On April 4, 2025, the Pavement Design and Construction students visited the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University. Jason Moore and Nathan Moore led the tour, which included an overview of the state-of-the-art facilities and the 1.7-mile oval test track. At NCAT, researchers focus on improving asphalt pavement through projects like pavement preservation and balanced mix design. They also lead cracking experiments to develop more durable materials. These studies are supported by NCAT’s 1.7-mile test track, which simulates years of traffic to evaluate pavement performance under real-world conditions.

On March 21, 2025, students of EG315 "Mechanics of Materials" visited AM/NS Calvert, a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, located in Calvert, Alabama. This state-of-the-art steel processing facility is one of the most advanced in North America, specializing in high-quality flat-rolled steel used in automotive, construction, and energy industries. The visit provided students with valuable insights into real-world applications of material mechanics, including steel manufacturing processes, material properties, and structural integrity. Witnessing cutting-edge technology and sustainability efforts firsthand, students gained a deeper understanding of how theoretical concepts apply in industrial settings.

A distinguished guest lecture was delivered on Nov 14  2024 at the University of South Alabama's Civil Engineering materials class by Mr. Mel Monk from the Alabama Asphalt Pavement Association (AAPA). During his presentation, Mr. Monk provided students with a comprehensive introduction to asphalt pavements and their applications. He highlighted the importance of sustainable practices in the industry, particularly focusing on Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) as an environmentally conscious and cost-effective solution. Following the lecture, Mr. Monk engaged in an interactive session with students, offering them valuable insights into real-world applications of the theoretical concepts they study in class. This experience helped students bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry practices, providing them with a better understanding of how their engineering knowledge translates to practical applications in the field. The session proved to be highly beneficial for students, offering them a unique perspective from an industry professional and demonstrating the practical relevance of their coursework in civil engineering.

On October 31, 2024, students visited the H.O. Weaver & Sons, Inc. Asphalt Plant to gain hands-on insights into asphalt production. The plant, a drum mix facility, uses Superpave mix design for performance, especially in interstate applications, and incorporates 20–35% recycled materials, such as asphalt shingles, to enhance cost efficiency. Various aggregates, including limestone, sand, and gravel, are used, while binders stored in heated silos at 350°F ensure proper mix quality, with Polymer Modified Asphalt (PMA) boosting durability. The plant’s daily output ranges from 500 to 3000 tons, with trucks able to carry up to 25 tons for 6 hours to retain workability. Quality is monitored through tests like crush count and stability, managed by a quality control supervisor, with about 10 staff members overseeing operations.

On September 27, 2024, students visited the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Traffic Management Center (TMC) and the George Wallace Tunnel in Mobile, Alabama, gaining hands-on insights into traffic management and infrastructure standards. At the ALDOT TMC, students observed real-time traffic monitoring across 12 counties, highlighting the importance of precise standards and specifications in ensuring safe and efficient traffic flow. Following this, students toured the George Wallace Tunnel, a vital link on the I-10 corridor that runs 47 feet beneath the Mobile River and stretches 3,389 feet, with 3,000 feet between its entrances. Built in 1973 at a cost of around $4 million (equivalent to $65 million today), the tunnel connects the east and west sides of Mobile Bay. This visit illustrated how engineering standards and codes ensure the durability and safety of critical infrastructure, enhancing students’ understanding of these principles in transportation projects.

On Feb 21, 2025, 22 students of the course Intro to Civil Engineering, visited the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Traffic Management Center (TMC) and the George Wallace Tunnel in Mobile, Alabama, gaining hands-on insights into traffic management and infrastructure standards.

At the WEFTEC 2024 conference in New Orleans, the University of South Alabama students engaged with industry leaders, attended specialized sessions, and explored the latest innovations in water quality and environmental engineering. This invaluable experience provided them with fresh perspectives on sustainable water management practices and real-world applications in environmental science, equipping them with knowledge and inspiration for their future careers.

On September 19, 2024, students visited Bayou Concrete LLC’s truck mix plant to learn about the facility’s operations. The plant, part of Bayou Concrete's 14-site network, produces 300-500 cubic yards of concrete daily. Concrete here is made by blending Type 1L cement (11% ground limestone) with coarse and fine aggregates stored in silos before being loaded directly into mixing trucks. The plant stocks six types of coarse aggregates, including Bahaman lite limestone, valued for its durability and high absorption rate. Additionally, six admixture chemicals are used to adjust concrete properties as needed. The visit provided students with valuable insights into the practical aspects of concrete production and quality control. 

A visit to Blacklidge Emulsion Inc. on February 27, 2024, provided students with an in-depth understanding of the production of high-quality asphalt products, especially focusing on sustainable asphalt emulsions. The tour highlighted the essential role of engineers in testing, supervision, and site analysis, as well as their involvement in research and development to enhance product performance.

The facility features a well-equipped laboratory where skilled technicians and engineers conduct various asphalt property tests, supporting the production of asphalt binders, tack coats, and asphalt emulsions. This experience exposed students to a range of quality products and manufacturing techniques.

Blacklidge’s testing process uses advanced equipment, including Dynamic Shear Rheometers, Bending Beam Rheometers, rotational viscosity tools, pressure aging vessels, and particle size analyzers. Students learned about key testing parameters such as fatigue, rutting, low-temperature behavior, viscosity, particle size distribution, and adhesion. They also observed distillation processes, SARA analysis, and the Cigar Tube test for polymer compatibility.

The visit emphasized Blacklidge's commitment to standards by showcasing how the company strictly adheres to AASHTO and ASTM standards, as well as DOT specifications, for testing and product development. This provided students with valuable insights into the critical role of standards, codes, and specifications in ensuring quality and consistency in asphalt product development.

In the Civil Engineering Materials Lab class, Dr. Shenghua Wu introduced the standards AASHTO T19, T84, and T85, which are fundamental to understanding material properties in civil engineering. These standards, covering topics such as unit weight and voids in aggregates, specific gravity, and absorption of coarse and fine aggregates, were presented in detail. Dr. Wu not only taught students how to read these standards but also explained the different sections, clarifying their meaning and practical significance in engineering applications. To enhance engagement and understanding, Dr. Wu incorporated an interactive element into the class by organizing a short, fun competition using Kahoot. This game-based learning activity allowed students to test their knowledge of the standards in an enjoyable and competitive environment, reinforcing key concepts. Furthermore, Dr. Wu supplemented the teaching with videos related to these standards.

Students in the EG 315 Mechanics of Materials class at the University of South Alabama were tasked with constructing a bridge using only paper that could support the weight of a full water bottle. The only materials available to them were a sheet of paper and a plastic cup. Students experimented with different techniques such as folding, layering, and shaping the paper strategically to maximize its load-bearing capacity. Through this fun activity, students learned how even lightweight materials could be engineered to support significant weight.

Dr. Min-Wook Kang introduced the concept of standards, specifications, and codes in civil engineering to students in the CE 102: Introduction to Civil Engineering course. This course, which typically has the largest number of freshmen enrolled, serves as an entry point for aspiring civil engineers. To make the topic engaging and relatable for students, he incorporated two videos that effectively demonstrated the practical importance and application of these concepts in real-world engineering projects. The videos provided visual examples of how standards ensure uniformity, specifications define project requirements, and codes establish safety and compliance measures, helping students grasp their relevance in professional practice.