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Main Research Outcomes

Structural Engineering

The S&M research lab is conducting research in the area of Structural Engineering with a specific focus on the response of structures under severe loading such as earthquakes, and blast load and investigate possible ways for mitigating the risk of these loads as well as the advances in concrete materials and how to obtain sustainable and environmentally-friendly concrete material. In this regard, a seed project with a title of “Experimental Study of Durability and Mechanical Properties of Concrete with Recycled Concrete Aggregate and Fly Ash'' was proposed and accepted for funding by PSU. The duration of the project was one year and it was conducted and the final report was submitted successfully. From this project, a mixer, molds and new materials were obtained and they will be used for coming research. Also, finite element analysis using ABAQUS was conducted to mitigate the risk of blast loads on pile foundations.

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New computational software, such as ATENA and Seismostruct,  were obtained through the fund assigned by PSU for the lab. Research collaboration with international researchers was initiated in 2020, which will promote more research in the Structural Engineering area in 2021 and later. A proposal of agreement of research collaboration with Universiti Teknlogi of Petronas, Malaysia was initiated from the Malaysian side and it was submitted to PSU for reviewing and approval.

Composites for Structural Applications

In the composite design and applications, the group started establishing the main activity through the seed project which addresses the importance of considering the working environment while designing composite parts for automotive applications. The Seed Project also added a new equipment to the lab, that can be used later on for several activities.  In parallel, the team started to contact local industries interested in the topic for external funding and national collaboration. We had a visit from ARAMCO last semester to establish the collaboration and hopefully it will be implemented soon. The team also started looking at the topic of 3D printing of laminated composites and put the topic as a priority for the next research activities.

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Also the group is working on the design of orthopedic implants for the long bone fractures. The composite materials are used to design and modelling of bones and implant assembly to estimate the healing process. This work is going on as a project with international collaborations with Dhofar University Oman and University of Gujrat in Pakistan. This project adds the concepts of various designs 3D printing and incorporating the biodegradable polymer within the metal printed by 3D printing. Moreover, biomaterials are developed with international collaborations for the orthopedic applications.

Materials Sciences

The research activities under this theme was initially conducted by performing the characterizations of the filament that is used by the 3D printer. The filaments from various vendors were purchased and analyzed by 3D printing the samples from these filaments. These filaments were considered as the starting materials because they are readily available and used by several organizations for developing objects /or parts for certain applications. Our main objective of research under this theme is to develop and characterize new materials with enhanced properties and develop materials that can be successfully incorporated into the 3D printing machine. Additionally, new constitutive relationships are being developed to fully characterize the developed materials subjected to complex loading conditions. Currently, we are in the process of incorporating different types of nano filler materials in the base polymer matrix to develop a unique nano-filler based polymer composites filaments to be used as a new 3D printing material. Another aspect of the current research in this theme is to study the synergistic effects of nano fillers along with the addition of compatibilizers, UV stabilizers with the base polymer matrix is an important aspect in developing new polymer based materials.

Geotechnical and Transportation Engineering

​Ground Improvement

Despite the variety of available stabilization methods for the expansive soil, a rapid stabilization and remediation solution for this class of the problematic soil is still needed. Among the available treatment methods, traditional chemical additives such as lime, and cement exhibit satisfying performance over their counterparts. Nevertheless, significant concerns are associated with those chemicals, such as sulfate, carbonation attack, and its environmental impact. The efficiency of the polyurethane (PU) foam as a stabilizing agent for the pavement subbase layer and foundation systems concerned with relative movement and excessive settlement problems has been confirmed in many experimental and in-situ studies. However, only a few studies preliminary explored the effect of this injected stabilizer on the response of swelling soil. S&M lab published a journal Q1 paper highlighted several beneficial mechanical and physical characteristics of the Hydrophobic PU foam, which may nominate this material to be viable alternative stabilizers for the problematic expansive soil. The paper also identified future research needs to fulfill the scientific and practical gap in using PU foam for expansive soil treatment.

Tunneling and Deep Excavations & Numerical analysis in geotechnical engineering

The complexities and the economic computational infeasibility associated in some cases, with three-dimensional finite element models, has imposed a motive for many investigators to accept numerical modeling simplification solutions such as assuming two-dimensional (2D) plane strain conditions in simulation of several supported-deep excavation problems, especially for cases with a relatively high aspect ratio in plan dimensions. In journal paper published by SM lab, a two-dimensional finite element model was established to simulate the behavior of the supporting system of a large-scale deep excavation utilized in the construction of an underground metro station Rod El Farrag project (Egypt). The essential geotechnical engineering properties of soil layers were calculated using results of in-situ and laboratory tests and empirical correlations with SPT-N values. On the other hand, a three-dimensional finite element model was established with the same parameters adopted in the two-dimensional model. Sufficient sensitivity numerical analyses were performed to make the three-dimensional finite element model economically feasible. Results of the two-dimensional model were compared with those obtained from the field measurements and the three-dimensional numerical model. The comparison results showed that 3D high stiffening at the primary walls’ corners and also at the locations of cross walls has a significant effect on both the lateral wall deformations and the neighboring soil vertical settlement.

