Civil Engineering Commons^™

Assessing Groundwater Availability And Land Subsidence Risk Associated With Anthropogenic Activities In A Complex Aquifer System, Aya Bakr Attya Mohamed

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Southern Hills aquifer system (SHAS) is the primary source of water in the Capital area of Louisiana. However, the overexploitation of freshwater-bearing aquifers and the presence of two active faults, the BR fault and the DSS fault, have resulted in groundwater depletion, saltwater intrusion, and increased the risk of land surface subsidence. Such critical issues pose substantial threats to groundwater availability and exert detrimental effects on the environment and urban infrastructures. This dissertation presents a comprehensive investigation of the SHAS for recognizing the consequences of groundwater depletion and its potential long-term impacts on groundwater availability and land stability. A …

Geotechnical Centrifuge Test Of A Pile-Supported Wharf In Silt (Test Aep01), Andrew Earl Parrott

Dissertations and Theses

There have been many documented cases in the U.S. and elsewhere of failure to ports, wharves, and bridges during seismic events due to liquefaction of soils adjacent to foundations. The major design guidelines for surface and maritime transportation structures, such as those offered in ASCE 61-14, Port of Anchorage Seismic Design Manual (POA 2017), AASHTO (2020), Caltrans (2012), and many others, differ considerably on the recommendations for combining the expected inertial and kinematic loads on the pile system. This knowledge gap becomes wider for pile foundations embedded in low plasticity silt, as varying opinions exist on the appropriate characterization of …

Impact Of Nanoparticles On Performance Of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Mortar, Habiba A. Mohamed, Mohamed R. Sakr, Mohamed O. R. El Hariri

Journal of Engineering Research

In response to the growing demand for sustainable construction materials, this study explores the transformative potential of nanoparticles, specifically nano silica and Nano clay, to enhance the mechanical and durability properties of metakaolin-based geopolymer mortar without heat curing. Geopolymer mortars incorporating 2.5% and 5% Nano silica and Nano clay were evaluated for compressive strength, tensile strength and water absorption. Mixture with 5% nano silica exhibited the most significant improvements, achieving compressive and tensile strengths of 36 MPa and 3.5 MPa, alongside the lowest water absorption of 4.65%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) further confirmed the formation of …

Controlling Verticality Of High-Rise Buildings Using Gnss Techniques Integrated With Laser Plummet, Nasr Mohammady Saba, Yanqing Gao Yanqing, Salem Salama Saleh

Journal of Engineering Research

Maintaining vertical alignment is crucial in the construction of high-rise buildings (HRBs). Traditionally, construction teams use laser plummets to transfer reference point coordinates from the foundation to each floor through openings in the concrete slabs. However, as building height increases, the accuracy of the laser beam can be affected, necessitating verification. In an urban development project in Al Alamein, Egypt, the use of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) was proposed to monitor verticality during construction. For the 270-meter-tall T-TOWER, nine monitoring points were established on the foundation to define the building’s axes for each slab. These points were transferred …

Using Sheet Piles To Control Contaminant Transport From Different Sources Through The Soil, Eslam Kashef Elgmmal Eslam K. Elgmmal, Ibrahim Mohamed Rashwan, H. Omara

Journal of Engineering Research

Contaminants can reach the excavation site and lead to groundwater contamination. The present research investigates the effect of using sheet piles for controlling the migration of contaminants to excavation sites that require high-quality groundwater, taking into consideration changing concentrations of contaminants and changing soil surface depth downstream of the sheet piles. The arrival time of contamination to reach under the sheet piles and the time for reaching contamination to the excavation site were studied. Additionally, the effect of using two different sources of contaminants with different concentrations on the mixing time between them through groundwater was investigated. Two modules, SEEP/W …

Numerical Study For Strengthening Hexagonal Castellated Steel Beams Using Hexagonal Ring Stiffeners, Amany M. Morad, Omnia F. Kharoub, Nashwa Yossef

Journal of Engineering Research

This paper investigates numerically how the castellated steel beams are affected by the addition of hexagonal stiffeners around hexagonal web openings. Increasing the CSBs' load-bearing capacity and improving their overall structural behavior are the main objectives of this strengthening technique. Although there are different failure modes as a result of castellation, the main emphasis of this study is web post-buckling. Using ABAQUS software, a 3D finite element model is created to analyze the beam's behavior. The model's accuracy was validated by comparing its results with those from previous experimental studies. Failure loads, failure modes, and load-deflection curves of CSBs are …

Influence Of High Temperature On Geopolymer Powders Concrete, Hesham W. Monier, Elsaid A. Maaty Professor Doctor, Mohammed Elsayed Elsharkawy Assis. Prof.

