter Sputtered Catalyst, Rebekah Arias

2022 MME Undergraduate Research Symposium

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) have been used in remarkable ways since their discovery in 1991 by Sumio Iijima. Properties such as high thermal conductivity, good mechanical strength, and electrical conductivity are what make CNTs attractive. Some of their applications include water filtration, vehicles, energy storage, and now there is great potential in the biomedical field for CNTs as composites in tissue engineering, therapeutics carrier across the blood-brain barrier, cancer treatment, and much more. The issue that comes with Single-Walled Nanotubes (SWNTs) however is Ostwald ripening of catalyst and low CNT production. It is difficult to control gas parameters for hydrogen and …

Cnt Metamaterial Fabrication 3d Printing Mask Process, Jose J. Rivero Iii

2022 MME Undergraduate Research Symposium

The demand for clean energy is rising with the global population. Renewable energy sources, such as solar, will play a key role in the years ahead. Solar energy has a key problem with energy storage as the energy produced during peak solar hours must be used immediately or stored. Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) have unique electrostatic properties, similar to metals, capable of producing and storing electric energy in the form of a capacitor. The CNTs are to be arranged in a pattern using 3D printing to generate a Split Ring

Resonator (SRR) metamaterial. Past research has shown generating CNT SRR patterns …

Autonomous Vehicle For Asphalt Laying, Gilberto Gonzalez

2022 MME Undergraduate Research Symposium

Autonomous vehicles are constantly being developed and are gaining recognition from many industries to improve workplace safety and efficiency. This project intends to weaken the barrier that prevents the usage of autonomous vehicles in the workplace. To move toward this objective, this project focuses on developing a computer vision system for an autonomous utility vehicle that lays asphalt. The goal of this project is to directly address the issue of the high number of potholes in our driving roads, which create a dangerous and hazardous environment for persons that utilize motorized and non-motorized vehicles on roads. The vehicle’s computer vision …

3d Printing Of Lunar Regolith Based Ceramics Via The Dlp Method, Ricardo Vasquez

2022 MME Undergraduate Research Symposium

Ceramic parts generally have poor machinability due to their high hardness and high brittleness. Researchers and industries have overcome the difficulty of machining ceramics and have manufactured parts with intricate geometry by using pre-ceramic polymers in stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing and using slurries based on ceramic powder and photopolymer resin in digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing, among other methods. This presentation will discuss the processes involved in the 3D printing of ceramic and ceramic composite parts via the DLP technique. A vital step in ceramic 3D printing is to optimize the printing parameters for a specific slurry formulation in …

Fracture Strength Of Multi-Component Ultra-High Temperature Carbides, Gia Garino

2022 MME Undergraduate Research Symposium

Ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) have emerged as a promising material for next generation re-entry hypersonic vehicles due to high melting point (>3000 °C), and high mechanical properties and oxidation resistance. Yet none of the unary UHTCs can satisfy the whole gamut of demanding requirements for aerospace applications. Recently, the single-phase solid-solution formation in a multi-component ultra-high temperature ceramic (MC-UHTC) materials have gained interest due to their superior thermo-mechanical properties compared to conventional UHTCs. Herein, a systematic approach was used to fabricate binary (Ta, Nb)C, ternary (Ta, Nb, Hf)C, and quaternary (Ta, Nb, Hf, Ti)C UHTCs by gradual addition of …

Surface Treatment Of Polyester Fabric With Atmospheric Pressure Plasma, Srujana Yellapragada

2022 MME Undergraduate Research Symposium

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) fabric, a recycled synthetic fiber, has been frequently studied to innovate increased usage in both the clothing and medical industry. Some include ways to dye the fabric so that it can be commercially used for the purpose of environmental conservation from frequent discard of nonrecyclable fabric. Some biomedical applications involve the application of plasma treatment to reduce bacteria adhesion and improve anti-bacterial properties on the fabric. However, neither has been successful due to a lack of understanding of the surface modification of PET fabric to enable such properties. The hypothesis is that hydrophobicity is an issue in …

Biomimetic Cellulose-Based Biocomposites, Zion Michael

2022 MME Undergraduate Research Symposium

Biological structures such as termite nests, silk worm cocoons and honey bee combs integrate material, structure and form to produce biodegradable polymers and composites. Synthetic production of biomaterials through additive or woven processes has failed to achieve comparable material properties to their natural counterparts. For example, cellulose-based biocomposites have markedly less strength and toughness than cellulose micro and nanofibers found in nature. Termites produce a cellulose-based composite called “Carton” which serves as construction material for their nests. The process by which termites produce Carton is similar to the manufacturing process for electrospun cellulose fibers. Studying how termites produce Carton, a …

