Engineering Commons^™

Barriers To Use Of Cross-Laminated Timber In Maine, Shane R. O'Neill

Forest Resources Faculty Scholarship

To increase understanding of both the adoption rate and in-state manufacturing of mass timber In Maine, the 131^st Legislature and Governor Mills passed LD 881, a resolve directing a study of the barriers facing cross-laminated timber In Maine and provide recommendations to promote their use in construction. This study was developed in response to the resolve. The study engaged 108 unique participants to define available training, education, and experiences across the stakeholders throughout the building lifecycle process in the state.

From this information, the following five recommendations are proposed:

1. Understand the policies and initiatives of other states to develop …

Corrosion Condition Rating Database, Zahra Ameli, Eric Landis

Non-Thesis Student Work

This dataset contains 514 RGB images and corresponding pixel-level annotation files in two separate formats; .json and .txt. The images are collected from steel bridge elements using a drone and a Nikon camera. The images was randomly split into 412 training images and 90 validation and 12 testing images. Two dataset for training Mask RCNN and YOLOv8 models are included in the database. All the annotations are carefully performed for quality assurance. The three classes used in this study, represents different levels of corrosion severity (corrosion condition states) according to American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and …

Stackpole Bridge: Rebuilding A Connection To The Past, Abigail Morrison-Ouellette

Honors College

Many historical structures are still appreciated today for their beauty, the skill required to construct them, and how they preserve and complement the natural environment. Aqueducts, buildings, and bridges constructed by ancient civilizations are excellent examples of some of the stone structures that remain standing today that offer tangible ties to the past. Many of these structures foster local pride, create a strong sense of community, and provide economic benefits beyond their physical function.

Some of the most durable historical structures are stone arch bridges, which have been used worldwide for centuries for transportation over terrain that would otherwise be …

Integration Of Material Characterization, Thermoforming Simulation, And As-Formed Structural Analysis For Thermoplastic Composites, Philip M. Bean, Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, Senthil Vel

Civil Engineering Faculty Scholarship

An improved simulation-based thermoforming design process based on the integration of material characterization and as-formed structural analysis is proposed. The tendency of thermoplastic composites to wrinkle during forming has made simulation critical to optimized manufacturing, but the material models required are complex and time consuming to create. A suite of experimental methods has been developed for measurement of several required properties of the molten thermoplastic composite. These methods have the potential to enhance thermoplastic composites manufacturing by simplifying and expediting the process. These material properties have been verified by application to thermomechanical forming predictions using commercial simulation software. The forming …

Life Cycle Analysis And Implications Of 3d Printed Bio-Based Homes, A Preliminary Study, Claire Liedtka

Honors College

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the life cycle, embodied energy, and sustainability potential for large scale additive manufacturing of 3D printed homes. Additive manufacturing is the process of selectively depositing materials using a 3D printing process, which optimizes material usage and reduces waste. I performed a preliminary Cradle to Cradle Life Cycle Analysis for constructing 3D printed homes using a bio-based material, poly-lactic acid (PLA) filled with wood flour. For purposes of this study, I consider the Life Cycle Analysis to be the environmental assessment of each stage of a product’s life cycle, from material sourcing, processing, …

Development And Experimental Assessment Of Friction-Type Shear Connectors For Frp Bridge Girders With Composite Concrete Decks, William G. Davids, Dante Guzzi, Andrew Philip Schanck

Civil Engineering Faculty Scholarship

This paper details the development and experimental assessment of a friction-type connector, designed to transfer shear flow between the top flange of a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tub girder and a composite concrete deck for bridge applications. In contrast with previously used bearing-type connectors, this system relies on a deformed FRP surface to transfer shear via direct interlock with the concrete deck. The connector is materially efficient, simple to fabricate, can be used with lower-grade structural or stainless-steel fasteners, and provides a high degree of interface stiffness. Six compression-shear specimens were tested to assess the connector fatigue resistance and ultimate connection …

Effects Of Fiber Orientation On The Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion Of Fiber-Filled Polymer Systems In Large Format Polymer Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing, José Luis Colón Quintana, Lucinda Slattery, Jon Pinkham, Joanna Keaton, Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, Keith Sharp

