Engineering Commons^™

Enhancing Concrete Sustainability With Self-Healing Technologies, Al Shimaa Abdullatif

Theses and Dissertations

Thanks to its strength, durability and affordability, Portland cement concrete is the most commonly used building material worldwide. However, concrete cracking is inevitable due to numerous factors including shrinkage, exposure to external chemicals, internals reactions, excessive loads, to name but a few. Self-healing is a promising technique that can enable concrete to autogenously heal cracks and alleviate much of the damage. Such healing can without a doubt extend the service life with less need for external repair works therefore it contributes to sustainability. Over the years, several means of self-healing agents have been explored including bio-based procedures and the incorporation …

A Marine Knowledge System For Ocean Affairs: Integrating Data, Evaluating Usage, And Enabling Sustainable Marine Management, Yu-Jen Pan

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

This study presents the evolution and assessment of the Marine Knowledge Education System (MKES), designed to improve user acceptance among students in professional marine science courses in Taiwan. The MKES leverages real-world maritime cases from the General Coast Guard Administration and is built upon existing technologies like cloud services, social networks, and data analysis tools. The technology acceptance model (TAM) provides the theoretical underpinning for the assessment of user confidence. Data was collected from 190 participants through purposive sampling. Path analysis confirmed all hypothesized relationships within the TAM with statistical significance (p < 0.001). Additionally, paired-sample t-tests revealed a significant increase in student acceptance of the MKES after integrating it into the marine science curriculum. These findings underscore the capacity of the MKES as a digital learning tool to enrich course pedagogy and improve student learning outcomes, thereby offering valuable support in advancing the education of professional marine managers.

Feasibility Study For The Application Of A Solar Powered Absorption Chilling System For Cooling Poultry Houses In Northwest Arkansas, Matthew James Kelly

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This paper investigates the economic feasibility of utilizing a solar-powered absorption chiller to provide cooling for poultry houses in northwest Arkansas. An existing thermodynamic model of a poultry house was modified to account for cooling. A simulation was performed using actual weather data from Fayetteville, Arkansas for 26 flocks of broilers at four cooling capacities for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 calendar years. Based on the simulation, the savings from reduced electricity use for ventilation and the cost of the required absorption chiller and solar thermal array for an 8-house farm were calculated. While providing cooling was found to reduce …

Impact Of Nitrogen Species On Algal Carbon Capture, Lauren J. Todd

All Theses

Increasing global carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion and the resulting detrimental effects of climate change have created a need for atmospheric carbon drawdown. Biological-based carbon capture not only sequesters carbon dioxide (CO₂) but also provides a sustainable source of biomass for biofuels and biomaterials. Thus, the aim of this research was to examine freshwater green algal growth with total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) sources at high pH for improving carbon capture potential. The following objectives were accomplished: nitrogen uptake was identified as simultaneous or sequential, the effect of TAN and NO_{3 …}

Light Structure Building Technology Towards Sustainable Environmental Design, Sally El-Sayed Prof. Dr. Mai Wahba Madkour2, Prof. Dr. Marwa Ahmed Kamer El-Dawla3

Journal of Engineering Research

The building and construction industry is one of the most important sectors globally , as it plays a vital role in providing housing and infrastructure that meets the needs of various communities , However , this industry is considered one of the largest contributors of negative environmental impacts in terms of consuming huge amounts of natural resources in an unsustainable manner and a subsequent increase in energy consumption .Therefore, it was necessary to find solutions and explore for new and sustainable construction methods to alleviate these problems .This research paper will focus on the use of light buildings and their …

Using Recycled Materials Towards Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Building In Hot Regions – A Review, Mai W. Madkour Hosny A. Dewer, And Shaimaa M. Refaat

Journal of Engineering Research

Due to population growth and increased urban activity, there is a rise in waste production, which poses health and environmental risks. Additionally, the extraction and transportation of natural resources to places of employment require significant energy consumption, and the world has therefore moved to seek new alternatives away from traditional construction methods by recycling building materials such as concrete, brick, glass, wood, etc., or using new building materials such as rice straw, plastics, corks, etc., taking into account architectural design. The research is aimed at demonstrating that recycled materials have the potential to perform a better environmental performance by preserving …

Enhancing Water Sustainability In North Africa: Literature Review And Synthesis Of Current Knowledge Gaps In Sudan, Osman M. A. Adam, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Derek M. Heeren, Troy E. Gilmore

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Conference Presentations and White Papers

This study delves into the critical role of groundwater in addressing global water challenges, with a focus on the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) in North Africa. Groundwater constitutes a source of potable water, irrigation, and industrial use, especially in arid regions where surface water is limited. We analyzed the status of water quantity, withdrawals, recharge, and geological characteristics in the NSAS, specifically in Sudan, Egypt, Libya, and Chad. Though the NSAS is largely an untapped resource, we evaluated various scenarios to determine the quantity of cropland that can be sustainably irrigated. The NSAS is located in an arid region, …

