Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Accuracy Comparison Of Numerical Integration Algorithms For Real-Time Hybrid Simulations, Ganesh Anant Reddy

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The use of accurate numerical integration algorithms is one of the key factors for a successful real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS). In RTHSs, explicit integration algorithms are preferred more than implicit methods since all calculations need to be completed within a given time step during simulation. Explicit methods require the use of effective stiffness and damping for experimental substructures, which are incorporated into the calculation of the integration parameters. In general, those values that are greater than the expected stiffness and damping of the experimental substructure are used to ensure the stability of simulation. If a rate-dependent and nonlinear experimental substructure …

Characterizing Queue Dynamics At Signalized Intersections From Probe Vehicle Data, Semuel Yacob Recky Rompis

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Probe vehicles instrumented with location-tracking technologies have become increasingly popular for collecting traffic flow data. While probe vehicle data have been used for estimating speeds and travel times, there has been limited research on predicting queuing dynamics from such data. In this research, a methodology is developed for identifying the travel lanes of the GPS-instrumented vehicles when they are standing in a queue at signalized intersections with multilane approaches. In particular, the proposed methodology exploits the unequal queue lengths across the lanes to infer the specific lanes the probe vehicles occupy. Various supervised and unsupervised clustering methods were developed and …

Hydrothermal Catalytic Liquefaction And Deoxygenation Of Biomass For Renewable Fuel Production, Sergiy Popov

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, sub- and supercritical water technologies received an increasing attention because of the numerous advantages they offer for biomass converting into biofuels. Water at elevated temperatures and pressures provides an ideal medium for chemical transformations. It serves as a reactant, reaction medium, and catalyst that helps biomass compounds undergo hydrolysis, depolymerization, dehydration, decarboxylation, and condensation/repolymerization reactions. Biomass is the fourth largest source of energy in the world after coal, oil, and natural gas that has the potential to provide the large scale substitution of hydrocarbon-based liquid transportation fuels and minimize the environmental issues. Biomass typically contains 40-60% oxygen. …

A Cloud-Based Gssha Index Map Editor Utility For Watershed Decision Support, Jocelynn Marie Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Preventing damages from flooding is critically important for city managers and planners.Efforts in protecting infrastructure from flooding are often coupled with building hydrologicmodels to provide predictions of what is likely to happen during storm events. As land usechanges, these models must be updated, which is more challenging with sophisticated models. Ateam of researchers from universities in Utah and Wyoming have been developing tools forwater management in the Intermountain West as part of a collaborative NSF research grantcalled CI-WATER. In particular, a free and open source web platform called Tethys has beendeveloped to support the development and hosting of hydrologic web …

Large-Scale Testing Of Passive Force Behavior For Skewed Bridge Abutments With Gravel And Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (Grs) Backfills, Amy Fredrickson

Theses and Dissertations

Correct understanding of passive force behavior is particularly key to lateral evaluations of bridges because plastic deformation of soil backfill is vital to dissipation of earthquake energy and thermally-induced stresses in abutments. Only recently have studies investigated the effects of skew on passive force. Numerical modeling and a handful of skewed abutment tests performed in sand backfill have found reduced passive force with increasing skew, but previous to this study no skewed tests had been performed in gravel or Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) backfills. The goal of this study was to better understand passive force behavior in non-skewed and skewed …

Obliczenia Rozprzestrzeniania Się Pyłu Drobnego W Powietrzu Atmosferycznym Z Wykorzystaniem Dyfuzyjnych Modeli Gaussa, Robert Oleniacz, Mateusz Rzeszutek

Robert Oleniacz

The chapter presents a comparison of results of modelling concentrations of fine dust (suspended dust PM10) in the air with the use of two diffusion models: the Gaussian plume model (used commonly in Poland), and the Gaussian puff model CALPUFF (used significantly less frequently). It indicates discrepancies in obtained results of calculations for point emitters taking into consideration three dimensional options (with the following heights: 20, 40 and 60 m and diameters of respectively: 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 m). For particular variants, errors were visualised, resulting from use of the simple Gaussian plume model in place of the advanced CALPUFF …

Under Sleeper Pads: Field Investigation Of Their Role In Detrimental Impact Mitigation, Sakdirat Kaewunruen, Alex M. Remennikov

Sakdirat Kaewunruen

Under sleeper pads (USPs) are the component installed under the concrete sleepers generally to improve railway track resilience. Initial development in Europe, particularly in Austria, has encouraged the adoption of the component around the world. In practice, the component has commonly been used in certain applications, mainly to moderate track stiffness in special locations such as turnouts, crossings, and level crossing. In heavy haul operation, the heavier wagons result in sturdier bogie structures, higher unsprung mass, and then higher level of wheel-rail interaction forces. Accordingly, the application of USPs to mitigate detrimental impact load consequence on track structure is presented …

