Computer-Aided Engineering

Research Project Abstracts: 2005- 2006

Application of Municipal Solid Waste Decision Support Tool to Wake County, North Carolina
M.A. Barlaz and S.R. Ranjithan
U.S. EPA
12/04 to 12/06
The objective of this project is to develop alternatives for the management of municipal solid waste for Wake County, NC. Alternatives will be developed to examine tradeoffs among cost, environmental burdens, resource consumption and landfill diversion using a solid waste management life-cycle inventory model developed by the investigators.

Modeling and Optimization of Civil Engineering Infrastructure
J.W. Baugh and E.D. Brill
Blue Ridge Analytics
12/04 to 12/05
In this project, computer software was developed to model and optimize civil engineering infrastructure problems using mathematical programming and heuristic search methods. The techniques were designed so that methods could be readily implemented to provide alternative solutions, which would meet given constraints on modeled objectives and which could be provided to users of the software.

Efficient Computational Methods for Accurate Simulation of Wave Propagation
M.N. Guddati
National Science Foundation
01/01 to 09/06
Wave propagation is encountered in countless problems of practical importance such as nondestructive evaluation, earthquake engineering, seismology and medical imaging. In spite of its immense importance and extensive research performed, the current approaches to modeling of wave phenomenon still suffer from several shortcomings related computational efficiency and accuracy. This project is aimed at devising new and efficient modeling techniques that would result in highly accurate solutions with relatively low computational cost. Most recent results from this research are related to dispersion reducing finite element methods and absorbing boundaries.

Strategies for Atomistic -Continuum Coupling in the Simulation of Dynamic Fracture
M.N. Guddati and P.K. Nukala (ORNL)
Unsponsored
02/05 to present
Detailed simulation of dynamic fracture can be performed by modeling the crack tip region using molecular dynamics, while modeling the rest of the domain as a continuum analyzed by finite element methods. When the two simulation domains are coupled in a conventional manner, there tends to be spurious heat-up (due to energy trapping) at the crack-tip region resulting from the disparity in length scales combined with the discretization errors. In this project, we are attempting to develop numerical algorithms that minimize the spurious energy trapping, thus resulting in accurate simulation of the physical phenomenon.

Remote Observation and Control of a Shake Table Experiment
Abhinav Gupta, V.C. Matzen, and M.A. Gabr
NC State University, DELTA/ IDEAS Grant
Fiscal Year 2003-04 to 2004-05
This project supports tasks that are needed in addition to those being conducted in the development of a prototype for remote observation and control of a shake table experiment under an NSF sponsored project. These tasks are needed to integrate the prototype with the University computing network for incorporation in distance education courses. The tasks need to be implemented in a manner that would maintain real-time safety as well as security features built into the prototype. While the tasks being undertaken are specific to the shake table experiment, the outcome of this work can be extended to other experiments either directly or with only minor modifications.

Development of Multi-axial VEPCD-FEP++ and its Extension to Indirect Tension Test
Y.R. Kim and M.N. Guddati
Federal Highway Administration
09/05 to 08/07
Over the past decade, the NCSU research team has been successful in developing HMA models that can accurately capture various critical phenomena such as microcrack induced damage, strain rate - temperature interdependence, and viscoplastic flow that is critical for high temperature modeling; the resulting model is termed the viscoelastoplastic continuum damage (VEPCD) model. The primary objectives of this research are: (1) to extend the VEPCD model to multiaxial state of stress; (2) to develop a three-dimensional finite element program with the multiaxial VEPCD model; and (3) to extend the principles used in the VEPCD modeling to the indirect tension mode.

Development of the Asphalt Pavement Performance Prediction Methodology Based on the Viscoelastoplastic Continuum Damage Theory
Y.R. Kim and M.N. Guddati
Korea Highway Corporation
10/04 to 12/06
The primary objectives of this research are: (1) standardization of test and analysis methods for the determination of viscoelastic properties and performance of asphalt mixtures; (2) development of the multiaxial viscoelastoplastic continuum damage (VEPCD) models using the indirect tension test and triaxial permanent deformation test; (3) development of the VEPCD finite element program (VEPCD-FEP++); (5) calibration of the VECPD-FEP++ using the data measured from the KHC Test Road pavements; (6) development of transfer functions for the 33 asphalt pavements in the Test Road; and (7) development of a user-friendly graphic interface for pre- and post-processing of the VEPCD-FEP++.

