Structural Engineering Commons^™

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. …

3d Printing Of Local New Mexican Soil Material: Improving Durability Properties By Assessing Traditional Methods Towards Alternative Sustainable Construction, Daiquiri Devon Zozaya

Civil Engineering ETDs

3D printing (3DP), or additive manufacturing, represents a dynamic and swiftly advancing manufacturing method in which diverse materials are deposited layer by layer through computer-controlled processes, creating intricate geometries. This technology has demonstrated success in various construction applications, including the construction of bridges, bus stop stations, and even residential homes. Nonetheless, the predominant application of 3DP in construction relies heavily on cement due to its robustness, convenience, and ease of use. Regrettably, the cement sector is a substantial source of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for approximately 8% of worldwide CO₂ emissions. Investigating all facets of carbon emissions reduction is …

Performance Assessment Of Aboveground Storage Tanks During Flood Events, Md Manik Mia

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This research addressed the performance of aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) and connected pipelines during floods. ASTs, integral to the oil and gas industry, store hazardous materials like crude oil and chemicals. Positioned near coastal regions, especially the hurricane-prone Gulf Coast, these areas are vulnerable to natural hazards such as floods and hurricanes. This vulnerability can lead to potential environmental and economic disasters, as seen with past hurricanes.
The primary objectives were to investigate AST bottom plate failure mechanisms under flood conditions, assess material failure in tank shells and bottom plates using finite element models, examine the behavior of connected pipelines, …

Hurricane Vulnerability Of Above Ground Storage Tanks, Santosh Ghimire

LSU Master's Theses

The objectives of this research were to: 1) develop an approach to determine the effectiveness of regional storm surge reduction strategies and structural mitigation measures for aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), and 2) study the feasibility of controlled flotation of ASTs during flood and storm surge events. This study provided a comprehensive risk assessment strategy for regional portfolio of tanks, considering all dominant failure modes relevant to future planning initiatives aimed at reducing AST failures. Additionally, this research contributed a new methodology to prevent AST failures during flooding, offering a potential solution to prevent hazardous spills.

Design guidelines such as API …

Early Detection Of Pipeline Natural Gas Leakage From Hyperspectral Imaging By Vegetation Indicators And Deep Neural Networks, Pengfei Ma, Tarutal Ghosh Mondal, Zhenhua Shi, Mohammad Hossein Afsharmovahed, Kevin Romans, Liujun Li, Ying Zhuo, Genda Chen

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The timely detection of underground natural gas (NG) leaks in pipeline transmission systems presents a promising opportunity for reducing the potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. However, existing techniques face notable limitations for prompt detection. This study explores the utility of Vegetation Indicators (VIs) to reflect vegetation health deterioration, thereby representing leak-induced stress. Despite the acknowledged potential of VIs, their sensitivity and separability remain understudied. In this study, we employed ground vegetation as biosensors for detecting methane emissions from underground pipelines. Hyperspectral imaging from vegetation was collected weekly at both plant and leaf scales over two months to facilitate stress detection …

Numerical Study For The Behavior Of Stainless-Steel Sigma Columns Under Axial Compression Load, Hayat H. Hegazy, Nashwa M. Yossef Prof, Mostafa F. Hassanein

Journal of Engineering Research

This study investigated numerically the behavior of slender austenitic stainless-steel grade EN 1.4420 columns under compression loads. The column has a single lipped Sigma cross section. The finite element model was developed using ABAQUS software, then it was validated by comparing its results against outcomes from a previous experimental study. A parametric study conducted on pin-ended Sigma columns explores the effect of various factors on ultimate strength and failure modes, such as thickness (t) and flange width (B). Results indicate that as the thickness of the column increases, so does its ultimate load capacity. Thicker columns …

Experimental Study On The Detection Of The Existence And Location Of Mimicked And Unexpected Interface Debonding Defects In An Existing Rectangular Cfst Column With Pzt Materials, Qian Liu, Bin Xu, Genda Chen, Weilong Ni, Zhixun Liu, Chun Lin, Zhiyou Zhuang

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Interface bonding conditions between concrete and steel materials play key roles in ensuring the composite effect and load-carrying capacity of concrete–steel composite structures such as concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) members in practice. A method using both surface wave and electromechanical impedance (EMI) measurement for detecting the existence and the location of inaccessible interface debonding defects between the concrete core and steel tube in CFST members using piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) patches as actuators and sensors is proposed. A rectangular CFST specimen with two artificially mimicked interface debonding defects was experimentally verified using PZT patches as the actuator and sensor. …

An In – Depth Analysis Of Natural Fibers :A Comprehensive Review Of Properties And Performance Characteristics, Abbas Chour, Jamal Khatib

