Buffalo Algal Turf Scrubber Project

The job consisted of designing a tertiary treatment plant which could treat the nearby buffalo surface water from the local river system. I was tasked as the primary design engineer for the project and designed the series of constructed modular system and budgeted most of the construction costs of the project.

The apparatus is basically a long channel which allows autotrophic growth on its surface and cleans the incoming water stream by the time it leaves the first loop of treatment.

Each channel was designed to be highly cost effective and functional. The overall material chosen would provide a high level of protection from the elements as well as from the incoming fluid stream.

Bi section slice of a typical stretch of channel

Steel rebar (silver), would be coated in primer (brown) and finally in an epoxy sealant (yellow)

The wooden channel would sealed in several coats of epoxy sealant and covered with a 8 mm thick geotextile mat to prevent leakage across the channel.

Each section of channel would interlock and be held in place through these intermediate 

Flow Rate Calculations

$ V = \frac{ k } { n }  R_h ^\frac{2}{3} S^\frac{1}{2}  $

$V = \frac{ 1.4859 ft^\frac{1}{3} } { .02 s } * ( \frac{ W h } { W + 2h } )^\frac{2}{3} (0.015)^\frac{1}{2} $

If W = 16" h = 1.5 "

$ V = 2.029 \frac{ft}{s} $

$Q = V * A = .338 \frac{ft^3}{s} $

$Q = \frac{ 0.338 ft^3 }{s} \frac{7.48052 Gal}{1 ft^3} \frac{60 s}{min} = 151.75 \frac{gal}{min} $



Dump Bucket Moving Centroid Calculations

Biomimicry Floor Joist Concept Consultation

The consult for this research consisted of developing new ways to design floor joists which would allow some level of horizontal deflection to provide some level of structural stability during the event of an earthquake. I was inspired by the structure of a feather which consists of a hierarchy of interconnected beams which hold their shape firmly, even in the extreme forces experienced during the turbulent conditions of flight.

Illustration of the micro structure of a feather

Initial brainstormed methods of interconnected steel structures which allowed lateral and bending moments while maintaining rigidity

Solar Array Consulting Project

An architect consulting company which specializes in utilizing biomimicry design to overcome construction challenges. Biomimicry is the use of studying nature, in order to adapt the forms to help aid an engineered solution. The design challenge posed to this client was to design a solar array which can extend the surface area of a roof while maintaining an aesthetic appeal. The muse to this problem in my instance was the leaf, which is held in place from a stem or branch and broadens the field of surface absorption of sunlight despite being tethered to the central location of its central trunk or stem. The leaf also has the ability to maneuver and tilt to maintain an optimal angle towards the sun through minimal movement from the central base location.

Brainstorming ways to hold the long blade portion of the solar panel upright yet allow actuated movement.

The shape of the solar panel allowed for beautiful intricate patterns which can extend past the reach of the roof structure, while providing a sense of canopy and natural beauty from the familiar design.

I had designed the solar array actuated joist system in Autodesk inventor to analyze the limits of design loads to have the ability to hold the light polyurethane solar panel firmly even in the event of wind and snow. 

Small Restaurant Design

While working at a local architecture design firm in New York City Staten Island, I was tasked with designing a small restaurant for a local investor couple client. I would be in charge of most of the design work in terms of infrastructure as well as interior design work. This was a chance to utilize my creativity from my artistic background as well as my attention to detail from my engineering studies, to ensure this small striving group of hopeful entrepreneurs get the best bang for their buck when they placed all their hopes and dreams into my able hands. 

This was a picture of the outside of the original site which was a local deli which sold a variety of groceries and other amenities.

The first plan of action was to take an overall survey of the site since the previous owner and the city did not have accurate blueprints of the site. 

Blueprint of original site layout 

Layout starting to be divided into specific sections with adequate electrical and water supply lines placed according to code

Once the clients had approved of the last series of preliminary designs and graphic renderings, they had invited me to come visit periodically to check up on their progress. After the budget reports were finally settled, I took a few pictures of the subsequent construction once the final design features were approved and reviewed.