Structural Engineering Commons^™

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 …

‘‘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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Fitness For Service (Ffs) And Fatigue Assessment For Shell Distorted Steel Storage Tank Based On Api 579-1/Asme Ffs-1, Wira Herucakra Sr. Structure Engineer, Luh Putri Adnyani, Ic Farid Hadi Prasetyo, Alviani Rahma Rizkhita

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

A shell distortion was occurred due to incorrect in the welding procedure during construction of a new built above ground steel storage tank. The assessment level 1 then performed referred to original construction code of API Standard 650 was performed, the roundness data of tank plate was obtained through to laser scanning survey, and the result on assessment level 1 known that the minimum radius of measured point is exceeding the radius tolerance. This unacceptable condition of assessment level 1 requires to be performed the higher level of assessment. A fitness for service assessment level 3 for tank 1000 KL …

Quality Assurance And Quality Control For Reinforced Concrete Inspections, Calvin O. Walters Jr.

Publications and Research

Ensuring the safety and longevity of structures is paramount in concrete construction projects. Cases like the Big Dig ceiling collapse, which occurred on July 10, 2006, when a concrete ceiling panel measuring 20' x 40' and debris weighing 26 short tons (52,000 lb) fell within Boston's Fort Point Channel Tunnel, underscore this importance (Wald, M. L., 2007). Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) are crucial in mitigating such risks. QA ensures that materials and methods meet predetermined performance, design, and reliability standards specified in contracts and customer arrangements. On the other hand, QC is a strategic process businesses use …

Effect Of Swirl Ratio On Simulated Vortech Chamber Vortex Parameters, Samuel Kolar

Civil Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

A numerical simulator can use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model an experimental tornado-simulating chamber at Texas Tech University (known as VorTECH). Previous studies evaluating this particular CFD model have produced results that compare the touchdown swirl ratio (S_TD), core radius (r_c), maximum tangential velocity at touchdown (V_tmax @ S_TD), and height of the maximum tangential velocity (z_c) reasonably well with experimental data from the VorTECH facility. The effects of swirl ratio beyond S_TD on important vortex parameters including r_c, V_tmax, z …

Detection Of Deficiencies And Data Analysis Of Bridge Members With Deep Convolutional Neural Networks, Bennett Jackson

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Concrete cracks and structural steel corrosion are two of the most common defects in bridges. Quantifying and classifying these defects provide bridge inspectors and engineers with valuable data for assessing deterioration levels. However, the bridge inspection process is typically a subjective, time intensive, and tedious task, as defects can be overlooked or in locations not easily accessible. Previous studies have investigated deep learning-based inspection methods, implementing popular models such as Mask R-CNN and U-Net. The architectures of these models offer certain advantages depending on the required task. This thesis aims to evaluate and compare Mask R-CNN and U-Net regarding their …

Final Design Of Legion Hall Revitalization In Potter, Nebraska, Madison Brennfoerder

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This project was conducted to renovate and revitalize the Legion Hall community center in the Village of Potter located in western Nebraska north of the Interstate. The work completed for this project can be separated into five disciplines: Hydrologic & Hydraulic Design, Geotechnical Analysis, Structural Analysis, Environmental Analysis, and Transportation Design. Legion Hall is a historical building within The Village of Potter which was built in 1917. The Village of Potter has recently acquired the rights to the hall and is seeking to revitalize the historical community center to increase tourism in the village.

Utilization Of Confined Concrete In The Bottom Slab Of Double Composite Box Girder Bridges, Harry Craik

Theses and Dissertations

A mathematical model is proposed for the confinement of rectangular confined reinforced concrete elements under compression. The model was modified from existing models applied to rectangular confined concrete specimens. The present model applies to rectangular reinforced concrete cross-sections with a core aspect ratio of at least 2.0 and a high effective confinement index. The model applies to normal and high-strength concrete and incorporates the spacing of the transverse reinforcing hoops, the strength of the reinforcing bars, the reinforcing quantity, and the core aspect ratio of the section. The proposed model was verified against extensive experimental data, and there was a …

Development Of A Model To Predict Maximum Crack Width And Spacing In Reinforced Concrete Beams Under Flexural Stress, Saeed Alghamdi

Theses and Dissertations

Cracking in reinforced concrete structures is unavoidable due to the low tensile strength of concrete. Even though minimizing cracks on exposed concrete surfaces is significantly important from the aesthetics point of view, it is also very important for the durability and overall performance of the structure.

