Engineering Commons^™

A Durability Evaluation Of Class B Concrete Bridge Substructures Under West Virginia Freeze–Thaw Conditions, Nathaniel Wayne Dunbar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study evaluates whether the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) Class B concrete specification for bridge substructures remains adequate under modern durability and design-life expectations. The current specification, which permits a minimum compressive strength of 3,000 psi, reflects practices established when shorter service lives were generally assumed. Modern AASHTO LRFD provisions are based on a 75-year design life, raising concern that this lower-strength concrete may not provide sufficient durability under West Virginia’s climatic conditions.

To address this issue, bridge inspection data, regional climate mapping, and durability modeling were used to assess the condition and performance of concrete substructures across …

Durability Of Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars In Moist Geopolymer Concrete, Mouaz Chkhachirou

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The rapid growth of infrastructure projects in the Gulf region has significantly increased the demand for construction in the urban coastal areas of the Arabian Gulf. This harsh coastal environment accelerates the corrosion of steel reinforcement in structural concrete, which leads to severe safety hazards as well as considerable financial losses. The utilization of non-corrodible materials as reinforcement bars in concrete structures would extend their service life and reduce the operation and maintenance expenditure. Basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars have great potential to replace traditional steel reinforcement and eliminate corrosion-related problems. At the same time, the construction industry is responsible …

Controlling Expansion Behavior Through Curing And Mix Design For An Expansive, Rapid-Setting Bcsa Cement, Amanda Parolini Dutra

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cracking in concrete has been a concern for engineers because it reduces its durability and strength. Some of this cracking behavior is due to shrinkage, which occurs when the water in the concrete evaporates and causes a reduction in volume. Expansive cements were invented to counteract this shrinkage behavior. This research studies a new formulation of a standalone, fast-setting, fast-strength gain expansive BCSA cement. Since it is a new cement, a limited amount of literature is available about mixture design, strength properties, and how to obtain the desired level of expansion. This study then aims to fill some of these …

Paste Properties, Hardened Concrete Properties, And Mix Design Process For Magnesium Phosphate Cement, Rilye Dillard

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) is a rapid-setting alternative cement typically used as a quick repair material. MPC has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to reduce CO2 emissions, its strong chemical resistance, and potential use in large scale applications. There is currently limited research on the properties of MPC when varying the proportions of its ingredients. Several hardened concrete properties were analyzed on concrete mixtures made with MPC. A mix design process for MPC concrete is proposed based on testing of 300 MPC paste mixtures and 115 MPC concrete mixtures. A standardized mix design process is imperative …

An Investigation Into The Effect Of Performance Engineered Mixture (Pem) Design On The Workability And Strength Of Concrete Pavement Mixtures, Alexander Cook

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) currently requires a minimum cement content of 564 pounds of cement per cubic yard of concrete. This minimum cement requirement can be reduced through the utilization of optimized gradation of aggregates within concrete mixtures as well as the addition of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash. The study presented in this paper aims to demonstrate how the use of the Tarantula Curve can be used to design concrete mixtures with reduced cement contents while maintaining sufficient workability for concrete mixtures to be used for slipform paving. Fresh workability was measured using the …

Caed Shop Entrance Wall Redesign, Theodore Haoran Khuong, Joelle Schalesky, Ellen Elizabeth Untalan, Katherine Evalyn Timbes

Construction Management

This paper details the preconstruction process involving the replacement and redesign of the north wall at the CAED Support Shop at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Accomplished by an interdisciplinary team of Architectural Engineering and Construction Management students, this project explores the requirements and procedures of generating a project proposal to submit to Cal Poly Facilities Management. The project, initiated in the fall of 2024, aimed to redesign the wall aligned with the adjacent Engineering West building and replace it with a CMU low lift grouted wall. The CAED Support Shop is offered as a resource to all CAED students …

Structural Behavior Of Corroded Reinforced Concrete Beam Elements Repaired With Fabric-Reinforced Matrix Composites, Youssef Ibrahim Elmezayen

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Advanced methods for rehabilitation of reinforced concrete (RC) beams with corroded reinforcement were designed and implemented in this research. The nonlinear flexural and shear behaviors of RC beams with corroded reinforcement repaired with fabric-reinforced matrix (FRM) composites were investigated. Numerical simulation models were developed to predict the flexural response of flexure-deficient continuous RC beams before and after repair with FRM composites. A novel sustainable repair solution that involves the use of cement-free geopolymeric matrix reinforced with nonmetallic fabrics was also introduced for rehabilitation of shear-critical RC beams with corroded stirrups. Simplified and easy-to-use analytical approaches were adopted to estimate the …

