Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Integrating Sustainable Material Procurement In Construction Waste Management: A Systematic Review With Narrative Synthesis For The Libyan Construction Sector, Ramzi Fouzi Hamad Abdullah, Safaa N Saud Al-Humairi, Zunirah Binti Mohd Talib

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Integrating sustainable material procurement with construction waste management is essential to reduce construction and demolition waste in Libya, where current practices remain largely reactive and disposal-oriented. This narrative review aims to develop a conceptual framework linking procurement decisions to waste-generation pathways in Libyan construction projects, clarifying how proactive, sustainability-driven purchasing can serve as a primary driver of waste prevention. Using a PRISMA-guided systematic search of Web of Science, Scopus, and IEEE Xplore for 2001–2026, and a bibliometric analysis via VOSviewer, 956 high-quality studies were synthesized to map global knowledge and to expose the paucity of integrated SMP–CWM studies in developing …

Sound Insulation Performance Of Sustainable Lc3 Mortars With Barite And Waste Rubber Aggregates, Begüm Söyek Abay, Leyla Tanaçan

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This study investigates the potential of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) as a sustainable binder for developing a single-layer composite material incorporating barite and rubber aggregates, hypothesized to achieve enhanced sound insulation performance compared to conventional multi-layered wall systems. Mortars were prepared using LC3 with 55% clinker, 30% metakaolin, 15% limestone, substituting 45% of cement clinker. Hybrid mixtures of barite and rubber aggregates (barite-to-rubber volume ratios of 2:1 and 1:2) were tested at aggregate-to-binder ratios of 2.0, 2.75, and 3.5 to evaluate their combined mass and damping effects on acoustic performance. Experiments were conducted to determine physical, mechanical, and acoustic …

From Lime To Geopolymers: Emerging Trends And Advances In Sustainable Soil Stabilization, Favour Chukwuebuka Egwu, Amin Eisazadeh

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Soil stabilization remains a critical challenge in geotechnical engineering, particularly for weak and expansive soils that compromise the safety and serviceability of infrastructure. Traditional stabilizers such as lime and cement have been widely applied; however, their limitations in terms of long-term durability, carbon footprint, and performance under aggressive environmental conditions necessitate alternative approaches. In recent years, geopolymer-based stabilizers derived from industrial by-products such as fly ash (FA), slag, and bottom ash (BA) have emerged as promising substitutes. This review critically examines the comparative performance of lime and geopolymer stabilization with respect to strength development, durability, compressibility, environmental impact, and economic …

Investigating The Behavior Of Self-Compacting Concrete Containing Scms And Recycled Fine Aggregates, Sachin Tiwari, Mahakavi P

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This study addresses the unresolved gap in quantifying how recycled fine aggregates (RFA) and metakaolin (MK) interact synergistically in self-compacting concrete (SCC), a relationship that previous works have studied only in isolation or without mechanistic justification. Twenty-five SCC mixtures containing MK (0–25%) and RFA (0–100%) were evaluated to generate a unified understanding of fresh behaviour, strength development, pore refinement, interfacial transition zone (ITZ) characteristics, and sustainability indicators. Results show that RFA alone increases water demand and reduces strength, while MK compensates for these losses by densifying the matrix and improving ITZ bonding, as confirmed through SEM analysis. An optimum synergy …

Mae Enewsbrief Oct-Dec 2025, Department Of Mechanical And Aerospace Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Mechanical Characterization And Modeling Of Rat Myocardia Under The Influence Of Epirubicin, Abdallah Mahmoud Alkhaiyat

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer remains a predominant health challenge that is responsible for a significant portion of global morbidity and mortality. Epirubicin (EPI), a chemotherapeutic anti-cancer drug, has shown remarkable efficacy in combating various malignancies. However, it is known to have undesirable side effects on the heart, collectively referred to as cardiotoxicity. This research investigates the adverse effects of chemotherapy on cardiac contractility through an in vitro examination of the mechanics of healthy and infarcted animal heart tissues. Electrically stimulated slices of rat ventricular tissue were tested using an isometric force measurement tissue bath. The tissue slices were subjected to uniaxial stretching, allowing …

Castrip Process Technology: Non-Grain Oriented (Ngo) Si Steels Extension And Carbide-Free Bainitic (Cfb) For Flat Products, Naram Naidu Meesala

Masters Theses

"This research explores the development of advanced steel grades manufactured through Castrip® twin-roll thin strip casting technology, with particular attention to non-grain-oriented electrical Si-Steels (NGOES) and carbide-free bainitic (CFB) steels. The Castrip® process offers a near-net-shape route for producing thin steel strips, which greatly decreases the number of processing stages, lowers energy demand, and reduces carbon dioxide emissions when compared with traditional steel production methods.