Piled Foundations & Reliability-Based Design in Geotechnical Engineering

Despite the difficulties in obtaining the ultimate capacity of the large diameter bored piles (LDBP) using the in-situ loading test, this method is the most recommended by several codes and design standards. However, several settlement-based approaches, alongside the conventional capacity-based design approach for LDBP, are proposed in the event of the impossibility of performing a pile-loading test during the design phase. With that in mind, natural clays usually involve some degree of over consolidation; there is considerable debate among the various approaches on how to represent the behavior of the overconsolidated (OC)stiff clay and its design parameters, whether drained or undrained, in the pile-load test problems. In journal paper published by SM lab, field measurements of axial loaded to failure LDBP load test installed in OC stiff clay (Alzey Bridge Case Study, Germany) have been used to assess the quality of two numerical models established to simulate the pile behavior in both drained and undrained conditions. After calibration, the load transfer mechanism of the LDBP in both drained and undrained conditions have been explored. Results of the numerical analyses showed the main differences between the soil pile interaction in both drained and undrained conditions. Also, field measurements have been used to assess the ultimate pile capacity estimated using different methods.

Books

  1. Catalanotti G., Varandas L.F., Melro A. R., Sebaey T. A, Bessa M. A., Falzon B. G. Modelling the longitudinal failure of fibre-reinforced composites at microscale. In Multi-Scale Continuum Mechanics Modelling of Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites (pages 349-378), Woodhead Publishing, 2020.

Journals

  1. Al-Atroush, M.E., Hefny, A., Zaghloul, Y., Sorour, T. (2020). Behavior of a Large Diameter Bored Pile in Drained and Undrained Conditions: Comparative Analysis. Geosciences, 10(7), 261. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10070261  [Scopus: Q2, ISI: NA].

  2. Sebaey, T.A., Catalanotti, G., Lopes, C.S., O’Dowd, N. (2020). Computational micromechanics of the effect of fibre misalignment on the longitudinal compression and shear properties of UD fibre-reinforced plastics. Composite Structures, 248, 112487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112487 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

  3. Mahani, R. B., Eyvazian, A., Musharavati, F., Sebaey, T. A., Talebizadehsardari, P. (2020). Thermal buckling of laminated Nano-Composite conical shell reinforced with graphene platelets. Thin-Walled Structures, 155, 106913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2020.106913 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

  4. Wagih, A., Sebaey, T. A., Yudhanto, A., Lubineau, G. (2020). Post-impact flexural behavior of carbon-aramid/epoxy hybrid composites. Composite Structures, 239, 112022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112022 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

  5. Mehboob, H., Tarlochan, F., Mehboob, A., Chang, SH., Ramesh, S., Harun, W. S. W., Kadirgama, K. (2020). A novel design, analysis and 3D printing of Ti-6Al-4V alloy bio-inspired porous femoral stem. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 31(78), 1:14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-020-06420-7 [Scopus: Q2, ISI: Q2]

  6. Khorasani, M., Eyvazian, A., Karbon, A., Tounsi, A., Lampani, L., Sebaey, T. A. (2020). Magneto-electro-elastic vibration analysis of modified couple stress-based three-layered micro rectangular plates exposed to multi-physical fields considering the flexoelectricity effects. Smart Structures and Systems, 26(3), 331:343. https://doi.org/10.12989/sss.2020.26.3.331 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

  7. Sebaey, T. A. (2020). Effect of Exposure Temperature on the Crashworthiness of Carbon/Epoxy Composite Rectangular Tubes Under Quasi-Static Compression. Polymers, 12(9), 2028. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12092028 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

  8. Ibrahim, Y. E., Almustafa, M. (2020). Mitigation of blast load risk on reinforced concrete structures considering different design alternatives. Archives of Civil Engineering, 66(3), 225:238. https://doi.org/10.24425/ace.2020.134394 [Scopus: Q3, ISI: NA]

  9. Ibrahim, Y. E., Abdelsalam, S., Nabil, M., Elsayed, M. (2020). Earth pressure reduction on retaining walls using EPS geofoam. Magazine of Civil Engineering, 99(7), 9904. https://doi.org/10.18720/MCE.99.4 [Scopus: Q2, ISI: NA]

  10. Hefny, A., Al-Atroush, M. E., Abualkhair, M., Alnuaimi, M. J. (2020). Three-Dimensional Response of the Supported-Deep Excavation System: Case Study of a Large Scale Underground Metro Station. Geosciences, 2020; 10(2): 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10020076 [Scopus: Q2, ISI: NA]

  11. Sebaey, T. A., Rajak, D. K., Mehboob, H. (2021). Internally stiffened foam-filled carbon fiber reinforced composite tubes under impact loading for energy absorption applications. Composite Structures, 255, 112910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112910 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

