1. Capstone’s Concrete
Canoe Project
Technical Challenges:
-Material testing: Testing which material is the
most optimal choice to accommodate for the
three elements (weight, permeability and
strength).
- Fiber mesh installation: Deciding on how to
lay the mesh to optimize strength. Double
layer was used to form smaller gaps in the
grids.
- Thickness of walls: Defining a wall thick
enough for durability and stability yet thin
enough to reduce overall weight. In addition,
to consider encompassing the double layer of
mesh without having it exposed on the
surface.
Triumphs:
Senior design team learned leadership skills,
along with practical experience in project
management and teamwork in construction
projects. The newest technologies, materials
and innovative ideas was then implemented
into the construction of the canoe whenever
possible, and the design team explored
various alternatives and identified application
of lightweight aggregates with specific
admixture and fiber reinforced mesh as well
as optimized thickness of the walls allowed
the accomplishment of a buoyant canoe.
Achieving Success Is To Claim Absolute Equilibrium Fall
2015
Overseeing Professor:
 Arash Rahmatian,
PhD.
Team Leader:
 Juston Thomson
Team Members:
 Salam Nabulsi
 Jaclyn Tran
 Angel Rico-Cuellar
 Danil Karasev
 Xavier Mendez
 Juan Salazar
 Ayman Mohamad
One Main St.
Houston,TX 77002
713-221-8000
Uhd.edu

2. Weight
Strength
Permiability
Introduction
As the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) student of Structural Analysis and
Design Engineering Technologist (SAD)continues to grow, so does the desire to participate in
civil engineering projects. Our goal was to test our skills and knowledge amassed over our
years within the university to design and construct a canoe out of concrete. To create the final
product, various steps were involved: building the formwork and exterior mold, casting the
canoe, finishing, establishing a transportation plan, and preparing for all the presentation
requirements. In order to design and create an effective concrete canoe, the senior design team
had to review preliminarydesign and dimensions by having to interpretACI 318.2-14 Building
Code Requirements for Concrete Thin Shells and Commentary, which stated the ACI Rules
and Regulations. According to the guidance and expectations of Dr. Rahmatian, the
development of the canoe can be broken down into these several categories: material research
team, analysis and design team and project management and construction team. The canoe
design was analyzed for buoyancy, strength, optimumweight, thickness and projection surface.
Some concrete mix designs were tested to meet the specifications according to the ACI. Team
members explored new options in required sustainable materials.
Materials
Some significant materials were used included a double layer of fiber reinforcing
mesh to maintain tensile strength and long-termdurability, and S-1300 Pene-Krete admixture
for a lightweight waterproofingconcrete coating. The concrete mix contained Silica Fume for
its high-qualityand durability characteristics and BASF air entrained admixture to assist in
reducing permeability.
Calculations
1) Wall Thickness 2.) Centroid 3.) Moment of Inertia 4.) Section Modulus
5.) External Moment in Canoe 6.)Critical Stresses 7.) Concrete Mix Ratio
Scope of Project
Design & Procurement
Phase 1: Software blueprints – Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD for sketch, design and draft
Phase 2: Calculations and structural analysis –data based on ACI 318.2-14 building code
requirements for concrete thin shells & commentary, Solidworks (DriveWorksXpress) for FEA &
MS Excel Sheet
Phase 3: Obtain material & equipment – hand tools, jig saw, wood clamps, plastic tarp, aluminum
flashing, aluminum tape, wood glue, medium density fiberboard(MDF), lumber (2x4), 1/4in.
hardwood plywood, & stucco fiberreinforcing mesh
Mold Construction & Concrete Mix Design
Phase 1: Exterior molding – hardwood plywood covered with aluminum flashing
Phase 2: Interior molding – hardwood plywood covered with aluminum flashing
Phase 3: Mix materials – unit weight of 58 lb/ft3, air entrained & water reducer, S-1300Pene-Krete
admixture coating, 75% expanded recycled glass aggregate from 0.1 mm to 2, W/C ratio 0.46,
40.47% Portlandcement of total mix weight, & 13.35% silica fume, stucco fiber reinforcing mesh,
fine aggregate size: 2-4 mm, 1-2 mm, 0.5-1mm
Phase 4: Optimized mix design with regard to; unit weight, buoyancy, compressive strength &
permeability
Casting of Canoe
Phase 1: Pouring and curing – vibratory machine used to get rid of gaps & air as it provided a smooth
finish, & cured for8 days
Finishing
Phase 1: Mold removal
Phase 2: Coating – Patching surface imperfections
Phase 3: Application of sealant
Final Design Inspection & Validation
Construction of small pond to test performance