Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Predicting Compressive Strength Of Concrete Incorporating Fly Ash, Blast Furnace Slag, And Superplasticizer Using Machine Learning Techniques, Muhammad Faisal Yaqub

2024 REYES Proceedings

Concrete is the second most essential element in the construction industry, and its strength requirements vary based on the specific conditions of each project. However, determining the compressive strength of concrete involves laboratory tests, which wastes a lot of time and money. Researchers have developed machine learning models that predict the compressive strength of cement-based concrete having various mixes. In this research, the compressive strength of concrete incorporating fly ash, blast furnace slag, and superplasticizer is predicted using different machine learning models, namely, Linear Regression, Random Forest Regression, Decision Tree Regression, Extreme Gradient Boosting, Light Gradient Boosting, AdaBoost, and CatBoost …

Effect Of Admixtures On Rapid Hardening, Self-Consolidating Concrete, Haley Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Self-consolidating, rapid-hardening concrete is a sought-after product in the market now, however the effects of admixtures on fresh and hardened concrete rheology are still uncertain. This study aims to create a self-consolidating concrete (SCC) using calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement for its rapid-hardening properties, and tests two set time retarders and two viscosity-modifying admixtures (VMAs) to determine how they affect the properties of concrete. The properties studied in this thesis are workability, viscosity, set times, air content, compressive strength, and freeze-thaw resistance of self-consolidating concrete. It was found that tartaric acid creates a very workable SCC with consistent results regardless of …

Strategies To Mitigate Efflorescence In Walls Constructed Using Clays Bricks; A Review Article, Marwa Abdulkareem. Anber, Soran Abdulrahman Ahmad, Naros Rahman Mahmoud, Kawan Fuoad. Kayani, Mohammed Ali Abdulrehman

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

_{The construction of buildings, especially residential housing for communities, is a significant industry on a global scale. Masonry units such as bricks, blocks, and stones are often utilized materials. Bricks are highly regarded because to their widespread availability, cost-effectiveness, and excellent insulating capabilities. Nevertheless, the presence of efflorescence presents a difficulty in the construction of brick walls. Efflorescence refers to the process in which salts move to the outer layer of the brick, resulting in the formation of white deposits and negatively impacting its visual appeal. Efflorescence is caused by various circumstances, such as the existence of salts in bricks, …}

The Importance Of Cryptography In Cloud Computing, Saja Alaam Talib

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Cloud computing has grown as a widely accepted concept simultaneously, as the alarms for the security of data and information. This paper seeks to establish the comprehensive roles of cryptography in tackling these issues in the Cloud environment. The study begins with the historical background of cryptography and then moves on to analyze trends in information technology before discussing on the challenges to security in cloud computing. The goal of its publication is to highlight the importance of using cryptographic technologies for the protection of information confidentiality, its integrity and compliance. The combination of literature review and the case study …

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 …

A Review On Biochar As An Adsorbent For Pb(Ii) Removal From Water, Pushpita Kumkum, Sandeep Kumar

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Heavy metal contamination in drinking water is a growing concern due to its severe health effects on humans. Among the many metals, lead (Pb), which is a toxic and harmful element, has the most widespread global distribution. Pb pollution is a major problem of water pollution in developing countries and nations. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and plumbing fixtures. Adsorption is the most efficient method for metal removal, and activated carbon has been used widely in many applications as an effective adsorbent, but its high production costs have created the necessity for …

Thermal Alteration Of The Mineralogy Of Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cements: Implications For The Performance Of Rapid Repair Materials, Jillian Cavellier

Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences

Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) was developed in part to lessen the environmental impact of cementitious materials compared to traditional Portland cements. CSA was first put into production in the 1970s and has been undergoing various performance testing to investigate its durability. Yet to be evaluated is CSA’s response to a rapid, high temperature event. In this study, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and scanning electron microscope imaging were used to analyze alterations in the mineralogy due to such an event. As found in previous studies, after ~125°C, ettringite has been completely dehydrated. Ettringite decomposes into bassanite and calcium …

Degree Of Dispersion/Exfoliation And Surface Functionalization Of 1d And 2d Carbon Nanostructured Materials: Interface Interactions And Effects On Mechanical Properties, Michail Margas

Material Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The development of advanced cementitious nanocomposites relies heavily on understanding the interfacial interactions between carbon-based nanomaterials and the cement matrix, which significantly influence the material’s performance. The goal of this dissertation is to investigate the effect of dispersion/exfoliation and surface functionalization of 1D multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and 2D graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in aqueous suspensions on the interface interactions of nanoengineered cementitious composites. The first objective of this dissertation is to quantitatively evaluate the degree of nanomaterial dispersion for MWCNT and CNF suspensions, in a converging manner for cement-based materials applications using spectroscopic techniques, such as UV-vis …

