Classroom Implementation of Biology and Architectural Lesson Plans Reflecting Evaluation of Concrete Bridge Decks Using Non-Destructive Evaluation Methods

Nur Yazdani

Download Paper | Permalink

Conference: 2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference
Location: Arlington, TX, Texas
Publication Date: March 9, 2025
Start Date: March 9, 2025
End Date: March 11, 2025
Page Count: 4
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--55033
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/55033
Download Count: 5

Paper Authors

biography

Nur Yazdani The University of Texas at Arlington

visit author page

Dr. Nur Yazdani is the Dr. Tseng Huang Endowed Professor and past Chairperson at the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Texas at Arlington. He received his BS, MS, and PhD degrees in structural engineering from Bangladesh Univ. of Engineering & Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, and the Univ. of Maryland, College Park, respectively. A Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Concrete Institute (ACI), and the ASCE Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), he is the author or co-author of more than 180 articles in journals and proceedings and an invited speaker at conferences and seminars. He has a P.E. license from the state of Texas. Dr. Yazdani is well-known for his research on Concrete Bridge Design, Evaluation and Rehabilitation, Resilient and High Performing Infrastructure, Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE), Concrete Properties, Coastal Infrastructure, Bridge/Building Codes, and Engineering Education. He has received several awards for his teaching and research accomplishments and secured more than $18 million from research projects. Funding sources have included the NSF, FEMA, NOAA, USDOT, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and FDOT. Research results have been widely adopted and practiced by state and federal agencies. The work has encompassed experimental, numerical, and field work, as well as the development, adaptation and implementation of bridge codes/specifications (AASHTO, IRC, IBC, BNBC). Leadership roles have included the Chair of the ACI-SEI Committee 343 on Concrete Bridge Design and the SEI Committee on Retrofit of Structures under Dynamic Loads, SEI Membership Committee and SEI Fort Worth Branch. He leads the state-of-the-art Next-gen Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Lab (NSRI Lab) at UT Arlington. Dr. Yazdani is a senior ASCE certified ABET civil engineering program evaluator and team chair. He is also a sought after national and local media expert on infrastructure resiliency issues.

visit author page

Download Paper | Permalink

Abstract

Reinforced Concrete (RC) is the most used construction material for various types of structures. The concrete cover above or below rebars play an important role in structural safety and durability. It may be necessary to find the actual covers in the field for checking construction errors and in cases of missing plans. Plastic fibers in RC can reduce shrinkage and thermal cracking. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scanning can effectively find the rebar cover distances through non-destructive means. However, to date, the effectiveness of such scanning for fiber concrete is yet to be determined. This research focuses on evaluating RC bridge decks using GPR, which is important for ensuring safety and durability in existing infrastructure. The 2024 Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program on Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure for Urban Communities at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) included STEM teachers from schools within the Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex. The 6-week summer research project presented herein focused on the following goals: (1) locate embedded steel rebars in concrete specimens using GPR scanning; (2) investigate how fibers in concrete affect the compressive and bending capacities of specimens; (3) determine the effects of variables such as rebar cover depth and size, concrete type, concrete moisture content, and curing time on the aforementioned properties; and (4) analyze GPR signal variations with two-way travel time in light of various factors. Following a background review, two small-scale RC beam samples were fabricated with plywood forms. The samples included steel rebars with variable sizes and cover depths. GPR scanning of cured concrete samples and data processing were done weekly for a month. Data analysis was conducted using RADAN 7 software to understand variations in GPR signals. The samples were then tested in a 3-point bending set-up until failure. The results of the GPR scans showed significant changes during the first 3-weeks, after which the data remained constant. This variation is attributed to the dielectric properties of concrete and ongoing cement hydration, which affected the radar waves. The addition of 1% fiber improved the average compression and bending strengths by approximately 10% and 45%, respectively. However, the cover determination was not affected by the presence of fibers. It may be concluded that proper curing and rebar placement are important for RC strength and durability. Non-destructive methods like GPR are effective for assessing concrete integrity. Classroom implementation begins with students casting and curing concrete cylinders to observe physical and chemical changes, exothermic hydration reactions, and the law of conservation of mass, comparing plain and fiber-reinforced concrete. In the second part, students will use GPR to evaluate rebar health in the school parking lot and a hydraulic pump to test the compression strength of their concrete cylinders. This approach will bridge practical experiences with theoretical knowledge, sparking student interest in engineering careers.

Citation
Format

Yazdani, N. (2025, March), Classroom Implementation of Biology and Architectural Lesson Plans Reflecting Evaluation of Concrete Bridge Decks Using Non-Destructive Evaluation Methods Paper presented at 2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference, Arlington, TX, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--55033

TY - CPAPER
AB - Reinforced Concrete (RC) is the most used construction material for various types of structures. The concrete cover above or below rebars play an important role in structural safety and durability. It may be necessary to find the actual covers in the field for checking construction errors and in cases of missing plans. Plastic fibers in RC can reduce shrinkage and thermal cracking. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scanning can effectively find the rebar cover distances through non-destructive means. However, to date, the effectiveness of such scanning for fiber concrete is yet to be determined. This research focuses on evaluating RC bridge decks using GPR, which is important for ensuring safety and durability in existing infrastructure. The 2024 Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program on Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure for Urban Communities at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) included STEM teachers from schools within the Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex. The 6-week summer research project presented herein focused on the following goals: (1) locate embedded steel rebars in concrete specimens using GPR scanning; (2) investigate how fibers in concrete affect the compressive and bending capacities of specimens; (3) determine the effects of variables such as rebar cover depth and size, concrete type, concrete moisture content, and curing time on the aforementioned properties; and (4) analyze GPR signal variations with two-way travel time in light of various factors. Following a background review, two small-scale RC beam samples were fabricated with plywood forms. The samples included steel rebars with variable sizes and cover depths. GPR scanning of cured concrete samples and data processing were done weekly for a month. Data analysis was conducted using RADAN 7 software to understand variations in GPR signals. The samples were then tested in a 3-point bending set-up until failure. The results of the GPR scans showed significant changes during the first 3-weeks, after which the data remained constant. This variation is attributed to the dielectric properties of concrete and ongoing cement hydration, which affected the radar waves. The addition of 1% fiber improved the average compression and bending strengths by approximately 10% and 45%, respectively. However, the cover determination was not affected by the presence of fibers. It may be concluded that proper curing and rebar placement are important for RC strength and durability. Non-destructive methods like GPR are effective for assessing concrete integrity. Classroom implementation begins with students casting and curing concrete cylinders to observe physical and chemical changes, exothermic hydration reactions, and the law of conservation of mass, comparing plain and fiber-reinforced concrete. In the second part, students will use GPR to evaluate rebar health in the school parking lot and a hydraulic pump to test the compression strength of their concrete cylinders. This approach will bridge practical experiences with theoretical knowledge, sparking student interest in engineering careers.
AU - Nur Yazdani
CY - Arlington, TX, Texas
DA - 2025/03/09
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Classroom Implementation of Biology and Architectural Lesson Plans Reflecting Evaluation of Concrete Bridge Decks Using Non-Destructive Evaluation Methods
UR - https://peer.asee.org/55033
DO - 10.18260/1-2--55033
ER -