Progress 08/01/23 to 07/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems: The first PhD student was admitted around April 2023 and was scheduled to join our department and begin working on this project in August 2023, the project's start date. Unfortunately, his visa application was rejected. As a result, the interviewing process was restarted, and another student was admitted and joined the program in Spring 2024. This situation caused a significant delay in the project. However, a student worker was hired to contribute to the project during Fall 2023 to mitigate the impact. In Spring 2023, our mechanical testing room experienced a water burst, leading to the loss of communication with one of the testing machines required to test the developed beams. After contacting Instron for assistance, we were able to repair the machine, but this process took five months. As a result, there was a significant delay in obtaining our first experimental results. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In the first year of this project, two engineering students--one PhD candidate and one student worker--were provided with unique opportunities ranging from hands-on experience to developing soft skills. These students gained a deeper understanding of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) through using Abaqus FE software, allowing them to predict the behavior of engineered beams with complex cores in a virtual environment. To fabricate the beams, the students actively participated in the processing and manufacturing techniques used for various engineered wood products, including oriented strand board, I-joists, and glue-laminated timber (glulam). In preparation for accessing the laboratories needed for these manufacturing processes, the students also completed mandatory training programs required by Mississippi State University, such as Safety Lab Training and Hazardous Waste Disposal training. Analyzing the results, compiling them into a scientific poster, and presenting their findings to researchers and scientists from diverse backgrounds enhanced the communication skills of the students who worked on this project. Participating in conferences not only provided exposure to a wide range of research topics but also allowed them to expand their professional networks. Developing these soft skills is essential for helping the next generation establish successful careers in their fields. One of the key professional developments of this project was the exposure and involvement of engineering students in wood-based projects. Their knowledge of design and mechanical properties contributed to the development of new engineered beams with higher specific bending stiffness and load capacity compared to glulam. Additionally, this experience shifted their perceptions of wood-based products. Notably, the student worker, majoring in aerospace engineering, was inspired to apply for a PhD in the PI's department, Sustainable Bioproducts. However, admission could not be offered, unfortunately, as another student had already been accepted for the project. Engaging students from diverse fields in wood products not only enhances innovation but also promotes sustainability in future practices. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The cross-arm is one of the proposed applications for the developed cellular beams, as highlighted in the project proposal and supported by a letter from a related company. To further this initiative, the PI attended the Southern Pressure Treaters Association meeting, a gathering of utility pole companies and treaters. The purpose of attending this meeting was to inform attendees about the project and its potential outcomes, fostering industry interest and collaboration. Details of this presentation are as: Mohammadabadi, M., "Engineered Beams from Underutilized Wood for Infrastructure Applications," Southern Pressure Treaters Association (SPTA) Annual Meeting, February 8-10, 2024, Nashville, TN. The International Forest Products Society annual meeting serves as a platform for scientists and researchers from around the world to share their research findings and explore future directions. To inform attendees about this project, the PhD students presented the results through an oral presentation, engaging with the global research community. Details of this presentation are as: Lamichhane, A., Mohammadabadi, M. "Evaluation of Wood Based Corrugated Panel as a Core Material in High-Performance Engineered Beam", Forest Product Society International Conference, June 4-6, 2024, Knoxville, TN. The 6th Annual Mississippi Academy of Science (MAS) Summer Science & Engineering Symposium was held at Mississippi State University, bringing together local scientists and stakeholders. During this event, the PhD student and the student worker had the opportunity to present the project findings to stakeholders and local researchers. Details of this presentation include: Thati, M., Lamichhane, A., Mohammadabadi, M. "Numerical Evaluation of Engineered Wood Beams with Honeycomb Core", 6th Annual Mississippi Academy of Science (MAS) Summer Science & Engineering Symposium, July 30, 2024, Starkville, MS. Based on our findings, a draft of the first manuscript has been prepared and is set for submission to the Journal of Construction and Building Materials. Before submission, the manuscript will be revised and finalized based on the feedback received from all co-authors. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, the research team will focus on achieving both research and educational objectives. To accomplish this goal, the following steps will be implemented: The prepared manuscript will be submitted. Considering our current findings, another manuscript will be prepared and also submitted. Another PhD student who has been admitted will join and be trained to start his research. Using Abaqus FE software, two parametric studies will be conducted to understand the most effective geometries for flat and curved corrugated panels to develop cellular beams with high structural performance. Considering the optimal geometries, two small matched-die molds will be made to verify our design. Considering the insights obtained through the design process of new geometries and their verification process, manuscripts will be prepared and submitted. Based on the final design, long cellular beams with two different cores will be fabricated and evaluated. The experimental findings of new cellular bemas will be disseminated through international conferences and peer-reviewed journals. The educational booklet will be finalized. We will reach out to high school students to educate them about wood products in different counties in Mississippi. Pre- and post-surveys will be designed to evaluate high school students' knowledge and interest in wood products before and after our educational sessions. Four high school students will be selected to join our department for a summer internship, as discussed in the proposal.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the Fall of 2023, a Master's student from the Aerospace Engineering Department at Mississippi State University was given the opportunity to contribute to this project and develop technical skills as a student worker. In Spring 2024, a graduate student with a Master's degree in Civil Engineering was admitted to the program to pursue a PhD. This international student joined to help achieve the project's objectives while further developing technical skills. Additionally, after interviewing several candidates, another international student with a Master's degree in Civil Engineering was offered admission to join the program by Fall 2024. A finite element (FE) model was developed to predict the bending behavior of engineered beams with cellular cores composed of corrugated panels. The results from this model indicated that the orientation of the corrugated panels within the cellular core significantly impacts the beams' bending stiffness. To validate the FE model and experimentally assess the influence of corrugated core orientations--part of the first specific objective--these beams were fabricated and subjected to a four-point bending test. Commercial wood strands, sourced from small-diameter trees and supplied by West Fraser in Guntown, MS, were used to fabricate corrugated wood-based panels. The wood strands were mixed with phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin at a target content of 8% and hot-pressed between matched-die molds. The resulting panels measured an average of 11 inches in width, 30 inches in length, and 1 inch in depth, with a wall thickness of 0.25 inches. To form a cellular core, the corrugated panels were bonded together using polyurethane adhesive, and their orientation relative to the beam dimensions resulted in four distinct core configurations. These cores were then sandwiched between layers of solid lumber to produce 120-inch-long engineered beams with an average depth of 10.75 inches and a width of 8 inches. A four-point bending test was conducted to determine the structural performance of the engineered beams. To gain a deeper understanding, glue-laminated timber (glulam) beams of the same length and depth--commonly used in mass timber construction--were fabricated and tested for comparison. The cellular beams were lighter, with a lower overall density compared to the glulam beams. Notably, the specific bending stiffness (bending stiffness divided by density) of two cellular beams surpassed that of glulam, while a third cellular beam remained competitive. In terms of specific load capacity (maximum load divided by density), two cellular beams were comparable to glulam--one exceeded it by 1.3%, while the other was only 2% lower. These findings highlight the potential of engineering concepts to transform small-diameter trees into innovative products with superior or comparable specific stiffness and load-carrying capacity relative to glulam, a mass timber product. Two of the four cellular beams failed at the bonding line between the cellular core and solid lumber due to high shear stress, while the other two failed as a result of crushing within the cellular core. The issue of debonding between the cellular core and solid lumber could be mitigated by using a stronger adhesive, and the crushing could be prevented by either enhancing the mechanical properties of the corrugated core or designing a new corrugated geometry. In contrast, the glulam beams failed due to rolling shear, an inherent weakness of the solid lumber. To achieve the educational goal outlined in Objective #4, a first draft of a booklet aimed at teaching high school students was prepared. This draft has been shared with Co-PIs for review, with revisions and finalization pending their feedback. The booklet's chapters cover essential topics such as Climate Change, Forests and Humans, Structural Wood-Based Products, Non-Structural Wood-Based Products, and Wood Preservation. The booklet and short presentations are expected to enhance students' understanding of various wood-based products, particularly durable ones with high structural performance derived from natural and renewable resources.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Lamichhane, A., Mohammadabadi, M., Evaluation of Wood Based Corrugated Panel as a Core Material in High-Performance Engineered Beam, Forest Product Society International Conference, June 4-6, 2024, Knoxville, TN.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Lamichhane, A., Belaidi, D., Pradhan, S., Mohammadabadi, M., Transforming Low-Value Wood To Structural Beams, Annual Poster Presentation Competition from Research Seminar II, Department of Sustainable Bioproducts, Mississippi State University.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Mohammadabadi, M., Engineered Beams from Underutilized Wood for Infrastructure Applications, Southern Pressure Treaters Association (SPTA) Annual Meeting, February 8-10, 2024, Nashville, TN.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Thati, M., Lamichhane, A., Mohammadabadi, M. Numerical Evaluation of Engineered Wood Beams with Honeycomb Core , 6th Annual Mississippi Academy of Science (MAS) Summer Science & Engineering Symposium, July 30, 2024, Starkville, MS.
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