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Research

The behavior of pipelines, as a vital part of the infrastructure, and under large differential ground movement. Resilient design of infrastructure under design and extreme loading scenarios, service life estimation of buried infrastructure under different environmental conditions, seismic protection of building structures using meta-material and innovative structural control methodologies.

Large-Diameter Buried Flexible Pipelines

The behavior of large-diameter buried pipeline have been investigated in finite element environment. The system is composed of pipe-valve interaction in addition to pipe-valve system reinforcement such as stiffening ring, wrapper, and flanges. The analysis started with a simplified model to setup initial parameters and to finalize a benchmark model for comparisons. Thereafter, the model was expanded to include a whole manhole and compaction effects on top of back-fill weight and pipe internal pressure.

  • Enhance and refine knowledge on behavior and design of large diameter flexible buried pressure pipes using FEA​.
  • Apply analysis to special cases such as:​ Large-diameter valve-pipe-embedment interaction, large fittings​ (Wyes, Tees, Crosses, …), and pipe design at transitions in support type (concrete vault to soil, …)​.
  • Establish a comprehensive FEA knowledge among the industry.
  • Make FEA a standard practice in the design of large-diameter pipes

Case study of 30°, 108″ Wye fitting: working pressure 175 psi, test pressure 210 psi test, surge pressure  263 psi. And hydrostatic test: failure at 160 psi, leakage of water, tear in the internal fillet weld at joint between the wye and branch pipe, cracking and spalling of internal mortar lining

Peer reviewed journal article: Behavior of a buried wye fitting under hydrostatic test with and without crotch plate reinforcement-case study and finite element analysis. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2020.105078

Engineered Wide Bandgap Metamaterials to Block Ultra-Low Frequency Seismic Waves

META-materials demonstration using Comsol multi-physics, where the structure is experiencing a train-induced vibrations in the range of 20-30 Hz and after placement of META-material array with attenuation frequency in the range of 20-30 Hz, the waves are completely block and the structure is protected.
Vibration mitigation strategies using innovative META-materials
Peer reviewed journal article: Mitigation of seismic waves using graded broadband metamaterial https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0089242.
The article proposes a new seismic protection philosophy in which a desired structure is protected from seismic waves that falls in the range of 5 Hz to 30 Hz. The article proposes new metamaterial configurations and explores different setups in an attempt to widen the attenuation zone of the metamaterial.

Automated Condition Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Sanitary Pipeline Using LiDAR Technology

Automated Condition Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Sanitary Pipeline Using LiDAR Technology