Architectural Engineering Commons^™

Characterizing Chemistry And Microbiomes During Continuous Anaerobic Codigestion Of Organics And Cattle Manure Digestate, Emily V. Schmitz, Hunter W. Schroer, Timothy E. Mattes, Craig L. Just

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We characterized chemical and microbial responses to changes in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N) and organic loading rate (OLR) during anaerobic codigestion (ACoD) of cattle manure digestate mixed with industrial organics. C:Ns of 25 and 35, both operating at OLRs ≤ 4 gVS L-1 d-1, sustained methane production averages of 0.36 ± 0.03 L gVS-1 d-1 and 0.32 ± 0.05 L gVS-1 d-1, respectively, throughout a 15-day period. Using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing coupled with PICRUSt2, taxonomy and predicted gene abundances were mapped to the major ACoD stages. C:N (25, 35) and the OLR (2, 4 gVS L-1 d-1) had minimal …

Reconstruction Of The Neglected: Cal Poly’S Old Powerhouse, Sophie Meier, Morgan Cuthbert, Luke Zamlich

Architectural Engineering

Cal Poly’s Old Powerhouse (BLDG 76) is the only remaining building from the original Polytechnic school left on campus. It was built in 1910 and placed on the national registry in 1993. The Powerhouse used to do exactly what its name implies, provide power to campus. After it retired from its purpose, it was used for many other use cases, particularly as a space for the College of Architecture and Environmental design. Through its time, it was used as a classroom space, pottery/creative space, a workshop, and even once contained a fishpond. The building was then abandoned in 1990, a …

Integrating Computer Vision In Construction Progress Monitoring: A Comprehensive Analysis And Future Perspectives, Muhammad Sami Rehman

Dissertations

This dissertation presents an in-depth exploration of the integration of Computer Vision (CV) in Construction Progress Monitoring (CPM), a field that has traditionally relied on manual and document-centric approaches. Such traditional CPM techniques lead to poor tracking of project progress, resulting in delays, cost overruns, bitter stakeholder relationships, schedule changes, and legislative proceedings to settle construction claims. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the potential of CV technology to transform CPM into a more efficient, accurate, and automated process. This is achieved through a series of comprehensive studies encompassing a systematic review, critical appraisal, barrier analysis, feature …

A Framework For Eradicating Women Discrimination In Architectural Design Firms In Egypt And Gcc Countries, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Rodayna Ehab Hegazy

Architectural Engineering

Purpose – This research aims to develop and validate a framework for eradicating women’s discrimination in architectural design firms (ADFs) in Egypt and propose strategies for prospective adoption in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to increase the transformational impact of women on the architectural and urban developments of the Gulf region.

Design/methodology/approach – Acombined qualitative and quantitative research approach was designed to accomplish four objectives. Firstly, to investigate the nature of business in ADFs, women’s discrimination and policies for gender equity (PGE) in architecture. Secondly, to analyse three case studies to validate the identified causes and impacts of women’s …

A Novel And Enhanced Calibration Of The Tilting Weir As A Flow Measurement Structure, Joseph E. Pugh, S. Karan Venayagamoorthy, Timothy K. Gates, Céline Berni, Marie Rastello

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A large collection of laboratory measurements of piezometric head (h) and discharge (Q) were made over hydraulic models of a tilting weir at nine different angles, ranging from 25.7° to 90° within a 0.3-m-wide flume. These measurements were corroborated with additional laboratory data taken within a 1-m-wide flume across four inclination angles. The range of both inclination angle (θ) and flow scale examined in this study elucidate the nature of the head-discharge rating equation beyond previous work. Results show that as θ decreases under a constant Q, the h over the weir decreases in a monotonic fashion due to the …

