By Scout Nelson
Christine Wittich, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is collaborating with the National Science Foundation to improve the resilience of grain bins in rural America, funded by a $615,387 grant.
The research is driven by the vulnerabilities exposed by a 2020 derecho in Iowa, which caused unprecedented damage, particularly to steel grain bins, leading to economic losses including the destruction of 57 million bushels of stored grain.
Wittich noted, "I was pretty quickly introduced to wind storms … I got interested in rural damage. These structures seemed fairly vulnerable," highlighting the lack of prior research on such rural infrastructural elements.
To address these challenges, Wittich’s team utilizes numerical modeling and conducts large-scale experiments. They will test grain bins at the Wall of Wind research facility at Florida International University, where fans can generate winds up to 150 mph.
They will use a seismic shake table at the Scott Engineering Center to simulate earthquake effects, building scaled versions of grain bins to study their response to ground movements.
"This information can help drive further research," Wittich stated, emphasizing the practical application of her findings. The research also explores broader implications, considering how these structures can be redesigned to better resist such extreme conditions.
Parallel to her technical research, Wittich is dedicated to educational outreach, particularly targeting rural students. By introducing them to structural engineering within their communities, Wittich aims to bridge the disparity in engineering career pursuits between rural and urban students.
"There’s a noted disparity with students from rural areas pursuing engineering. It’s significantly lower than students from more urban areas," she explained.
Her project includes developing educational modules and launching a citizen-science initiative that enables local farmers and residents to participate in post-disaster data collection through a specialized app.
Wittich’s dual focus on improving agricultural infrastructure and fostering educational opportunities reflects a comprehensive approach to enhancing both the physical and social fabric of rural communities.
Through her work, she not only aims to make grain bins safer but also to inspire a new generation of engineers who can continue to innovate within their local contexts.
Photo Credit -gettyimages-romaset
Categories: Nebraska, Education