Civil Engineering Faculty Scholarship

Large format polymer extrusion-based additive manufacturing has been studied recently due to its capacity for high throughput, customizable bead size and geometry, and ability to manufacture large parts. Samples from three fiber-filled amorphous thermoplastic materials 3D printed using a Masterprint 3X machine from Ingersoll Machine Tools were studied, along with their neat counterparts. Characterization techniques included thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA). TGA results showed that the fillers decreased the degradation temperature for most of the materials investigated, with a 30°C decrease for polycarbonate (PC) and a 12°C decrease for polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG). For …

Impact Of Uav Hardware Options On Bridge Inspection Mission Capabilities, Zahra Ameli, Yugandhar Aremanda, Wilhelm A. Friess, Eric N. Landis

Civil Engineering Faculty Scholarship

Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAV) constitute a rapidly evolving technology field that is becoming more accessible and capable of supplementing, expanding, and even replacing some traditionally manual bridge inspections. Given the classification of the bridge inspection types as initial, routine, in-depth, damage, special, and fracture critical members, specific UAV mission requirements can be developed, and their suitability for UAV application examined. Results of a review of 23 applications of UAVs in bridge inspections indicate that mission sensor and payload needs dictate the UAV configuration and size, resulting in quadcopter configurations being most suitable for visual camera inspections (43% of visual inspections …

Numerical Modeling And Experimental Investigation Of Effective Elastic Properties Of The 3d Printed Gyroid Infill, Philip Bean, Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, Senthil Vel

Civil Engineering Faculty Scholarship

A numerical homogenization approach is presented for the effective elastic moduli of 3D printed cellular infills. A representative volume element of the infill geometry is discretized using either shell or solid elements and analyzed using the finite element method. The elastic moduli of the bulk cellular material are obtained through longitudinal and shear deformations of a representative volume element under periodic boundary conditions. The method is used to analyze the elastic behavior of gyroid infills for varying infill densities. The approach is validated by comparing the Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio with those obtained from compression experiments. Results indicate that …

Lateral Spreading And Stability Of Embankments Supported On Fractured Unreinforced High-Modulus Columns, Aaron P. Gallant, Danilo Botero Lopez

Non-Thesis Student Work

Construction of column-supported embankments (CSEs) with unreinforced high-modulus elements is now common practice to accelerate fill placement. These brittle columns are susceptible to column fracturing and CSE designs often limit the degree of lateral spreading such that tensile rupture will not occur, which stems from salient concerns that fracturing may trigger uncontrolled lateral spreading and/or the cessation of intended vertical load transfer. However, tensile rupture is unlikely to coincide with full mobilization of available passive resistance at the toe. Thus, it is disputed in industry whether some degree of column fracturing is tolerable. The objective of this study is to …

Repeatable Use Assessment Of Silicon Carbide As Permanent Susceptor Bed In Ex Situ Microwave Remediation Of Petroleum-Impacted Soils, Ritchie Lafaille, Yigit C. Bozkurt, Emmy Pruitt, Janelle Lewis, Rene Bernier, Deyuan Kong, Paul Westerhoff, Paul Dahlen, Onur G. Apul

Civil Engineering Faculty Scholarship

Efficiency of microwave-enabled ex situ soil remediation can be improved by dielectric susceptors. Cost, and environmental burden of these susceptors can be minimized if they are used repeatedly in a permanent bed set-up. In this study, carbon nanofibers, activated carbon, magnetite, and silicon carbide were tested at the lab scale for repeated use in permanent microwave-induced thermal soil remediation. Despite their superior ability to convert microwaves into heat, carbon nanofibers experienced electrokinesis and activated carbon partially combusted in the microwave cavity, which complicates their pragmatic use in remediation applications. Magnetite was also able to convert microwaves into heat effectively and …

Coastal Windstorms Create Unsteady, Unpredictable Storm Surges In A Fluvial Maine Estuary, Preston Spicer, Pascal Matte, Kimberly Huguenard, Laura N. Rickard