Methodology To Design Eco-Friendly Fiber-Reinforced Concrete For 3d Printing, Haodao Li, Alfred Addai-Nimoh, Eric Kreiger, Kamal H. Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Greater use of locally available supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) to reduce cement content and addition of fiber reinforcement can enhance the performance of 3D printing (3DP) technology in construction. In this study, three classes of eco-friendly 3D printable fiber-reinforced mixtures were targeted, namely ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), high-performance concrete (HPC), and conventional concrete (CC). A step-by-step methodology was proposed to maximize the substitution rate of cement with SCM and limestone filler and optimize fiber volume for the successful development of 3D printable fiber-reinforced materials. Binder combinations were initially investigated on the paste level to determine the packing density and robustness. Selected …

Natural Gas Induced Vegetation Stress Identification And Discrimination From Hyperspectral Imaging For Pipeline Leakage Detection, Pengfei Ma, Ying Zhuo, Genda Chen, Joel G. Burken

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Remote Sensing Detection of Natural Gas Leaks Remains Challenging When using Ground Vegetation Stress to Detect Underground Pipeline Leaks. Other Natural Stressors May Co-Present and Complicate Gas Leak Detection. This Study Explores the Feasibility of Identifying and Distinguishing Gas-Induced Stress from Other Natural Stresses by Analyzing the Hyperspectral Reflectance of Vegetation. the Effectiveness of This Discrimination is Assessed Across Three Distinct Spectral Ranges (VNIR, SWIR, and Full Spectra). Greenhouse Experiments Subjected Three Plant Species to Controlled Environmental Stressors, Including Gas Leakage, Salinity Impact, Heavy-Metal Contamination, and Drought Exposure. Spectral Curves Obtained from the Experiments Underwent Preprocessing Techniques Such as Standard …

Comprehensive Numerical Modeling Of Prestressed Girder Bridges Under Low-Velocity Impact, Mohamed T. Elshazli, Mohanad M. Abdulazeez, Mohamed Elgawady, Ahmed Ibrahim

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Accidental Collisions Involving Over-Height Trucks That Exceed Vertical Clearance Limits And Bridge Superstructures Frequently Happen, Resulting In Compromised Girders And Potential Threats To Structural Safety And Performance. The Numerical Simulation Of Large-Scale Prestressed Girder Bridge Collisions Poses Challenges Due To The Associated Nonlinearities, As Well As The Limited Availability Of Large-Scale Experimental Testing Data In The Literature Due To Cost And Complexity Constraints. This Study Introduces A Numerical Modeling Approach To Efficiently Capture The Response Of Prestressed Girder Bridges Under Lateral Impact Loads. A Finite Element (FE) Model Was Developed Using LS-DYNA And Meticulously Validated Against Experimental Data From The …

Resilient Education Facilities With Special Focus On Classrooms To Be Compatible With The Covid-19 Crisis, Gehan Nagy, Gehan Nagy, Khaled Dewidar, Omar Atef A

Architectural Engineering

In recent months, the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern about the spread of a new pandemic after the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a significant impact on education. UNICEF says Over 168 million children’s classrooms around the world have been shuttered. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to identify the criteria and requirements of resilient design for classrooms to avoid closures during crises. Researchers have addressed the relationship between spaces and the spread of viruses inside them, so the research assumes that there is a relationship between the design criteria of classrooms and the spread of viruses inside …

The Impact Of American Kitchen Time-Use On Urban Design And Planning: A Case Study Of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Farshid Torabian

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Over the past century, the global environment has undergone significant changes, characterized by rising temperatures and a sharp increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Parallel to these environmental shifts, the U.S. has witnessed a tripling in energy demands, underscoring the pivotal role of household consumption in the nation's carbon footprint. Within this context, the kitchen, an integral component of the American home, becomes a focal point. Given that Americans predominantly spend their time indoors, it is imperative to understand the dynamics of kitchen usage and its broader implications on energy consumption and environmental impact. To delve into this complex interplay, this …