In the NGOES part of the study, several industrial Fe–Si steel compositions were cold rolled to final thicknesses ranging from 0.35 mm to 0.15 mm. These materials were then exposed to short-duration continuous annealing at …

Critical Parameters Controlling Oxide Scale Formation And Hydro-Descaling Efficiency During Steelmaking, Tochukwu Princewill Ojiako

Doctoral Dissertations

In modern steelmaking, cast slabs are exposed to high-temperature oxidizing environments during secondary cooling, reheating, and hot rolling, resulting in the formation of multilayer oxide scales on the steel surface. These scales interact with mold-flux residues originating from the casting process (CC). The morphology, chemistry, and adhesion of oxide scale strongly influence its removability during high-pressure hydraulic descaling and ultimately determine the surface quality of hot-rolled products. However, the mechanistic relationship between oxide scale evolution, scale-steel interfacial structure, and hydraulic descaling performance remains poorly understood.

This dissertation investigates oxide scale formation, modification, and removal in low-carbon thin-slab steels produced by …

Akron Soap Box Derby Super Kids Car, Alexis Schultz, Cooper Sites, Sean Stevenson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to redesign the All-American Soap Box Derby Super Kids vehicle to enhance safety, accessibility, and performance while maintaining full compliance with official regulations. The Super Kids program enables children with physical and cognitive disabilities to race alongside a co-pilot, but the current vehicle design presents challenges in stability, entry/exit accessibility, and control—especially following recent regulation changes that increased vehicle speed. The redesigned car will focus on improved ergonomics, lightweight construction, and structural integrity within a $1,000 budget and a 165 lb weight limit.

An iterative engineering design process will guide the project through research, CAD modeling, FEA …

Distributed Vibration Sensing For Identification Of Loose Connectors In Coaxial Data Transmission Lines, Saidanvar Esanjonovich Valiev, Anthony C. Okafor, Jeremiah J. Rittenhouse, Jie Huang, Daniel S. Stutts

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study investigates the effect of vibration-induced loose connections on signal reflection (S11) for loose connection identification in aerospace coaxial cables using distributed sensing approach, which is effective in filtering the noise and identifying minor discontinuities. In this approach, a sliding gated window is applied to S11 signal, a fast Fourier transform is performed over the gated windows, cross-correlation is computed between the baseline and vibration-affected signals, and the standard deviation is mapped along the cable length. Sinewave signals from 9 kHz to 5 GHz were swept through cables with vibrating connectors under three conditions: fully tightened, loosened by 180°, …

Process Optimization And Quality Control In Manufacturing Of Frp Composites By Vartm, Mohamed Emadeldin Omar Abdelhadi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Railroad tank cars, being one of the most used means of transportation of hazardous material across the country, have not been structurally upgraded for a long time. Thus, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) agency, released a rule for safer transportation of highly hazardous and flammable liquids by railroad to enhance the design specifications of both the new and existing tank cars in May 2015. A multifunctional composite jacket is proposed as a new material to structurally enhance the railroad tank cars to withstand any accidents that could happen en route. …

Swarm Of One: Self-Organization In Multicellular Robots, Trevor Riley Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Designing robots traditionally relies on centralized, top-down methods that constrain adaptability and resiliency, producing systems optimized for specific tasks. However, such systems often fail in complex environments, such as extraterrestrial, disaster, or natural settings, where designers cannot foresee every scenario a robot may encounter. Achieving autonomy in these contexts requires robots that are resilient and capable of adapting to the unknown. Multicellular organisms exhibit this adaptability through self-organization, where complex structures and behaviors emerge from local interactions among their cells. Such organisms can be viewed simultaneously as a single entity and a swarm of cooperating cells, i.e., a Swarm-of-One.

