Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Engineering-Enhanced Theatre: How Engineering Involvement Can Aid Regional Theatres, Albert M. Le

Architectural Engineering

Engineering and theatre are disciplines not often associated with each other within regional and small theatre companies in the United States. The distinction between the two fields of study is not simply from the fundamental differences between how each field is taught and practiced, but also the difficulties encountered within a scope of theatre often constrained with limited budget and time for each production. However, when beginning to explore the intersection between engineering and theatre, it is found that the empirical nature of current theatrical practices can be countered, and scenic design and construction can be re-envisioned with engineering involvement …

Innovations To Increase Plywood Shear Wall Design Capacity And Resiliency, "Mega Walls", Through Ductile Metal Strapping, Trevor Douglas Reichenberg, Tara Suzanne Reich, Katelyn Marie Lowry

Architectural Engineering

The researchers of this project are three undergraduate Architectural Engineering students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Plywood shear walls are common structural elements in timber structures that resist lateral forces. Since their introduction to the industry in the 1950s, their shear capacities have remained essentially unchanged amongst the innovations of other wooden lateral systems. Prior to this project, Cal Poly undergraduate researchers have taken on the challenge of modernizing the shear wall. The “MeGa Wall” project was born: a system that implements metal gauge strapping which enhances a conventional wall by reducing nail connection failures. Full-scale experimental …

Structural Health Monitoring In A Small-Scale Environment Using Wired And Wireless Communication Device Readings, Gabriela Mcclure

Architectural Engineering

Our goal with this project is to test and develop a structural health monitoring (SHM) device capable of assessing the safety and integrity of building connections and overall structural health. At Cal Poly, a large portion of our structural engineering curriculum focuses on the design of buildings in response to earthquakes and the damage that can be mitigated through proper design. The increasing accessibility of technology in our world allows for the growth and development of systems that can enhance building safety and help us better understand how building practices can evolve to continue prioritizing life safety. Structural health monitoring …

Empirical Investigation Of Withdrawal Capacity Of Staple For Experimental Design Of Irish Timber, Afnan Nafees, Patrick Mcgetrick, Aimee Byrne

Conference papers

Sitka spruce is the main tree species grown in Ireland, covering over 50% of the forest area. Despite this, Ireland imported €1.8 billion worth of wood products in 2020 mostly from UK, China, US and Sweden. One of the factors that currently limits the specifying of Irish grown timber in construction applications is the lack of data relating to its structural performance. Expanding the use of this locally available material in construction will add economic and environmental benefits, creating new opportunities for employment. In order to effectively use Irish timber for structural purposes, a comprehensive analysis of its inherent properties …

Lean Manufacturing Practices In Tanzania: Exploring Awareness, Training And Capital Investment, Francis D. Sinkamba

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

With the growing competition among industries in the world, manufacturing industries are now forced to adopt the Lean Manufacturing philosophy to improve their competitive abilities. The adoption of the philosophy is very low in developing countries such as Tanzania, as is demonstrated with 1% of publications and the lack of knowledge and capital for Lean Manufacturing implementation causes this. Furthermore, the contribution of the sector to the Gross Domestic Product in Tanzania is low and stands at 8.4%. The study wants to bridge the gap in training, capital and awareness of Lean Manufacturing in Tanzania. Survey and purposive sampling techniques …

‘‘Domicilelessness’’ And Livelihoods In Urban Areas: Case Of Maasai In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Ombeni Swai

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The study aimed at demonstrating Maasai migration into Dar es Salaam urban areas and their challenges in accessing accommodation. Methodologically, the study deployed secondary data analysis following a descriptive research design. Furthermore, this study was conducted through both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The study was conducted from 2018 to 2022 of which a random sample of 100 (N=100) was targeted. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 16). Findings: The Maasai means of accommodation are divided into four main categories: completed houses (6%), under-construction sites (39%), halfway constructed and abandoned structures (31%), and …

Modeling The Influence Of Internal Factors On Vehicular Mobility Performance, Aziz Mdimi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Traffic mobility is significantly influenced by road conditions and the internal factors governing vehicular performance. Internal factors play a crucial role in vehicular mobility, influencing vehicles operate and performance. While existing vehicular mobility models primarily address external factors, external factors such as governor, engine, gear train and differential unit remain underexplored. This study formulates a comprehensive model to address this gap, focusing on the internal components that affect vehicular mobility. The proposed model employs both analytical and numerical methods to derive transfer functions for these subsystems using Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB), aiming to capture the dynamic behavior of vehicles under various …

Exploring The Transformation Of Sustainable Collective Spaces: A Study From Mlalakuwa Informal Settlement, Jacob Lutta

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A major challenge in collective space transformation is addressing the complexity of informal urbanisation in developing countries. Using a case study approach, this paper examines the concerns related to a particular informal settlement's sustainable collective space transformation. One of the key findings is that the absence of formal rules and regulations in the development of informal settlements in combination with land-grabbing leads to the absence of open spaces that could be used collectively. It is observed that sustainability in urban development is another body of critical thought that integrates several streams of current urban elements and embodies various conceptions of …

