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Characterizing Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions In Great Smoky Mountains National Park Using Hydrologic, Geochemical & Isotopic Data, Amanda Marie Mckenna

Masters Theses

Groundwater-surface water interactions can substantially influence the quality of surficial water bodies and are thus important when investigating ecological health of and climate change impacts on an area. However, data collection can be hindered when the location is remote and/or legally protected. This paper presents a methodology to implement minimallyinvasive field techniques at a remote and protected location that allows preliminary identification of the relationship between groundwater and surface water. Great Smoky Mountains National Park was selected as the study area as it is subjected to some of the highest rates of acid deposition in the country. Ecological damage is …

Blast Resistant Design Of Steel Structures, Sarah Beth Janney

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the load experienced by a steel blast cubicle from a surface blast test. An important objective was to determine the blast load experienced at different standoff distances and the blast resistance capability of the blast cubicle. Three cubicles with standoff distances of 20, 25, and 30ft respectively were simultaneously subjected to a 50lb TNT explosive. The manual Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental Explosions, Army TM 5-1300 conservatively predicted the blast pressure loadings obtained from the pressure transducers mounted on the cubicles. Data collected from accelerometers was compared to results from …

Using Multivariate Analysis Of Geochemical Data To Better Define Hydrologic Interfaces In Surface Water - Groundwater Systems, Candice Ann Owen

Masters Theses

Groundwater-surface water interactions have been shown to be important to flow generation and stream chemistry in upland catchment environments. These areas, however, are often difficult to access making the implementation of standard hydrological surface and subsurface monitoring equipment and characterization procedures impractical, arduous and in many cases impossible due to the nature of the terrain and also regulatory guidelines for protected areas. By collecting surface water samples at distinct water contribution sites to a headwater stream, areas of groundwater influence were inferred and a hydrochemical conceptual model of a small basin was created.

The objectives of this research were to …

Evaluation, Comparison, And Design Of Two Experimental Bridges In Tennessee, Kyle Parker Scoble

Masters Theses

This thesis describes the design and evaluates the adequacy of the moment connection of an experimental two-span highway bridge designed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The Massman Drive bridge is an experimental design that unifies the construction economy of simple span bridges and the structural economy of continuous span bridges. The experimental connection, consisting of cover plates and kicker wedge plates, is used to connect the two adjoining girders over the center pier. As a result, the bridge is designed to function as a continuous bridge during the deck pour and behave compositely with the reinforced concrete deck under …

Physiological Stress In Native Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis) During Episodic Acidification Of Streams In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Keil Jason Neff

Masters Theses

Episodes of stream acidification are suspected to be the primary cause of the extirpation of native southern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from six headwater streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). During periods of increased flow from storm events, stream pH can drop below 5.0 (minimum of 4.0) for 2-days or longer. To provide evidence that native brook trout are impacted by stream acidification, in situ bioassay experiments were conducted. Changes in stream water chemistry and brook trout physiology were determined during a 36-hour acidic episode at three remote headwater stream sites in the Middle Prong of the …

“Parametric Study Of The Effects Of Water To Cementitious Materials Ratio And Cementitious Materials Content On The Durability Properties Of High Performance Concrete, Andrew T. Tinsley

Masters Theses

This study takes a detailed look at the factors that affect the durability of concrete and how they can be applied to the development of a useful performance specification and help to extend the life of bridge decks and other concrete structures exposed to the elements of nature. A series of fifteen mixes (with varying cement contents and water/cement ratios) were performed in order to determine exactly which of these factors have a significant effect on the durability of a concrete mix. Controlling the water/cement ratio is necessary in order to control strength and permeability. Cement content was found to …

Experimental Investigation Of Reinforced Concrete Beams With Lapped Reinforcement, Mary Elizabeth Griffey

Masters Theses

One of the great contributions made by President Dwight D. Eisenhower was his influence in the implementation of the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act of 1956. The National Highway System serves an important role in American citizen's ground transportation. Now more than a half of a century in age, there is a high priority to repair existing infrastructure as well as the need for expansion. Repair and expansion must be achieved efficiently by reducing construction time and improving the capacity and durability of the structure. Precast, prestressed decked bulb tees (DBTs) serve as an excellent solution to ensure quality …

Determination Of Air Flotation Parameters To Perform Solid Liquid Separation Treatment In An Activated Sludge Treating Grease Waste By Promoting Filamentous Bacteria, Juan Guillermo Cartajena Torrealba

Masters Theses

The focus of this investigation was the determination of air flotation parameters to perform solid liquid separation treatment in an activated sludge treating grease waste by promoting filamentous bacteria. The treatment was intended to achieve a pretreatment level, previous to the application of the typical activated sludge process.

Generally solid liquid separation in activated sludge is performed by gravitational settling, but it is been demonstrated that the presence of an overgrowth population of filamentous microorganism in activated sludges hinder the settling properties of it. For this reason, gravitational settling may result in an inefficient treatment. Therefore, an alternative treatment has …

Design Considerations For Reinforced Concrete Masonry Walls Regarding Moment Magnification, Jarred Wade Cowart

Masters Theses

Currently, regardless of the height of a reinforced masonry wall, engineers are required to consider moment magnification when using strength design provisions. An attempt at finding reasonable h/r limits for consideration of moment magnification is explored. Moment-curvature diagrams were developed using a spreadsheet to define the behavior of 8 inch and 12 inch concrete masonry walls. A series of models were created with axial load, out-of-plane load, height, reinforcing, and wall width as variables. The models were loaded out-of-plane in a finite element program until failure. The results were organized to produce the moment magnification of each wall. Results were …

Commerical Vehicle Enforcement Using License Plate Recognition Technology, Stephanie R. Hargrove

Masters Theses

Speed limits for large trucks have been reduced at many locales for air quality and safety reasons. To realize an improvement in air quality and safety, however, diligent enforcement and fitting punishment have to be implemented. This may put a strain on already tight resources and manpower for state and local agencies. To this end, this paper presents a license plate recognition (LPR) technology based heavy vehicle speed enforcement system that requires relatively minimal initial investment and no increase in enforcement personnel, cruisers, or pursue/pull-over activities. The efficiency of the system is achieved by catching speeding trucks in the act …