Transforming Seismic Systems through Concrete Additive Construction and Metal Additive Manufacturing

About the Webinar

For decades, concrete structures have been constructed using traditional cementitious materials and conventional construction techniques, such as cast-in-place or precast methods involving formwork. In parallel, steel sections are produced through hot-rolling or cold-forming processes. These approaches often result in significant material wastage, particularly in low-stress regions, leading to the over-utilization of materials by 50-60%. This not only increases the cost of structures but also contributes to their carbon footprint. Concrete additive construction and metal additive manufacturing present unique opportunities for constructing form-free structural elements with complex geometries, facilitating both topology and structural optimization. This NEHRI Seminar introduces the newly established "Additive and Robotic Construction Laboratory (ARC-LAB)" at Rowan University, highlighting two innovative projects related to natural hazard mitigation. The first project, Additively Constructed Seismic Protective Bridge System, presents a new damage-free bridge bent system that incorporates additively constructed, post-tensioned, self-centering rocking columns with distinctive end designs and external energy dissipators utilizing rotational friction and damping materials. The seminar will explore the additive construction process for the proposed columns, as well as plans for component testing of the rocking connections and full-scale bent system testing. The second project, Additively Manufactured Seismic Metal Fuses for Concentric Braced Frames, introduces an innovative hybrid brace system designed for damage control. This system segments the brace into two or three parts, concentrating damage in the additively manufactured end or middle metal fuses, which undergo tensile yielding or inelastic buckling, while protecting the rest of the brace. This design enables functional recovery through the replacement of the damaged fuses after extreme seismic events. The seminar will cover numerical simulations and experimental results for various designs of these additively manufactured metal fuses, as well as plans for experimental testing of the hybrid braces, which integrate seismic fuses into hot-rolled braces. Attendees of the NEHRI Seminar at Lehigh University will engage in discussions addressing critical questions such as: (1) Are we, as researchers, applying traditional construction mindsets to additive manufacturing? (2) Are we inadvertently hindering innovation in these emerging technologies? (3) How can we maximize the potential of these technologies for structural applications?

Presenter

Dr. Mantawy is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, Rowan University, since Fall 2022, and a registered Professional Engineer in Nevada. His research focuses on Concrete Additive Construction and Metal Additive Manufacturing. In concrete additive construction his expertise is in areas such as topology optimization, reinforcement techniques, hazard protective systems, functionally graded structures, and adaptive and reconfigurable structures. In metal additive manufacturing, his work includes topology optimization, repair and strengthening through cold spray, and hazard protective systems. Dr. Mantawy is an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), and a member of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), where he contributes to multiple technical sessions.