Sustainable Materials For Environment − Multifunctional Material Made From Dead Leaves And Nanostructured Materials For Antibiotic Degradation, Siyuan Fang

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

As environmental pollution from industrial processes and human activities continues to rise, finding efficient approaches to recycle waste materials and degrade persistent contaminants becomes increasingly critical. Dead leaves, an abundant but underutilized biomass, present an opportunity for creating value-added materials if their biocomponents can be preserved and transformed. Simultaneously, antibiotics such as tetracycline are widely found in water bodies but pose serious ecological and health risks, necessitating effective degradation methods. This dissertation addresses these challenges by leveraging natural and nanostructured materials to develop multifunctional products and advanced photocatalytic processes.

Chapter 3 of this dissertation addresses the challenge of converting waste …

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.

Impact Of Quenching Intensity Conditions On Using A Finite Element Model To Investigate The Microstructure And Hardenability Of Low-Alloy Steel, J. S. Alabi, E. Heidari, M. F. Buchely, K. Chandrashekhara, S. N. Lekakh, R. J. O'Malley, V. Athavale, A. Kumar

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Quenching is one of the primary processes to improve mechanical properties in steels, particularly hardness. Quenching is well established for different geometries of individually treated steel components; while in-steam quenching of large diameter continuously cast steel bar has several specific features which are difficult and costly to experimentally optimize. the end-quench Jominy test has been used extensively to study the hardenability of different steel grades. Different numerical, analytical, and empirical models have been developed to simulate the Jominy process and to understand quenching of steels. However, it is not straight forward to translate experimental data from Jominy test on instream …

Extending Trailer, Alex Grove

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of this research project is to revolutionize the convenience in towable transportation. This innovative design aims to enhance the versatility of pull-behind trailers by incorporating an extendable feature, allowing users to effortlessly adjust the length according to their specific needs. Whether navigating tight spaces or accommodating extra cargo, our trailer adapts to diverse situations, providing unmatched flexibility. In addition to its adjustable length, the trailer is engineered to be compactable, addressing the storage constraints often faced by users with limited space. The collapsible design ensures easy storage without compromising on functionality, making it an ideal solution for individuals …

The Impact Of Modern Buildings On Traditional Urban Environments And Urban Identity, Ann S. Ibrahim

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Contemporary cities face significant challenges in integrating modern buildings into traditional urban environments while preserving urban identity. This study focuses on the relationship between modern architecture and urban heritage. The research problem revolves around how modern buildings affect urban identity in traditional areas, and whether they can interact positively with the urban context without distorting its traditional character.

The study aims to analyze this impact by examining a range of global examples using architectural indicators such as visual integration, spatial integration, material harmony, urban scale, accessibility, and environmental impact. A three-point scale (weak, partial, excellent) was applied to assess each …

Economic Profitability Of Sustainable Buildings Industry, Mohanad Ibrahim Altuma, Hanadi Abdulridha Lateef, Ayad Abdulkhaleq Al-Yousuf

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The increasing global awareness of the Earth's deteriorating condition and the unpredictable effects of climate change has given rise to worldwide phenomena that impact several elements like the economy, agricultural security, water availability, and energy supplies. Buildings contribute significantly to the generation of greenhouse gases, as well as the disposal of pollutants and energy consumption. Therefore, they play a crucial role in addressing environmental issues.

Although sustainable buildings are widely acknowledged as a potential advancement, professionals in the property market still believe that the upfront costs of creating sustainable buildings are significantly higher than those of conventional buildings. This view …

Designing A Visual Control Framework Based On Feature Point Analysis To Guide Robots In Uncharted Areas, Isam Sadiq Rasham Al-Ghadhbawi

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Image processing may be made more accurate and efficient with the use of optical processing technologies. In order to make better design judgments early in the package design process, visual packaging art simulation aims to swiftly develop realistic packaging effects. Conventional simulation techniques frequently yield findings that are neither realistic or detailed, and they also take a lot of time and human resources. Optical processing-based machine vision technology can fully utilize computer vision and image processing techniques to simulate package designs accurately and efficiently. This research proposes a foundation for machine vision technologies based on image optical processing. Real package …