Civil Engineering Faculty Scholarship

Storm surges create coastal flooding that can be damaging to life and property. In estuaries with significant river influence (fluvial), it is possible for tides, storm surge, and river discharge to interact and enhance surges relative to the immediate coast. These tide-surge-river interactions were previously identified in a fluvial Maine estuary as higher frequency (>four cycles per day) oscillations to storm surge which were proposed to be incited by enhanced friction and resonance during certain windstorm events (Spicer et al. 2019). The relative contributions to tide-surge-river interaction from atmospheric forcing variables (wind, barometric pressure, and externally generated surge) remains …

Building Life-Cycle Carbon And Operational Energy Report, Duncan Cox, Alexandra Davis, Vamshe Gooje

General University of Maine Publications

The premise of this report is to surmise the embodied carbon impact and anticipated operational energy use of the 57,995 sf crosslaminated timber (CLT) and glulam addition to the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) on the University of Maine campus. The project will contain open lab space for the world’s largest prototype polymer 3D printer, offices, and a presentation venue.

A life-cycle assessment is a methodology for quantifying environmental impacts at all stages of a building’s life cycle. This is a cradle-to-grave assessment of the building, beginning from raw material extraction and sourcing, to manufacturing, transportation, construction, energy use, …

Composite Materials And Structures Certificate, Advanced Structures & Composites Center, University Of Maine

General University of Maine Publications

The Certificate requires completion of 12 credits (4 courses) through a combination of 400- and graduate-level courses as described in the course sequence section below. A maximum of one course (or 3 credits) at 400 or 500 level may be transferred from outside of UMaine to the program for credit.

Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab, Advanced Structures & Composites Center, University Of Maine

General University of Maine Publications

The Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center is a unique facility equipped with a high-performance rotatable wind machine over a multidirectional wave basin. The facility will accurately simulate towing tests, variable water depths, and scaled wind and wave conditions that represent some of the worst storms possible anywhere on Earth.

Wind Blade Testing: Design, Fabricate, And Test Under One Roof, Advanced Structures & Composites Center, University Of Maine

General University of Maine Publications

The University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center's award winning research staff help clients take innovations from concept through design validation. The 8100 m2, $160 million laboratory employs more than 150 people with expertise in large-scale and coupon-level instrumentation and testing, composites manufacturing and analysis, finite element analysis and other modeling techniques. UMaine Composites Center faculty and staff may be engaged to jointly develop products, or may be contracted to fabricate and test composite or concrete products.

Nawic Focus (January-March 2019), National Association Of Women In Construction - Maine Chapter Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.

“Getting Maine Out Of The Mud” The “Good Roads” Movement In Maine During The Progressive Era, Lee Webb

History Student Scholarship

In the 19^th century, most Mainers agreed that the state’s rural roads were in terrible condition. The rural road districts in the rural towns charged with maintaining local roads were ineffective. Money and skilled leadership were needed but rural towns were unwilling to challenge the existing systems or to enact town-wide taxes to pay for the construction of better roads.

Beginning in the latter decades of the 19^th century, a reform movement developed, called by many the “Good Roads Movement" which was part of the amorphous Progressive movement. The "Good Roads Movement" wanted to use the powers of …

Design And Construction Of Trail Of The Senses, A Universally Accessible Outdoor Trail System At Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, Jessica M. Oriente

Honors College

Hirundo Wildlife Refuge partnered with the University of Maine Construction Engineering Technology Department to construct the Trail of the Senses, a three-phase universally accessible outdoor trail system totaling a little over half a mile. The ultimate goal of Trail of the Senses is to maximize accessibility to nature while minimizing the negative effect on the environment, in order to provide better connections and experiences for all. This thesis focuses on the second phase, the Lac d’Or Trail. This trail is a quarter mile long and travels across a berm, through a forest, and culminates in an observation deck of the …

The Effect Of Material Variability On The Deflection Of Bamboo Fly Rods, Bennett R. Scully

