Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Nematocidal And Bactericidal Activities Of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Mediated By Ficus Sycomorus Leaf Extract, Dina Elkobrosy, Abdulaziz A. Al-Askar, Hamada El-Gendi, Yiming Su, Rokaia Nabil, Ahmed Abdelkhalek, Said Behiry

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Nanoparticles effectively control most plant pathogens, although research has focused more on their antimicrobial than their nematocidal properties. This study synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) through a green biosynthesis method using an aqueous extract of Ficus sycomorus leaves (FS-Ag-NPs). The nanoparticles were characterized using SEM, TEM, EDX, zeta sizer, and FTIR. The TEM results showed that the synthesized NPs were nanoscale and had an average particle size of 33 ± 1 nm. The elemental silver signal at 3 keV confirmed the formation of Ag-NPs from an aqueous leaf extract of F. sycomorus. The FTIR analysis revealed the existence of several …

A Unified Two Independent Stress Variable Approach To Moisture-Change-Induced Unsaturated Soil Volume Change, Sandra Houston, Xiong Zhang

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In 1968, Matyas and Radhakrishna introduced the concept of the state surface, demonstrating that unsaturated soil volume change is dependent on two independent stress state variables, net total stress and suction. For decades the basic theory of unsaturated soils has been known, and a holistic view of the elastoplastic response of unsaturated soils, based on a modified state surface approach (MSSA), makes it clear that a method accounting for independent roles of net total stress and suction is required to quantify volume change of unsaturated soils. Still, reliance on pre-unsaturated-soil-mechanics-era methods persists, particularly within the geotechnical practice community. Unsaturated soil …

Calibration Of Bbm Parameters Using The Modified State Surface Approach, Xiong Zhang, Beshoy Riad, Eduardo E. Alonso

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Barcelona Basic Model (BBM) developed by Alonso et al. [1] is the first and the mostwidely used elasto-plastic model for unsaturated soils. The BBM successfully explained many key features of unsaturated soils and received extensive acceptance. However, there is lack of a well-establishedmethod for selecting parameter values for the BBM from laboratory tests, although a variety of methods have been recently developed for calibrating model parameters for the BBM. Concerns still exist on the correctness and robustness of such parameter value selection procedures. The above statements were evidenced by a recent benchmark exercise on selection of parameter values for …

Performance Of 3d Printed Columns Using Self-Sensing Cementitious Composites, Cynthia D. Atkinson, Farhad Aslani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Self-sensing cementitious composites can be used as an economical method of structural health monitoring. This is achieved by using the piezoresistivity effect to assist in the detection of defects and enabling repairs to be conducted early which can therefore avoid structural failures. This study uses an established self-sensing cementitious composite mix to 3D print column to examine its structural performance and sensing capabilities in components of large-scale concrete structures. An extrusion-based 3D printer was used to print hollow square column segments. These segments were then joined and filled with steel rebar reinforcement and cast concrete. Another column was created using …

The Effect Of Airflow Guiding Components On Effective Ventilation Rates In Single-Sided Ventilation Applications, Nima Najafi Ziarani, Malcolm Cook, Paul D. O’Sullivan

Publications

Wind-driven single-sided ventilation (SSV) is present in many existing buildings across Europe, and with new near-zero energy building (NZEB) regulations for the refurbishment of the existing building stock, its attractiveness as a noninvasive, low-energy solution is set to continue. As a strategy, however, in addition to its air change rate capacity, the distribution of fresh air is an important evaluation criterion for its performance. Airflow guiding components located in the external opening that enhance the effectiveness of the wind-driven flow in ventilating the occupied zone could improve the quality of indoor environments. To our knowledge, the literature is sparse on …

Lunar In-Situ Aluminum Production Through Molten Salt Electrolysis (Lisap-Mse), Jacob Ortega, Jeffrey D. Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William P. Schonberg, Daniel S. Stutts, Daoru Frank Han

NASA-Missouri Space Grant Consortium

The goal of Artemis is to establish a sustained presence on the Moon. To achieve so, numerous resources are necessary. The Moon contains several essential elements needed to sustain human presence. Most of those elements are trapped in the form of minerals. To refine those minerals into useful materials, reduction methods are needed. Most reduction methods on Earth require large amounts of mass and power which is unrealistic for early stages of building a lunar base. To solve this problem, we are developing a concept of Lunar In-Situ Aluminum Production through Molten Salt Electrolysis (LISAP-MSE).

