Next Generation of Concrete and Steel Structures Enabled by Additive Construction/Manufacturing

Islam Mantawy, Ph.D., P.E.
Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering
Rowan University

Tuesday, February 27, 2024
4:30 p.m.
HAMP 1144

Abstract

For decades, concrete structures have been constructed using cementitious-based materials through conventional construction methods using formworks (either cast-in-place or precast). Concrete with a sufficient slump is needed to fill up the formwork. On the other hand, steel sections are manufactured through hot-rolling or cold-forming processes. These approaches result in significant material wastage, where the material is placed at low to very low-stress regions (over-utilization of materials by 50-60%), increasing structures' carbon footprint. Additive manufacturing/ construction provides unique opportunities to build form-free structural elements with complex geometry which enable topology and structural optimization. Through structural and topology optimization, the performance and robustness of designs can be maximized by removing redundant materials from low-stress regions. The graduate seminar presentation will cover several research topics and experimental and numerical results for “a- Additive Construction of Concrete Structures” including (1) topology optimization of both compression-only (C-only) structures and compression and tension (C-T) structures, (2) multi-functional and functionally graded structural members, (3) additive construction of next generation of seismically protected systems, and “b- Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Structures” including topology optimization of additively manufactured seismic dissipators “fuses” for steel infrastructure. The graduate students at Lyles School of Civil Engineering at Purdue University will be able to answer a few questions such as (1) Are we, as researchers, additively constructing/manufacturing with a conventional construction mindset? (2) Are we impeding these emerging technologies rather than sparking innovation? (3) How do we get the most benefits from these emerging technologies for structural applications?

Bio

Dr. Mantawy is a tenure-track assistant professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering at Rowan University since Fall 2022. Dr. Mantawy previously worked as a bridge engineer/lead researcher at Louis Berger, Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is also a registered professional engineer in the state of Nevada, His main areas of expertise and research interests include (1) Additive Construction of Concrete Structures and (2) Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Structures. Dr. Mantawy is an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) and Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) and a member of the American Concrete Institute (ACI, serving on multiple committees), and TRB Committee on Construction of Bridges and Structures (TRB AKC40).