19 Sep 2024

The Forefront: A Review of ERDC Publications, Summer 2024

Abstract: As the main research and development organization for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) helps solve our nation’s most challenging problems. With seven laboratories under the ERDC umbrella, ERDC expertise spans a wide range of disciplines. This issue of the Forefront highlights several ERDC reports from FY22, many of which were highly recognized and widely downloaded. The Forefront team was honored in FY23 to receive both the Information Technology Laboratory’s Communication Award and the ERDC Communication Award for our Summer 2022 issue of the Forefront. The Forefront team and the Information Science and Knowledge Management Branch (ISKM) as a whole are committed to staying current with best practices and exploring new techniques to communicate ERDC’s research excellence. Through quality publications, dynamic presentations, and ongoing training opportunities, ISKM strives not only to support ERDC but also to blaze a path to clear, concise, and engaging scientific communication products. Remember, if it ever takes you more than five minutes to find an answer, contact us. We are here to help!

18 Sep 2024

Using iThenticate for ERDC Publications: Avoiding and Addressing Unintentional Plagiarism

Abstract: The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) conducts world-class research that supports national endeavors and the Army mission. To demonstrate the reliability of ERDC’s research and to preserve ERDC’s reputation, it is critical that ERDC publications meet quality standards. This includes reviewing publications for potential copyright infringement, which adds another level of assurance to the quality and integrity of ERDC’s published works. Therefore, this report aims to explain the benefits and purpose behind implementing iThenticate, a powerful antiplagiarism tool, into the ERDC In-formation Technology Laboratory–Information Science and Knowledge Management (ISKM) Branch’s publication process and to present thorough guidance on using iThenticate effectively. To accomplish this, this document outlines the basics of copyright law, how to use iThenticate, and how to provide proper attributions for both text and images. With this information, ISKM editors will be able to better communicate to authors the results of iThenticate reviews and to propose solutions for any issues that iThenticate may highlight.

9 Sep 2024

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) for Levee Culvert Inspections in USACE Flood Control Systems (FCS)

Abstract: Levee inspections are essential in preventing flooding within populated regions. Risk assessments of structures are performed to identify potential failure modes to maintain the safety and health of the structure. The data collection and defect coding parts of the inspection process can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. The integration of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques may increase accuracy of assessments and reduce time and cost. To develop a foundation for a fully autonomous inspection process, this research investigates methods to gather information for levees, structures, and culverts as well as methods to identify indicators of future failures using AI and ML techniques. Robotic plat-form and instrumentation options that can be used in the data collection process are also explored, and a platform-agnostic solution is proposed.

5 Sep 2024

From Research to Production: Lessons Learned and Best Practices

Abstract: This paper provides an overview of best practices to assist individuals and teams in transitioning software from a research product into a production environment. The information contained in this paper consists of best practices and lessons learned from an assignment consisting of transitioning a science-based research suite of programs into a more modern software format with appropriate preparations and considerations to be deployed in a production environment. The original software suite was written using both MATLAB and Python programming languages, and the new production version was written in the Python programming language.

4 Sep 2024

Comparison of Numerical Simulations of Heat-Induced Stress in Basalt

Abstract: Energy losses due to excessive noise and heat are primary liabilities in traditional mining processes. Some of the currently researched methods to improve these liabilities involve heating the rock to induce internal stress fractures that make it easier to extract or remove rock with traditional mining equipment. Physical experimentation has yielded useful data that have been applied to numerical simulations of the heating and fracturing of rock, and multiple such simulations have been developed in the commercial multiphysics simulator COMSOL. Since COMSOL is not widely available on DoD high-performance computers, the goal of this research is to develop methods of replicating simulations developed in COMSOL as simulations that run in Abaqus FEA, another commercial multiphysics simulator. In this work, a simulated basalt cylinder with a 25 mm radius and a 158 mm height is subjected to a surface heat flux approximating the effects of a laser beam applied to the top of the cylinder. Simulated stress distributions, displacements, and temperatures obtained from both simulators are compared. When comparable results were not obtained using both simulators, the differences in results were investigated using simplified versions of the simulation.

29 Aug 2024

Experimental Evaluation of Steel Beams with Mechanical Section Reduction Retrofitted with Fiber Polymers

Abstract: Steel elements working in a harsh environment can be exposed to corrosion that degrades their performance and threatens the integrity of the whole structure. Recent studies propose using carbon (CFRP) and basalt (BFRP) fiber–reinforced polymers to repair corroded steel cross sections; however, most of these studies have not explored many of the structural characteristics, including ductility. In this study, we conduct a series of full-scale experimental tests to investigate the impact of corrosion, represented as mechanical section reduction, on steel beams as well as the impact of repairing the beams using CFRP and BFRP in enhancing the beams’ structural performance. Mechanical section reduction, introduced to the flange and web elements, is used to establish a baseline dataset that captures the impact of repairs in the absence of corrosion. Four-point bending loading conditions are utilized for all tested beams. The results show that the reduction of the flange and web section lowers the beams’ yielding load by 10% and 8%, respectively, compared with a beam with a full cross section. Utilizing CFRP and BFRP patches can partially restore the corroded beams’ ductility; however, the BFRP is outperforming the CFRP in improving their ultimate strength by 10% and enhancing their ductility by 10%.