The LISAP-MSE project, if successful, …

Evaluation Of The Effect Of Mls Density Level Data On Dem, Essam Ghanem, Mostafa Rabah, Fekry Ashraf

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Mobile laser scanning (MLS) systems are quickly establishing themselves as the primary source of high-quality digital elevation models (DEM). Data density is the key element that determine the quality of DEMs. Moreover, point density acts a vital role in MLS operation planning and MLS project's cost. This study's goal was to evaluate the impact of point density from MLS on creating DEMs and the accuracy of computed volume in different interpolation methods. The finding demonstrated that the DEM's quality and the volume are more impacted by density level and interpolation method. Interpolation methods are affected by point density. There is …

The Predicting And Modelling Of Commonly Used Structural Steels Under Cyclic Loading, Adam Maroni

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Three Minute Thesis

Laboratory Evaluation Of The Geotechnical Properties Of Biochar-Amended Clay, Brett Natelborg

Senior Honors Theses

The upkeep and rehabilitation of infrastructure damage related to the shrinking and swelling of expansive soils have cost the United States billions of dollars. Biochar, an innovative and eco-friendly additive proven to improve soil permeability, nutrient retention, and mechanical properties, is investigated as an additive to Mississippi chalk. The index properties of the chalk were determined and used to characterize its nature. The geotechnical engineering properties of the chalk amended with 6% and 12% biochar were evaluated via the Proctor compaction, compression, and direct shear tests. Results were analyzed to make comparative remarks on how the behavior of the chalk …

Veterans Memorial Park In Colon, Mi, Madelyn Landry

Honors Theses

Located in St. Joseph County, MI, the Village of Colon offers a charming small-town feel and a close connection with nature. For this project, our team will be working to create a new design for a small community park located in the downtown area of Colon along the shores of Palmer Lake. The American Legion is seeking to re-imagine the park into a Veterans memorial to celebrate the service of village residents who have served in the armed forces. Elements requested to be incorporated into the memorial include granite stonework with etched displays, flags for each branch of the military, …

Machine Learning Technique For Damage Detection Of Rails On Steel Railroad Bridges Subjected To Moving Train Load, Md Masnun Rahman, Mohsen Amjadian, Mahesh Pokhrel, Constantine Tarawneh

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Rail is one of the key elements of the railway system, and its role is to transmit the wheel load to the track bed and guide the train cars along the track. Rail is susceptible to rolling contact fatigue and wear due to being repeatedly subjected to the moving load of the train. This can eventually result in broken-rail damage and train derailment, which if happens on a railroad bridge, it can severely damage the bridge, such as the structural failure of the Tempe Town Lake steel railroad bridge in July 2020 that costed $11 million to repair. Therefore, early …

Science Club, Danielle Gibson, Krista Andersen

Honors Program: Expanded Learning Clubs

Honors After School program for elementary age children to engage with scientific principles. Students performed hands-on experiments to explore various STEM fields. Each weekly lesson consisted of a different concept to be learned or explored by early elementary aged students.