Machine-Learning-Assisted Design Of Deep Eutectic Solvents Based On Uncovered Hydrogen Bond Patterns, Usman Lame Abbas, Yuxuan Zhang, Joseph Tapia, Md Selim, Jin Chen, Jian Shi, Qing Shao

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Non-ionic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are non-ionic designer solvents with various applications in catalysis, extraction, carbon capture, and pharmaceuticals. However, discovering new DES candidates is challenging due to a lack of efficient tools that accurately predict DES formation. The search for DES relies heavily on intuition or trial-and-error processes, leading to low success rates or missed opportuni- ties. Recognizing that hydrogen bonds (HBs) play a central role in DES formation, we aim to identify HB features that distinguish DES from non-DES systems and use them to develop machine learning (ML) models to discover new DES systems. We first analyze the …

Novel Membrane Materials For Nutrient Recovery From Nutrient-Rich Resources, Km Prottoy Shariar Piash

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Global demand for fertilizer production is expanding substantially to meet the food demand of an increasing world population. Anaerobic digestate (AD) of various centralized wastewater facilities contains substantial amounts of ammonium (NH₄⁺) (300-800 mg/L), potassium (K⁺) (13-120 mg/L), and phosphorus (P) (30-100 mg/L)- based nutrients. In addition to reducing energy costs and CO₂ emissions compared to conventional fertilizing raw material manufacturing, recovering nutrients from these waste streams could help mitigate problems such as eutrophication, which otherwise incurs billions of dollars losses to US economy annually. Apart from nutrients, wastewater streams also contain organic pollutants …

The Effect Of Fine Recycled Concrete Aggregates On The Mechanical And Durability Properties Of Concrete, Abbas Chour, Jamal Khatib

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The fast increase of construction and demolition (C&D) operations has resulted in the creation of massive amounts of garbage, which must be cleared. Reusing C&D waste is of significant importance for environmental conservation and resource utilization. One such alternative for structural concrete is recycled concrete aggregate obtained from building and demolition debris. In this context, the present study aims to comprehensively review the current state of the art in fine recycled concrete materials (fRCA), including their physical properties, technological advantages, mechanical properties, and durability characteristics. The study establishes a paradigm for evaluating the quality of fRCA, whether created in a …

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 …

Isolation And Characterization Of Caffeine-Degrading Bacteria From Coffee Plantation Areas In Malaysia, Elvina Clarie Dullah, Mohd Fazli Farida Asras

Makara Journal of Technology

Decaffeination by microbial degradation is currently the most optimal and low-cost approach, involving only microbial cells and/or their enzymes. The bacterium was characterized using a series of biochemical tests. Positive results were obtained from carbohydrate fermentation, citrate utilization, and catalase tests, while negative results were obtained from Voges-Proskauer (VP) and indole tests. Three different caffeine concentrations of 0.25%, 0.4%, and 2% were tested and measured through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) analysis. The highest caffeine reduction (89.25%) was found when 0.25% caffeine was used in the media. Only a small amount of caffeine was reduced to 0.4% and 2%, with 34.78% …

Optimization Of The Building Envelope And Roof Shading To Reduce The Energy Consumption Of College Low-Rise Buildings In Indonesia, Nasruddin Nasruddin, Azimil Gani Alam, Mohammad Imroz Sohel

Makara Journal of Technology

Energy consumption in buildings is a crucial concern globally, prompting researchers to explore innovative solutions to mitigate its impact. This study investigates the optimization of building envelopes and roof shading systems of existing buildings in Indonesia to realize notable energy savings. Multiple scenarios were explored, with modifications to building envelopes and roof shading, highlighting the overall thermal transfer value as a key parameter. Using EnergyPlus simulations, the efficacy of natural ventilation in corridors and roof shading modifications was assessed in reducing energy consumption. The findings revealed that renovating existing buildings by optimization of the building envelope and roof shading by …

The Role Of Interactive Spaces In Enhancing Social Interaction Of Children In Orphanage Institutions, Zainab Khalid Rashad Al Khafaji, Shamael M. W. Al Dabbagh

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The child who moves to an environment outside his family environment, suchas orphanage institutions because of the loss of one or all of his family members, itis obvious that he feels a kind of alienation and isolation from his peers and a loss ofa sense of interaction and communication with society, so it is possible to mitigatethis feeling by promoting diversity in interactive activities within the internal spacesof the orphanage institutions and at the neighborhood level, the research problemwas represented by "the lack of clarity in the nature of knowledge aboutthe role of of interactive spaces in enhancing social interaction …

Environmental Footmark And Its Effects On The Sustainability Of Towns, Ali Abdul Samea Hameed

