Performance Evaluation Of A Coupled Photovoltaic-Thermal Solar Powered Desalination Pilot System,
2023
University of Texas at El Paso
Performance Evaluation Of A Coupled Photovoltaic-Thermal Solar Powered Desalination Pilot System, Martin Chavarin
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
A pilot scale coupled photovoltaic-thermal solar powered desalination system was evaluated at the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility (BGNDRF). The pilot system consisted of a 3-kW photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar panel array and a 2.3 kW photovoltaic (PV) array coupled with a 4 gal/min single-stage 4 membrane reverse osmosis (RO) desalination system. A heat exchange system was in place to provide simultaneous cooling for the PVT system and heating to the RO system feed water. This system was evaluated with three objectives in mind. The first objective was to identify whether cooling of the PVT panels resulted in a significant …
Rigid Pavement Analysis System (Rpas): An Enhanced Graphical User Interface,
2023
University of Texas at El Paso
Rigid Pavement Analysis System (Rpas): An Enhanced Graphical User Interface, Samina Samrose
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
In recent decades there has been a significant interest among researchers in developing pavement analysis tools that will work with high efficiency and provide accurate results within a short timeframe. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has developed a finite element-based pavement analysis software named â??Rigid Pavement Analysis Systemâ?? (RPAS) capable of analyzing Jointed PCC pavements of any number of PCC and soil layers. The processing core of this software was developed in MATLAB with a pre- and post-processing user interface developed in C++. The MATLAB code is compiled into an executable and together with the C++ interface …
Performance Improvements Of Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete Using Carbon-Based Fillers,
2023
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Performance Improvements Of Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete Using Carbon-Based Fillers, Leonardo A. Ortega Ruiz
Theses and Dissertations
To further advance the state of the art on the performance improvements of hot mix asphalt concrete, this paper investigates the improvements to cracking damage of hot mix asphalt concrete by the addition of carbon-based fillers. There have been various studies dedicated to measuring the strength performance of asphalt mixtures modified with non-traditional fillers, but many of the current studies seem to have varying success with their results or have results that are not statistically significant. In this research, carbon black and F-516 graphite in various percentages were added into asphalt mixtures as a replacement of the traditionally used hydrated …
Performance Evaluation Of E-Ticketing Technologies On Asphalt Paving Projects In New Mexico,
2023
University of New Mexico
Performance Evaluation Of E-Ticketing Technologies On Asphalt Paving Projects In New Mexico, Gena C. Robertson
Civil Engineering ETDs
The collection and processing of paper tickets for construction material delivery is an inefficient and antiquated practice that exposes inspectors on highway paving projects to substantial safety risks. An alternative to the collection of paper tickets is e-Ticketing, which uses web-based systems to deliver similar information. This research documented a current paper ticketing process and compared it to an e-Ticketing process that was implemented on several pilot projects. Data were obtained using stakeholder meetings, personnel interviews, and surveys. When compared to a paper ticketing system, e-Ticketing was shown to have fewer opportunities for error, require fewer decision points, and provide …
Evaluating Direct Filtration As An Alternative To Conventional Carbon-Based Advanced Treatment For Indirect Potable Reuse,
2023
Old Dominion University
Evaluating Direct Filtration As An Alternative To Conventional Carbon-Based Advanced Treatment For Indirect Potable Reuse, Savannah M. Flemmer
Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations
Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) is recharging purified wastewater into the Potomac Aquifer via the Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) project. Conventional SWIFT treatment applies coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, ozonation, biofiltration, granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption, and ultraviolet disinfection to secondary effluent to produce water that meets drinking water standards for managed aquifer recharge. HRSD is considering implementing direct filtration as an alternative to conventional treatment for two additional SWIFT facilities. Direct filtration presents an opportunity for significant cost savings by eliminating sedimentation, shortening flocculation detention time, and reducing coagulant usage. Without upstream removal of solids and organics, however, biofilters …
Forecasting Workforce Requirement For State Transportation Agencies: A Machine Learning Approach,
2023
University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
Forecasting Workforce Requirement For State Transportation Agencies: A Machine Learning Approach, Adedolapo Mojed Ogungbire
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
A decline in the number of construction engineers and inspectors available at State Transportation Agencies (STAs) to manage the ever-increasing lane miles has emphasized the importance of workforce planning in this sector. One of the crucial aspects of workforce planning involves forecasting the required workforce for any industry or agency. This thesis developed machine learning models to estimate the person-hour requirements of STAs at the agency and project levels. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) was used as a case study, using its employee data between 2012 and 2021. At the project level, machine learning regressors ranging from linear, tree …