Feasibility Study For A Continuous Mansfield Hollow State Park Multi-Use Path, Owen P. Spangler

Honors Scholar Theses

This report aims to design a pedestrian river crossing that connects the north and south ends of Mansfield Hollow State Park, utilizing both a new paved pathway and bridge construction. This report first uses GIS data to complete a feasibility study on pathway routing and cost. A preliminary route was selected based on grading and cost analysis. The requirements for constructing a multi-use pathway in the State of Connecticut were then explored, attempting to find a best-fit pathway alignment to accomplish that goal. Through a lengthy literature review, it was found that the pathway design would have to deviate from …

Effect Of Protective Cladding On The Fire Performance Of Vertically Loaded Cross-Laminated Timber (Clt) Wall Panels, Muhammad Yasir, Andrew Macilwraith, Conan O'Ceallaigh, Kieran Ruane

Publications

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a sustainable engineered wood product which is utilised in modern multi-storey timber buildings. The fire behaviour of timber structures is often a concern due to their combustible nature. In this paper, experimental fire testing of CLT panels made of Irish spruce was performed. This series of tests consisted of four vertically loaded CLT wall panels which were tested under Standard fire curves in the Structural Laboratory of Munster Technological University, Cork (MTU). To improve the fire performance of CLT panels, different types of protective claddings were used. The effectiveness of each system of protection has been …

Removal Of Radionuclides Using Capacitive Deionization, Yusik Won

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Severe nuclear accidents, including the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident, can lead to the discharge of large amounts of radionuclides into aquatic environments. Some radionuclides such as ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr have long half-lives and can remain in the environment for a long period of time. These radionuclides can be detrimental to humans and the environments because they can cause human and environmental exposure to ionizing radiation and because they can be bioaccumulated and biomagnified. Therefore, in case of a severe accident and a radioactive spill, it is important to quickly clean up and treat radioactively contaminated water to …

Potential Bioavailability Of Representative Pyrogenic Organic Matter Compounds In Comparison To Natural Dissolved Organic Matter Pools, Emily B. Graham, Hyun-Seob Song, Samantha Grieger, Vanessa A. Garayburu-Caruso, James C. Stegen, Kevin D. Bladon, Allison N. Myers-Pigg

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) from wildfires impacts river corridors globally and is widely regarded as resistant to biological degradation. Though recent work suggests PyOM may be more bioavailable than historically perceived, estimating bioavailability across its chemical spectrum remains elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed potential bioavailability of representative PyOM compounds relative to ubiquitous dissolved organic matter (DOM) with a substrate-explicit model. The range of potential bioavailability of PyOM was greater than natural DOM; however, the predicted thermodynamics, metabolic rates, and carbon use efficiencies (CUEs) overlapped significantly between all OM pools. Compound type (e.g., natural versus PyOM) had approximately …

Identify The Micro-Parameters For Optimized Discrete Element Models Of Granular Materials In Two Dimensions Using Hexagonal Close-Packed Structures, Xiaodong Zhou, Dongzhao Jin, Dongdong Ge, Siyu Chen, Zhanping You

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The widely used simple cubic-centered (SCC) model structure has limitations in handling diagonal loading and accurately representing Poisson’s ratio. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop a set of modeling procedures for granular material discrete element models (DEM) with high efficiency, low cost, reliable accuracy, and wide application. The new modeling procedures use coarse aggregate templates from an aggregate database to improve simulation accuracy and use geometry information from the random generation method to create virtual specimens. The hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure, which has advantages in simulating shear failure and Poisson’s ratio, was employed instead of the SCC …

Improving Intersection Safety With Geographically-Targeted Crash Prediction Models In Utah, Atul Subedi

Student Research Symposium

This project aims to improve intersection safety in Utah by developing geographically-targeted crash prediction models. The lack of research investigating active mode crashes at signalized intersections in different geographical regions calls for this study. The objective of this research is to understand the factors associated with the frequency of active mode crashes at signalized intersections. Exposure variables such as AADT, pedestrian and bicycle volumes, and intersection-level variables such as crossing distance, speed limit, and presence of street lights were analyzed using a negative binomial regression model.