Design Of Holes And Web Openings In Railway Prestressed Concrete Sleepers, Erosha Kahawatta Gamage, Sakdirat Kaewunruen, Alex M. Remennikov

Sakdirat Kaewunruen

As the crosstie beam in railway track systems, the prestressed concrete sleepers (or railroad ties) are principally designed in order to carry wheel loads from the rails to the ground. Their design takes into account static and dynamic loading conditions. It is evident that prestressed concrete has played a significant role as to maintain the high endurance of the sleepers under low to moderate repeated impact loads. In spite of the most common use of the prestressed concrete sleepers in railway tracks, there have always been many demands from rail engineers to improve serviceability and functionality of concrete sleepers. For …

Resilience-Based Design Of Precast Steel-Concrete Composites For Railway Track Slabs, Sakdirat Kaewunruen, Dane Wp Griffin, Olivia Mirza, Kenny Kwok

Sakdirat Kaewunruen

The relatively high turnover of timber sleepers (crossties in a plain track), bearers (skeleton ties in a turnout), and transoms (bridge cross beams) is responsible for producing greenhouse gas emissions 6 times greater than an equivalent reinforced concrete counterparts. This paper presents an innovative solution for the replacement of aging timber transoms installed on existing railway bridges along with the incorporation of a continuous walkway platform, which is proven to provide environmental, safety and financial benefits. Recent developments for alternative composite materials to replace timber components in railway infrastructure construction and maintenance demonstrate some compatibility issues with track stiffness as …

Identification Of Risk Factors Associated With Motorcycle-Related Fatalities In Ohio, Deogratias Eustace, Vamsi Krishna Indupuru, Peter W. Hovey

Peter Hovey

Out of the 7,138,476 motorcycles operating on U.S. roads, 346,925 were registered in the state of Ohio in the year 2007. Although motorcycles represent only 2.8% of all registered vehicles in the state of Ohio, motorcycling accounts for more than 13% of Ohio highway traffic fatalities. Since 2005, Ohio has had a distressing distinction of being among the fifteen states that have sustained more than half of all motorcycle fatalities recorded in the USA (NHTSA 2007; NHTSA 2008a). For the past ten years, the overall motorcycle crash fatalities have been increasing while the motor vehicle occupant crash fatalities have been …

Development Of A Decision-Making Methodology To Design A Water Quality Monitoring Network, J. Keum, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The number of water quality monitoring stations in the USA has decreased over the past few decades. Scarcity of observations can easily produce prediction uncertainty due to unreliable model calibration. An effective water quality monitoring network is important not only for model calibration and water quality prediction but also for resources management. Redundant or improperly located monitoring stations may cause increased monitoring costs without improvement to the understanding of water quality in watersheds. In this work, a decision-making methodology is proposed to design a water quality monitoring network by providing an adequate number of monitoring stations and their approximate locations …

Performance Comparison Of A Roundabout Versus Two-Way Stop Controlled (Twsc) Intersections, Deogratias Eustace

Deogratias Eustace

The superior safety record of modern roundabouts is well known in Western Europe, Australia and in most British-influenced countries around the world. The experience from a single modern roundabout installed in the City of Manhattan, Kansas, some three years ago, also shares the same experience. A major study of the performance of Manhattan, Kansas, modern roundabout was conducted at Kansas State University (KSU) and was co-sponsored by Mac-Blackwell National Rural Transportation Study Center, Kansas State University, and the City of Manhattan. The study examined three intersections, one modern roundabout and two Two-Way Stop Controlled (TWSC) intersections with similar traffic conditions. …

Identification Of Risk Factors Associated With Motorcycle-Related Fatalities In Ohio, Deogratias Eustace, Vamsi Krishna Indupuru, Peter W. Hovey

Deogratias Eustace

Out of the 7,138,476 motorcycles operating on U.S. roads, 346,925 were registered in the state of Ohio in the year 2007. Although motorcycles represent only 2.8% of all registered vehicles in the state of Ohio, motorcycling accounts for more than 13% of Ohio highway traffic fatalities. Since 2005, Ohio has had a distressing distinction of being among the fifteen states that have sustained more than half of all motorcycle fatalities recorded in the USA (NHTSA 2007; NHTSA 2008a). For the past ten years, the overall motorcycle crash fatalities have been increasing while the motor vehicle occupant crash fatalities have been …

