Behavior of Concrete Bridge-Deck Slabs Reinforced with Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer and Steel Bars

Research Abstract

Recently, hybrid reinforcement by combining steel with fiber- reinforced polymer (FRP) bars has emerged as a new system in reinforced concrete (RC) constructions. This reinforcement system can effectively overcome the ductility and serviceability challenges of FRP-RC structures. A total of 11 full-scale bridge-deck slabs were constructed and tested. The test parameters were reinforce- ment type, ratio, arrangement, and slab thickness. Moreover, a comparison between the experimental and predicted deflections from design provisions was carried out to verify the efficiency of the models for hybrid RC sections. Based on test results, hybrid RC slabs exhibited ductility leading to an ample warning before failure rather than brittle shear failure observed for FRP-RC slabs. In addition, hybrid RC slabs displayed good stiffness, service- ability, and load-carrying capacity. Furthermore, test results give an average bond-dependent coefficient, kb, of 1.27, close to the 1.2 recommended by ACI CODE-440.11-22. In addition, some modifications were proposed to shear equations available in different design codes to be valid for hybrid RC members without shear reinforcement.

Research Authors
Yahia M. S. Ali, Xin Wang, Shui Liu, and Zhishen Wu
Research Date
Research Department
Civil Engineering Department
Research File
Ali et al. - 2023 - Behavior of Concrete Bridge-Deck Slabs Reinforced with Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymer and Steel Bars_compressed.pdf (1.88 MB)
Research Image
Research Journal
ACI Structural Journal
Research Member
Yahia Mohammed Samir
Research Website
https://www.concrete.org/publications/internationalconcreteabstractsportal.aspx?m=details&id=51738840
Research Year
2023

Opening the door for electronic applications for university cities

Online Applications Open for University Dormitories

The Center for Development of Management Information Systems at Assiut University announces the opening of online applications for new and returning students to reside in university dormitories for the 2026/2027 academic year.

🗓️ Application Dates:

Start Date: Friday, July 24, 2026

Closing Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026

🔗 How to Apply:

You can easily register and complete the required information through one of the following two options:

Direct Link:

🔗 https://al-zahraa.mans.edu.eg/studentApplications

Or by scanning the QR code:

 
 

Congratulations to His Excellency the Brigadier on the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the July 23rd Revolution.

On behalf of the college administration, Professor Dr. Khaled Salah, Dean of the College, extends his sincere congratulations to all members of the college, including faculty members, the supporting staff, students, the administrative staff, and graduates, on the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the revolution of the twenty-third of July 1952... that revolution that restored the rule of Egypt to its people after thousands of years of rule by the occupiers, colonialists, and non-compatriots...

May God protect Egypt, its homeland, leadership and people from all harm.

 

Assiut University leadership celebrates graduation projects

The Faculty of Engineering at Assiut University showcases its students' graduation projects for the 2025/2026 academic year, supporting innovation and aligning education with labor market needs.

As part of Assiut University's commitment to fostering innovation and enhancing the practical application of the educational process, the Faculty of Engineering showcased its graduation projects for the 2025/2026 academic year. These projects reflected the outstanding level of the faculty's students and their ability to develop applied engineering solutions that meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, contribute to sustainable development and digital transformation, and align educational outcomes with labor market needs.

The event was held under the patronage of Dr. Ahmed El-Menshawy, President of Assiut University, and under the supervision and in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Mawla, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs. Also in attendance were Dr. Khaled Salah, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Mohamed Safwat, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs, department heads, special program coordinators, and faculty members.

Dr. Ahmed El-Menshawy affirmed that the graduation projects at the Faculty of Engineering reflect the outstanding level of the university's students and their creative abilities and applied skills, which qualify them to provide innovative engineering solutions that meet the demands of the modern era. He pointed out that the university is keen to support innovation and link academic education with the needs of the labor market, especially in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, robotics, energy, and sustainability.

The academic supervision of the projects included; Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef, Head of the Department of Architectural Engineering; Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Basset Abdo, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering; Dr. Atef El-Sayed El-Naqeeb, Head of the Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering; Dr. Mohamed Abbas Abdel-Radi, Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering; Dr. Mahmoud El-Sherif, Head of the Department of Mechanical Design and Production Engineering; Dr. Othman Omran Othman, Head of the Department of Mechanical Power Engineering; and Dr. Omar Salah El-Din, Head of the Department of Mechatronics Engineering, along with the coordinators of the special programs: Dr. Walid Abu El-Wafa, Coordinator of the Construction Engineering and Project Management program; Dr. Essam Salah Saeed, Coordinator of the Interior Architecture program; Dr. Gamal Abdel-Nasser, Coordinator of the Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering program; and Dr. Abdel-Rahman Morsi, Coordinator of the Biomedical Engineering program.

Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Mawla emphasized that graduation projects represent a model for integrating academic knowledge with practical applications. They contribute to transforming students from passive recipients of knowledge into innovators capable of designing engineering solutions that serve society and strengthen the link between the university and the job market, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, and modern technologies.

Dr. Khaled Salah explained that this year's projects reflect the Faculty of Engineering's commitment to supporting student creativity and aligning academic programs with future needs. He noted that students presented outstanding engineering models in various fields, including energy, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, contributing to the development of competitive graduates.

In the Mechatronics Engineering Department, students presented several distinguished projects, including the Smart Aquaculture System, which integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and smart sensors to enhance fish farming systems; the Smart Assembly Line, which utilizes artificial intelligence and IoT to achieve maximum production efficiency and minimize breakdowns and waste; a self-driving delivery robot equipped with a robotic arm; and the ACLR (Autonomous Construction Layout Robot) project, which uses autonomous robots to plan construction sites and bridges.

The Mechanical Power Engineering Department's projects included several engineering applications, such as a design analysis of various types of air conditioning systems/performance evaluation of units installed in an office and lecture hall, a project to upgrade and operate a low-speed wind tunnel unit for turbine blade testing, and a project to design an oil pipeline.

The Mining and Metallurgy Engineering Department's projects included an evaluation of limestone reserves in cement quarries and their impact on industry sustainability, a project on processing Egyptian phosphate ores and their industrial applications, and a project studying the recycling of electric arc furnace dust in certain engineering applications.

In the Electrical Engineering Department – ​​Computer and Systems Division, students discussed several specialized projects, including the design and control of an autonomous waste collection vehicle, a framework for error injection in automotive software compliant with the ISO-26262 safety standard, traffic signal control using artificial intelligence, and research and development in machine learning using the C++ language.

The Communications Division of the Electrical Engineering Department also discussed a project to adapt and optimize the Vortex processor to be compatible with ASIC design, in collaboration with Silicon Arts. This project provides students with practical experience in custom integrated circuit design and converting open-source designs into manufacturable designs.

In the Civil Engineering Department, projects spanned various construction and infrastructure fields, including: Foundations on Problematic Soils (Regulation 2021), Foundations on Problematic Soils (Regulation 2004), Project Management (Regulation 2021), Project Management (Regulation 2004), Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures (Regulation 2021), Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures (Regulation 2004), Soil Engineering and Foundations (Regulation 2021), Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (Regulation 2004), and Roads and Traffic (Regulation 2004).

The Mechanical Design and Production Engineering Department also presented several applied projects, including the design and fabrication of a compression mold for producing sealants, and a Smart Recycling Lab project: developing a scalable university-level model for converting plastic waste into practical products using 3D printing and injection molding.The college's specialized programs showcased several high-quality projects. The Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering program presented projects such as the Automatic Production Line for Manufacturing and Packaging Foam Plates, which utilizes industrial control, computer vision, and delta robotics to develop smart production lines; the Automated Vision-Guided Sorting, Grading, and Packaging Line for Pears (SAAT), a smart, solar-powered system for sorting and packaging pears using artificial intelligence; Trajectory Planning for KUKA Robot Arm, developing industrial robotics applications; and SAPRS (Smart Automated Plastic Recycling System) for recycling plastic waste.

The Biomedical Engineering program also presented innovative projects, including a smart baby incubator with advanced IoT features; a smart car accident avoidance system based on drivers' biometric data; a smart alert vest to prevent child sexual abuse; a below-elbow prosthetic arm controlled by deep learning-based surface electrical muscle signals; and the design and implementation of AI-powered visual aid glasses for the blind.

In the Construction Engineering and Project Management program, students discussed several projects, including the construction of a 36-km link between El Badari and the Hurghada road (structural planning and design), the design of reinforced concrete structures, and integrated project planning and construction management (preparing scope, time, and cost management plans).

Through these projects, the Faculty of Engineering affirms its commitment to preparing graduates who possess scientific knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to contribute to the development process, in line with the state's vision for digital transformation and building a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.


