Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

A Concept Of Producing Aluminum In-Situ On The Moon Through Molten Salt Electrolysis, Jacob N. Ortega, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daniel Stutts, Daoru Han

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a concept of producing aluminum in-situ on the lunar surface, namely, the Lunar In-Situ Aluminum Production through Molten Salt Electrolysis (LISAP-MSE) method developed at Missouri University of Science and Technology. This paper aims to demonstrate the use of electro-deoxidation to reduce aluminum oxide (i.e., alumina) into aluminum and oxygen gas via electrolysis in a molten salt bath for the production of aluminum on the Moon. It is shown that with a steady supply of hydrogen chloride, this in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) method could supply several necessary materials consumed in the electro-deoxidation process except hydrogen chloride to produce …

Photogrammetry-Based Method For Measuring Volume Changes Of Soil Specimens During Critical Phases Of Triaxial Testing, Sara Fayek, Xiong Zhang, Pingxin Xia

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Triaxial tests has been routinely used to measure the stress–strain relationship for geomaterials. During triaxial testing, many sources of errors that cannot be completely avoided but are often ignored or approximated using empirical equations. This paper presents a systematic investigation of soil volume change, volume strain nonuniformity, and cross-sectional calculation along the specimen during triaxial testing using a photogrammetry-based method. Consolidated drained triaxial tests were performed in which two parallel measurements were taken: (1) relative volume using the conventional triaxial testing and (2) absolute volume using the photogrammetry-based method. The difference in the observed volume and void ratio measurements between …

Beneficiation Of Lunar Regolith Simulants Through Electrostatic Sieving And Magnetic Separation, Peter Bachle, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daoru Han

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the light of future development of lunar structures, in-situ feldspar beneficiation is imperative for metal extraction. This research incorporates the tandem use of electrostatic sieving and magnetic separation for collecting a specific size range and mineral composition from lunar soil that optimizes subsequent chemical processing. While earlier works focused on silt-sized particles, this work expands that range up to medium-grained sand with a greater variety of potential lunar regolith compositions. This work shows that a 2.5 kV, 7 Hz to 30Hz frequency, single-phase square wave can lift silt and fine sand for collection. This lifting is successful directly from …

Kinetic Modeling Of Electrostatic Sieving For Lunar Regolith Beneficiation: Case Studies, Easton Ingram, Emmanuela Amen Eze, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daoru Han

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A new kinetic particle modeling framework was developed to investigate electrostatic transport of lunar regolith particles with applications to the concept of electrostatic sieving. The new approach is based on kinetic particle dynamics and includes major modules of sampling the particle size distribution, solving electric fields, and tracking motion of charged dust grains. Case studies for a concept of electrostatic sieving were chosen to validate the new model. The simulation achieved similar yields reported in previous works, which served as validation of the model. The new model is computationally efficient and could serve as a design, analysis, and optimization tool.

Determination Of Spore Viability In Concrete Across Several Factors Using Most Probable Number, Samuel Boyer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

To determine the lowest concentration of spore added to polyurethane-cement composite (PUCCO) particles that can still germinate after curing in concrete. This research project is a small addition to the larger research project being undertaken by Mirza Mohammed Rashiduzzaman for his Masters. The larger project involves the use of fungal spores added in concrete to act as a self-healing component when cracks form in the concrete structure over time. These spores are suspended in a protective oil and loaded into small, hardened sponge-like PUCCO cubes to act as growth points when water and air can reach the PUCCO in the …

Build Digital Annual Survey 2023 Results, Clare Eriksson, Robert Moore, Bilal Succar

Reports

The Build Digital Annual Survey 2023 examines the level of digital transformation across Ireland’s construction and built environment sector. Based on 252 responses from industry, academia, and government, the report shows that most participants were working in organisations already engaged in digital transformation, with key expected benefits including improved accuracy, operational efficiency, cost reduction, faster clash resolution, and improved scheduling. The findings indicate that many respondents had experience using digital tools and methods across common model uses, particularly capturing and representing, planning and designing, and simulating and quantifying. The report also highlights continued challenges, including limited formal training, uneven assessment …

Building Services Engineering January/February 2024

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Comfort And Sustainability: Analyzing The Impact Of Natural Ventilation And Eco-Friendly Materials On Indoor Temperature Reduction, Hyo Won Lee

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As the world grapples with issues such as increasing energy consumption, climate change, and environmental degradation, the need for sustainable solutions is becoming more and more urgent. In this context, passive cooling has emerged as one of the promising approaches to achieve energy efficiency in various sectors. This research study the basic concept of passive cooling to new buildings to identify synergies in energy savings when reducing temperature inside buildings and applying eco-friendly materials, and to explore potential benefits for promoting sustainable development. By analyzing existing research, case studies, and technological advancements, this study seeks to highlight the feasibility and …

2023 Scholarly Productivity Report, Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Scholarly Productivity Reports

No abstract provided.