Honors College

This study tested and compared the theoretical effect of variability in modulus of elasticity versus rod taper in the “action” of bamboo fly fishing rods. Action is a rod’s tendency to flex in specific areas when loaded and the extent to which it deforms in that area. MATLAB functions were scripted to plot the large deflection of bamboo fly rods in order to model the action of a rod given various properties. The bamboo fly rod was considered to be a cantilever beam with a point load acting on the end, and large deflection considerations had to be made. Materials …

Intra-Annual Fjord Circulation: Seasonal Variation In Fjord Physics And Biology And The Impacts Of A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, Brigitte E. Parady

Honors College

Climate change is expected to significantly affect the world’s fjords by increasing storm intensity and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). GLOFs are characterized as a sudden release of glacial trapped waters into a fjord, yet how they modify fjord circulation and zooplankton migration patterns is not well understood. This study aims to investigate long-term physical and biological patterns in fjords and how they are modified by GLOFs by characterizing intra-annual variation in fjord hydrodynamics and biology. The study area is Martinez Channel in Chilean Patagonia located below the Northern Patagonia Ice Field. To accomplish this goal, circulation patterns and temporal …

Nawic Focus (December 2017), National Association Of Women In Construction - Maine Chapter Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.

Nawic Focus (November 2017), National Association Of Women In Construction - Maine Chapter Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.

Duration Of Load And Creep Effects Of Wood Composites, Advanced Structures & Composites Center, University Of Maine

General University of Maine Publications

The Duration of Load & Creep Effects Lab at the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center has a complete creep testing facility capable of evaluating duration of load effects on wood composites such as panel products, structural composite lumber (SCL), and wood-plastic composites (WPC).

Structural Testing Of Wood And Wood-Based Products, Advanced Structures & Composites Center, University Of Maine

General University of Maine Publications

Maine’s economy has always drawn upon its forests. Our wood composites research not only follows this tradition, it allows future generations to do so, as well. International timber competition has forced Maine to become smarter about the lumber goods it produces, which is why the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center has been working with industry to produce value added wood products since its inception in 1996. Focus areas have included FRP-reinforced glulam, structural composite lumber, wood-plastic composites, wood and bio-based panels, nanocellulose, and mass timber construction.

Wood Composites Manufacturing, Advanced Structures & Composites Center, University Of Maine

General University of Maine Publications

The UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center has a complete Wood Composites Pilot Line allowing production of up to 4’ x 8’ oriented strand board (OSB), laminated strand lumber (LSL), particle board, MDF, and other cellulosic composites on a near-industrial scale.

Mass Timber At Umaine, Advanced Structures & Composites Center, University Of Maine

General University of Maine Publications

Many architects and engineers believe that we are now in “the beginning of the timber age” where “plyscrapers” will soon be dotting city skylines all over the world. These tall wood buildings are a result of “mass timber” – a category of construction characterized by the use of large wood-based panels for wall, floor, and roof construction. Products in the mass timber family include: Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT), Glued-Laminated Timber (Glulam), and Structural Composite Lumber (SCL) e.g., Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL), and Parallel Strand Lumber (PSL), as well as hybrid products manufactured with a …

Nawic Focus (August-September 2017), National Association Of Women In Construction - Maine Chapter Staff

Maine Women's Publications - All

No abstract provided.

018637.00 Westbrook: Cumberland Mill Rotary Signalization, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., Mileone & Macbroom, State Of Maine. Department Of Transportation

Maine Town Documents

Presentation Powerpoint slides on the proposed 2017 redesign of a Cumberland Mill Rotary impacting Main and Cumberland Streets, Harnois and Warren Avenue.

Coastal Erosion In Southern Maine: An Evaluation Of Coastal Armoring Structures And Their Effectiveness, Savanah Devoe

Honors College

The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the effectiveness of hard coastal armoring structures and their cumulative effect upon the shape and volume of sediment of the beach profile at which they are implemented. Four coastal sites in Southern Maine were selected for study: Wells Beach, Higgins Beach, Scarborough Beach, and Laudholm Beach. The years 2006 – 2014 were examined for seasonal meteorological, volumetric, and sediment characteristic changes at each location. Profiles established at these beaches are protected by a variety of hard armoring structures, such as jetties, concrete seawalls, and stone revetments. Unarmored profiles on these beaches are …