Gopher Tortoise Seed Dispersal Monitoring, Bryan Torres Garcia

2022 MME Undergraduate Research Symposium

Gopher tortoises are native to Florida and vital to the ecosystem due to the underground boroughs they build, which provide shelter to other animals, and for their key role in seed dispersion. In order to improve our understanding of the role of gopher tortoises on biodiversity, we aim to investigate the digestive track of gopher tortoises. Data on seed dispersion distance and gut retention time are critical to effective and efficient endangered plant species conservation efforts. In a multidisciplinary project between Department of Earth and Environment, College and Engineering, and the Miami Zoo, we are fabricating an ingestible device to …

Synthesis Of Bone Scaffold For Pediatric Bone Defects Using 3d Printing, Amy M. Ramos-Homs

2022 MME Undergraduate Research Symposium

Pediatric bone defects, requiring surgical interventions and implants, include malignant and nonmalignant bone tumors and trauma fractures. Malignant bone tumors (MBT), such as Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, are aggressive primary cancers that affect growing adolescent bones (10- to 19-year-olds) and require complex reconstruction due to large bone excision during surgical interventions. Pediatric bone fractures requiring surgical interventions peak in 10- to 14-year-olds and are a major public health concern in the US with an impact on patients, parents, and healthcare costs of approx. 350 billion. These diseases require bone tissue replacement in changing bones.

Bone reconstruction and medical implant design …

Probing The Mechanical Properties Of Soft And Hard Biomaterials: Polydimethylsiloxane (Pdms) Micropillars And Alligator Teeth, Matty Sey

2022 MME Undergraduate Research Symposium

Mechanical properties are essential to quantitatively characterize materials' intrinsic properties ranging from soft to rigid scales. It can effectively facilitate optimal material selection corresponding to their practical applications. Unlike mesoscale, microscale mechanical properties measure localized structural and fundamental components, which is especially superior for assessing materials with hierarchical or ultrastructural properties. This study aims to characterize localized mechanical properties of soft and hard materials: engineering polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micropillars and alligator teeth. The stiffness of PDMS pillar arrays is designed by the solvent-casting method, a raw input parameter to calculate the twitch force of cardiac microtissues. The microstructure-associated mechanical properties of …

In-Operando Optical Observation/Visualization Of Lithium-Sulfur Battery Discharge Process, Ana G. Claus

2022 MME Undergraduate Research Symposium

Lithium−Sulfur (Li-S) batteries have attracted attention due to their high-energy density, 2500 Wh/𝑘𝑔𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 [1], and theoretical capacity of 1672 mAh/g-S [2]. In addition to that, sulfur abundance makes it a good candidate for rechargeable batteries. However, Li-S system has a few challenges that hinder its commercialization. Such as the insulating nature of the sulfur element, volume expansion, capacity fade due to intermittent polysulfide dissolution in the electrolyte and drop in capacity during the initial discharge cycles [3]. Herein, we have designed a Li-S in-operando optical observation cell, which allowed us to visualize the formation of higher to lower-order polysulfides as …

A Novel Power-Efficient Wireless Multi-Channel Recording System For The Telemonitoring Of Electroencephalography (Eeg), Mahmoud Sharafi

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research introduces the development of a novel EEG recording system that is modular, batteryless, and wireless (untethered) with the supporting theoretical foundation in wireless communications and related design elements and circuitry. Its modular construct overcomes the EEG scaling problem and makes it easier for reconfiguring the hardware design in terms of the number and placement of electrodes and type of standard EEG system contemplated for use. In this development, portability, lightweight, and applicability to other clinical applications that rely on EEG data are sought. Due to printer tolerance, the 3D printed cap consists of 61 electrode placements. This recording …

Enhanced Methods For Utilization Of Data To Support Multi-Scenario Analysis And Multi-Resolution Modeling, Syed Ahnaf Morshed

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The success of analysis and simulation in transportation systems depends on the availability, quality, reliability, and consistency of real-world data and the methods for utilizing the data. Additional data and data requirements are needed to support advanced analysis and simulation strategies such as multi-resolution modeling (MRM) and multi-scenario analysis. This study has developed, demonstrated, and assessed a systematic approach for the use of data to support MRM and multi-scenario analysis. First, the study developed and examined approaches for selecting one or more representative days for the analysis, considering the variability in travel conditions throughout the year based on cluster analysis. …