Interacting Action Of Alkali-Silica Reaction And Chloride-Induced Steel Corrosion On The Reinforced Concrete Structures – A Critical Review, Williams Dunu

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The degradation of reinforced concrete (RC) structures amidst the progression of corrosion within alkali-silica reaction (ASR)-affected structures is a complex phenomenon marked by diverse causal factors and repercussions. While the initiation phase of chloride-induced steel corrosion and ASR in RC structures has received extensive scrutiny, insufficient attention has been dedicated to comprehending the propagation phase (tp). Therefore, this study addresses this gap by centering its focus on the propagation phase, driven by the imperative need to formulate efficient and sustainable maintenance, repair, and management strategies for RC structures grappling with the concurrent impacts of degradation mechanisms such as ASR and …

The Impact Of Adopting Digital Twins In Urban Development, Mohammed Ali Berawi, Perdana Miraj, Mustika Sari

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The construction industry, which plays a pivotal role in urban development, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. This transformation is largely marked by the rise of digitalization, a phenomenon fundamentally altering how we design, construct, and operate our urban environments. At the forefront of this paradigm shift is the notion of Digital Twins (DT), which entails a dynamic and virtual representation of tangible assets. Urban development has witnessed a growing adoption of this innovative approach to improve cities' infrastructure planning, construction, and management. Digital Twin enables real-time simulation and monitoring, enhancing performance and more informed decision-making. Therefore, implementing …

Assessment Of Infrastructure Development Approach In Newly Created Districts In Zambia: Case Study, Chimanga Kabwe, Musonda Innocent, Franco Muleya

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

This article evaluates the infrastructure development plans in Zambia's newly established districts, primarily focusing on assessing their effectiveness. Infrastructure development encompasses various strategies, and this study investigates the factors influencing the selection of these strategies for implementing infrastructure projects in Zambia. Through structured interviews and questionnaires distributed to 500 respondents, the research highlights the critical role of community involvement. Communities play a pivotal role in identifying essential amenities, setting priorities for infrastructure construction, incorporating their ideas, and participating in the planning process for executing infrastructure projects. The analysis reveals that community members held varying perspectives on the significance of infrastructure …

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

The Complexities Of Green Infrastructure, Troy Weber

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

The Wabash River is the most extensive river system in Indiana. The river drains two-thirds of Indiana’s 92 counties, which can have issues associated with stormwater runoff (Weist, 1981). As precipitation runs off impervious surfaces, it can carry high concentrations of pollutants, such as excess nitrogen and phosphorus, pet waste, and automobile fuel. Prior to impervious runoff entering the river, preexisting contaminants include industrial waste (acid mine drainage and oil field brines), municipal waste, and sediment (Weist, 1981). Thus, stormwater runoff can negatively impact the Wabash River watershed. On top of this pollution, Lafayette and West Lafayette have combined sewer …

Prediction Of Self-Consolidating Concrete Properties Using Xgboost Machine Learning Algorithm: Part 1–Workability, Amine El Mahdi Safhi, Hamed Dabiri, Ahmed Soliman, Kamal Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Interest in Implementing Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) in Major Construction Projects Has Increased Significantly in Recent Years. This Paper Reports the Results of an Extensive Survey of Experimental Data of More Than 1700 SCC Mixtures from over 100 Studies Published in the Last Decade. the Survey Included the SCC Mixture Proportioning, Key Fresh Properties Including Flowability, Passing Ability, and Segregation Resistance, as Well as Some of the Derived Properties (E.g., Paste Volume). the Statistical Analysis of the Reported Parameters Showed Wide Variations in Values. the Outcome of the Survey Indicates that SCC Mixture Design and Workability Properties Do Not Systematically …

Design And Performance Of Fiber-Reinforced Shrinkage Compensating Eco-Friendly Concrete, Kamran Aghaee, Kamal Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Eco-Crete is an ecological and economical concrete that benefits from high packing density of solid materials and reduced paste. Eco-Crete can enhance the service life of structures by reducing the risk of shrinkage cracking. In this study, shrinkage mitigating materials included an expansive agent (EA), a shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA), and a lightweight sand (LWS), as well as steel and synthetic fibers were used to minimize the risk of cracking. A total of 35 fiber-reinforced Eco-Crete mixtures were prepared with 350 kg/m3 of cementitious materials and 55 % substitution of fly ash and slag. Key fresh and mechanical properties in …

Truck Platooning Reshapes Greenhouse Gas Emissions Of The Integrated Vehicle-Road Infrastructure System, Huailei Cheng, Yuhong Wang, Dan Chong, Chao Xia, Lijun Sun, Jenny Liu, Kun Gao, Ruikang Yang, Tian Jin