Characterization Of Alkali-Silica Reaction (Asr) Products And C-S-H Using Swir Spectroscopy For Nondestructive Detection Of Asr, Pengfei Ma, Wenyu Liao, Ying Zhuo, Hongyan Ma, Yanping Zhu, Genda Chen

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study explores the feasibility of characterizing alkali-silica reaction (ASR) products and calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) from short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy. ASR products and C-S-H samples with different Ca/Si ratios were synthesized and analyzed through XRD, 29Si nuclei magnetic resonance (NMR) and SWIR spectroscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was collected to help interpret the results from the SWIR spectroscopy. The obtained spectroscopic features were applied to quantify the ASR product abundance denoted by the length expansion of mortar bars after an accelerated ASR test. The results show that the SWIR spectra of the synthetic ASR gels are similar regardless of …

Evolution Of Sbs-Modified Asphalt Performance Under Aging And Rejuvenation Cycle Conditions, Ke Shi, Feng Ma, Jenny Liu, Zhen Fu, Ruimeng Song, Dongdong Yuan, Aboudou Wassiou Ogbon

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Improving the poor long-term service performance of rejuvenated SBS-modified asphalt (REF-LT) is highly challenging. In this study, a blend of aged and virgin binders was used to rejuvenate REF-LT and the evolution of the asphalt performance was observed during regeneration and reaging processes. An SBS-modified asphalt (SBM) and base asphalt (BA) were mixed with REF-LT in specified ratios to prepare SBM- and BA-rejuvenated asphalts. The rejuvenated asphalts were subjected to short- and long-term aging. The high/low-temperature rheological properties, fatigue resistance, rejuvenation mechanism, and changes in the functional groups of the rejuvenated and reaged asphalts were characterized using a dynamic shear …

Numerical And Experimental Investigation Of Negative Stiffness Beams And Honeycomb Structures, Yasser Darwish, Mohamed A. Elgawady

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Metamaterial structures that exhibit negative stiffness (MSNS) behavior have shown the potential to be used as energy dissipation systems in different applications. Negative stiffness honeycomb structures consist of multiple pre-buckled beams that snapping through from one pre-buckled mode to another buckled mode, when subjected to transverse loads, displaying negative stiffness, and dissipating a significant portion of the input energy. This paper presents finite element models (FEMs) developed to investigate the performance of negative stiffness pre-buckled beams and honeycombs. The FEMs were validated using experimental results of single pre-buckled beams and honeycomb structures. The experimental testing of the pre-buckled beams was …

Synergistic Effect Of Macro Synthetic Fiber And Shrinkage-Reducing Admixture On Engineering Properties Of Fiber-Reinforced Super-Workable Concrete, Jingjie Wei, Nima Farzadnia, Kamal H. Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study aims to enhance fiber-reinforced super-workable concrete (FR-SWC) by optimizing the system of shrinkage-reducing admixture (SRA) and macro-synthetic fiber (MSF) for low shrinkage and uncompromised mechanical properties. A factorial design approach was employed to model the effect of fiber content, SRA dosage, and combined ratios of two types of MSF on performance of FR-SWC. MSF content had the greatest impact on mechanical properties, followed by SRA and MSF combination. Using MSF increased equivalent flexural strength ratio by 310% compared to the control mixture, regardless of MSF combination and SRA. SRA had the most significant effect on drying shrinkage, followed …

From Pumping To Deposition: A Comprehensive Review Of Test Methods For Characterizing Concrete Printability, Ali Fasihi, Nicolas A. (Ali) Libre

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

3D concrete printing (3DCP) technology has gained significant attention in the construction industry due to its potential to revolutionize the way buildings are designed and constructed. However, successful application of 3DCP requires robust standard test procedures to characterize the printability of concrete. Printability is a measure of workability for a printing material in the 3DCP process, which is characterized by pumpability, extrudability, and buildability. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the test methods that could be used for material characterization during various printing steps, including pumping, extrusion, and layer deposition. The underlying mechanisms relevant to each step, key governing …