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The purpose of this research is to investigate the usage of natural fibers in plant-based natural fiber-reinforced cement-based composites for sustainable construction materials. It summarizes research on various fiber kinds, their properties, and their impact on cement-based products, with a focus on renewable possibilities such as flax, jute, ramie, hemp, cotton, sisal, and kenaf. Due to their hydrophilic nature, plant fibers and polymers present compatibility concerns and moisture damage when combined. The paper examines ways for improving durability, such as physical and chemical treatments to improve aging resistance, optimizing binder components, and modifying curing regimens to reduce alkalinity in the …

Final Report - Smart Sounding System For Autonomous Evaluation Of Concrete And Metallic Structures, Anil K. Agrawal, Deepak Kumar

Project IM-3

Recent research by the authors has shown that the sounding, such as chirp signal, can be generated by electronic speakers, and their magnitude and frequency can be controlled. Unlike mechanical impact hammers, the electronic sounding is consistent and can be designed with controlled frequency characteristics to excite defects in concrete decks. Another significant limitation of mechanical impact hammers is that the bottom of a deck cannot be conventionally sounded, and determination of precise location of the damaged area is a challenge. To address these limitations, a “smart sounding system” has been developed that can be used to inspect the underdeck …

Final Report - Health Inspection Of Concrete Pavement And Bridge Members Exposed To Freeze-Thaw Service Environment, Hongyan Ma, Genda Chen, Kangyi Cai, Rezwana Hafiz

Project SN-7

This project proposed an integrated approach for the non-destructive evaluation of the health status – represented by compressive strength – of any concrete, including well-cured (or intact) and degraded (or partially damaged) due to freeze-thaw cycling. To use this approach, no pre-recorded information (e.g., mixture proportions of concrete, curing and maintenance history, and service history) is needed. Instead, several conventional non-destructive testing methods (NDTs), assisted by hyperspectral camera, can be employed to generate a dataset that informs a pre-trained artificial intelligence (AI) to predict strength. As the core of this approach, the dedicated AI was trained through this project. To …

Final Report - Data-Driven Risk-Informed Bridge Asset Management And Prioritization Across Transportation Networks, Iris Tien, Yijian Zhang

Project RR-2

This project aims to transform inspection data into risk-informed decision-making, leading to two main advancements. First, a new method is developed to account for the combined effect of soil stress history and scour hole on laterally and axially loaded piles in sand and clay. The methodology is validated with results from field tests for no-scour scenarios and verified with numerical models for scour scenarios. Quantification of the soil effects is investigated through lateral pile deflection and load-settlement curves for lateral and axial behaviors, respectively. Stress history increases up to 34.1% and 61.1% in estimated pile settlement for sand and clay, …

Final Report - Autonomous Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement By A Magnet-Wheeled Robot, Yang Wang, Hung Manh La, Yu Otsuki, Son Thanh Nguyen

Project SN-6

This project develops a compact ultrasonic thickness sensing device that is integrated with a steel-climbing bicycle robot for autonomous thickness measurement of steel bridge members. With wireless communication capability, the ultrasonic sensing device can perform high-voltage pulse excitation, filtering and amplification of the received ultrasonic signal, and high-speed analog-to-digital conversions (up to 80 MHz). After successful validations of the device, it is integrated into a bicycle-like robot with two magnetic wheels controlled by two independent steering actuators that navigates on various steel surfaces (flat, curved, rough, concave, and convex). Along with the wireless ultrasonic sensing device, the robot carries a …

Predicting Flexural-Creep Stiffness In Bending Beam Rheometer (Bbr) Experiments Using Advanced Super Learner Machine Learning Techniques, Alireza Roshan, Magdy Abdelrahman

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

BBR test is commonly used to assess the low-temperature performance grade (PG) of asphalt binders, with the flexural-creep stiffness being a critical parameter calculated through this test. However, it has notable limitations that demand attention. The significant amount of asphalt binder needed for test specimens increases costs and resource consumption. Additionally, the complex and time-consuming specimen preparation process hinders testing efficiency and introduces result variability, affecting the accuracy and reliability of PG determinations. In recent years, machine learning (ML) has emerged as a promising substitute for predicting various engineering values. In this study, the primary focus was on harnessing super …

Cardboard Concrete Column Formwork, Danny Shrestha, Joelle Schalesky

Architectural Engineering

This project is an exploration of cardboard as a potential material for construction formwork for concrete columns. Multiple material tests were conducted to explore the behavior of cardboard and concrete. Multiple specimens of cardboard were tested for modulus of elasticity, moment of inertia, and tensile strength. Concrete was tested for its apparent lateral fluid pressure under vibration. Cardboard formwork was then designed and constructed based on these tested behaviors. The final design of the formwork consisted of folding cardboard sheets lined with hardboard, supported by wood studs, and tied by plastic banding straps.