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions has turned into a pillar of climate change mitigation. Truck platooning is proposed as a strategy to lower emissions from vehicles on roads. However, the potential interactive impacts of this technology on road infrastructure emissions remain unclear. Here, we evaluate the decarbonization effects of truck platooning on the integrated vehicle-road system at a large-scale road network level, spanning 1457 road sections across North America. We show that truck platooning decreases emissions induced by truck operations, but it degrades faster the durability of road infrastructure and leads to a 27.9% rise in road emissions due to more …

Effectiveness Of The Different Eutectic Phase-Change Materials In Cooling Asphalt Pavement, Jiasheng Dai, Feng Ma, Zhen Fu, Jenny Liu, Chen Li, Yingjie Hou, Hanli Wu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Choosing a Phase-Change Material (PCM) Adapted to the Specific Phase-Change Temperature (Tm) Required for Each Temperature Condition is of Utmost Importance in Cooling Pavements. Eutectic Phase-Change Materials (EPCMs) Realize the Customization of the Desired Tm and Reduce the Difficulty of Matching PCMs. This Work Aims to Investigate the Effectiveness of a Group of Binary/ternary EPCMs with Tm Ranging from 30 to 60 ℃ and Melting Enthalpies of Around 200 J/g as Thermal Regulation Components for Different Asphalt. to Achieve This Goal, the Thermal and Rheological Properties of Phase-Change Asphalt Binders (PCAB) Were Evaluated by Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Thermogravimetric, Fourier Transform …

Rheological And Mechanical Properties Of Kenaf And Jute Fiber-Reinforced Cement Composites, Seongwoo Gwon, Seong Ho Han, Thanh Duc Vu, Chanyoung Kim, Myoungsu Shin

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study investigated the rheological and mechanical properties of cement composites with kenaf and jute fibers for use in shotcrete. The length and volume fractions of the fiber were varied; the rheological properties were analyzed in terms of air content, compression and flexural tests were conducted, and the degree of fiber dispersion was assessed using fluorescence microscopy. The rougher surfaces of the jute fibers led to a higher yield stress and viscosity of the composite compared to the kenaf fibers. The use of 10-mm-long jute fibers at 2.0% volume fraction led to optimal rheological properties while 30-mm-long jute fibers at …

Performance Of Co2-Cured Alkali-Activated Slag Pastes During Curing And Exposure, Yubin Jun, Seong Ho Han, Jae Hong Kim

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study investigated the efficiency of CO₂ curing in blast-furnace slag pastes activated with three concentrations of KOH solution (3, 4, and 5 M). The CO₂ curing was applied into the alkali-activated slag paste for 3 days. The CO₂-cured pastes were subjected to subsequent curing in a water bath or exposed to seawater. The mechanical properties and characteristics of the reaction products were compared. Full strength can be obtained within 3 days of the early CO₂ curing. The strength remained almost constant regardless of the activator concentration. The CO₂-cured samples produced more CaCO …

Artificial Intelligence Integration In Construction: A Cal Poly Curriculum Assessment, Carter James Hahn

Construction Management

In a rapidly evolving industry where AI enhances efficiency and safety, questions are being raised on whether it should be introduced in the classroom. This research project is with the intention of understanding if and how artificial intelligence should be incorporated into Cal Poly’s construction management curriculum. The research combines a literature review establishing AI's relevance in construction project management with a survey-based methodology to gauge industry perspectives. Today, the global construction market witnesses a surge in AI adoption in its planning, construction, and O&M phases. In turn, the industry has benefited from its application in mitigation of risks, improved …

Digital Construction Annual Survey 2022 Report, Davitt Lamon, Ted Mckenna

Reports

The Annual Survey 2022 was conducted to assess the state of digital transformation in the Irish construction and built environment sector. This report presents the analysis of survey data, with a focus on implications for the Build Digital project and Build Digital’s five pillars: Digital Leadership & Cultural Change, Digital Standards, Digital Education & Training, Digital Procurement, and Sustainability & Circular Economy. Key findings from the survey indicated that a significant number of organisations have started their digital transformation journey, with many identifying themselves as proactive and possessing a clear business-focused strategy. However, a considerable cohort of respondents are keen …

International Information Management And Bim Best Practice Report, Ted Mckenna, Davitt Lamon

Reports

In order to inform the Digital Leadership and Cultural Change pillar of the Build Digital, a study of international best practice in digital adoption within the built environment sector globally was undertaken and is presented here-in. In order to identify key learnings for Ireland in the context of digital transformation, eight countries were included in this study, namely, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. These countries were selected for various reasons, including the level of digital maturity, the scale of the built environment sector and geographic spread. Key data for each country is included …