Structural Behavior Of Corroded Reinforced Concrete Beam Elements Repaired With Fabric-Reinforced Matrix Composites, Youssef Ibrahim Elmezayen

Dissertations

Advanced methods for rehabilitation of reinforced concrete (RC) beams with corroded reinforcement were designed and implemented in this research. The nonlinear flexural and shear behaviors of RC beams with corroded reinforcement repaired with fabric-reinforced matrix (FRM) composites were investigated. Numerical simulation models were developed to predict the flexural response of flexure-deficient continuous RC beams before and after repair with FRM composites. A novel sustainable repair solution that involves the use of cement-free geopolymeric matrix reinforced with nonmetallic fabrics was also introduced for rehabilitation of shear-critical RC beams with corroded stirrups. Simplified and easy-to-use analytical approaches were adopted to estimate the …

Research Review Of Biomass Ash As Concrete Admixture, Ma Bicong, Liang Jian, Weng Yiling

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In order to provide a comprehensive overview of research progress in the use of biomass ash as concrete admixture，the physical and chemical properties，mechanism of action，factors affecting the production process of biomass ash，and the effects of biomass ash incorporation on the working properties，mechanical properties，and durability of concrete were studied.The results show that biomass ash has a smaller density and a larger specific surface area than traditional mineral admixture，and the total amount of active components，namely SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3 （SAF） in most biomass ashes exceeds the requirements of class F volcanic ash （≥70%）.Incorporating biomass ash can effectively improve the mechanical properties …

Concrete Design: Underwater Concrete Forms In A Saltwater Environment, Noah Z. Lau

Construction Management

This following project investigated the effects of salt on the concrete curing process. Concrete possesses numerous strengths, making it extremely versatile. This makes it one of the most utilized construction materials. New improved methods are constantly being developed for concrete’s application as a construction material. While concrete is a flexible material with many strengths, it is not without its flaws. Concrete, while strong in compression is weak in tension. It has long cure times and doesn’t generally handle moisture well. This paper evaluates concrete’s change in strength from letting concrete cure in a salt-based underwater environment. To determine the full …

Practical Insights And Advances In Concrete Pumping, Daniil Mikhalev, Siamak Fakhrayee Nejad, Serina Ng, Baishakhi Bose, Robin De Schryver, Ana Brunčič, Manu K. Mohan, Yanwei Wang, A. V. Rahul, Atta Ur Rehman, Dengwu Jiao, Viktor Mechtcherine, Geert De Schutter, Dimitri Feys

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This technical letter gives a concise overview of the state-of-the-art in concrete pumping. It outlines the different pump systems, briefly describes the general flow behavior of concrete in pipes and addresses the main challenges of pumping. It also elaborates upon factors influencing the pumping behavior and how to control the pumping process.

Reduction In Scc Form Pressure Through In-Situ Co2 Mineralization, Sean Monkman, Soo Duck Hwang, Kamal Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

One challenge of using self-consolidating concrete (SCC) for cast-in-place structural applications is that the rheological properties of the concrete (low yield stress and low plastic viscosity) can lead to increased lateral pressure exerted on the formwork. High structural build up and thixotropy can reduce the lateral pressure, thereby allowing for simpler formwork and faster construction. The addition of CO₂ to SCC, in proportions from 0.063 % to 0.250 %, by weight of cement, was investigated as a rheology modifier. The CO₂ served to increase the plastic viscosity with little impact on the dynamic yield stress up to a …

Effects Of Titanium Particulates On Concrete Compressive Strength, Ryan Christopher Brunello

Construction Management

Titanium has the potential to increase the compressive strength of concrete. This experiment investigates the impact of titanium admixture on concrete compressive strength, using three different forms of titanium: shavings, flakes, and powder. This experiment goes further, evaluating the effects of varying proportions of titanium admixture, ranging from 1% - 5% by the weight of cement, resulting in 15 different concrete test cylinders and one additional cylinder as the control variable with no titanium admixture. This experiment aims to identify the optimal recipe for concrete mix with titanium admixture which can provide valuable insight to the industry as to how …

Batch And Placement Size Effects On The Setting Time Of Bcsa Cement Concrete, Micaiah Rivers