Evolvement Of Excusable Delay Clauses In Government Contracts Since The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jung Hyun Lee, Yunping Liang, Seyed Mohammad Ehsan Tabatabaee, Bryce Riccitelli

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Excusable delay clauses in government construction contracts, often considered boilerplate with minimal modifications, have increased in attention since the outbreak of COVID-19. Despite the studies enumerating triggering events of the clause in the background of the pandemic, it is necessary to capture insights into how the unprecedented event is systematically accommodated by contract languages. The overarching goal of this study is to identify changes in contract languages over the pre-and post-pandemic eras by state departments of transportation (DOTs), focusing on excusable delay clauses. This study conducts a content analysis and a comparative analysis of state DOT construction contract documents, including …

Hygrothermal Risk Assessment Of External Wall Insulation Retrofit To Non-Traditional Wall Types In An Irish Context, Using The Glaser Method And A Heat, Air And Moisture Transient Model, Gareth Mcdonnell, Joseph Little

Articles

The Climate Action Plan 2019 targets the low-energy retrofit of 500,000 existing Irish homes before 2030.1 Up to 80 per cent of building failures can be attributed to moisture risks.2 The literature indicated that external wall insulation (EWI, ETICS) failures are mostly due to moisture ingress at junctions and interfaces. A hygrothermal risk assessment of EWI on three walls with rendered concrete/concrete blockwork/cavity walls in Dublin, Belfast and Belmullet was undertaken using transient numerical simulation and the Glaser method. The guidance, common practice indicates a preference for Glaser. The initial simulation results were compared to assess the appropriateness of Glaser. …

Use Of Hybrid Fibers And Shrinkage Mitigating Materials In Scc For Repair Applications, Kamran Aghaee, Kamal H. Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is used to repair structural elements with congested reinforcement or restricted access to placement and consolidation. In addition to adequate flowability, passing ability, filling capacity, and stability, adequate bonding to the substrate and reinforcing bars, low shrinkage and cracking resistance are required for successful repair. This study employs various shrinkage mitigating materials, including expansive agent (EA), coupled use of EA with shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA), and EA with pre-saturated lightweight sand (LWS) to fulfill these requirements. The effect of these materials on the performance of SCC made with a hybrid synthetic (PP) fiber and a hybrid steel-synthetic …

The Influence Of Green Building Design On Tourists' Intention To Stay In Eco-Friendly Hotels: A Study On Perceptions And Preferences, Enas Al Sayed Salama Dr., Gehad Nasr Abdelsalam Dr.

Journal of Engineering Research

Green building design involves integrating sustainable and environmentally friendly practices into the construction and operation of buildings, including hotels, with the goal of minimizing the adverse impact on the environment. This paper delves into the pivotal role of green building design and eco-service provision within the context of green hotels. The aim is to investigate the interconnections among tourists' environmental concerns, their perceived significance of green building design, and their intention to choose green hotels.

To enhance the understanding of tourist behavior and its implications for tourism in Egypt, a questionnaire was administered in Sharm El Sheikh, a prominent Egyptian …

Using Biomimicry To Increase Daylighting Efficiency In Egyptian Office Buildings, . Nervana Osama Hanafy

Journal of Engineering Research

The aim is to design a biomimicry-inspired building skin for Giza City's business towers. Tasks to complete include enhancing daylighting efficiency and promoting visual comfort To improve the daylighting performance of office buildings in Giza City, Egypt, this article presents 144 alternatives for biomimicry-inspired building skin to improve daylighting efficiency and visual comfort for Giza City's business towers For modeling, Revit, Rhino v6, and Grasshopper were utilized. The suggested daylighting simulation application, ClimateStudio (v1.8.8244.25334), was chosen. The building orientation, used materials, surface level measurement, working hours, and pertinent weather file data have all been provided. The evaluation criteria include Annual …