Tools and Techniques for the Technological Integration of Multi-Hazard Post-Incident Assessment
D. Laefer and W.J. Rasdorf
National Science Foundation
12/03 to 08/05
Infrastructure management information systems (IMISs) are being created with ever greater rapidity, at all levels of government and private industry. These IMISs are, however, dispersed, stand-alone, in widely disparate formats, not reflective of historical developments, and not easily identified or readily accessed. Thus, they do not promote information exchange between agencies and organizations that would profoundly benefit from shared resources, especially in this time of acute budgetary constraints. The purpose of this project is to identify ways to eliminate these deficiencies and to organize and present a workshop to assist in obtaining solutions for the problems identified.

DDDAS-TMRP (Collaborative Research): An Adaptive Cyberinfrastructure for Threat Management in Urban Water Distribution Systems
G. Mahinthakumar, E.D. Brill, R. Ranjithan (Co-PI's, NCSU), J. Uber (PI, University of Cincinnati); Gregor Von Laszewski (PI, University of Chicago); and K. Harrison, (PI, University of South Carolina)
National Science Foundation (Dynamic Data Driven Application Systems Program)
01/06 to 12/08
The goal of this multi-disciplinary research is to develop a cyberinfrastructure system for water distribution system threat management that will both adapt to and control changing needs in data, models, computer resources and management choices facilitated by a dynamic workflow design. Using virtual simulation and a field study, this cyberinfrastructure will be tested on illustrative scenarios for adaptive management of contamination events in water distribution systems.

PERC: High end Computer System Performance: Science and Engineering
G. Mahinthakumar
UT Battelle LLC.
10/01 to 06/06
This project is part of a larger scale effort funded by DOE through the SciDAC (Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing) program. The overall goal of the project is to establish an enabling technology center in the area of high-end computer performance called performance engineering research center (PERC). NCSU component of this project will focus on performance analysis, performance modeling, and performance tool evaluation

High-end Computing in Environmental Engineering with Application to Subsurface Characterization
G. Mahinthakumar
National Science Foundation (CAREER)
07/03 to 06/08
Accurate characterization of the subsurface is an important element in the development of reliable and efficient groundwater management practices. Accurate and reliable estimation of hydraulic conductivity distribution, contaminant distribution, and/or contaminant source release history is necessary for problems such as estimating groundwater yields, design of efficient cleanup strategies, and identifying responsible parties in a contamination incident. This requires solution of an inverse problem because direct measurement of detailed subsurface properties is not feasible. Inverse problems are difficult to solve and are computationally demanding. This multidisciplinary CAREER project will investigate novel computational strategies for the efficient solution of large-scale inverse problems in subsurface characterization.

ITR: A Prototype to Support Near Real-Time Environmental Characterization
G. Mahinthakumar, R. Ranjithan, and Nick Karonis (Northern Illinois University)
National Science Foundation
09/03 to 08/06
The overall goal of this project is to investigate formal computational approaches that can readily harness grid computing for the efficient solution of environmental characterization problems. To this end, we will develop a grid-enabled software framework. Two alternative paradigms, one based on the grid-enabled version of MPI (Message Passing Interface), and the other based on Java will be explored. The framework will be applied to groundwater and surface water problems, both of which are of prime societal importance.

GRS Supplement to ITR to Increase Minority Participation
G. Mahinthakumar and R. Ranjithan
National Science Foundation (Graduate Research Supplement program)
09/05 to 08/06
This graduate research supplement supports an African American environmental engineering PhD student to conduct research in parallel simulation-optimization techniques and to carry out teaching activities leading to an academic career.

Development of a Design Tool for Planning Aqueous Amendment Injection Systems
R. C. Borden (NCSU), G. Mahinthakumar (NCSU) T.J. Simpkin (CH2M HILL) and C. Zawtocki (Solutions-IES)
DOE, Environmental Security Technology Certification Program
03/06 to 12/08
The overall objective of this project is to develop a set of tools to assist design engineers in developing effective, reasonably efficient systems for distributing aqueous amendments for in situ treatment of groundwater contaminants. At this time, the primary applications for the tools will be for design of in situ chemical oxidation systems using permanganate and in situ anaerobic bioremediation systems using soluble substrates and emulsified oil. However, as technology evolves, this general approach should be applicable to distribution of other aqueous amendments.

Web Based Observation and Control of an Undergraduate Civil Engineering Laboratory Experiment
V.C. Matzen, A.Gupta and J. Nau
NCSU LITRE program
10/04 to 06/06
A static test of a cantilever beam in CE 324, is being modified so that it can be controlled and observed remotely using web based tools. In the web-based setup, a controller with a stepper motor will be used to operate the screw actuator, and the strains will be monitored, recorded and displayed using a PC-based data acquisition system. The research will investigate appropriate ways to protect the experiment from overloading and internet/PC malfunctions, as well as procedures for scheduling, access and security.