Flexural members must be designed to minimize cracking that may occur during the structure's service life. Even though there has been a lot of experimental work on crack width over the last several decades, a literature review reveals that researchers still can't agree on which variables are most important. Part of the reason for …

Quantifying Hurricane Effects On Housing: Evaluating Damage, Loss, And Shelter Demands Using Historical And Simulated Storm Tracks, Adish Deep Shakya

All Theses

This research introduces an advanced framework which employs parametric wind field models for peak wind speeds, and building fragility curves, loss functions, and demographic data to estimate for estimating housing damage and loss. The uninhabitable units immediate displaced households, short-term and long-term shelter need households are determined. with a particular focus on those eligible for FEMA assistance. The framework's validity is reinforced by a high correlation in the analysis of recent hurricane events between estimated numbers of displaced households and actual FEMA aid recipients, where FEMA aids about 20-60% of the predicted long-term displaced households. A novel application of the …

Analytical And Experimental Studies To Support Codification Of Lightweight Grout For Masonry Design, Cooper Banks

All Theses

Lightweight (LW) aggregates have many potential benefits in masonry construction including minimizing mass, improving thermal performance, and reducing the potential for shrinkage cracking via internal curing. The current masonry design standard, TMS 402/602-22, permits lightweight aggregate in the production of concrete masonry units (CMU), but there has been insufficient testing of masonry assemblies to permit designing with LW grout. Shrestha et al. characterized LW grouts bond to reinforcement, shear strength, tension and shear pullout behavior of anchors and proposed possible reduction factors for design. Hiner characterized the flexural bond strength LW grouted masonry assemblies and proposed possible reduction factors for …

Experimental And Numerical Studies On The Compressive Strength Test Of Recycled Aggregate Concrete Using Digital Image Correlation, Bastian Okto Bangkit Sentosa, Joshua Ferdinand, Nuraziz Handika

Makara Journal of Technology

The utilization of recycled aggregate (RA) as substitute of natural aggregate in concrete contributes to the research of sustainable building construction materials. Many applications of RA have been studied worldwide. However, the application of RA with a specific range of strength and specific damage behavior requires further study. This research aims to examine the mechanical characteristics of RA concrete, particularly its load–displacement response and crack pattern, through the experimental and numerical studies of compressive strength test. Laboratory concrete waste from cylindrical sample with 30–35 MPa strength was chosen as RA. The digital image correlation (DIC) method was applied throughout the …

Reliability Of Using Secondary And Tertiary Treated Wastewater In Concrete Mixing And Curing, Amany G. Micheal Prof., Haidy Abd El Salam

Architectural Engineering

Water scarcity is a problem that faces many regions. In a developing and arid countries, the need for fresh water is exponentially increasing. One of the most water consuming industries is the construction industry, especially in concrete manufacturing. This research is an evaluation of the Reliability of recycled wastewater to be used in concrete manufacturing. Two different wastewater treatment regimens are implemented: secondary and tertiary treated wastewater. The treated wastewater, either secondary or tertiary, replaces potable water with percentages of 25%, 50%, and 100%. The mixture of the two types of water is used in concrete mixing and curing. Control …

Utilizing Ensemble Learning In The Classifications Of Ductile And Brittle Failure Modes Of Uhpc Strengthened Rc Members, Woubishet Zewdu Taffese, Yanping Zhu, Genda Chen