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The Ecological Footmark (EF) is one of the utmost recent and important criteria for assessing the capacity of the population to uphold a life sustainable way. It tests the extent which the indicators have an influence on the natural resources (NR) of the ecosystem such as forestry, water bodies, agricultural lands, pastures, CO2, and properties for construction purposes. This footmark was utilized to evaluate the use of NR to the capacity of the land for regeneration. This research paper discusses the theoretical conceptual component of the EF framework and plans regarding issues related to the environment. The environmental image (EI) …

The Effects Of Urban Fragmentation / Analysis Of The Causes And Challenges In The City Structure, Seemon Matte Abbo, Inaam Amin Albazzaz

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Fragmentation is a fundamental term in the history of critical urban thought,yet the product of fragmentation is manifested in fragments. Urban fragmentationis used to describe the phenomenon that occurs when the urban environment isbroken up into smaller units or dispersed areas. This means that cities becomefragmented rather than cohesive and integrated. This disintegration can be the resultof various factors such as poor planning, lack of infrastructure, different land uses,and social dispersion. This research addresses the problem of urban fragmentationas one of the challenges facing the urban structure of cities, and clarifies the mostimportant factors affecting the city structure during the …

A Review: Special Types Of Concrete Used In Structures, Reem Hatem Ahmed, Mohammed Mosleh Salman

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The term “special” possesses inherent significance and is utilized in this context to denote the distinctive attributes characteristic of concrete. The term “special” connotes enhanced strength, durability, and solidity in concrete. The production of specialized concrete involves the incorporation of distinct components via specific procedures following specific criteria. Specialized concrete is required to construct unique structures such as power plants, offshore buildings, docks, and airports. Each of these unique structures is essential for survival in harsh conditions, including sulfate, chemical, acid, and chloride attacks, as well as other surface characteristics. Concrete is a versatile material that exhibits good compressive strength …

The Role Of Young Architects As Entrepreneurship Generational Units In Shaping The Future Of Architecture, Attaa H. Al Obaidi, Anwar. S. Al-Qaraghuli

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Youth are the pillar of nations and the secret of their renaissance, thebuilders of their civilization and the line of defense, the main participants inbasic planning processes, and the agents of change to build a world that iscompatible with the aspirations of future generations. This applies to the field ofarchitecture in terms of the importance of young architects in shaping it underthe challenges it faces, which impose interaction in a manner commensuratewith the emerging requirements and needs. This research is based on theconsideration that young architects are an integrated phenomenon thatcontributes to shaping architectural production according to the data of …

Using Artificial Intelligence To Diagnose Demented In The Elderly, Ohood Fadil Alwan

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

In addition to possible other symptoms, memory loss and impairment are the hallmarks of Demented or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Despite the fact that dementia is incurable and has a significant negative impact on patients' lives, an early diagnosis can help start the right treatment and prevent additional brain damage. Over the years, machine learning techniques have been used to classify AD; nevertheless, the efficacy of the results depends on the use of multi-step classifiers and manually created features. Thanks to recent advances in deep learning, patterns may now be classified using neural networks' final stage. In order to diagnose dementia …

Risk Detection Of Gestational Diabetes In Early Pregnancy Depend On Artificial Neural Network, Sanaa Hammad Dhahi

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Early prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk is particularly important because it may enable more effective interventions and reduce cumulative maternal and fetal injury. The aim of this study is to develop machine learning (ML) models for early prediction of GDM using widely available variables, facilitating early intervention, and enabling the application of prediction models in settings where more complex tests are not accessible. In this paper, an artificial neural network (ANN) was used to detect the risk of gestational diabetes. A global dataset was used to collect clinical and experimental data from pregnant women and people with diabetes …

Impact Of Merging Basalt Fibers With Various Types Of Concrete And The Factors Affecting Them: A Review, Adil M. Jabbar, Lubna S. Dankha

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

This paper reviews effecting of blending basalt fibers into concreteon mechanical properties, ductility, and toughness. Based on concretecomponents, the perfect basalt fiber percentage can differ and is influencedby factors like fiber length, w/c ratio, and age. The beneficial basalt fiberspercentage is lower than that of steel fibers. Even with a low concentrationof basalt fibers, concrete tensile and flexural strength can be improved moreeffectively than a higher amount of steel fibers. As the amount of basaltfiber increases, the mix workability decreases. Additionally, the flow abilitymay drop slightly as the length of the fibers increases. Adding basalt fiber toconcrete can minimize drying …