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Belitic calcium sulfoaluminate cement (BCSA) is an alternative to portland cement which offers numerous benefits due to its rapid-setting behavior and sustainability properties. BCSA cement concrete has many potential applications, particularly for structural and transportation infrastructure repair. Due to the rapid-setting properties of BCSA cement, a comprehensive understanding of the setting process is critical for efficient and effective use of this material. The primary objective of this research was to determine the effects of mixture size on the setting time and temperature behavior of BCSA cement concrete, and to investigate the relationship between initial set time and workability. Using a …

Research On Performance Of Coal Gangue Concrete, Wang Jiliang, Ma Wenhui, Xu Weidong, Lyu Zhigang

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Coal gangue is an industrial solid waste produced in the process of raw coal mining.It has a large stock and a relatively low utilization rate.Using coal gangue as concrete aggregate can not only solve the environmental pollution caused by coal gangue storage but also make up for the shortage of natural sand and gravel resources，which opens up an effective way for the large-scale utilization of coal gangue.According to the application characteristics of coal gangue as concrete aggregate，the chemical component，mineral composition，and physical properties of coal gangue were systematically analyzed.The influence of coal gangue as aggregate on the working performance，mechanical properties，volume stability，and …

Experimental Investigation Of The Self-Healing Potential Of Bacteria For Sustainable Concrete Structures Phase 2, Andrea Calabrese, Pitiporn Asvapathanagul, Nisarg N. Patel, Nanubala Dhruvan, Austin Adams, Michael Hernandez, Douglas S. Lopez-Cruz

Mineta Transportation Institute

Concrete is a critical component of so much of the modern construction industry. This material, well known for its versatility, robustness, longevity, and strength, is well-suited for a wide range of structural applications. Nonetheless, the widespread occurrence of cracks in concrete structures, primarily attributed to its limited tensile strength, shrinkage, and overstain, imposes a considerable economic and environmental challenge when it comes to retrofitting these fissures. This study tackles this problem by harnessing bacteria tolerant to high alkaline conditions to enable Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) for the self-repair of concrete. This is achieved through an external application method, …

Dynamic Responses Of Super‑Wide Self‑Anchored Suspension Bridge Under Blast Loading, Zhou Guangpan, Lin Zhicheng, Fan Jin, Wang Mingyang

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To study the dynamic response and damage characteristics of the super-wide concrete self-anchored suspension bridge under the blast loading,a real bridge with these characteristics was selected as the background,and the numerical simulation was used to analyze the dynamic response of the top surface crack shape and the vertical displacement of the bottom plate of the super-wide box girder under the close blast of the bridge deck.Firstly,the refined finite element model of the whole bridge was established by using SolidWorks and HyperMesh.Secondly,the blast loading was applied by Ansys/LS-DYNA and *LOAD_BLAST_ENHANCED (LBE ) method,and the reliability of the calculation method was verified …

A Comprehensive Study On The Impact Of Human Hair Fiber And Millet Husk Ash On Concrete Properties: Response Surface Modeling And Optimization, Naraindas Bheel, Muhammad Alamgeer Shams, Samiullah Sohu, Abdul Salam Buller, Taoufik Najeh, Fouad Ismail Ismail, Omrane Benjeddou

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Revolutionizing construction, the concrete blend seamlessly integrates human hair (HH) fibers and millet husk ash (MHA) as a sustainable alternative. By repurposing human hair for enhanced tensile strength and utilizing millet husk ash to replace sand, these materials not only reduce waste but also create a durable, eco-friendly solution. This groundbreaking methodology not only adheres to established structural criteria but also advances the concepts of the circular economy, representing a significant advancement towards environmentally sustainable and resilient building practices. The main purpose of the research is to investigate the fresh and mechanical characteristics of concrete blended with 10–40% MHA as …

Utilizing Waste Rocks From Phosphate Mining In Jordan As Concrete Aggregates, Tamer Eljufout, Fadi Alhomaidat

Open Initiatives Grant Funded Publications-Archive

This study investigates the potential of replacing natural aggregates in concrete with aggregates obtained from Phosphate Mine Waste (PMW) rocks in Jordan. Several tests were conducted to determine the PMW rocks’ chemical, physical, and mechanical properties according to ASTM standards. A comprehensive experimental investigation was conducted, involving thirty-six concrete cylinder specimens, to evaluate the strength and durability properties of concrete made with PMW rocks compared to concrete made with natural limestone aggregates. The tested aggregates of PMW rocks consist mainly of quartz, dolomite, montmorillonite, and flu- orapatite. Their physical and mechanical properties were found to be similar to the natural …