Journal of Engineering Research

A recent advancement in building construction is geopolymer concrete (GP), which uses pozzolanic materials like fly ash in place of cement and is activated by an alkaline solution. This study evaluates the impact of various parameters on the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete (GP) by analyzing experimental results from nine GP mixtures. In this study, the effects of two different fibers—steel and polypropylene—were used to calculate the impact of additional fibers on geopolymer concrete following exposure to temperatures of 200 , 400 , and 600° C.

Examining the impacts of two ratios of silica fume (10 and 20%)

The durability …

Bayesian Network-Based Framework To Uncover Social Inequities In Flood Risk: Application To East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Fuad Hasan

LSU Master's Theses

Regional flood risk assessment requires understanding the complex interplay of sociodemographic, socioeconomic, hydrogeologic, built environment, and climatic variables that impact flood vulnerability. Traditional studies often focus on large-scale units, overlooking localized variations and disproportionate exposure within populations. To address these gaps, a methodological framework of flood risk assessment using the Bayesian network was proposed and applied to East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, for the August 2016 flood event to identify relationships between flood risk variables at the housing unit level. Flood exposure representativeness (FER) was determined using the Bayesian network's inference capabilities to identify over- or under-represented groups. This study …

The Evolution Of Traffic Signal Detection Technology, Carly Schiene, Haydn Malackowski

Purdue Road School

How has traffic signal actuation changed over time? Originally, a traffic signal’s main purpose was to assign the right-of-way to vehicles for collision avoidance, and now they are crucial tools to manage traffic flow, alleviate congestion and provide safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. This presentation will explore early detection methods, evaluate current technology, and explore the future of detection technology

Preserve Your Hma Pavements From The Start, Tim Zahrn, Andrew Eicher

Purdue Road School

This presentation will review sustainable preservation treatments and their application timeline to extend the life of asphalt pavement. We will discuss how pre-preservation treatments like a void reducing asphalt membrane, early-life preservation treatments such as rapid penetrating emulsion, and topical rejuvenators can reduce future maintenance and delay reconstruction. We will also look at mid-life treatments, such as micro-surfacing, fit into a preventative maintenance preservation plan. And finally cover end of life cold pavement recycling alternatives.

Bell Ford Bridge Reconstruction Project, Daniel Kurdziel, Jim Barker, Matt Lee

Purdue Road School

The Bell Ford Bridge was originally constructed in 1869 until it collapsed in the 20th century. The remains were salvaged and stored for 20 years until it was to be rebuilt in Hamilton County, IN. This is the only remaining Combination Post Truss in existence and was rebuilt using 95% of the original iron and 10% of the original timber.

Enhancing Road Performance With Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane, Tim Zahrn, Todd Thomas, Randy Miller

Purdue Road School

This presentation will discuss how using the technology of a Void Reducing Asphalt membrane can improve performance of our Asphalt Pavements by creating a more durable asphalt surface that resists cracking and reduces permeability. Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane (VRAM) Specifications: VRAM reduces voids in longitudinal joints, which improves the longevity of a quality road surface. INDOT has already required VRAM on certain road designs. We will review the current specifications for VRAM and outline specifications that may update with the technology. We will also discuss the Impact of Rumble Strips on Longitudinal Joint Performance. The session will also highlight how …

Multi-Model Integration For Dynamic Forecasting (Midf): A Framework For Wind Speed And Direction Prediction, Molaka Maruthi, Bubryur Kim, Sujeen Song, Jinwoo An, Zengshun Chen