Novel Materials And Devices For Terahertz Detection And Emission For Sensing, Imaging And Communication, Naznin Akter

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Technical advancement is required to attain a high data transmission rate, which entails expanding beyond the currently available bandwidth and establishing a new standard for the highest data rates, which mandates a higher frequency range and larger bandwidth. The THz spectrum (0.1-10 THz) has been considered as an emerging next frontier for the future 5G and beyond technology. THz frequencies also offer unique characteristics, such as penetrating most dielectric materials like fabric, plastic, and leather, making them appealing for imaging and sensing applications. Therefore, employing a high-power room temperature, tunable THz emitters, and a high responsivity THz detector is essential. …

A General And Practical Framework For Realization Of Sdn-Based Vehicular Networks, Juan V. Leon

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the recent developments of communication technologies surrounding vehicles, we witness the simultaneous availability of multiple onboard communication interfaces on vehicles. While most of the current interfaces already include Bluetooth, WiFi, and LTE, they are augmented further by IEEE 802.11p and the 5G interfaces, which will serve for safety, maintenance, and infotainment applications. However, dynamic management of interfaces depending on application needs becomes a significant issue that can be best addressed by Software Defined Networking (SDN) capabilities. While SDN-based vehicular networks have been promoted previously, none of these works deal with practical challenges. In this thesis, we propose and develop …

Community-Based Behavioral Understanding Of Mobility Trends And Public Attitude Through Transportation User And Agency Interactions On Social Media In The Emergence Of Covid-19, Md Rakibul Alam

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The increased availability of technology-enabled transportation options and modern communication devices (smartphones, in particular) is transforming travel-related decision-making in the population differently at different places, points in time, modes of transportation, and socio-economic groups. The emergence of COVID-19 made the dynamics of passenger travel behavior more complex, forcing a worldwide, unparalleled change in human travel behavior and introducing a new normal into their existence. This dissertation explores the potential of social media platforms (SMPs) as a viable alternative to traditional approaches (e.g., travel surveys) to understand the complex dynamics of people’s mobility patterns in the emergence of COVID-19. In this …

Shear Friction Capacity Of Corrugated Pipe Connection In Precast Footings, Fatima C. Vieira

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES) are being more widely used, as they can significantly reduce on-site construction time impacting traffic. The main concerns when using PBES are the final assembly of the elements to achieve the monolithic behavior of the structure. The currently recommend connection detail between the precast pile cap and precast pile is a pocket connection, which relies on the bearing strength between the end of the pile and pile cap and the shear friction capacity between the cast in place (CIP) plug and the precast cap. Current code expressions for shear friction include components for cohesion …

New Connection Details For Concrete Filled Tubes To Precast Concrete Elements For Accelerated Bridge Construction Applications, Fnu Sheharyar E Rehmat

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The synergistic interaction of steel and concrete in concrete filled tube (CFT) composite members improves structural performance by delaying local buckling of steel tube. Compared to localized confinement provided by discreet ties in reinforced columns, the steel tube provides continuous confinement to infill concrete which results in improved energy dissipation and ductility performance. Concrete filled tubes (CFTs) provide improved structural strength and ductility while minimizing the cost of column formwork. The construction sequence of CFT allows its use for accelerated bridge construction applications. The use of CFTs for bridges in the U.S. has been limited mainly due to lack of …

Honeypot-Based Security Enhancements For Information Systems, Javier R. Franco

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to explore honeypot-based security enhancements for information systems. First, we provide a comprehensive survey of the research that has been carried out on honeypots and honeynets for Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and Cyber-physical Systems (CPS). We provide a taxonomy and extensive analysis of the existing honeypots and honeynets, state key design factors for the state-of-the-art honeypot/honeynet research and outline open issues. Second, we propose S-Pot, a smart honeypot framework based on open-source resources. S-Pot uses enterprise and IoT honeypots to attract attackers, learns from attacks via ML classifiers, and …

Monitoring Neuronal Activity In Vivo With A Novel Implantable Battery-Free Wireless System, Carolina Moncion