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 …

Iron Filings Impact On The Compressive Strength Of Concrete, Dominic Daniel Aceves

Construction Management

In this study, compression tests were performed on three different mix designs of concrete to evaluate the effects of iron filings as an admixture to concrete. The first mix design served as the control mix, being the variable that the other two mixes will be based off. The second mix design was the same as the first mix design, but with an added 12 ounces of iron filings. The third mix design was, again, the same as the first mix design, but with an added 24 ounces of iron filings doubling that of the second mix design. The objective of …

Son Care Foundation – Lean To Shade Structure Design And Construction, Ryan Joseph Mccann

Construction Management

This paper discusses the design and construction of a lean-to-shade structure built for the Son Care Foundation in San Luis Obispo. The Son Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises guide dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD. This shade structure is 16 feet long and 6 feet wide, its height slopes from 9 feet in the front down to 8 feet in the back creating a roof pitch of 2:12. The sheet metal roof also has an overhang of approximately 1 foot. As requested by the client, the shade structure was designed to fit the aesthetic of …

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 …

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 …

Building 21 Courtyard Barbecue Pit Demolition, Will Riviere

Construction Management

This project intended to demonstrate the process of a full-scope demolition project at a manageable scale. Almost sixteen yards of concrete were to be demolished, including all reinforcing structures within the barbecue. The purpose of this project was to clear space for the impending renovation of Building 21’s courtyard and remove the unsafe barbecue from the busy pedestrian pathway. Sledgehammers were used in conjunction with electric jackhammers to perform the demolition. Rebar from demolition was separated from the concrete and recycled separately from any cementitious materials. Careful attention was given to protecting existing brick beneath the structure, the surrounding area, …

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 …

Reducing Carbon Emissions With Returned Concrete, John M. Maxwell Jr.

Construction Management

The concrete industry is one of the most energy-intensive sectors of construction. Specifically, the cement production aspect is the most energy intensive, and produces the most carbon emissions. Concrete, a material ubiquitous with nearly every facet of construction; certain types of structures are composed of nearly all concrete. Production of cement is one of the biggest contributors to emissions within the industry. There have been initiatives to reduce or offset emissions from this process, through things like carbon capture, and the purchase of carbon or emissions credits. The objective of this paper was to investigate a new method of carbon …

Examining Mechanical Property Differences In Concrete With Natural And Synthetic Fiber Additives, Walid Fouad Edris, Sammy Elbialy, Ayman El-Zohairy, Ashraf Mohamed Soliman

Faculty Publications

The rapid growth of Natural Fiber Laminate (NFL) innovation is a direct response to environmental challenges, positioning these materials as superior alternatives to synthetic fiber composites. This paper delved into the outcomes of an extensive experimental study investigating the influence of sisal fiber (SLF), banana fiber (BF), and glass fiber (GF) on the mechanical and microstructural characteristics of concrete. The water absorption curves were established for sisal fiber concrete (SLFC), banana fiber concrete (BFC), and glass fiber concrete (GFC). Furthermore, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observations were conducted to perform microanalysis and failure analysis of the tested specimens. The results revealed …

Laboratory Evaluation Of Early-Age Concrete Comprising Type Il Cement And Natural Pozzolans, Battsagaan Ilch

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this laboratory research was to investigate the effects of a higher water-cementitious materials ratio on selected properties of concrete mixtures comprising natural pozzolans. The scope of work included testing of six concrete mixtures, including one for each of three natural pozzolans at two water-cementitious materials ratios of 0.44 and 0.48 and one concrete mixture without pozzolan at a water-cementitious materials ratio of 0.44, which was treated as a baseline in this research. The stiffness and strength of each concrete mixture were measured at 1, 3, and 7 days using concrete specimens that were cast immediately after mixing. …

High-Performance Concrete Comprising Silica Fume: Evaluation Of The Decommissioned Salt Lake City Airport Parking Structure, Trevor William Pratt

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to quantify the benefits of silica fume through a detailed investigation of the concrete decks within the now-demolished Salt Lake City International Airport parking structure, which was constructed in 1991, after it had been in service for almost 30 years. Several tests were performed to evaluate each of five areas within the parking structure. The results of field testing included data obtained from visual inspection, chain dragging, Schmidt hammer testing, and cover meter readings, while the results of laboratory testing included data obtained from chloride concentration, modulus of elasticity, electrical impedance, rapid chloride permeability, …