23 Jul 2024

A/E/C Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Standard: Release 6.2

Abstract: The A/E/C Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Standard has been developed by the CAD/Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technology Center for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment to eliminate redundant CAD standardization efforts within DoD and the Federal Government. This manual is part of an initiative to develop a nonproprietary CAD standard that incorporates existing industry, national, and international standards and to develop data standards that address the entire life cycle of facilities within DoD. The material addressed in the A/E/C CAD Standard includes level/layer assignments, digital file naming, and standard symbology. The CAD/BIM Center’s primary goal is to develop a CAD standard that is generic enough to operate under various CAD software packages (such as Bentley’s MicroStation and Autodesk’s AutoCAD) while incorporating existing industry standards when possible. While this Standard encompasses many CAD concepts and practices, it is not intended to limit the capabilities of other advanced modeling software. Ultimately, a BIM / Civil Information Modeling standard will be developed to standardize the additional capabilities of other software.

31 May 2024

Hydraulic Load Definitions for Use in Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Analysis, Including Probabilistic Load Characterization, of 10 Hydraulic Steel Structures: Report Number 1

Abstract: In the past, allowable stress design (ASD) was used to design steel structures. The allowable stresses used were determined from previous practice, with limited understanding of the reliability and risk performance provided by the structure. Engineering methods based on Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) provide more accurate lifetime models of structures by providing risk-based load factors. Besides improved safety, cost savings can be provided through improved performance and, in some cases, by delaying rehabilitation. This research project develops LRFD-based engineering procedures for the evaluation and design of hydraulic steel structures (HSS). Hydraulic loads are a key element to the LRFD analysis. This report identifies the primary hydraulic loads and describes procedures that can be used to determine these hydraulic loads. Existing design guidance for HSS is described and presented in the individual chapters. The appendixes to the report provide examples of the procedures used to compute the hydrostatic, wave, and hydrodynamic loads. A new approach for determining wind-induced wave loads was developed. Design guidance for computing the hydrodynamic load was limited for many of the HSS. Additional research is recommended to improve capabilities for computing hydraulic loads. Details on these recommendations can be found in this report.

29 May 2024

Encryption for Edge Computing Applications

Purpose: As smart sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT) exponentially expand, there is an increased need for effective processing solutions for sensor node data located in the operational arena where it can be leveraged for immediate decision support. Current developments reveal that edge computing, where processing and storage are performed close to data generation locations, can meet this need (Ahmed and Ahmed 2016). Edge computing imparts greater flexibility than that experienced in cloud computing architectures (Khan et al. 2019). Despite these benefits, the literature highlights open security issues in edge computing, particularly in the realm of encryption. A prominent limitation of edge devices is the hardware’s ability to support the computational complexity of traditional encryption methodologies (Alwarafy et al. 2020). Furthermore, encryption on the edge poses challenges in key management, the process by which cryptographic keys are transferred and stored among devices (Zeyu et al. 2020). Though edge computing provides reduced latency in data processing, encryption mechanism utilization reintroduces delay and can hinder achieving real-time results (Yu et al. 2018). The IoT is composed of a wide range of devices with a diverse set of computational capabilities, rendering a homogeneous solution for encryption impractical (Dar et al. 2019). Edge devices are often deployed in operational locations that are vulnerable to physical tampering and attacks. Sensitive data may be compromised if not sufficiently encrypted or if keys are not managed properly. Furthermore, the distributed nature and quantity of edge devices create a vast attack surface that can be compromised in other ways (Xiao et al. 2019). Understanding established mechanisms and exploring emerging methodologies for encryption reveals potential solutions for developing a robust solution for edge computing applications. The purpose of this document is to detail the current research for encryption methods in the edge computing space and highlight the major challenges associated with executing successful encryption on the edge.

29 May 2024

Mesoscale Multiphysics Simulations of the Fused Deposition Additive Manufacturing Process

Abstract: As part of an ongoing effort to better understand the multiscale effects of fused deposition additive manufacturing, this work centers on a multiphysics, mesoscale approach for the simulation of the extrusion and solidification processes associated with fused deposition modeling. Restricting the work to a single line scan, we focus on the application of polylactic acid. In addition to heat, momentum, and mass transfer, the solid-liquid–vapor interface is simulated using a front-tracking, level-set method. The results focus on the evolving temperature, viscosity, and volume fraction and are cast within a set of parametric studies to include the nozzle and extrusion velocities as well as the extrusion temperature. Among other findings, it was observed that fused deposition modeling can be effectively modeled using a front-tracking method (i.e., the level-set method) in concert with a moving mesh and temperature-dependent porosity function.