This …

Thermal Transformations And Mechanical Properties Of All-D-Metal Mn2fecu Heusler-Type Shape Memory Alloy, Choji J. Daches, Joseph W. Newkirk, Mario Buchely

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

All-d-metal Heusler alloys are emerging functional materials in which magnetic ordering, lattice distortion, and mechanical behavior are strongly coupled through d–d electronic interactions. This study systematically investigates the structural, thermal, magnetic, and mechanical properties of Mn₂FeCu synthesized within a Heusler-type compositional framework. SEM/EDS revealed a dual-phase FCC-based microstructure consisting of Mn–Fe–rich and Mn–Cu–rich domains, while XRD confirmed FCC symmetry with compositional partitioning rather than full L2₁ ordering. Differential scanning calorimetry identified partial melting of the Cu-rich phase near ~ 900 °C. Dilatometry showed a thermoelastic FCC → FCT transformation at ~ 770–780 °C with a recoverable strain of ~ 0.067%. …

Modeling Of Transformation Temperatures In Cast Martensitic Stainless Steels-Ca6nm: Effects Of Composition, Heating Rate, And Grain Size, Ugochukwu Agbedo, Mario Buchely, Laura Bartlett, Caelan Kennedy

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Accurate prediction of the critical transformation temperatures Ac1 and Ac3 is one of the essential factors in the heat treatment of CA6NM cast martensitic stainless steel. In this study, the influence of alloy composition, heating rate, and prior austenite grain size on the critical temperatures was quantified using dilatometric measurements and statistical modeling. Six heat treatment conditions produced prior austenite grain sizes ranging from ~75 to 247 µm. Experimental results showed that grain size variations produced only minor changes in Ac1 and Ac3, indicating a weak dependence of transformation temperatures on prior austenite grain size within the investigated range. In …

Multiphysics Simulation And Experimental Validation Of Phase Transformation And Hardness In Jominy End-Quenched Low-Alloy Steels, J. S. Alabi, E. Heidari, M. F. Buchely, K. Chandrashekhara, S. N. Lekakh, R. J. O'Malley, V. A. Athavale, A. Kumar

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

High-volume industrial continuous hot-rolled steel heat treatment processes involve sophisticated multi-phase modeling. The performance of a given process can be optimized by coupling phase transformation kinetics with the cooling conditions of the process. This study develops a multiphysics model to simulate an intensive quenching process for steel, which is inherently transient and highly dependent on numerous parameters. The simulated object was a Jominy end-quenched specimen geometry using two commercial steels, AISI 4130 and AISI 4140, with the goal of transferring a verified methodology to the heat treatment process for industrial heavy-section products (bars, slabs). The simulation employs thermal, mechanical, and …

Effect Of Complex Alloying Elements On Oxide Scale Formation And Water-Jet Descaling Performance On Continuously Cast Low-Carbon Steels, Tochukwu P. Ojiako, Tsvetkov Dmitry, Mario Buchely, Haiming Wen, Simon N. Lekakh, Ronald J. O'Malley

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The formation and evolution of oxide scale in contact with mold flux during continuous casting, subsequent reheating, and hydraulic descaling are strongly governed by steel chemistry. To elucidate the effect of complex alloying elements (Si, Mn, and Cr), two industrially produced continuously cast low-carbon steel grades for manufacturing stamped parts (a base and alloyed steel grade) were investigated. The objective was to determine how alloying elements influence oxidation behavior, scale morphology, interfacial adhesion, and water-jet descaling efficiency. Continuously cast slab specimens were subjected to controlled thermal and atmospheric oxidation cycles simulating multistage industrial practice. Three initial surface conditions (industrial as-cast, …

The Effects Of Mold Flux Contamination On Oxide Scale Formation And Hydro-Descaling Efficiency During Steel Processing, Tochukwu Princewill Ojiako, Richard Osei, Mario Buchely, Haiming Wen, Simon Lekakh, Ronald O'Malley