Refinement Of A Regional Storm Surge Mesh For High-Resolution Topographic Representation Of Volusia County, Morgan Harbin

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In 2022, Volusia and Flagler Counties of northeast central Florida were impacted indirectly by consecutive Hurricanes Ian and Nicole; the destabilization of dunes and armoring infrastructure caused by Ian left the region susceptible to Hurricane Nicole, which caused unprecedented coastal damage to dunes and seawalls. The extent of damage that occurred within Volusia and Flagler Counties during the 2022 hurricane season, the underrepresentation of this region within sustainability and resilience research, and the ecological, social, and economic value of the geography provide just cause for scientific inquiry of the area’s coastal dynamics. This thesis specifically describes an investigation of Hurricane …

Building Sevices Engineering July/August 2024

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

A Strategic Framework For Attaining Golden Leed Certification For Resorts, Mohamad Soliman, Hadi Jawad, Mariam Younes, Oussama El Hamaoui, Saadeddine Ramadan

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The contemporary landscape of engineering is witnessing a pivotal shift towards sustainability, encapsulated in the catchphrase "GO GREEN". This global trend underscores a strategic emphasis on sustainable design, where engineering projects prioritize a delicate balance among environmental, societal, and economic considerations.” However, a persistent challenge in construction projects lies in their tendency to neglect environmental impact, contributing to increased contamination levels. This paper aims to introduce the "Lodge in the Green" project, meticulously aligned with LEED Certification principles. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, stands as the foremost green building rating system, highlighting its relevance in contemporary sustainable …

An Experimental Study On The Effect Of Salt And Sugar Combination On Mortar Properties, Lelian Elkhatib, Jamal Khatib, Abbas Hassan, Mohammad Kassem, Adel Elkordi

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The most important engineering material nowadays, used in construction is concrete. Concrete consists mainly of sand, cement and aggregates. However, weather conditions play a crucial role in affecting concrete characteristics and its serviceability. Weather conditions could be the reason to delay or accelerate the setting time of the concrete. As a result, and in order to deal with weather conditions and its effect on the setting time of concrete, accelerators and retarders must be added to the concrete mix. This research paper focuses on the impact of the use of salt and sugar on the setting time of concrete. Accelerators, …

Product Design For Repairability: Identifying Failure Modes With Topic Modeling And Designing For Electronic Waste Reuse, Claire J. Franz

Master's Theses

Design for repairability is imperative to making products that last long enough to justify the resources they consume and the pollution they generate. While design for repairability has been gaining steady momentum, especially with recent advances in Right to Repair legislation, there is still work to be done. There are gaps in both the tools available for repair-conscious designers and the products coming onto store shelves. This thesis work aims to help set sails in the right direction on both fronts.

This research explores the use of topic modeling (a natural language processing technique) to extract repairability design insights from …

Investigating The Performance Of Bendable Concrete Against Traditional Concrete, Landon J. Poston

Construction Management

The qualitative research in this case study evaluates the importance of bendable concrete within various construction settings. The data aims to justify the interest in bendable concrete, as well as why it is not being used more in structural work. The intended stakeholders of this paper are concrete suppliers, contractors, and researchers who are looking for more imperative ways to manufacture a more sustainable form of concrete. Through a brief online meeting and a Google Form questionnaire, company participants were able to provide the knowledge and feedback desired for how bendable concrete can be incorporated more in the future of …

A Case Study: Impacts Of A Building Retrofit On Employee Efficiency And Productivity, Rigo Zepeda

Construction Management

This case study explores the effects of retrofitting building systems on operational efficiency and employee productivity in the contemporary office environment. As concerns over sustainability and the well-being of employees are now at the forefront of modern workplace design, the retrofitting of outmoded building systems has been seen as an option to enhance energy efficiency and occupant satisfaction. This research paper focuses on the recently retrofitted Performance Contracting office building in Benicia, California. As heating and ventilation systems, and lighting are two big contributors to energy consumption in buildings and comfort, analyzing these systems provided insight into its building performance. …

Skip The Grid: Solar Energy Concepts In Navajo Nation Schools, Dana M. Craighead

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is a non-profit initiative with a goal of providing solar power to homes with school-aged children in the Navajo Nation. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) partners with SOLV energy, and Heart of America (HOA) to provide approximately 30 homes each year with Goal Zero solar panels, and educate students in the surrounding areas about how solar energy can help power communities. This year, a group of 20 students from departments including Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Management and Protection, Mechanical Engineering, and Graphic Communication joined the initiative and traveled to Shiprock, New Mexico …

