Civil Engineering Commons^™

Pinn-Chk: Physics-Informed Neural Network For High-Fidelity Prediction Of Early-Age Cement Hydration Kinetics, Md Asif Rahman, Tianjie Zhang, Yang Lu

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cement hydration kinetics, characterized by heat generation in early-age concrete, poses a modeling challenge. This work proposes a physics-informed neural network (PINN) named PINN-CHK designed for cement hydration kinetics, to predict early-age temperature rises in cement paste. PINN-CHK leverages data-driven solutions to craft a high-fidelity prediction model, encompassing material properties and maturity functions in cement hydration. Trained on heated cement paste data, it simultaneously fits experimental results and underlying physics, yielding a mesh-free simulation. Incorporating governing partial differential equations (PDEs), and initial and boundary conditions into its loss function, PINN-CHK architecture undergoes rigorous benchmark testing, demonstrating unparalleled predictive accuracy compared …

Carbon Capture And Renewable Energy Policies: Could Policy Harmonization Be A Puzzle Piece To Solve The Electricity Crisis?, Mahelet G. Fikru, Fateh Belaïd, Hongyan Ma

Economics Faculty Research & Creative Works

The electricity market crisis, driven by factors such as increased energy demand, rising fuel prices, aging infrastructure, and greenhouse gas emissions, requires a multifaceted approach including the strategic implementation of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies, which despite high costs and potential adverse impact on renewable investments, can allow the use of fossil fuels to maintain grid stability, and simultaneously lower carbon footprint. Across the world, several nations are designing financial incentives and improving regulatory frameworks to reduce barriers to the deployment of CCS. However, it is not clearly understood whether and to what extent such policy support would affect …

Influence Of Aggregate Properties On Skid Resistance Of Pavement Surface Treatments, Alireza Roshan, Magdy Abdelrahman

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Skid resistance is a critical aspect for traffic safety since it significantly influences vehicle control and minimizes the distance required for emergency braking. The surface characteristics of pavements play a pivotal role in determining skid resistance. To achieve the optimal skid resistance performance, the pavement must sustain a specific level of friction. Thus, it is advantageous to apply surface treatments in areas that require enhanced friction. This study investigates the impact of factors such as the aggregate source, size, morphological properties, and abrasion levels on the skid resistance and frictional characteristics of a high-friction surface treatment (HFST). A complete investigation …

Evaluation Of Unreinforced And Geosynthetic-Reinforced Subgrade Material Performance With Large-Scale Tracking Wheel Tests And Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Tests, Kenaz Owusu

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Subgrade has a significant impact on the performance of a pavement as it serves as the foundation layer on which traffic loads are transferred. Many pavement failures can be attributed to weak subgrade strength. The integration of geosynthetics in road pavements has been identified as an effective solution for enhancing subgrade performance to withstand imposed traffic. This study evaluated the performance of unreinforced and geosynthetic-reinforced subgrades in Nebraska to quantify the contribution of geosynthetics to unpaved layer systems.

The strength and stiffness of different soil subgrades were assessed through unconfined compressive strength tests and repeated load triaxial (RLT) tests, which …

Ultra High-Performance Concrete As A High Friction Surface Treatment For Pavements And Bridges, Kyle Maeger

All Dissertations

High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) is a proven technology to reduce crashes on roadways by increasing the coefficient of friction between vehicle tires and the pavement. However, it is an expensive solution due to the high cost of the two commonly used constituent materials, calcined bauxite aggregate and epoxy resin binders.

This study evaluated the abrasion resistance performance of four alternative HFST aggregates to calcined bauxite using Los Angeles Abrasion and Micro-Deval Abrasion tests, and studied the surface texture utilizing a high-resolution laser scanner and friction utilizing the British Pendulum Test.

This study also assessed the performance of non-proprietary Ultra …

Integrating Artificial Intelligence And Augmented Reality For Enhanced Task Performance In The Construction Industry, Aasish Chandrika Bhanu

All Dissertations

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, characterized by its complex tasks, often faces challenges in adopting cutting-edge technologies, a trend that can significantly hinder productivity improvements compared to other industries. This dissertation explores the emerging integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) within the AEC domain, investigating how effectively this can be implemented to potentially revolutionize industry practices. AI could be used in the AEC domain for advanced analytical and decision-making processes, while AR could be used for training, visualization, and remote collaboration.