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Oxide scale formation during thin-slab continuous casting has a complex structure, which is influenced by mold flux contamination, that modifies interfacial reactions during solidification, subsequent reheating, and descaling. While individual aspects of the oxidation behavior of carbon steel have been previously examined, the synergetic effects of mold flux contamination during continuous casting and subsequent reheating on scale modification and the efficiency of hydraulic descaling remain inadequately studied. This study quantitatively examines the effect of flux composition on oxide scale evolution, adhesion, and hydraulic removal in low-carbon steel under simulated industrial conditions. Slab samples with as-cast, cleaned, and flux-coated surfaces were …

The Efficacy Of Hybrid Manufacturing For High Stress Automotive Parts, Logan Trimmer

Harrisburg University Other Works

Presentation covering the broad strokes of the project. The goal was to prove the viability of hybrid/additive manufacturing for high stress automotive applications. This project focused on recreating a piston from an old engine to examine if hybrid manufacturing could be used for such applications. On a small scale, hybrid manufacturing was able to be more cost effective if the costs of the equipment and electricity were ignored. The decision to ignore those costs came from the inability to find accurate prices for industrial casting.

Automation And Habitat Development For A Space Based Marine Life Environment, Logan Trimmer, Alexander Hang

Harrisburg University Other Works

This project was a cross-collaboration between the Environmental Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics programs for the company Monolith Space.

The goal of this project was to design an autonomous system to be able to track qualities of water in an aquaculture system designed to be sent to space.

The Efficacy Of Hybrid Manufacturing For High Stress Automotive Components, Logan Trimmer

Harrisburg University Other Works

The goal of this research was to establish the viability of using hybrid manufacturing for automotive applications. By verifying that high-stress components can be created, it can be assumed that any other lower stress part could be made to match the strength requirements. A limiting factor of adoption for hybrid manufacturing is how new the technology is. Studies on time and cost were performed allowing for comparisons with traditional manufacturing technologies (casting, forging, milling) used in automotive applications. This research utilized a Haas Automation UMC750 5-axis CNC mill with a Meltio laser wire direct energy deposition attachment. Fusion 360 was …

Entropic Forces Near Fluctuating Surfaces, Rubayet Hassan

Dissertations

Nanoscale structures are inherently dynamic due to persistent thermal fluctuations. Even in solid materials, these random deformations, driven by ambient thermal energy, can become significant when their characteristic scale approaches that of the structure itself and strongly influence their overall mechanical behavior. Examples of such structures include crystalline membranes, appearing in diverse forms such as nanotubes, nanoribbons, and kirigami/origami structures. Similarly, biological nanostructures, including lipid membranes, microtubules, actin filaments, and DNA, exhibit extreme flexibility and responsiveness due to their low bending rigidity. Numerous physiological processes are intrinsically linked to these thermal fluctuations, including exocytosis and endocytosis, membrane fusion, pore formation, …

Material Degradation And Analysis Of N-Doped Graphene/Mof Nanocatalysts For Orr In Electrochemical Energy Systems, Niladri Talukder

Dissertations

The development of advanced electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems is crucial for achieving sustainable energy security. As alternatives to precious metal-based catalysts in electrochemical systems, especially for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), Nitrogen-doped Graphene with Metal-organic Frameworks (N-G/MOF) nanocatalysts have shown exceptional promise in recent years. This research advances the understanding of N-G/MOF nanocatalysts by systematically examining their structural features, degradation traits, correlated performance losses, and other aspects related to catalytic activities.

First, nitrogen-doped graphene (N-G) nanocatalysts were thoroughly investigated, resolving their physical properties, the influence of synthesis parameters, molecular-level material structures, and chemical and electronic structural details of …

Curing Duration Optimization To Reduce Shrinkage Cracking In One-Part Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete, A. Sadrmomtazi, H. Zanganeh

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The consequences of inadequate curing on one-part alkali-activated slag concrete (O-AAS) performance relative to ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC) have been investigated in this research. Prior to exposure to unsaturated conditions, samples underwent initial moist curing for durations ranging from 24 hours to one year. The testing program included compressive strength evaluation, chloride ion transport analysis, and measurement of free and restrained shrinkage. In addition, cylindrical cores were extracted from concrete columns to assess internal strength and chloride penetration resistance. Under unsaturated exposure, O-AAS exhibited a strength-aging phenomenon, with up to a 37% decrease in compressive strength over 360 days, …