The Future Of Fiberglass Rebar In Concrete Structures, Dillon Michael Elliott

Construction Management

In the working elements of the construction industry, the strive for materials that aim for strength, durability, and sustainability are never-ending. For traditional steel reinforcement this material faces inevitable challenges over time such as corrosion, weight of material, and environmental concerns. However with the emergence of fiberglass rebar, the negative impacts we see from traditional steel rebar may be resolved within the industry of construction. This paper aims to explore and propose a different alternative to reinforcement in concrete structures with the use and integration of fiberglass. The effectiveness which fiberglass as a reinforcement material offers will be investigated throughout …

Exploring California Residents’ Perspectives On Solar Panel Viability For Residential Properties, Alecsander Gregg

Construction Management

The qualitative research conducted in this study aims to analyze the overall consensus of feelings and attitudes from California residents towards photovoltaic systems being installed on to their properties. The intended audience for this study are for stakeholders in the renewable energy markets, and more specifically in California’s solar panel market. Additional audiences for this study may be for additional or other research regarding solar panel or photovoltaic technology specifically within the state of California. Through a Google Forms questionnaire distributed via email, participants provide insight on their thoughts and feelings regarding certain aspects of solar panels on properties that …

Effect Of Pismo Clams As Partial Fine And Coarse Aggregate Replacement On Workability And Compressive Strength Of Concrete, Alan Munoz Pille

Construction Management

Concrete has been utilized for ages. Unfortunately, over the hundreds of years there has been little development in the applications of new aggregate materials. The world is moving towards a sustainable way of living and as a result seashells have come into the mix. Pismo Clams are a native species to San Luis Obispo County. This marine species has the possibility of becoming a partial aggregate replacement for fine and coarse aggregates in concrete. The results of prior studies indicate a possible application of seashell use in concrete. This paper evaluates the workability and compressive strength of concrete containing fine …

Pet And Polyolefin Plastics Supply Chains In Michigan: Present And Future Systems Analysis Of Environmental And Socio-Economic Impacts, Utkarsh S. Chaudhari, Kamand Sedaghatnia, Barbara K. Reck, Kate Maguire, Anne T. Johnson, David Watkins, Robert M. Handler, Tasmin Hossain, Damon S. Hartley, Vicki S. Thompson, Alejandra Peralta, Jenny L. Apriesnig, David Shonnard

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

Many actions are underway at global, national, and local levels to increase plastics circularity. However, studies evaluating the environmental and socio-economic impacts of such a transition are lacking at regional levels in the United States. In this work, the existing polyethylene terephthalate and polyolefin plastics supply chains in Michigan were compared to a potential future (‘NextCycle’) scenario that looks at increasing Michigan’s overall recycling rate to 45%. Material flow analysis data was combined with environmental and socio-economic metrics to evaluate the sustainability of these supply chains for the modeled scenarios. Overall, the NextCycle scenario for these supply chains achieved a …

Navigating The Relationships Among Food Waste Practices, Environmental Intentions, And Sustainability Knowledge Of Students, Merri Claire Minshew

Honors College Theses

Colleges and university campuses are among the greatest food wasters in the US due to combined over production and plate waste from consumers. While some schools have developed programs aimed at reducing and sustainably managing food waste, much of it ends up in landfills and produces greenhouse gas emissions. The overall goal of the research was to collect a comprehensive data set on university students’ food waste practices and behavior, environmental and sustainability knowledge, and environmental intentions. For probing relationships among these drivers, a structural equation model and student survey was developed. The survey of 37 questions was collected on …

The Use Of Repurposed Whole Textiles To Modify The Mechanical And Hydrogeological Properties Of Green Roof Media And Granular Soils, Angelis Almanzar-Chevalie, Yehya Elfgeeh, Calvin O. Walters Jr.

Publications and Research

This study investigates using repurposed whole textiles to modify the mechanical and hydrogeological properties of lightweight Green Roof media and granular pavement soils.

Green Roof Media Green roofs aim to bring the advantages of suburban agriculture to urban environments while improving energy efficiency and enhancing stormwater management in public, commercial, and residential buildings. Previous studies by City Tech undergraduate research assistants demonstrated significant modification in hydrogeological properties when incorporating textile fabric up to 3% textile by weight (%Tex) at an aspect ratio of 1:1. The effects of mixing repurposed whole textile fiber with Green Roof media is evaluated with regards …

Comparison Of All-In Sustaining Costs, Gold Grade, And Gold Prices In North American Gold Mining Companies, David Abiodun

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Mining has evolved into an equilibrium of ore deposit management, environmental stewardship, and economic profitability that necessitates a proper understanding of economics and production efficiency. The All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC) was introduced in 2013 to better capture the cost of producing one ounce of gold and, when compared with the gold price and grade, could describe a company’s gold production efficiency. In this paper, this novel analysis focuses on US and Canadian operations under Barrick and Newmont, the two largest gold mining companies in North America, from 2019-2022. Published data for Coeur and Kinross were also secondarily analyzed. Under Newmont …