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Accurate forecasting of wind speed and direction is critical for the efficient integration of wind power into energy systems, ensuring reliable renewable energy production and grid stability. Traditional methods often struggle with capturing nonlinear interdependencies, quantifying uncertainties, and providing reliable long-term predictions, particularly in complex atmospheric conditions. To address these challenges, this study introduces multi-model Integration for dynamic forecasting (MIDF), an ensemble machine learning framework that combines the strengths of DeepAR and temporal fusion transformer (TFT) models through a two-step meta-learning process. MIDF leverages DeepAR’s probabilistic forecasting capabilities and TFT’s attention mechanisms to enhance accuracy, robustness, and interpretability. Using a …

Behavior Of Buried Sliplined Corrugated Metal Pipes Subjected To Footing Loading, S. Mustapha Rahmaninezhad, Saif Jawad, Jie Han, Mahdi Al-Naddaf, Robert L. Parsons

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Buried structures (e.g., culverts and pipes under roadways) installed several decades ago are reaching the end of their service life. Excavation and replacement of these structures will cause disturbances to the transportation network and require significant funding. Trenchless techniques (e.g., sliplining) have been increasingly employed to rehabilitate deteriorated buried structures (e.g., corroded corrugated steel pipes). Sliplining includes inserting a new pipe (liner) into an existing deteriorated pipe and filling the gap between them with grout. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sliplining on the behavior of buried corrugated steel pipes with different degrees of corrosion …

Comparison Of A Terrestrial And Handheld 3d Laser Scanner In As-Built Building Information Model (Bim) Creation, Cedric Scott Jankowski

Theses and Dissertations

Advances in computer processing have allowed mobile 3D laser scanners to begin to rival terrestrial scanners in terms of accuracy and scanning speed. While terrestrial scanners are the established instrument used in BIM creation for existing buildings, their cost, immobility, and size warrants a comparison to mobile scanners. This evaluation used scans created with both scanner types, the resulting point clouds, and 3D models created by tracing these point clouds to compare the BIM models and resulting floorplans, which were checked against direct on-site measurements. Because terrestrial scanners are considered state-of-the-art, the evaluation focused primarily on comparing mobile scanner and …

Smart Highway Construction Site Monitoring Using Artificial Intelligence, Mehran Mazari, Yahaira Nava-Gonzalez, Ly Jacky N. Nhiayi, Mohamad H. Saleh

Mineta Transportation Institute

Construction is a large sector of the economy and plays a significant role in creating economic growth and national development,and construction of transportation infrastructure is critical. This project developed a method to detect, classify, monitor, and track objects during the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of transportation infrastructure by using artificial intelligence and a deep learning approach. This study evaluated the performance of AI and deep learning algorithms to compare their performance in detecting and classifying the equipment in various construction scenes. Our goal was to find the optimized balance between the model capabilities in object detection and memory processing requirements. …

Advancing Sustainable Road Construction With Cold Mix Rap And Rejuvenator, Abeeb G. Oyelere

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Presentations

Presentation slides for a presentation given at the 1st annual Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum at the University of South Alabama.

Workforce Forecasting For State Transportation Agencies: A Machine Learning Approach, Adedolapo Ogungbire, Suman Kumar Mitra

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A decline in the number of construction engineers and inspectors at state transportation agencies (STAs) to manage the ever-increasing lane miles has emphasized the importance of workforce planning in these agencies. Forecasting workforce requirements is crucial for effective planning in any industry or agency. This study developed machine learning (ML) models to estimate the person-hour requirements of STAs at the project level. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) was used as a case study, using its employee and project details data between 2012 and 2021. ML regression models ranging from linear, tree ensembles, kernel-based, and neural network-based models were …

Examining The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Older Adults' Activity Participation And Mode Usage In A Rural State: A Case Study Of Arkansas, Arna Nishita Nithila, Suman Kumar Mitra, Alishia Juanelle Ferguson, Michelle Gray, Jennifer D. Webb