Internet-Enable Laboratory Experiences for Undergraduate Civil Engineering Students
V.C. Matzen, M.A. Gabr, and A. Gupta
National Science Foundation
07/03 to 06/06
This study is aimed at adaptation of recent developments in information technology for incorporation of internet-enabled civil engineering laboratory experiments in undergraduate structures and geotechnical courses. Faculty and students will be able to remotely access, run, and control these experiments either independently or in a classroom setting. Such a capability would facilitate the offering of these courses via distance learning program to provide opportunities for "non-traditional" students (e.g., part-time student, working parent, and career-changing adult) seeking careers in Civil Engineering. Implementation of this work will lead to enhancing the quality of undergraduate Civil Engineering courses and making laboratory curriculum widely accessible.

Traffic Control Design for Portable Concrete Barriers
A. Mirmiran and S. Rahman
North Carolina Department of Transportation
07/04 to 12/05
This project will focus on developing design aids and charts for portable concrete barriers in the state of North Carolina. Safe back distance behind these free standing barriers will be evaluated using finite element and impact analysis software for different boundary conditions and traffic configurations. The findings will be incorporated into the state's traffic control manual.

GIS-Based Research of Natural and Anthropogenic Terrain Change Impacts on Water and Sediment Transport in Different Environments
H. Mitasova and M. Overton
Army Research Office
07/04 to 06/07
The proposed research will focus on the acquisition of new knowledge about the interactions between natural processes and anthropogenic activities that can be used to improve current understanding of terrain change impact on landscape processes. The objectives are to investigate these interactions within three fundamentally different environments affected by different development activity: a coastal barrier island environment, a montane tropical watershed, and a piedmont landscape that includes a military installation. The research will be directed toward the development and analysis of methods for GIS-based modeling of topography, its structure and evolution and innovative numerical landscape erosion and evolution modeling techniques.

Fuzzy Neural Network Models for Geotechnical Problems
S. Rahman
NC Department of Transportation
07/04 to 12/05
The main objective of the proposed research is to: (i) develop a general framework and a computational toolbox for development of fuzzy neural network models to geotechnical problems, and (ii) to develop fuzzy neural network model for a variety of geotechnical problems of interest to NCDOT: (a) hammer approval, and (b) settlement prediction.

Urban Watershed Management Tools
S. Ranji Ranjithan
US EPA/MCNC
10/01 to 09/04
U.S. EPA's Multimedia Integrated Modeling System (MIMS) provides a unified computing framework to simulate the cycling of environmental pollutants within and across all media. The simulation models are to be coupled with systems analytic methods (including uncertainty analysis and optimization-based search procedures) to explore and identify efficient strategies to manage urban watershed management problems. In addition, decision-makers require cost/benefit tradeoffs and reliability associated with different strategies. The objective of this project is to integrate urban watershed decisions support tools into MIMS, and demonstrate their use with US EPA's Storm Water Management Model (version 5).

Pavement Marking Analysis Plan
W. Rasdorf
North Carolina Department of Transportation Technical Assistance Award
5/15/06 to 5/30/2006
North Carolina Department of Transportation Technical Assistance Award
The Work Zone Traffic Control Unit has almost 4 years of pavement marking retroreflectivity data. This data has been collected on all types of materials, surfaces, and regions in the State. NCDOT seeks to learn about the life cycle of pavement markings from this data. However, to be able to analyze all the data, the NCDOT needs to determine what information can be learned from the data and identify the components of a large-scale research project to do so.

Workshop on Determining Disaster Data Needs in a Multi-Stage, Multi-Disaster Context
W.J. Rasdorf
National Science Foundation
09/04 to 08/05
This project seeks to develop a common data framework for disaster related data to establish whether or not this data set is both applicable to researchers and to members of the disaster response community. To determine this, a disaster management workshop was developed to establish a paradigm for the creation of the common data set. The objectives of the workshop were as follows:
• Define information needs
• Establish the quality, format, and location of data
• Identify data gaps and opportunities to improve data collection and dissemination methods
• Define objectives for pre-disaster organized disaster data gathering teams.

Designing an Efficient Nighttime Sign Inspection Program that Ensures Motorist Safety
W.J. Rasdorf and J.E. Hummer
NC Department of Transportation
07/04 to 06/06
The major objective of the research is to revise and expand out simulation of the effectiveness of sign inspection programs so that NCDOT can optimize its program. The main revisions to allow NCDOT to use the simulation are to:
• Model the performance of NCDOT sign inspectors,
• Expand the simulation to include other sign colors besides yellow and red, and
• Include the best sign deterioration functions.