 

 

Assiut engineering students develop smart technology to convert plastic waste into sustainable interlocking tiles

 

Assiut University Engineering Students Develop Smart Technology to Convert Plastic Waste into Sustainable Interlocking Paving Stones

With the support of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for innovation and entrepreneurship, a student team from the Faculty of Engineering at Assiut University, under the auspices of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, has successfully designed and manufactured a smart machine to convert plastic waste into high-strength interlocking paving stones. This was achieved using artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The project, named Eco Lock, is one of the outputs of the "Egypt Makes" alliance, supported by the "My Project, My Start" initiative. It aims to recycle plastic waste and transform it into a sustainable construction product, contributing to pollution reduction and maximizing resource utilization.

Initial tests have shown that the interlocking paving stones, made from recycled plastic, can withstand compressive loads of up to 8 tons, confirming their efficiency and potential for use in numerous applications.

This project reflects the success of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology's programs in supporting innovative ideas, linking scientific research with industry, and transforming student projects into marketable applications that contribute to supporting the green economy and sustainable development.

 

The Assiut Motorsport team achieved fourth place globally and second place in the Middle East in the Concept Class category at the Formula Student UK 2026 competition in the United Kingdom.

The Assiut Motorsport team achieved fourth place globally and second place in the Middle East in the Concept Class category at the Formula Student UK 2026 competition in the United Kingdom.

The Assiut Motorsport team from the Faculty of Engineering at Assiut University achieved a remarkable accomplishment during their participation in the Concept Class category of the Formula Student UK 2026 competition, held at the Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom. The competition featured over 40 teams from universities around the world.

The team secured fourth place overall in the competition and second place among Middle Eastern teams participating in the Concept Class category. They also achieved several top rankings in the sub-competitions, including:

Second place in the LTS Event.

Fourth place in the Cost Event.

Seventh place in the Design Event.

Fourth Place (4th) in the Overall Competition

In this context, Professor Dr. Khaled Salah, Dean of the College, congratulates all team members on this outstanding achievement, which reflects the capabilities and skills of the college's students, who are capable of competing globally. He also extends his gratitude to the university administration, headed by Professor Dr. Ahmed El-Menshawy, University President, and Professor Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Mawla, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs, for their generous support and encouragement of student activities at the college, and for overcoming all obstacles to enable student participation. He further congratulates Professor Dr. Mohamed Safwat Abu-Rayah, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs and Supervisor of Student Activities, Dr. Gamal Abdel-Nasser, the team's academic supervisor, Mr. Hany Faragany, Assistant Lecturer in Production Engineering, and the team leader, student Mohamed Wael Fares.

The team comprises more than 80 students from various faculties and departments within the Faculty of Engineering. Five students from the Faculty of Engineering represented the team in the United Kingdom: Mohamed Wael, Sherif Gamal, Tarek Sherif, Abdelrahman Khaled, and Hala Hesham. They were accompanied by Eng. Ziad Yasser, a teaching assistant in the Mechanical Engineering Department, Mechatronics and Robotics specialization.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Important announcement

Students who have submitted appeals in the Mechanical Engineering Department should go to the office of the Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs to review their answer booklets, starting from today and for a period of five days only.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Faculty of Engineering at Assiut University launches graduation project discussions for the academic year 2025/2026 amidst engineering innovations that support sustainable development.

The Faculty of Engineering at Assiut University Launches Graduation Project Discussions for the 2025/2026 Academic Year Amidst Engineering Innovations Supporting Sustainable Development

Under the patronage of Dr. Ahmed El-Menshawy, President of Assiut University, the graduation project discussions for students of the Faculty of Engineering for the 2025/2026 academic year commenced. The discussions were attended by Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Mawla, Vice President of the University for Education and Student Affairs, and supervised by Dr. Khaled Salah, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and Dr. Mohamed Safwat, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Education and Student Affairs.