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Intracranial neuronal recordings are essential for understanding neuronal function. They can be classified into levels like electrocorticography (ECoG)/local field potentials (LFP) and neuronal spiking activity. Typically, wired systems have been used to conduct these recordings; however, they have been linked to drawbacks, including infections, subdural hematomas, and are limited to a clinical setting, all of which can be detrimental to the patients’ quality of life. To address these issues, wireless biotelemetric devices have been increasingly adopted; nevertheless, they are coupled with their own drawbacks like bulky components and heat-generating batteries. Miniaturized battery-free systems have been developed for addressing these concerns, …

System Design And Control Optimization For Neurorehabilitation Exoskeleton, Rodrigo N. Ramon

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Neurorehabilitation is a comprehensive approach aimed at helping patients regain motor control after a neural injury, including spinal cord injury, stroke, or other ischemic events. Early-stage neurorehabilitation is particularly delicate due to voluntary muscular weakness and lack of motor control, presenting in the form of spasticity. Unfortunately, this period of elevated weakness is when most neural control improvement can be made through a phenomenon called brain plasticity. Early rehabilitation traditionally requires a human therapist due to the adaptive and dynamic interpretation of undesired neuromuscular events. While efforts have been made to develop devices to aid in neurorehabilitation, the considerations that …

Dual-Band Rf Receiver For Collocated Dsrc And 5g Millimeter-Wave Vehicle-To-Vehicle Communication, Sandhiya Reddy Govindarajulu

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, vehicle crashes have taken nearly 38,000 lives per year in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To improve the safety of the drivers, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has allocated the Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) frequency spectrum, viz. 5.850-5.925 GHz band for vehicular communication. However, the limited bandwidth at the DSRC band provided an impetus to explore the millimeter-wave (mm-wave) spectrum that promises much higher data rates. Nevertheless, operating in the mm-wave spectrum comes with the expense of high path loss and attenuation due to rain.

To overcome the abovementioned problems, …

Experimental Analysis And Numerical Investigation Of Aerodynamics Of Elevated Structures, Nourhan Abdelfatah

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The vulnerability of low-rise residential buildings to extreme wind events, such as hurricanes, is an escalating concern due to the frequent failures and losses. Elevated low-rise structures are constructed to reduce the hydrodynamic load from surges and flooding during hurricanes. However, due to the current lack of information, wind loading on elevated coastal structures is not adequately addressed in current international guidelines. To address this knowledge gap, large-scale experimental studies were conducted to precisely determine wind effects on elevated houses with different numbers of stories and varying stilt heights. In this study, comparisons are presented on various tested configurations to …

Evaluating Fatigue Resistance Of The Fiber-Reinforced 100% Rap Content Asphalt Mixture Rejuvenated With Waste Vegetable Oil, Farshad Haddadi

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in the pavement industry continues to grow as it is an economically and environmentally beneficial proposition. However, a survey conducted by the Federal Highway Administration shows that the average RAP content in the hot mix used in the United States is only 10–20%, even though specifications allow up to 30%. The primary performance drawback of using a high percentage RAP is cracking distresses. This research is an effort to investigate whether basalt fiber and waste vegetable oil (WO) can improve the low and intermediate temperature cracking behavior of a 100% RAP mixture. Bending …

Transmission And Distribution Co-Simulation And Applications, Mohammad Asif Iqbal Khan

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the penetration of flexible loads and distributed energy resources (DERs) increases in distribution networks, demand dispatch schemes need to consider the effects of large-scale load control on distribution grid reliability. Thus, we need demand dispatch schemes that actively ensure that distribution grid operational constraints are network-admissible and still deliver valuable market services. In this context, this work develops and evaluates the performance of a new network-admissible version of the device-driven demand dispatch scheme called Packetized Energy Management (PEM). Specifically, this work develops and investigates the live grid constraint-based coordinator and metrics for performance evaluation. The effects of grid measurements …

Development Of The Uhpc Mix For 3d Printing, Buse Ilayda Oz

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis utilizes the development of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete mix design for 3-Dimensional (3D) Printing purposes. 3D concrete printing offers many advantages such as the improvements in safety, quality, and productivity. Moreover, it holds a great advantage for the construction of structural elements that are difficult to construct by conventional methods. These advantages carry a huge potential for solving the aforementioned challenges.

Seven UHPC mixes have been designed and analyzed using various test setups for comparison purposes. Extrudability, flowability, buildability, and open time were measured using the fresh properties of the UHPC mixes. Mechanical properties were measured using compression test setups. …