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity participation and mode usage of older adults residing in Arkansas, a predominantly rural state. Leveraging primary data collected from 832 older adult participants, the study employed Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to capture older adults' heterogeneity in travel behavior and found three distinct classes: Pandemic-affected minimal travelers, Unaffected non-commuter car users, and Unaffected commuter car users, showing different levels of their activity participation, mode usage during the pandemic and varying the pandemic's impact on their trips. To understand these variations in light of the …

Roadblocks To Ride: Unraveling Barriers To Access Shared Micromobility Systems In The United States, Farzana Mehzabin Tuli, Suman Kumar Mitra

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Shared micromobility services are experiencing rapid expansion in the United States and Europe, yet certain user groups, particularly low-income and disadvantaged individuals, face significant barriers related to financial, technical, and cultural factors. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of these barriers within the US by examining bike-sharing, shared e-scooters and programs offering both services. Data was meticulously collected from diverse sources, including official bikeshare provider websites, municipal transportation sites, program reports, local news articles, and mobile applications. This comprehensive data collection methodology provides a thorough representation of 458 shared micromobility systems, encompassing all services available since the inception of shared …

Impact Of Aggregate Characteristics On Frictional Performance Of Asphalt-Based High Friction Surface Treatments, Alireza Roshan, Magdy Abdelrahman

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

High Friction Surface Treatments (HFST) are recognized for their effectiveness in enhancing skid resistance and reducing road accidents. While Epoxy-based HFSTs are widely applied, they present limitations such as compatibility issues with existing pavements, high installation and removal costs, and durability concerns tied to substrate quality. As an alternative to traditional Epoxy-based HFSTs, this study investigated the effects of aggregate gradation as designated by agencies on the performance of asphalt-based HFST. Various aggregate types were assessed to evaluate friction performance and the impact of polishing cycles on non-Epoxy HFST. It was found that adjustments in aggregate size and gradation may …

Toward Sustainability: A New Construction Method For Electrically Heated Rigid Pavement Systems, Mohamed Abdel-Raheem, Mohammad Anis

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Damage caused by snow and ice to airport pavements in colder regions of the United States presents a persistent and economically significant challenge. This research explores an innovative construction method using an electrically conductive composite (ECC) composed of waterborne polyurethane and graphite powder (Gp). The ECC is applied to a Portland cement concrete substrate through a parallel stripe technique, using two types of “exposed” specimen. The study thoroughly examines the resistive heating performance of these specimens under various conditions, focusing on critical factors such as Gp concentrations in ECC, stripe thickness, spacing, and applied voltages. ECC was prepared with varying …

Modelled Flooding Impacts On Lower Fish River Watershed, Sebastian Loschner

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

This study investigates the impacts of compound flooding in the Lower Fish River watershed, Baldwin County, Alabama, with a focus on the potential effects of sea level rise due to climate change. Coastal flooding, particularly in smaller watersheds, is a growing concern as it results from the interaction of multiple factors, including rainfall, tidal changes, and extreme weather events. Compound flooding, which involves multiple flood drivers, is expected to worsen with climate change, as increased precipitation and rising sea levels create heightened flood risks. However, existing research on compound flooding predominantly focuses on large-scale watersheds, leaving a knowledge gap in …

Evaluating Educational Benefits Of A Custom Cyber Game: ‘Hvac Attack!’, Jillian S. Valente

Theses and Dissertations

Cyber competition and conflict remain an enduring concern for the Department of Defense (DoD). Positive control of cyberspace is crucial across the vast diversity of military operations and supporting activities. Military members play an important role in cyber prevention, detection, and remediation, but most receive relatively little training outside of the annual Cyber Awareness Challenge. Particular career fields within the DoD may benefit from specialized training in cybersecurity, in particular the civil engineering (CE) community supporting critical infrastructure protection. Prior research has suggested that game-based learning (GBL) can be beneficial for teaching cyber concepts.