In scenarios where construction site workers require expert guidance, these technologies could be helpful. …

Base Case Shear-Wave Velocity Profiles And Non-Linear Material Property Models Of Local Site Conditions In South Carolina For Seismic Site Response Analyses, Ali Sedaghat Shirehjini

All Dissertations

This dissertation presents the development of base case small-strain shear-wave velocity ( ) profiles and non-linear materials property models of local site conditions in South Carolina for seismic site response analyses. The need to address South Carolina's seismic hazards is partly motivated by the 1886 Charleston earthquake (moment magnitude, M_w= 6.7 to 7.5). Required inputs for seismic site response analysis include profile down to a specified reference outcrop condition and non-linear material properties for each layer in the profile. Although firm rock (i.e., ≥ 2,500 ft/s) or hard rock (i.e., ≥ 9,850 ft/s) is commonly assumed for the …

An Emergency Response System To Assist The Movement Of Vehicles During Emergency Operations In Urban Transportation Networks, Jamal Nahofti Kohneh

All Dissertations

Emergency responders need to arrive at the emergency scene as soon as possible, but operating vehicles under emergency conditions can pose a risk to both the responders and other road users, potentially resulting in crashes or delays in emergency operations. In this research, an emergency response system is proposed to assist emergency and non-emergency response vehicles (ERVs and non-ERVs) during emergency operations in a connected vehicle environment. This system collects the information from connected ERVs and non-ERVs, utilizes this information as inputs in the proposed models, and sends instruction messages back to vehicles. The proposed models provide the fastest ERV …

Integrating Building Information Modelling And Extended Reality In The Transportation Infrastructure Industry, Yosra El Maghraby, Shady Salem, Ahmed Alhady, Yasser Khodeir

Civil Engineering

No abstract provided.

Delineating Ground Subsidence And Flood Risk In Southeast Texas (Setx) Using Ps-Insar And Deep Learning, Arip Syaripudin Nur, Jinwoo An, Yong Je Kim

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

This study investigates ground subsidence and its impact on flood risk in Southeast Texas (SETX), a region particularly susceptible to inundation due to rising sea levels and subsidence. Understanding subsidence patterns is crucial for geotechnical risk management and ground-use planning. Employing Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PS-InSAR) with Sentinel-1 SAR data (2020-2023), the study delineates the spatiotemporal distribution of subsidence and its influence on flooding. PS-InSAR, wellsuited for urban areas, captures stable scatterers detected by SAR satellites, enabling detailed subsidence analysis. Time series analysis reveals subsidence evolution and its implications for flood risk management. Validation utilizes strategically placed GPS station data. Furthermore, …

Long Term Ultrasonic Monitoring And Machine Learning Investigation Of Micro-Crack Damaged Concrete, Yalei Tang

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The thermal modulation method is a recently developed nonlinear ultrasonic technique for evaluating material damage. This method utilizes thermal strain changes resulting from temperature variations to excite the nonlinear behavior of materials and modulate high-frequency ultrasonic waves within them. Its working principle suggests significant potential for application in large-scale concrete structures and in-situ monitoring of real structures. Despite numerous laboratory demonstrations of its effectiveness, several gaps remain before it can be applied to in-service large concrete structures.

This study investigates the potential of the thermal modulation technique for evaluating concrete structures in ambient conditions, addressing key uncertainties for practical implementation. …

Development Of A Turning Movement Estimator, Somayeh Nazari Enjedani

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Turning Movement (TM) counts at intersections are crucial for several reasons. There has been extensive research on this topic throughout the history of traffic research, which reflects its importance in transportation engineering and urban planning. It can be said that one of the most significant applications of TMs is signal timing at intersections. Signal timing design requires data on the turning decisions of vehicles that travel through intersections to allow enough time for each movement at the intersection. Most of organizations around the USA are still applying traditional methods for collecting TM data, such as manual counts. These methods are …

The Impact Of Internal Curing Additives On Compressive Strength, Shrinkage, And Internal Relative Humidity Of Mortars., Payton Scott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Curing is a critical step in concrete construction. When a concrete specimen is properly cured, its shrinkage and early age curling/warping can be reduced, and the concrete strength can be increased. Curing methods can be divided into two categories: traditional external curing and emerging internal curing methods. Internal curing has similar benefits to external curing, such as reduced early-age cracking and shrinkage risk, and increased durability and strength. The purpose of this research is to investigate internal curing additives and their impact on length change, weight change, compressive strength, autogenous shrinkage, and internal relative humidity. Mortar mixtures with lightweight aggregate …

A Thermo-Mechanical Analysis Of The Well-Structure Integrity In Enhanced Geothermal Systems Using Numerical Simulation, John Alfred Ganal Acevedo