The discussions were also attended by Dr. Salwa Abdel-Rahman, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Community Service and Environmental Development, and a number of department heads, including: Dr. Khaled Ali, Head of the Department of Architectural Engineering; Dr. Mohamed Abbas Abdel-Radi, Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering; Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Basset Abdo, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering; Dr. Gamal Abdel-Nasser, Coordinator of the Mechatronics and Robotics Program; and Dr. Essam Salah, Coordinator of the Interior Architecture Program. A distinguished group of supervising and examining faculty members also participated, along with representatives from several engineering organizations and companies. Dr. Ahmed El-Menshawy emphasized that graduation projects represent one of the most important indicators of the quality of the educational process. They embody the culmination of the academic and applied efforts exerted by students throughout their years of study, and reflect their ability to utilize their acquired knowledge and skills to provide innovative engineering solutions that meet the needs of society and keep pace with development requirements. He pointed out Assiut University's commitment to establishing a culture of innovation and creativity, and providing a stimulating educational environment that fosters promising ideas and links academic study with practical application. This contributes to preparing qualified engineering professionals capable of competing and contributing effectively to the implementation of development projects and supporting Egypt's future vision.

Dr. El-Menshawy also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the supervising and evaluating faculty members for their outstanding efforts in supervising, monitoring, and evaluating the graduation projects. He affirmed that their role is a fundamental pillar in refining students' skills, enhancing their innovative and creative abilities, and producing scientific and applied projects that reflect the distinguished academic level of the Faculty of Engineering and contribute to preparing engineers capable of competing and actively participating in achieving the goals of sustainable development.

Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Mawla emphasized that the graduation projects reflect the distinguished academic level achieved by the students of the Faculty of Engineering, offering innovative engineering solutions that meet the needs of the job market, keep pace with technological advancements, and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals. He added that the graduation projects represent the culmination of the students' academic journey, combining theoretical study with practical application, enabling them to address real-world challenges, develop their professional and personal skills, and transform their ideas into viable models, thus enhancing their readiness to compete in the job market.

For his part, Dr. Khaled Salah expressed his gratitude to the university administration for its ongoing support of the faculty's activities and its attention to graduation projects, encouraging students to develop these projects and transform them into practical, applicable models, thereby contributing to the comprehensive development strategy across various fields. He explained that the college was keen to provide academic and technical support to students throughout the project development process, enabling them to compete strongly in the job market. He praised the support provided by several entities, including the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, the Assiut branch of the Engineers Syndicate, the Egyptian-German Technological College at Assiut International Technological University, and the Siemens branch in Egypt.

The Dean of the College noted that graduation project presentations will be held from July 18 to 20, encompassing various departments and academic programs within the college.

Regarding the projects of the Department of Architectural Engineering, they fall under the theme of EcoTourism and focus on providing architectural solutions that support economic, urban, social, and cultural development. These projects adhere to the principles of sustainability, promote the preservation of natural resources and cultural heritage, and support local communities.

The projects included: an eco-tourism resort in New Aswan to protect and showcase local and rare plants; a sustainable eco-lodge in Ain Sokhna to preserve the marine and coastal environment; a tourism project in Dahab on the eastern coast of the Sinai Peninsula; a cultural eco-tourism project to explore the history of the Nile River and its natural and cultural heritage; the Tala Aghurmi (Aghurmi Spring of Life) project to address the lack of interaction between visitors and nature in the Siwa Oasis; and the MADAR project to connect the public with natural and historical sites and raise awareness of their value.

The projects also included "Memory of the Land," which employs architecture and landscape in a spatial narrative inspired by ancient Egyptian civilization; "Africa Gateway," which integrates the Nile's natural beauty with Nubian heritage; an ecotourism center in the Siwa Oasis; a center for preserving identity at Lake Burullus; a historical and archaeological village in the area of ​​the Virgin Mary Monastery in Assiut; "Bab Aman," a cultural ecotourism project overlooking Lake Nasser; the GENESIS project, which aims to achieve comprehensive sustainability and implement net-zero carbon emissions strategies; and an ecotourism resort project in Wadi El Gemal Protected Area to support tourism development and increase hotel capacity in the Marsa Alam region.

The discussions also included presentations of projects from the Interior Architecture Engineering Program (2021 regulations), which focused on designing sustainable professional complexes. These included the NOAH project in 10th of Ramadan City for teaching and developing woodworking industries, and the EL BORDA project in El Kawthar City, Sohag Governorate, for reviving and developing the handwoven textile industry.

The projects also included the Horizons project in New Assiut City to establish an integrated educational and vocational complex for the blind, and the WAHAG (Wahaj) project to revive and develop the glass industry.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Announcement

Students who have submitted appeals in the Department of Architectural Engineering should go to the office of the Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs to review their answer booklets, starting from today and for a period of five days only.

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