  12. Taghipoor, H., Eyvazian, A., Musharavati, F., Sebaey, T. A., Ghiaskar, A. (2020). Experimental investigation of the three-point bending properties of sandwich beams with polyurethane foam-filled lattice cores. Structures, 28, 424:432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2020.08.082 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q2]

  13. Talebizadehsardari, P., Eyvazian, A., Musharavati, F., Mahani, R. B., Sebaey, T. A. (2020). Elastic Wave Characteristics of Graphene Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposite Curved Beams Including Thickness Stretching Effect. Polymers, 12(10), 2194. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102194 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

  14. Khan, M. U. A., Raza, M. A., Mehboob, H., Abdul Kadir, M. R., Abd Razak, S. I., Shah, S. A., Iqbal, M. Z., Amin, R. (2020). Development and in vitro evaluation of κ-carrageenan based polymeric hybrid nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. RSC Advances, 10(66), 40529:40542. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA07446B [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q2]

  15. Al-Atroush, M. E., Sebaey, T. A. (2020). Stabilization of expansive soil using hydrophobic polyurethane foam: A review. Transportation Geotechnics, 27, 100494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2020.100494 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q2]

  16. Khan M. U. A, Mehboob H., Abd Razak S. I., Yahya M. Y., Yusof A. H. M. (2020). Development of Polymeric Nanocomposite (Xyloglucan-co-Methacrylic  cid/Hydroxyapatite/SiO2) Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications—In-Vitro Antibacterial, Cytotoxicity and Cell Culture Evaluation, Polymers, 12 (6), 1238. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12061238 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

  17. Mehboob, H., Ahmad F., Tarlochan F., Mehboob A., Chang S. H. (2020). A comprehensive analysis of bio‑inspired design of femoral stem on primary and secondary stabilities using mechanoregulatory algorithm, Biomechanics and modeling in mechanobiology, 19, pages2213–2226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-020-01334-3 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q2]

  18. Raza A., Mehboob H., Miran S., Arif W., Rizvi S. F. J. (2020). Investigation on the Characteristics of Biodiesel Droplets in the Engine Cylinder, Energies, 13 (14), 3637. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143637 [Scopus: Q2, ISI: Q3]

  19. Talebizadehsardari P., Eyvazian A., Khan A., Sebaey T. A. (2020). Measurement and evaluation of magnetic field assistance on fatigue life and surface characterization of Inconel 718 alloy processed by dry electrical discharge turning. Measurement, 108578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2020.108578 [Scopus: NA, ISI: Q1]

  20. Cao Y., Musharavati F., Baharom S., Talebizadehsardari P., Sebaey T. A., Eyvazian A., Zain A. M. (2020). Vibration response of FG-CNT-reinforced plates covered by magnetic layer utilizing numerical solution. Steel and Composite Structures, 37 (2), 253-258. http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/scs.2020.37.2.253 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

  21. Eyvazian A., Musharavati F., Talebizadehsardari P., Sebaey T. A. (2020). Free vibration of FG-GPLRC spherical shell on two parameter elastic foundation. Steel and Composite Structures, 36 (6), 711-727. http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/scs.2020.36.6.711 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

  22. Eyvazian A., Eltai E., Musharavati F., Taghipoor H., Sebaey T. A., Talebizadehsardari P. (2020). Experimental and numerical investigations on axial crushing of square cross-sections tube with vertical wave. Steel and Composite Structures, 36 (2), 191-141. https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2020.36.2.119 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

  23. Junaedi H., Albahkali E., Baig M., Dawood A., Almajid A. (2020). Ductile to Brittle transition of short carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites. Advances in Polymer Technology, 2020, 6714097. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6714097 [Scopus: Q2, ISI: Q3]

  24. Seikh A. H., Baig M., Rehman A. U. (2020). Effect of severe plastic deformation through Equal Channel Angular press pressing on the electrochemical behavior of Al5083 Alloy. Applied Sciences, 10 (21), 7776. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217776 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q2]

  25.  Junaedi H., Baig M., Dawood A., Albahkali E., Almajid A. (2020). Mechanical and Physical properties of short carbon fiber and Nanofiller-reinforced polypropylene hybrid Nanocomposites. Polymers, 12 (12), 2851. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12122851 [Scopus: Q1, ISI: Q1]

Conferences

  1. Al-Atroush, M. E., (2020). IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL BALANCED TECHNIQUE FOR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORIES. Proceedings of ICERI2020 Conference, 9th-10th November 2020, 7901-7910. ISBN: 978-84-09-24232-0 Doi: https://doi.org/10.21125/iceri.2020.1747

  2. Sebaey T. A., O’Dowd N. ON THE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS OF THERMOPLASTIC CARBON/EPOXY COMPOSITES MANUFACTURED BY AUTOMATED TAPE PLACEMENT. ASME 2020 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition IMECE2020. November 16-19, 2020, Portland, OR, USA.

  3. Ibrahim, Y. E., Nabil, M. (2020). Finite Element Analysis of Pile Foundations Under Surface Blast Loads. In Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Damage Assessment of Structures. Part of the Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. Springer, Singapore, 446:460. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8331-1_32

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