Correlating The Compositional Changes To The Rheological Properties Of Recovered Asphalt Binders From Recycled Asphalt Mixtures: Insights From The Thermogravimetric Measurements, Eslam Deef-Allah, Magdy Abdelrahman

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Assessing the binder performance of thermal characterization is critical for quality control. This is pertinent for recovered binders from mixtures, which may not be in adequate quantities to evaluate their performance, particularly in mixtures containing reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). The present study deployed a thermogravimetric analyzer to evaluate compositional changes in recovered binders from RAP-containing mixtures, focusing on thermograph and derivative of thermograph (DTG) characteristics and correlating the results to rheological features. Incorporating RAP in mixtures influenced recovered binders' DTG shapes, reducing low-combusted components (%LCC) and increasing residues (%R). The recovered binder from the zero-RAP-containing mixture showed a 4.36% increase …

Assessing The Perceived Safety Of Cyclists With Virtual Reality, Vahid Balali

Mineta Transportation Institute

In 2022, 7,522 pedestrians and 1,084 bicyclists were killed and approximately 67,000 pedestrians and 46,195 bicyclists injured in motor vehicle crashes on public roadways in the United States, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The transportation industry is faced with a pressing need to bolster the safety of these vulnerable road users. This research develops models of design and environmental factors that influence bicyclists’ and pedestrians’ perception of safety using Virtual Reality (VR) technology and ultimately informs transportation infrastructure design to better accommodate nonmotorized travelers. The goal of the bicycle element of this research is to develop …

Numerical Analyses Of Construction Materials At Different Scales For Improved Resilience And Sustainability Of Civil Infrastructures, Chenchen Huang

Theses and Dissertations

The resilience and sustainability of civil infrastructure are fundamental to supporting modern society in the face of growing environmental challenges and resource limitations. This study aims to use multi-scale numerical tools to evaluate mechanical performance of different construction materials under various environmental and loading conditions. Firstly, we adopt the discrete element method (DEM) to evaluate the influence of freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs) action on the mechanical properties of rock from the micro perspective. A simplified plastic model is proposed to capture the residual deformation produced during FTCs. To further explore the deterioration of FTCs on rock, the water-contained grain-based model (GBM) …

A Review Of Chemical Stabilisation Used To Enhance The Mechanical Properties Of Rammed Earth, David Thompson, Charles Augarde, Juan Pablo Osorio

Articles

Rammed earth is a sustainable construction method with a lower carbon footprint and embodied energy compared to traditional materials like steel and concrete. However, its lower mechanical properties when compared to these forms of construction make it vulnerable to seismic forces. This paper reviews the published literature on enhancing rammed earth's mechanical properties through both chemical stabilisation and fibre reinforcement, with a focus on reusing waste materials. The effectiveness of these techniques are highlighted by comparing experimental results with minimum specifications taken from relevant guidelines and standards for building rammed earth structures in seismic zones. These findings demonstrate that chemical …

Performance Assessment Of Fiber-Reinforced Asphalt Mixtures: A Comprehensive Laboratory And Full-Scale Investigation, Ali Raza Raza Khan

Theses and Dissertations

Asphalt concrete is a composite material widely used in the construction of roads; however, fatigue cracking (load associated), thermal cracking (non-load associated), and permanent deformation (or rutting) are the most challenging issues in flexible (or asphalt) pavement structures. These distresses affect ride quality and are considered the most well-known pavement deterioration types. Several modifiers have been used as potential solutions to cracking and rutting of asphalt mixtures (i.e., polymers, geogrids etc.). Among these modifiers, fibers were introduced to improve the resistance of asphalt mixtures to rutting and cracking. Addition of fibers into the asphalt mixture is always challenging because of …

Construction Of Electrically Heated Pavement Using Recycled Waste Rubber Tires, Islam M. Radwan, Mohamed Abdel-Raheem

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Accumulated snow on roads presents a dual risk of accidents and financial losses. Conventional de-icing methods, which rely on chemicals, salt, and heavy machinery, are unsustainable and detrimental to both the environment and infrastructure. Furthermore, they demand significant labor and pose hazards in densely populated areas. In response, heated pavement systems such as hydronic and electrically conductive concrete (ECON) have gained traction for mitigating snow accumulation on roads. However, the use of carbon fiber and carbon black in ECON raises costs and depletes valuable resources. This research introduces an inventive and sustainable approach to address snow accumulation on rigid pavements …