Laboratory Investigation And Numerical Modelling Effect Of Carbon Nanotubes On Hot Mix Asphalt Permanent Displacement, Sepehr Saedi, Auwal Usman Nadada

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

One of the primary causes of asphalt pavement deterioration is rutting; in contrast, one of the most effective methods to address this type of damage is the use of additives and quality evaluation during the design stages. In this research, laboratory testing and modeling using Abaqus software were employed to validate the laboratory results and predict and assess the potential for rutting. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were selected as an additive due to their exceptional mechanical properties and molecular interactions with bitumen. These nanotubes were used to modify the bitumen for the preparation of laboratory samples. The laboratory results from the …

Influence Of Early Microwave Curing On Performance Of Slag-Based Geopolymer Mortars, Ahmet Taşdemı̇R, Abdulkadir Çevı̇K

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

In this article, an experimental study was conducted to examine the effect of curing time and microwave power on the compressive strength of early microwave-cured slag based geopolymers. Geopolymers have the potential to serve as an environmentally friendly substitute for cement-based building materials, and the use of microwave curing to geopolymers holds the promise of substantial strength improvement. Different microwave curing energies (300 - 800 Watts) were utilized at varying durations (10 - 60 minutes) on demoulded mortar specimens after one day. After that, compressive strength tests were conducted on both the cured and uncured specimens at three different ages: …

Use Of Alaçatı Stone Aggregate In Conventional And Self-Consolidating Concretes, Tahir Kemal Erdem

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Alaçatı stone or Alapietra stone is widely used mostly for building cladding. However, its production and use in the construction sites generate high amounts of waste (debris), causing environmental pollution in Çeşme which is a touristic district. This study investigated the reuse of Alaçatı stone as lightweight aggregate (LWA) in both conventional and self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mixtures. The concretes were prepared to have three different water-to-cement ratios (w/c), which were 0.38, 0.42 and 0.48. For each w/c, a conventional concrete mixture and two SCC mixtures with 60 or 70 cm slump flow were produced by varying the superplasticizer SP content. …

A Decision Support Model For Building Material And Component Reuse In The Context Of Circular Buildings, Havva Aksel

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Construction activities cause significant environmental impacts such as waste generation, pollution, resource consumption, and land use, which are expected to increase with global construction demands. To mitigate these environmental problems, the circular building occurs as an emerging concept depending on in the circular economy, which aims to minimize waste and redefine the “end-of-life” concept by reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering materials. The reuse of building materials and components (BMCs) from existing structures represents a crucial strategy for achieving circularity in the built environment. Within this framework, design plays a key role. However, designing with reclaimed BMCs remains complex due to …

Expansion Limits Of Meshed Split-Thickness Skin Grafts, Haomin Yu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Split-thickness skin grafts are widely used to treat chronic wounds. Procedure design requires surgeons to predict how much a patch of the patient's own skin expands when it is meshed with rows of slits and stretched over a larger wound area. Accurate prediction of graft expansion remains a challenge, with current models overestimating the actual expansion, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Inspired by the principles of mechanical metamaterials, we developed a model that distinguishes between the kinematic rearrangement of structural elements and their stretching, providing a more accurate prediction of skin graft expansion. Our model was validated against extensive data …

Mae Enewsbrief July-Sept 2025, Department Of Mechanical And Aerospace Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Design And Development Of Biomimetic Hydrogel Interfaces For Enhanced Bioelectrical Signal Acquisition, Daniela Nikoloska

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Every second, human skin processes over one million sensory signals while maintaining properties such as electrical conductivity, mechanical adaptability, and regenerative capability that surpass all synthetic materials. Contemporary bioelectronic devices prove inadequate when contacting skin surfaces due to poor adhesion and electrical contact issues that prevent effective sensing. Despite advancements in wearable and bioelectronic technologies, current devices face major drawbacks when interfacing with human skin, particularly in maintaining firm adhesion, conformability, and low-noise electrical signal acquisition.

This research focuses on the development of a biomimetic hydrogel-based interface for bioelectronic sensing. Specifically, a hybrid hydrogel system composed of polydopamine (PDA)- doped …