Electric School Buses: Optimal Routing & Partial Charging, Megh Kc

Student Research Symposium

The transportation industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon footprint of diesel school buses in the United States is being overlooked despite their significant portion as public transportation. Sense of an urgent need for school bus electrification raises the importance of the effective and efficient operation of school electric buses. However, capital investment, battery range anxiety, charging strategy, and riding time remain significant obstacles to implementing this solution.To address these issues, we have developed a mathematical optimization model that considers the practical constraints of school bus operation and employs a weighted multi-objective function. The model is …

A High-Strength Precipitation Hardened Cobalt-Free High-Entropy Alloy, Matthew Luebbe, Jiaqi Duan, Fan Zhang, Jonathan Poplawsky, Hans Pommeranke, Maalavan Arivu, Andrew Hoffman, Mario Buchely, Haiming Wen

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recent studies on precipitation-hardened high-entropy alloys (HEAs) demonstrate their high strength and thermal stability, making them promising materials for high-temperature structural applications such as nuclear reactors. However, many existing HEAs contain cobalt (Co), which is unsuitable for nuclear applications because of the long-term activation issue of Co. Co is also expensive and considered a critical material for other applications. Therefore, it is desired to exclude Co from the composition. a Co-free (Fe0.3Ni0.3Mn0.3Cr0.1)88Ti4Al8 HEA was developed and studied in this work. in contrast to previous Co-free HEAs, this alloy is close to Equi atomic in its composition and promises a more …

Quantifying And Managing Anthropogenic And Drought Influences On Instream Temperatures, Abbygael Johnson

Student Research Symposium

The western US is currently experiencing effects of one of the worst droughts in 1200 years. These effects are evident in our rivers, as shown by broad scale reductions in baseflow. This lack of runoff combined with growing demands has resulted in the overallocation of the water contained within our rivers and reservoirs. Water temperature is the key factor in many biological, chemical, and physical processes, making it critical to the health of ecosystems . River temperatures are a function of many factors including weather and tree canopy, but also instream flow volumes and water residence time. When instream flows …

Calibration And Use Of S3f Sensor For Normal And Shear Stress Measurements In Soil, Hussein Alqrinawi

LSU Master's Theses

Innovative sensors can provide new capabilities to monitor and understand the behavior of soil, rock, and geo-structures and help geotechnical engineers make informed decisions about the construction and maintenance of geo-structures. This study introduced, calibrated, and validated one such sensor, the Surface Stress Sensitive Film (S3F) point sensor, for both normal and shear stress measurements in soil along the soil-structure interface. The measurements of S3F sensor rely on the deformation of an elastic film that is monitored by a floating element embedded in the elastic film. This sensor provides measurements of the 3D deformation of the film which are converted …

Fatigue Behavior And Calculation Methods Of High Strength Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beam, Zhiqiang Gu, Hu Feng, Danying Gao, Jun Zhao, Congjie Wei, Chenglin Wu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Adding Steel Fibers into Concrete Was Considered as One of the Most Effective Ways to Restrain the Crack Development and Improve the Stiffness for Reinforced Concrete (RC) Structures. to Explore the Reinforcement Mechanism of Steel Fibers on the Fatigue Behavior of High-Strength RC Beam, Eight High-Strength Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (HSSFRC) Beams Subjected to Fatigue Loading Were Tested in This Study. the Main Design Parameters Considered in This Work Were Stress Level and Steel Fiber Content. the Failure Mode, Crack Patterns, Fatigue Life, Crack Width, and Stiffness Degradation of HSSFRC Beams under Fatigue Loading Were Discussed. the Results Showed that …

Numerical Investigations Of Gfrc Beams Strengthened In Shear With Innovative Techniques, Marwa H. Bondok, Gamal I. Khaleel, Ahmed S. Debaiky, Mohamed H. Makhlouf

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This paper discusses the Finite Element analysis (FE) conducted to predict the behavior of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) beams without shear reinforcement (stirrups) and strengthen them with proposed techniques to increase their shear strength. for this study, A total of eighteen (18) (120 * 300 * 2200 mm) specimens were modeled using Ansys™ mechanical. The main variables were the percentage of discrete glass fiber in the concrete (0.0, 0.6, and 1.2%), the type of main reinforcing bars (steel or GFRP), the shear strengthening material (GFRP or steel) links, the strengthening systems (side near-surface mounted (SNSM) bars, externally bonded (EB) …

System Dynamics And Topsis Models For Sustainable Building Materials Selection Considering Life Cycle Assessment, Shimaa Elshoubaky, Emad Elbeltagi, Mohammed Abd Elrahman, Islam Elmasoudi

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Construction industry is the most contributor to the environmental impacts. Achieving sustainability in construction is complicated, but one of the most optimal strategies is selecting sustainable building materials.