The Extent Of Drone Education Being Taught In Asc Schools To 4-Year Construction Students,
2023
Clemson University
The Extent Of Drone Education Being Taught In Asc Schools To 4-Year Construction Students, Cheran Teja Dumpati
All Theses
The technology of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is growing rapidly in many fields and has become one of the skills in demand in the industry. Universities are one of the primary sources of teaching drone technology with a career-oriented approach. The goal of this study is to investigate the content of the drone curriculum being taught in Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) schools. This includes the topics covered, practical training offered, and the key deliverables taught. This information serves as a foundation for the schools that are looking forward to start drone courses in their department. The research found that …
Investigation Into The Load Transfer Mechanism Of Trees To Develop An Innovative Foundation Configuration Using 3d Finite Element Modeling,
2023
Clemson University
Investigation Into The Load Transfer Mechanism Of Trees To Develop An Innovative Foundation Configuration Using 3d Finite Element Modeling, Kaleb Boland
All Theses
This study was inspired by a tree’s reliance on its root system that enables it to withstand a natural disaster, such as an extreme hydroclimatic event or hurricane. This curiosity has led to an investigation into what makes this possible, developing a new and innovative foundation configuration for infrastructure systems, and a new possible construction material and method. This study provides results on a material that does not have conventional testing procedures or standards: a tree root. The trees studied are common to the upstate of South Carolina, which are Pine, Sweetgum, and White Oak. According to the results, on …
System-Of-Systems Integration For Civil Infrastructures Resiliency Toward Multihazard Events,
2023
California State University, Long Beach
System-Of-Systems Integration For Civil Infrastructures Resiliency Toward Multihazard Events, Vahid Balali
Mineta Transportation Institute Publications
Civil infrastructure systems—facilities that supply principal services, such as electricity, water, transportation, etc., to a community—are the backbone of modern society. These systems are frequently subject to multi-hazard events, such as earthquakes. The poor resiliency of these infrastructures results in many human casualties and significant economic losses every year. An outline of a holistic view that considers how different civil infrastructure systems operate independently and how they interact and communicate with each other is required to have a resilient infrastructure system. More specifically a systems engineering approach is required to enable infrastructure to remain resilient in the case of extreme …
Energy Dissipation Optimization For Circular Culverts,
2023
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Energy Dissipation Optimization For Circular Culverts, Chi Zhang
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
The principal goal of the current research is to develop and improve weir-based energy dissipator designs at the outlets of circular culverts. In the present case, we are interested in full-length weirs and staggered weirs. A review of related literature was completed and reported; a test facility was carefully designed and constructed to collect flow information in a basin downstream of a model broken-back circular culvert; instrumentation was installed to measure discharges, streamwise depths, and velocities. Both full-length and staggered weirs were tested over a range of discharges and tailwaters. The two types of weirs were subjected to two types …
Investigation And Modification Of Single-Post Aluminum Sign Supports For Mash Crashworthiness,
2023
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Investigation And Modification Of Single-Post Aluminum Sign Supports For Mash Crashworthiness, Rodrigo Quintero
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Traffic signs are used to display information to drivers and are one of the most commonly encountered roadside structures. Although they are a vital traffic control device, signs can pose a significant safety risk to errant drivers due to their extensive placement and proximity to the roadway. Therefore, traffic signs and their supports must be designed with crashworthiness in mind to reduce the likelihood of injury in the event of a vehicle impact. Prior to 2009, these systems were evaluated using the crash testing criteria found in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report No. 350 [1]. Currently, they …
Water Hammer Analysis For Ash Slurry Disposal Pipelines Of A Thermal Power System,
2023
School of Water Resources Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India
Water Hammer Analysis For Ash Slurry Disposal Pipelines Of A Thermal Power System, Biprodip Mukherjee, Subhasish Das, Satyapriya Mandal
Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development
Coal-ash slurry transportation via pipelines has been accepted as a potential, economical, and dependable mode of two-phase flow of solid-liquid transportation. It is solid-liquid transportation where the ash slurry generally flows through mild steel, and a good amount of pump energy and pressure is required to convey the slurry with a density above 1220 kg/m3. The study is basically on the water hammer analysis of ash slurry conveying pipes. Nevertheless, since the hammer analysis is typically carried out in normal water, the study of ash slurry is compared to the know criteria of potable water. The study aims to understand …
Evaluating The Permeability Of Porous Aggregate Concrete Using Electrical Resistivity-Based Measurements,
2023
Rowan University
Evaluating The Permeability Of Porous Aggregate Concrete Using Electrical Resistivity-Based Measurements, Ariel Miguel Mendez Aragoncillo
Theses and Dissertations
Recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) and lightweight aggregates (LWA) are popular alternative aggregates for concrete. However, due to their highly porous structure, concrete with RCA and LWA shows a different microstructure and higher permeability than conventional concrete. Thus, the existing relationships used to evaluate the permeability and, consequently, the durability of concrete are not applicable in concretes with RCA and LWA. This research examined the permeation properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) and lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC). The relationships between electrical resistivity-based measurements in RAC and LWAC and their permeation properties were determined and compared to that of normal weight aggregate …
Exploration Of Shared Passenger Urban Air Mobility – Integrated Network Design, Operation Scheduling And System Configuration,
2023
University of South Florida
Exploration Of Shared Passenger Urban Air Mobility – Integrated Network Design, Operation Scheduling And System Configuration, Zhiqiang Wu
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Urban air mobility (UAM) is an emerging concept proposed in recent years that uses electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs). UAM is expected to offer an alternative way of transporting passengers and goods in urban areas with significantly improved mobility by making use of low-altitude airspace. Considering the high capital investment of eVTOLs and relative high fee of using UAM passenger service, a viable UAM format is shared passenger service. Such a service is usually station-based, i.e., with vertiport located in popular sites where potential passengers can access. To understand the viability of such use cases, the vertiport owners …
Application Of Artificial Neural Network (Ann) In Development Of Prediction Models For Pavement Performance And Material Properties,
2023
University of Texas at Tyler
Application Of Artificial Neural Network (Ann) In Development Of Prediction Models For Pavement Performance And Material Properties, Prashanta Kumar Acharjee
Civil Engineering Theses
This dissertation presents the development and application of Artificial Neural Network (ANN)- based prediction models for Dynamic Modulus (E*), Dynamic Shear Modulus (|Gb*|, Phase Angle (b), Soil-Water Characteristics Curve (SWCC) parameters, and International Roughness Index (IRI). The IRI prediction model considering climatic and traffic conditions of Texas with data from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database with R 2 = 0.92 can be utilized by Local transportation agencies. An E* prediction model with three neurons, using 7400 data points obtained from 346 mixtures with R2=0.82 can bypass the need for laboratory tests. ANN-based |Gb*| and b prediction models were also …
Building Services Engineering July/August 2023,
2023
Technological University Dublin
Building Services Engineering July/August 2023
Building Services Engineering
No abstract provided.
Load Effects Of Truck Platooning On Existing Bridges In Oregon,
2023
Portland State University
Load Effects Of Truck Platooning On Existing Bridges In Oregon, Patricia Oleson
Civil and Environmental Engineering Master's Project Reports
Truck Platooning (TP) involves managing multiple trucks closely together to reduce aerodynamic drag. While TP offers benefits such as fuel savings, emission reductions, and enhanced safety, it raises concerns for existing infrastructure. This study reviews literature on TP and conducts bridge analyses comparing representative truck platoon configurations allowed under Oregon law with current truck loadings. It also explores the effects of truck head spacing and bridge span lengths, utilizing the research results to calculate rating factors using real-world case studies. The objective is to identify truck platoon configurations that may exceed acceptable load levels for Oregon bridges. The findings will …
Unhsc Performance Curve Calculator 3.0,
2023
University of New Hampshire, Durham
Unhsc Performance Curve Calculator 3.0, Daniel Macadam
UNH Stormwater Center
No abstract provided.
Impacts Of Land Use On Stormwater Runoff In The Lower Rio Grande Valley And Improving Long Term Municipal Stormwater Management Systems,
2023
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Impacts Of Land Use On Stormwater Runoff In The Lower Rio Grande Valley And Improving Long Term Municipal Stormwater Management Systems, Maria Vanessa Pruneda
Theses and Dissertations
Exponentially noticeable growth in population and land development in the Lower Rio Grande Valley has directly influenced growth in urbanization. Urbanization is the leading cause for lower pervious cover, and the increase in storm water runoff. The increase of storm water runoff leads to excess flooding areas and higher peak flows. The overflow flows freely and is exposed to contaminants, affecting the consumption and use factors. The changes of land use have a direct relationship with impervious cover limitations and individual site retentions. This study will assess the relationship between stormwater quantity and land use in the Lower Rio Grande …
Initial Investigation Of Using The Waste Rubber Tires As A New Sustainable Material For Electric Conductive Rigid Pavement,
2023
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Initial Investigation Of Using The Waste Rubber Tires As A New Sustainable Material For Electric Conductive Rigid Pavement, Islam Radwan
Theses and Dissertations
The accumulation of snow on roadway surfaces has the potential to result in deadly accidents and financial damage. Traditional de-icing procedures, which include the use of chemicals or salt and the use of heavy machinery, may have a negative effect on the environment and the structural integrity of highway infrastructure systems, and they are not sustainable at all. In addition, these methods are considered labor-intensive and dangerous, especially in crowded areas. The use of heated pavement systems (HPS), which can be in the form of hydronic (HHPS) or electrically conductive concrete (ECON), has gained popularity in recent years as a …
