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Cost And Embodied Energy Optimization Of Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Beams, Alexander Kosloski
Cost And Embodied Energy Optimization Of Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Beams, Alexander Kosloski
All Theses
Concrete has a large environmental footprint so it is desirable to find ways to efficiently design structural members. Engineers can exercise their abilities early on in the design phase of construction projects to reduce the environmental footprint by minimizing the amount of materials required. One way to achieve these results is to optimize the design of structural concrete. In this study, simple-span rectangular reinforced concrete (RC) beams with a range of different bending moments were analyzed. The primary goal was to combine life cycle analysis (LCA), numerical optimization, and reinforced concrete mechanics to create a framework for designing efficient RC …
Determining The Global Maximum Biofuel Production Potential Without Conflicting With Food And Feed Consumption, Watcharapol Pumkaew
Determining The Global Maximum Biofuel Production Potential Without Conflicting With Food And Feed Consumption, Watcharapol Pumkaew
All Theses
This study tries to resolve the competition between food and biofuel by balancing the allocation between food and feed areas and biofuel areas for the entire world. The maximum energy production is calculated by determining the theoretical amount of energy that can be grown, once food and feed consumption is taken into account, based on the assumption that unprotected grass and woody lands and forest lands can be converted into cultivated lands. The total optimum land area for biofuel energy, 4,926.49 Mha, consists of corn, rapeseed, sugar beet, sugar cane, and grasses. When considering energy conversion efficiency, the maximum energy …
Synthesis Of Optimal Usage Of Available Aggregates In Highway Construction And Maintenance, Benjamin Skidmore
Synthesis Of Optimal Usage Of Available Aggregates In Highway Construction And Maintenance, Benjamin Skidmore
All Theses
The optimization of the available aggregates for highway construction and maintenance is vital both from an economic and environmental perspective. By not optimizing the aggregate supply project costs escalate as a simple response to supply and demand, and just as important the fact that aggregate is a natural resource and a limited one, it is crucial that is used as efficiently as possible. This paper examines specifically the use of aggregates by the South Carolina Department of Transportation, but can easily be adapted to any state. Through DOT and quarry surveys and an examination of aggregate gradation specifications it was …