Ring Opening Of Hydrotreated Thermal Deoxygenation (Tdo) Oil Over Supported Metal Catalysts To Improve Engine Properties, Oluwaseun Salami

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In order to meet CO₂ emission standards, set by the climate accord in 2015, decarbonizing the transportation sector must become a priority globally. While electric vehicles are becoming more widely used, decarbonizing long distance transportation (e.g.., trucks, airplanes, marine vessels) is still a major concern, contributing over 50% of GHG emissions from transportation in 2018. To bridge this limitation of electric vehicles, biofuel is a viable alternative, having high energy density comparable to conventional fuels from crude oil. Renewable crude oil (biofuel) produced by Thermal DeOxygenation (TDO) is an interesting option as a cleaner intermediate to produce diesel …

Future Of Process Safety: Insights, Approaches, And Potential Developments, Hossein Abedsoltan, Amirhesam Abedsoltan, Zeinab Zoghi

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This review explores the evolving landscape of process safety, emphasizing the integration of digitalization and advanced technologies. It assesses the role of the industrial Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and machine learning (ML) in enhancing safety protocols. The paper examines predictive analytics, sensor technology advancements, and digital twins' contributions to safety optimization. It also discusses the future perspectives of risk management approaches, including proactive safety management systems, quantitative risk assessment techniques, and human reliability analysis. This comprehensive analysis provides insights into future developments and challenges in process safety.

Building Services Engineering May/June 2024

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Dynamics Of Link Importance Across Flood Disaster Phases And Flood Impacts On Operation Of An Industry, Navin Bhatta

All Theses

Transportation damage and disruptions will become increasingly common as the frequency of floods increases due to climate change. Given the size and cost of the transportation network construction, communities' mitigation measures should be supported by evaluations that cover both normal and disaster management phases. This thesis examines the criticality of road segments in the normal, flood response, and recovery phases, considering the effects on emergency services, healthcare, industry, education, recreation, and transit and analyses that whether a flood disrupts the operational trips of a company in Anderson County, South Carolina. A 100-year event and a 500-year flood event provides context …

Development Of A More Sustainable High And Ultra-High-Performance Concrete, Enrique Chirino Andalco

Theses and Dissertations

The urgent need to address climate change and environmental damage presents humanity with significant challenges that must be tackled quickly, not acting promptly will result in irreversible consequences, such as extreme weather events, public health risks, and water shortages, among other impacts.

Due to its enormous size and variety of uses, the construction industry is a key factor in addressing the climate challenge. Specifically, concrete as the most used construction material in the world is a good target for developing innovative and Sustainable improvements to reduce environmental impacts.

Using by-products from other industries in concrete manufacturing is a common and …

Passenger Insight On Sustainable Flight: Exploring The Relationships Between Attitudes And Risk Propensity On Willingness To Fly, Kayla Hylan, Carl A. Thomas Jr., Vivek Sharma, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Passengers were generally accepting of sustainable aircraft, but compared to jet fuel, higher general risk propensity (GRiP) was more predictive of willingness to fly (WF) in sustainable aircraft. Sustainable attitudes strongly related to WF in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) but had a weaker relationship on WF in electric and hydrogen aircraft, compared to jet fuel.

Evolving Hangwuran City Development Model Through Partial Least Square Approach In North-Central Nigeria, Samuel Medayese, Hangwelani H. Magidimisha-Chipungu, Lovemore Chipungu

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The need for a paradigmatic shift in city development ideology has become increasingly evident over the years. In response to this need, the Hangwurian City Development Model was developed to establish a connection between the concepts of environmental awareness, urban governance, and management. This model also integrates sustainable urban development, urban liveability, and inclusive physical development. The research sets a critical objective of analyzing the significant levels of various indicator variables. The exploratory research utilized partial least squares (PLS) via SmartPLS to evaluate the variables, collecting quantitative data through the open data toolkit from three selected cities: Lokoja, Minna, and …

Sustainable Design And Construction With Cob, Alessandro Moya, Bailey Mclaughlin, Maddie Ly, Quinn Boardman

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Senior Theses

Conventional building materials contribute to over 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually, therefore, more sustainable materials must be explored. The most readily available material is earth, cob being one of them. Cob is a monolithic earthen material made up of sand, clay, and straw, integrated using water. While this material has been used for thousands of years across the world, it is lacking research, and thus, limiting its implementation into official codes. This project tested six (6) 2’x 2’ cob walls, three (3) six (6) inch thick walls and three (3) twelve (12) inch thick walls using the ASTM …