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study aims to achieve the swift and precise classification of ductile and brittle failure modes in flexural reinforced concrete (RC) members, specifically those with tension sides strengthened by ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC). Employing six ensemble learning techniques—Bagging, Random Forest, AdaBoost, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, and LightGBM—the authors utilize a comprehensive dataset comprising 14 features, which include manually labeled failure modes obtain from load–deflection curves. The model training spans four scenarios, varying in the inclusion or exclusion of features describing the cross-sectional area of RC members and moment resistance. XGBoost emerges as the most effective classifier, achieving an impressive 84% accuracy …

Experimental Study On Fiber Reinforced Concrete (Frc) Beams With Splices, Mohie Eldin Salah Shoukry, Ahmed Mokhtar Tarabia, Nabil Youssef Nabil

Journal of Engineering Research

This paper presents the results of an experimental study involving nine simply supported beams featuring lap-spliced bars within the constant moment zone. All beams shared identical reinforcement details, including three longitudinal reinforcement bars (12 mm diameter) and two top reinforcement bars (8 mm diameter) for shear stirrup hanging. The lap-spliced specimens were created with a splice length of thirty times the bar diameter (360 mm). The study focused on two key parameters: the fiber content of hooked-end steel fibers used in the concrete mix and the presence of stirrups in the lap-splice region. The hooked-end steel fiber used was with …

A 4-Node Shell Finite Element Based On Assumed Bending And Membrane Strains For Static Analysis Of Plates And Shells, Sifeddine Abderrahmani

Emirates Journal for Engineering Research

In this paper the development of a new rectangular flat shell element is proposed. This element is called SBRPK-SBRIE. This element is used in the numerical analysis of thin structures based on the strain approach with linear elastic behavior. Combining bending and membrane elements yields the proposed element.The strain-based rectangular finite element for the thin plate bending element denoted SBRPK, and the strain-based membrane element denoted SBRIE. Several numerical examples have been conducted to assess the accuracy and reliability of the developed element compared with the theoretical results and other finite elements. Obtained results show its good performance compared to …

Demystifying Utility Coordination: Understanding The Basics, Josshe I. Palm

Purdue Road School

This session will explain utility coordination to non-utility coordinators. It will help educate others about the role and responsibilities of a utility coordinator, an OSA, easy UC and design mistakes to avoid, scope and design considerations, items commonly overlooked, when to coordinate SUE, and how to work with your UC to request a letting adjustment. We will also highlight UC submittals and allow time for questions about the UC’s role in a project’s success.

Buckling Behavior Of Thin Wall Stiffened Cylindrical Shells Through Ml Techniques, Fnu Tabish, Muhammad Hamza Karim, Rajesh Godasu, Iraj H.P Mamaghani

SDSU Data Science Symposium

Stiffened cylindrical shell buckling strength mainly depends on the geometric and stiffness properties. A detailed parametric study was conducted to investigate the influence of these properties on the stiffened aluminium cylindrical shell buckling strength. The proposed framework involves an integration of finite element method and various machine learning techniques. The dataset obtained from the eigenvalue buckling analysis of 350 numerical simulations using ANSYS workbench 2022; however, the FE simulation of ten ring-stiffened cylindrical specimens was initially substantiated by experimental work conducted in the literature. 350 sample specimens were categorized into seven groups based on the no. of stiffeners varying from …

Exemplary Studies On The Torsional Response Of Single Pile In Contaminated Sand, Ahmed Nasr, Waseim Azzam, Nada Ramadan

Journal of Engineering Research

Deep foundations, including piles, are employed in types of coastal soil because the soil in such regions may be subjected to several variables that alter the engineering features of the soil, like oil contamination. Together with the loads caused by supported superstructures, the pile foundations may also be susceptible to torsional loads from eccentric, horizontal loads brought on by winds, earthquakes, ship accidents, and waves. Tests have been conducted in this laboratory investigation to examine the behavior of piles under torsional load (T) in polluted sandy soil. Also, tests investigated how the Lp/Dp ratio affected the piles' bearing capacity. Details …