The Effects Of Corporate Culture On Firm Growth: Evidence From Tanzania’S Construction Firms, Fred P. Okangi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Corporate culture is one of those important aspects that determine the growth of firms. This study investigates the effects of the different types of corporate culture on the growth of Tanzania’s local construction firms. A survey of 227 Tanzania’s construction firms was undertaken using semi-structured questionnaire. The data collected were quantitatively analysed using Stata 13.0 software. The study results indicate that only the hierarchy type of corporate culture positively and significantly impacts the growth of Tanzania’s construction firms. The other types of corporate culture, such as adhocracy, market, and clan had insignificant effects on the growth of the construction firms …

Final Report - Nondestructive Data Driven Motion Planning For Inspection Robots, Hung Manh La

Project AS-5

This report presents the development and implementation of autonomous navigation systems for steel bridge inspection robots, designed to enhance the efficiency and safety of bridge maintenance. The Advanced Robotics and Automation (ARA) lab has developed innovative climbing robots capable of operating in complex environments using a hybrid approach that combines mobile and inch-worm-inspired locomotion modes. A novel control and navigation framework has been proposed, featuring algorithms for surface detection, path planning, and mode switching based on 3D point cloud data. The effectiveness of these systems has been validated through experiments on steel bridge structures, demonstrating the potential for real-world application …

Final Report - Integration Of Aerial Manipulation, Haptics-Based Human-In-The- Loop Control, And Augmented Reality For Bridge Deck Hosing, Paul Oh, Blake Hament, Dongbin Kim

Project AS-9

This Year 5 and Year 6 report integrates the designs, analyses, and results of the previous years. These have culminated into the design, development and deployment of a hosing-drone. This drone carries and 3000 PSI (pounds per square inch) pressure washer often used to clean bridges. This accomplishment leverages the work in aerial manipulation, human-in-the-loop control, haptics, and augmented- and virtual-reality (AR/VR) executed in prior years. Additionally, this report presents results using a cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) and telescopic mast. This robot provides another platform that has applications in bridge inspection, maintenance and repair.

The Effectiveness Of Waste Tire Pyrolysis Oils (Wtpos) As Rejuvenating Agents For Asphalt Materials, Ahmed S. El-Ashwah, Magdy Abdelrahman

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The continuous increase in solid waste materials, such as waste tires, underscores the critical importance of recycling them to mitigate environmental impact and promote sustainable resource management. This research study evaluated the effectiveness of utilizing waste tire pyrolysis oils (WTPOs) as recycling agents for asphalt materials. The chemical composition and thermal behavior of WTPO were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Mechanically, the prepared WTPO binders were assessed by measuring dynamic viscosity and changes in high- and intermediate-temperature performance grades. Additionally, the cracking susceptibility of the binders was evaluated using the Glover-Rowe (G-R) parameter. The …

Influence Of Aggregate Properties On Skid Resistance Of Pavement Surface Treatments, Alireza Roshan, Magdy Abdelrahman

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Skid resistance is a critical aspect for traffic safety since it significantly influences vehicle control and minimizes the distance required for emergency braking. The surface characteristics of pavements play a pivotal role in determining skid resistance. To achieve the optimal skid resistance performance, the pavement must sustain a specific level of friction. Thus, it is advantageous to apply surface treatments in areas that require enhanced friction. This study investigates the impact of factors such as the aggregate source, size, morphological properties, and abrasion levels on the skid resistance and frictional characteristics of a high-friction surface treatment (HFST). A complete investigation …

Integrating Artificial Intelligence And Augmented Reality For Enhanced Task Performance In The Construction Industry, Aasish Chandrika Bhanu

All Dissertations

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, characterized by its complex tasks, often faces challenges in adopting cutting-edge technologies, a trend that can significantly hinder productivity improvements compared to other industries. This dissertation explores the emerging integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) within the AEC domain, investigating how effectively this can be implemented to potentially revolutionize industry practices. AI could be used in the AEC domain for advanced analytical and decision-making processes, while AR could be used for training, visualization, and remote collaboration.

In scenarios where construction site workers require expert guidance, these technologies could be helpful. …

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

Civil Engineering ETDs

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

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

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

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

Hurricane Vulnerability Of Above Ground Storage Tanks, Santosh Ghimire

LSU Master's Theses

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

Design guidelines such as API …

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

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

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

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

Journal of Engineering Research

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

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

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

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

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

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

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

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

Project IM-3

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

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

Project SN-7

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

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

Project RR-2

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

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

Project SN-6

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

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

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

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

Cardboard Concrete Column Formwork, Danny Shrestha, Joelle Schalesky

Architectural Engineering

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

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

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

Architectural Engineering

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

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

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

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

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

Project AS-6

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