Session C9: Cle Elum Dam Fish Passage: Novel, Research Driven Designs To Allow Downstream Passage For Juvenile Salmonids, Jason Wagner

International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage

Abstract:

When Cle Elum Dam (Washington, USA) was constructed, a highly productive sockeye salmon fishery was lost. As part of the proposed Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, fish passage will be restored at this site. For the migrating adults, a trap and haul fish collection facility will be constructed. For downstream juvenile salmon passage, a selective level outlet works, helical fish slide, and outfall will be constructed. The juvenile passage features groundbreaking research; primarily that of the helical fish slide. The presentation will cover aspects of the history of the project, the research driven designs, and the final designs (to be …

Session E9: Function Control Of Fish Migration Facilities At The Hydro Power Plant Kostheim At River Main, Dr. Jörg Schneider

International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage

Abstract:

Applying various conventional and modern monitoring methods a function control of downstream migration facilities and turbine passage related mortality was conducted at the Kostheim Hydro Plant (4,9 MW; two Kaplan turbines; Δh max. 3,74 m, at MQ 2,36 m) at the river Main (km 3,2). Furthermore, the perceptibility and passability of a nature-like bypass for upstream migration was examined. Results showed a size selectivity of the bypass caused by an unsuitable entrance position 40 m downstream of the outlet of the turbines. The effectiveness of the downstream migration facilities proved to be low, leading to high mortalities at the …

Session A9: To Fill Or Not To Fill: Stream Simulation And Embedded Aquatic Organism Passage Structures, Robert Gubernick, Dan Cenderelli, Mark Weinhold, Dale Higgins, Jessica Kozarek, Sara Mielke

International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage

Abstract:

Throughout North America stream simulation and embedded / recessed culverts are used to facilitate the passage of aquatic organisms thru road stream crossings. Although the concept of naturelike streambeds inside these structures is widely embraced, the design methodology and construction practice varies widely between state and federal agencies. Much debate has occurred with one specific requirement, whether or not to place stream bed material inside these structures. Not placing bed material inside structures assumes on going sediment transport processes will fill the structure’s interior with streambed materials. This is assumed to be a cost saving measure from both a …

Session C9: Priest Rapids Fish Bypass: A Case Study From Start To Finish, Curtis Dotson

International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage

Abstract:

Priest Rapids Dam is a large (955 MW) hydroelectric dam on the Columbia River in Washington State, USA. As part of regulatory requirements associated with its FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) license and other agreements, the Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, WA was required to design and install non-turbine fish passage for downstream migrating juvenile salmonids at the dam, for the purpose to help meet its pre-establish survival standards for salmonid smolts passing through the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project during their downstream migration. This presentation is a case study highlighting the numerous steps that went into …

Session A9: Maintaining Agency Capacity For Ongoing And Future Road-Stream Crossing Challenges, Kurt Gernerd

International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage

Abstract:

The USDA Forest Service is dedicated to managing the habitat, watersheds and terrestrial and aquatic organisms that live and migrate through the National Forest lands and waters throughout the United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. To achieve our mission and advance sound stewardship of all natural and manmade resources, we work closely with tribes, local, state and federal agencies, our stakeholders, and partners to find sciencebased solutions to complex ecological issues. Within our National Forests there is a large transportation network that is vital to communities and the economy, and this network also includes many road‐stream crossings, which …

Session B9: How Fish Use And Process Flow Information, Joachim Mogdans, Horst Bleckmann

International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage

Abstract:

Fish use the mechanosensory lateral line and the acoustic system for the processing of hydrodynamic information. With their lateral line fish perceive the amplitude, direction and frequency content of water motions relative to their body and tail fin surface as well as local pressure gradients across their head and trunk. With the acoustic system fish detect the particle displacement component and the pressure amplitude of a sound wave. Both, the lateral line and acoustic system, play an important role in many fish behaviors, including schooling, predator avoidance, intraspecific communication and prey detection. With the acoustic system fish not only …

Session E9: Incorporating Fish Friendly Solutions In Existing Pumping Stations; An Economical Solution Enabling Fish Migration, Lars Krakers

International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage

Abstract:

The low lying parts of Holland are vulnerable to flooding and are therefore heavily protected by dykes and several pumping stations. These however cause serious obstacles to migratory fish. Pumping stations can be lethal barriers for fish migration. Currently a lot of pump manufacturers are developing new fish friendly pumps. To fit these new pumps in existing pumping stations, usually civil adjustments are required at considerable costs. A more cost effective alternative would be to perform a fish friendly upgrade of the existing pumps.

During the last 3 years Flowserve conducted excessive research to increase their knowledge on fish …