Moustafa presents at the Arab-American Frontiers Symposium

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Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Mohamed Moustafa presented his research program at the 8th annual Arab-American Borders Symposium. Designed to bring together scientists, engineers and medical professionals from the United States and 22 Arab League countries, symposium participants shared their research in five sessions: Advanced Materials; electronic health; Water, Food, Environment; IT security; Emerging technologies and society.

“The experience was a real revelation,” Moustafa said. “It has been interesting to hear about other researchers using the same tools we are using, but in completely unrelated fields. For example, a medical conference discussed the use of machine learning, data-driven models to develop tools to detect prediabetes. Even outside of engineering, they use the same tools we use, but in a different way. “

Moustafa, whose work is in earthquake civil engineering, presented its Future-Generation Resilient Infrastructure Design Technology Hub (Future-GRID TecH) research program. Future-GRID TecH is based on three pillars of research and innovation:

Pillar 1: Technologies of building materials

“The first pillar represents seventy percent of our research,” Moustafa said. “We are developing new materials and infrastructure design for the future, from the nanoscale to full columns and beams.”

Specifically, Moustafa’s lab is focusing on advanced concrete and reinforcing materials, understanding their behavior in seismic events and developing new ways to use this technology to design safer and more sustainable structures. Using the vibrating tables of the renowned seismic engineering laboratory and related infrastructure, the Moustafa team perfects new formulations of materials specifically designed to withstand the force applied during earthquakes.

Pillar 2: Testing and Monitoring Technologies

In addition to the traditional vibratory table tests that are the cornerstone of seismic engineering, the Moustafa team is also pushing research methods in two new directions.

“In the second pillar, we are engaged in proof of concept tests. We use everything from hybrid simulations, where parts of an experimental model exist in the physical world and parts of the model are digitally simulated. Under this pillar, we are also engaged in the use of drones to fly over our shaking table tests to provide another angle of understanding of what is happening during our experiments. Eventually, we hope to have the drones parked, for example, on bridges so that they can deploy within 30 seconds of seismic activity. They can capture real-time video of the behavior of structures during earthquakes and inform our emergency response strategies ”.

Together, these two innovations enable greater agility in research: hybrid simulations enable researches to test new materials more efficiently and economically, while drone-enhanced observations provide more data to both researchers and rescuers.

Pillar 3: Computational and data analysis technologies

Recognizing the growing power of computing and machine learning to accelerate information processing in earthquake engineering, the Moustafa team is embracing the possibilities presented by this emerging field.

“We are looking to expand the ways we can use machine learning as tools,” Moustafa said. “When we do structural analysis, we want to take advantage of the revolution in computing and data science. By combining hybrid simulation (pillar 2) with machine learning (pillar 3), we are able to do in a few hours what used to take days ”.

Applications in nuclear energy

Seismic engineering research programs at the University of Nevada’s College of Engineering, Reno, explains Moustafa, have a long tradition of excellence in perfecting bridge and building construction techniques and materials. With the research his team is doing, Moustafa believes there is an opportunity to pursue new applications.

“Most nuclear power plants are aging,” Moustafa said. “We are trying to exploit what we have done for buildings and bridges for power plants. For example, we think we can apply Accelerated Bridge Construction concepts to nuclear power plants ”.

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is a process whereby the various parts of a bridge are built offsite, transported to site and assembled quickly. This process is different from a more traditional method which would see parts built on site. Because bridges are built largely with concrete, after construction in the traditional method, parts of the bridge should heal, lengthening the construction process and disrupting the natural flow of traffic to the affected area. By applying this principle to nuclear power plants, Moustafa believes his team can help advance the development of “small modular reactors” (SMR).

“Nuclear physicists develop the technology needed for nuclear power, but all the technology has to be housed in facilities,” Moustafa said. “Here’s where we can help.”

“Ideas outside the box”

In addition to having the opportunity to share his Future-GRID TecH research program, Moustafa was thrilled with the ways in which the organizers have integrated interdisciplinary collaboration into the symposium structure.

“Conferences are usually very specific. Sometimes, it’s not just for civil engineers, but specifically for structural engineers, “Moustafa said.” The best thing about this symposium is that it includes engineering, science and medicine and all speakers have to attend all sessions. a rare opportunity to talk about your research with people from other disciplines, encouraging ideas and collaborations outside the box ”.

To further facilitate collaboration, participants are encouraged to apply for post-symposium grants that fund visits to other participants’ research facilities. For Moustafa, this opportunity could lead him to visit Qatar.

“There is a materials scientist working at Texas A&M in Qatar who is using reinforcement techniques in biomedical applications,” Moustafa said. “I hope to visit and discuss ways our research overlaps and could lead to future collaborations.”

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