NSF REU student tackles summer research

This summer, we had the pleasure of working with Adriana M. Mercado Cruz (pictured left in photo), a civil engineering student from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez. She presented a poster of her work titled, “Vulnerability Assessment of Coastal Bridges.” She was able to examines the differences in distinctive design approaches using real-time field data compared to current and projected sea level conditions for year 2072 using “intermediate high” scenario as established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The research consisted of modeling a single span multi-stringer prestressed box beam bridge with two lanes, located in Slaughter Beach, Delaware. The bridge model was subjected to the different hydrodynamic loads under the different design approaches considering current conditions and future projections for sea level rise. This allowed for a vulnerability assessment of the bridge piles by comparing the shear and moment values for each pile evaluated for various hydrodynamic loading scenarios. Future research could consist of conducting different analytical and experimental analyses using different design approaches on various bridge and foundation types. Congratulations, Adriana, and we look forward to hearing all of the wonderful things you’ll continue to do! Thank you, @Waqas Iqbal, for being an excellent graduate student mentor to Adriana!

Congratulations, CEE graduates!

So proud of all CEE graduates! Special kudos to our graduates from the Head Research Group: KJ Olsen (CIEG), Madison Gac (CIEG), and Wael Aloqaily (Aug 2023 w/ PhD)! You did it! I enjoyed celebrating you all at the lovely ceremonies and engineering convocation this past Saturday, May 27th! This is just the beginning of your journey, and you’re doing great! Society is in great hands!

Vision-based Measurement Deployment with George Mason University

On Wednesday, March 29th, the Head Research Group, consisting of Sajjad Safari, Wael Aloqaily, Qozeem Abiona, and Prof. Head, embarked to Fairfax, Virginia to conduct remote bridge monitoring tests. This is part of the CIAMTIS project on “Multi-robot teaming for inspection of hydraulic structures” with Prof. Lattanzi at George Mason University. Our objective is to “stich” together the structural details above the water with the robot-captured images underwater to characterize bridge conditions to support bridge inspections underwater as we build a digital twin model. Our deformations measurements will be used to calibrate our models to represent in-situ behavior and condition states. Another great day for field testing!

Paving the Way

Kenneth “KJ” Olsen, senior studying civil engineering, and 2022 Green Grant recipient Monique Head, associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, create pavers from recycled materials. Additional Green Grant team members include Gary Wenczel, Structural and Geotechnical Laboratory supervisor, and Suresh Advani, George W. Laird Professor of Mechanical Engineering and associate director of the Center for Composite Materials. Check out the UDaily article here.

Sharing UD’s Railroad Capabilities

Excited to partner with Morgan State University to build capacity with the development of a railroad engineering and safety program, which would be the first one of its kind at an HBCU. PI Allan Zarameski and co-PIs, Monique Head and Joe Palese, will assist efforts for this grant and provide expertise in the area of structural analysis, design and railway bridge engineering. The UDaily article with more details can be found here.