Sustainability And Circular Economy Horizon Scan And Needs Analysis, Sadaf Dalirazar, Mark Kelly, Derek Sinnott, James O'Donnell

Reports

The construction industry plays a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis as it is the largest global consumer of raw materials and contributes significantly to global energy consumption and emissions. Considering the world’s continuous population growth and the imperative to address infrastructure and housing demands the construction sector needs to adopt further sustainable strategies in its activities to reduce the pressure on natural resources. In addition, the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector is responsible for generating substantial amount of waste known as Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), which is projected to increase due to the future construction developments. …

Information Management And Bim Standards And Supports Inventory, Ryan Dempsey, Barry Mcauley, David Burke

Tools

The Digital Standards pillar consists of industry experts who champion the benefits of common rules, guidelines, and workflows that facilitate the improvement of information flow and information management across asset life cycles. Digital standards provide a common language that can be translated to technical specifications enabling clients, designers, contractors, and facilities managers, irrespective of their preferred tools, to communicate efficiently and reduce cost, rework, and disputes. Working closely with the Digital Procurement and Digital Education and Training pillars, this pillar is developing and delivering Irish Information Management/BIM (Digital Construction) guidelines for the sector.

This report summarises existing digital construction standards, …

Evaluation Of Residual Flexural Behavior Of Corroded Fiber-Reinforced Super Workable Concrete Beams, Jingjie Wei, Nima Farzadnia, Alfred Addai-Nimoh, Kamal Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This Study Investigates the Effect of Macro Synthetic Fiber (MSF) Volume and Crack Widths on Corrosion of the Reinforcing Bars and Residual Flexural Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced Super-Workable Concrete (FR-SWC) Beams Exposed to Accelerated Corrosion. FR-SWC Beams Prepared with 0, 0.33%, and 0.66% MSF Were Pre-Cracked at 0.2-, 0.4-, and 0.75-Mm Widths Before Corrosion Testing. the Controlled Crack Width Was Initiated in One Set of Beams that Were Then Unloaded. the Crack Width Was Maintained for Another Set of Beams during Corrosion Testing by Inserting a Shim. Test Results Showed that the Use of 0.33% and 0.66% MSF Reduced Crack Development …

Cement-Based Materials With Solid-Gel Phase Change Materials For Improving Energy Efficiency Of Building Envelope, Zhuo Liu, Jiang Du, Ryan Steere, Joshua P. Schlegel, Kamal Khayat, Weina Meng

Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper evaluated the cement-based materials incorporated with novel solid-gel phase change materials (PCMs) for improving the energy efficiency of building envelopes. This novel PCM is form-stable, which will not leak as solid-liquid PCMs do and not need encapsulation, and it features high energy-storage capacity. Experimental results showed that the thermal properties of cement-based materials were improved as the increase of PCM content. A 30% replacement of sand by volume with PCM can increase the latent heat of the mixture from around 0 to 7 J/g and decrease the thermal conductivity of PCM mortar based on the generalized self-consistent (GSC) …

Effect Of Type And Quantity Of Inherent Alkali Cations On Alkali-Silica Reaction, Pengfei Ma, Jiaoli Li, Jincheng Bai, Ying Zhuo, Lingyu Chi, Yanping Zhu, Zhenhua Shi, Hongyan Ma, Genda Chen

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this study, the macroscopical expansion induced by alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and its corresponding ASR products are investigated using ordinary Portland cement (OPC) mortar specimens with a gradient of boosted alkalis. Experimental results show that the expansion increases with the concentration of inherent alkalis. Sodium-boosted samples expand approximately three times as much as potassium-boosted samples. ASR gels that are present in aggregate veins are calcium-free and amorphous; the atomic ratios of ASR gels are nearly independent of the type and quantity of alkali cations. Aggregate ASR gel exudation occurs in high (≥2.5 %) sodium cases and produces potential Na-shlykovite. Crystalline …

Transportation Components Of The City Of Bennet Comprehensive Plan And Downtown Economic Development Plan, Kyle Mclaughlin

Community and Regional Planning Program: Theses

In partnership with the City of Bennet, the University of Nebraska, and Marvin Planning Consultants, this project assisted the creation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Economic Development Plan by creating a transportation focused report as a supplement to those plans. The project operates in six sections; Introduction and Overview, Evaluate the Present, Engage the Community, Recommendations, Strategies, and Policies, Implementation and Funding, and Monitoring and Evaluation. The project scope included existing conditions understanding, qualitative and quantitative transportation analysis, public engagement and stakeholder meetings, coordination with two plan creators, identifying transportation improvements, description of implementation steps, overview of available …

Building Services Engineering November/December 2023

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.