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will investigate the well structure integrity of enhanced geothermal systems. Enhanced geothermal system is a type of renewable energy generation that utilizes heat from a rock reservoir deep within the Earth’s subsurface delivered by circulating working fluids through kilometers-long well structures. However, due to the surrounding environment and harsh operating conditions, the well structures are vulnerable to deterioration and cracking, which can lead to structural failure of wells and reduced energy efficiency. The study seeks to gain a better understanding of the vulnerability of the well structure. A finite element model of a well structure was developed, and …

Application Of Electrical Impedance Tomography To Cementitious Composites, Hugo Zazueta

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the feasibility of using Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) for detecting damage in cementitious composites. Cementitious composites, such as concrete and cement mortar, are insulating; any conductive properties arise from the moisture within their pores and capillary structures. The proposed concept herein is that formed internal damages in cementitious composites consequently alter their pore and capillary structure, which can then be detected through EIT imaging. To construct tomographic images, the Gaussian Newton (GN) reconstruction algorithm, enhanced with priors, was employed. The results were then compared across different reconstruction processes. Cylindrical cement pastes and cement mortar samples were prepared, …

Proportioning And Performance Of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (Uhpc) For High Friction Surface Treatment (Hfst) On Pavement And Bridge Decks, Adam R. Biehl

All Theses

High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) is a roadway remediation technique used to improve pavement’s coefficient of friction, to enhance roadway safety. The application of HFSTs has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce crashes in both wet and dry conditions. Typically, epoxy-resins and calcined bauxite aggregate are used in HFST treatment. However, the high material costs and scarcity of calcined bauxite render this form of HFST an expensive and limited option for roadway rehabilitation. Therefore, the identification of alternative binders and HFST aggregates is needed for broad scale implementation. One potential alternative binder is Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC), a specialty cementitious …

Advancing Unmanned Ground Vehicle Path Planning With Quantified Map Uncertainty, Israel Afriyie

All Theses

This thesis addresses the complex challenge of path planning for Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) in areas where traditional navigation systems are inadequate, such as unstructured or off-road military zones. Recognizing the limitations of current path planning algorithms, which primarily focus on optimizing for the shortest path and often fail to account for variability and risks, this research proposes an enhanced Hyperstar algorithm. This approach not only considers the fastest route but also integrates maximum delays and visibility risks into its computation, ensuring a balance between swift mission completion and concealment from adversaries.

Utilizing terrain maps and incorporating uncertainties in map …

The Influence Of Block Characteristics On The In-Plane Settlement Disturbance Zone Of Dry-Stacked Coursed Ashlar Rock Walls, Eli Blackhat

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Dry-stacked stone has been used throughout the history of humankind as property dividers, retention walls, fortifications, temples, and other structures of significance. Many of these historical structures have been designated as culturally significant. In modern infrastructure, dry-stacked stone is often limited to retaining walls and is used more for its aesthetic appeal as opposed to its quality as a building material. The aim of this thesis is to add to engineering knowledge of how these structures behave. Specifically, on how in-plane differential settlement affects shear stress redistribution and vertical displacement within a structure as well as determining how block characteristics …

Investigating Productivity Of Modular Buildings, Sibgat Mehedi Hasan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The modular construction industry has grown substantially, yet understanding of the relationships between project categories, sizes, and productivity remains limited. This study investigates these relationships in both permanent and relocatable modular construction projects across different sectors, including multifamily housing, dormitories, healthcare, education, retail, office, and workforce housing. Data from 303 permanent and 188 relocatable projects in the Modular Building Institute database were analyzed using Kendall's tau-b correlation and linear regression analyses. Key findings reveal that permanent projects outnumber and are generally larger than relocatable ones, with education being the most common project type. Significant positive correlations between project size and …

Analysis Of The Relationship Between Speed Consistency And Traffic Accident Probability (On The Mojokerto-Surabaya Toll Road), Riki Risfiandi, Martha Leni Siregar

Smart City

Vehicle speed consistency plays a crucial role in maintaining traffic safety, with speed limits set to reduce accident fatalities. While the direct impact of speed limits on vehicle speed is minimal, their implementation significantly influences driver behavior, with about 85% of drivers complying with speed limits. However, variables such as traffic volume, weather conditions, and travel urgency often cause drivers to be inconsistent in adhering to these limits, increasing accident risk. On the Mojokerto-Surabaya toll road, data from Traffic Corps and Jasa Marga recorded 193 accidents with 101 fatalities from 2018 to August 2023, mostly caused by driver behavior such …