Ultimately, two concrete columns―8' and 10' in …

Moment Monument, Brayden Alec Martinez, Carsten Walker Huber, Gaspar Emmanuel Solorio, Jared Thomas Schieferle

Architectural Engineering

We designed our project, dubbed the Moment Monument, in part to live out our dream of applying engineering and design skills towards creating a lasting impression on Cal Poly’s campus, as well as to develop a visual aid for future engineering students in steel design classes. The Moment Monument is in the Experimental Structures Laboratory, which is a space in the university’s ‘Poly Canyon’ that is reserved for students to build and test different applications of architecture, structural engineering, and construction. In recent years, it has been diffi cult to receive approval to build in the canyon due to high …

Machine Learning Based Analysis Of Civil Infrastructure In The Presence Of Sparse Data, Megan Butcher

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The high computational cost of estimating engineering demand parameters (EDPs) via finite element (FE) models, which incorporate uncertainties in earthquake events and material properties, limits the application of the Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) framework. Previous efforts to replace FE models with surrogate models have typically focused only on building parameters, necessitating re-training for new, unseen earthquakes. This paper introduces a machine learning-based surrogate model framework that addresses both earthquake and material parameter uncertainties to predict responses for unseen seismic events. Earthquakes are characterized by their projections on an orthonormal basis, computed using Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of a representative ground …

Final Report - A Field Deployable Wall-Climbing Robot For Bridge Inspection Using Vision And Impact Sounding Techniques, Jizhong Xiao, Ejup Hoxha, David Kirakosian

Project AS-6

This project developed two wall-climbing robots and two omni-directional ground robots for automated data collection on both horizontal and vertical surfaces of concrete structures. These robots are equipped with non-destructive evaluation (NDE) sensors, including ground penetrating radar (GPR), impact sounding (IS) and impact echo (IE) devices. Utilizing a vision-based positioning system powered by simultaneous localization and mapping (V-SLAM), the robots tag NDE data with real-time pose information, significantly accelerating the data collection process and enhancing the accuracy of defect mapping. While effective at detecting shallow defects, impact sounding is highly sensitive to ambient noise and unsuitable for identifying deeper flaws. …

Fitness For Service (Ffs) And Fatigue Assessment For Shell Distorted Steel Storage Tank Based On Api 579-1/Asme Ffs-1, Wira Herucakra Sr. Structure Engineer, Luh Putri Adnyani, Ic Farid Hadi Prasetyo, Alviani Rahma Rizkhita

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

A shell distortion was occurred due to incorrect in the welding procedure during construction of a new built above ground steel storage tank. The assessment level 1 then performed referred to original construction code of API Standard 650 was performed, the roundness data of tank plate was obtained through to laser scanning survey, and the result on assessment level 1 known that the minimum radius of measured point is exceeding the radius tolerance. This unacceptable condition of assessment level 1 requires to be performed the higher level of assessment. A fitness for service assessment level 3 for tank 1000 KL …

Quality Assurance And Quality Control For Reinforced Concrete Inspections, Calvin O. Walters Jr.

Publications and Research

Ensuring the safety and longevity of structures is paramount in concrete construction projects. Cases like the Big Dig ceiling collapse, which occurred on July 10, 2006, when a concrete ceiling panel measuring 20' x 40' and debris weighing 26 short tons (52,000 lb) fell within Boston's Fort Point Channel Tunnel, underscore this importance (Wald, M. L., 2007). Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) are crucial in mitigating such risks. QA ensures that materials and methods meet predetermined performance, design, and reliability standards specified in contracts and customer arrangements. On the other hand, QC is a strategic process businesses use …

Equitable Infrastructure: Achieving Resilient Systems And Restorative Justice Through Policy And Research Innovation, Jason P. Giovannettone, Gregg P. Macey, Amir Aghakouchak, Michele Barbato, William J. Capehart, Auroop R. Ganguly, Mital Hall, Jennifer F. Helgeson, Si Han Li, Teng Wu, Guirong Yan, Farshid Vahedifard

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recent major investments in infrastructure in the United States and globally present a crucial opportunity to embed equity within the heart of resilient infrastructure decision-making. Yet there is a notable absence of frameworks within the engineering and scientific fields for integrating equity into planning, design, and maintenance of infrastructure. Additionally, whole-of-government approaches to infrastructure, including the Justice40 Initiative, mimic elements of process management that support exploitative rather than exploratory innovation. These and other policies risk creating innovation traps that limit analytical and engineering advances necessary to prioritize equity in decision-making, identification and disruption of mechanisms that cause or contribute to …