The major goal of this study is to present a new idea for choosing sustainable building materials (SBMs) by simulating sustainability parameters' behaviour. This research proposes a System Dynamics (SD) model along with the TOPSIS method based on the dynamic interactions among a number of sustainable criteria to help decision makers in sustainable building materials selection. The sustainable criteria that form system boundary are determined from previous studies and experts′ opinions. The …

Examining The Impact Of Different Street Lighting Schemes On Traffic Safety And Drivers’ Behaviors At Unsignalized Intersections, Hisham Mohamed Abdu Kunnah

LSU Master's Theses

Lack of visibility is one of the main challenges that significantly impact drivers’ ability to safely perform driving tasks at night especially at unsignalized intersections. Several prior studies indicated that lighting enhances nighttime traffic safety. Nevertheless, lighting is not mandatory at unsignalized intersections in many states including Louisiana. This study aimed to investigate if lack of lighting is a contributing factor that affects traffic safety at unsignalized intersections in Louisiana. In addition, this study strived to identify current lighting policies adopted by other states, examine if there are any low-cost countermeasures implemented by other states to improve nighttime visibility, and …

Numerical Flume For Wave Dissipation By Mangrove Prop Roots, Rebecca L. Schurr

LSU Master's Theses

Mangroves provide shorelines with many beneficial engineering services, including shoreline stabilization, wave attenuation, and damage mitigation during tsunami or tropical cyclone events. This research focuses on wave attenuation rates and drag coefficients, and how they are affected by mangrove prop roots. Previous lab research using a physical wave flume has quantified wave height decay and drag coefficients for synthetic mangrove forests and confirmed that attenuation does indeed increase as mangrove forest density increases. This research will use a 3D numerical flume model developed in Proteus, a Python package, to simulate prior physical model experiments. This work will attempt to validate …

A Review On The Application Of 3d Printing Technology In Pavement Maintenance, Fangyuan Gong, Xuejiao Cheng, Qinghua Wang, Yi Chen, Zhanping You, Yu Liu

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

To examine the application and significance of 3D printing technology in pavement maintenance engineering, a review of the current developments in principles, types, materials, and equipment for 3D printing was conducted. A comparison and analysis of traditional methods and 3D printing for asphalt pavement maintenance led to an investigation of 3D asphalt printing technologies and equipment. As a result, the following suggestions and conclusions are proposed: 3D printing technology can increase the level of automation and standardization of pavement maintenance engineering, leading to effective improvements in worker safety, climate adaptability, repair accuracy, etc. For on-site repair of cracks and minor …

Assessing The Ability Of Arduino-Based Sensor Systems To Monitor Changes In Water Quality, Josiah Hacker

Honors College Theses

Access to safe water is vital to public health. While developed countries like the United States are recognized as having reliable and safe water, many small water utilities struggle with supplying consistent water quality. Technicians of these utilities will periodically test water samples from the influent and throughout the distribution system. However, this laborious and costly process does not capture sudden changes in influent water quality due to environmental conditions or pipes breaking in the distribution system. Here I show how an Arduino-based sensor can be used as a real-time, low-cost monitor of water quality parameters. Specifically, I developed a …

The Influence Of The Addition Of Recycled Asphalt Shingles On The Compressive Strength Of Concrete, William E. Webb

Honors College Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) as an additive on the compressive strength of concrete. This was accomplished by designing a concrete mix and creating 4” by 8” cylindrical test specimens containing 0, 5, 10, and 15 percent RAS by weight. The compressive strength was measured through axial loading until failure utilizing a compression testing apparatus. With these results, a relationship between the content of RAS and compressive strength was able to be developed, giving insight as to how RAS could be used in concrete mixes in the future. This study …