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Articles 1 - 30 of 61
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Operations Research In Civil And Environmental Engineering, Nicholas Lownes
Operations Research In Civil And Environmental Engineering, Nicholas Lownes
Open Educational Resource
The purpose of this text is introduce fundamental operations research techniques to the civil and/or environmental engineering student, providing a broad background in linear programming, integer programming and network optimization. The material is presented in such a manner so that the student does not need an extensive background in operations research or or linear algebra. Applications include transportation engineering, project management and general civil and environmental engineering applications.
Calcium Ferrite As A Semiconductor For Microbially Assisted Photocatalytic Reduction Of Carbon Dioxide, Lauren King
Calcium Ferrite As A Semiconductor For Microbially Assisted Photocatalytic Reduction Of Carbon Dioxide, Lauren King
Honors Scholar Theses
The pressing issue of global climate change has been found to be attributed to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide. One mitigation idea to close the carbon loop is to utilize redox reactions and photocatalysis to reduce carbon dioxide to a useable fuel source, like methane or methanol. This thesis will study the possibility of using calcium ferrite as the semiconductor to perform photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide with the assistance of a microbial fuel cell, which will help minimize the energy required from sunlight photons. A calcium ferrite thin film was produced through …
Modeling And Monitoring Of Water Quantity And Quality In Permeable Pavement Systems Using Geophysical Equipment, Abby Klimowicz
Modeling And Monitoring Of Water Quantity And Quality In Permeable Pavement Systems Using Geophysical Equipment, Abby Klimowicz
Honors Scholar Theses
Permeable pavements are a type of low impact development (LID) that reduces runoff by increasing the permeability of developed surfaces. Less runoff helps protect the surrounding ecosystems from erosion and pollution. Without pools of accumulating runoff, the potential for the development of ice on roads and parking lots is also decreased. However, sufficient research on the movement of water and the ions dissolved in it through the permeable pavement system has not been completed. In this study, geophysical equipment was used to observe how moisture, measured as volumetric water content (VWC), and ions, approximated by electrical conductivity, pass through constructed …
Impact Of Covid-19 On City Streets, Mihir Sharma
Impact Of Covid-19 On City Streets, Mihir Sharma
Honors Scholar Theses
Covid-19 has had a severe impact on the urban fabric of many cities and caused disruption to the current way of living. This paper attempts to shed light on the impact that Covid-19 has had on the city streets and how city streets have adapted to the disruptions brought on by the virus. Furthermore the paper lays down recommendations that cities can use to make their streets healthier and safer
Meta-Network Analysis Of Complex Construction Systems: Improving Project Efficiency Using Novel Computer-Based Analytic Methodology, Ethan Cummiskey
Meta-Network Analysis Of Complex Construction Systems: Improving Project Efficiency Using Novel Computer-Based Analytic Methodology, Ethan Cummiskey
Honors Scholar Theses
The objective of this study is to build upon the framework of a meta-network approach to assessing vulnerabilities in construction projects. By viewing these complex environments as configurations of various nodes and links, it is possible to show the relationship between each entity in the project and the overall completion that is achieved from these connections. To expand upon previous studies, the vulnerabilities measured from this approach will be used to optimize the current network to eliminate any shortcoming in the project model. By investigating the congruence of different agents on the project, resources and informational nodes can be supplied …
Household Income And Air Pollution At Public Schools In The United States, Katyland Facas, Kristina Wagstrom
Household Income And Air Pollution At Public Schools In The United States, Katyland Facas, Kristina Wagstrom
Honors Scholar Theses
Poor air quality at schools may negatively impact students’ academic performance.1 2 3 In this study we look at the relationship between ambient, outdoor air quality and student socioeconomic status at United States public schools. We used free and reduced lunch eligibility, as part of the USDA’s National School Lunch Program, as an indicator of household income. We focus on nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5). We used ambient pollutant concentration estimates at census block group resolution (Kim et al.) as the outdoor air pollution concentration at each school.4 We found a positive …
Promoting The Sustainable Utilization Of Groundwater Resources In Ethiopia Using The Integrated Groundwater Footprint Index, Xinyu Lin
Honors Scholar Theses
The country of Ethiopia is highly vulnerable to human-caused climate change and is already suffering from the effects. The predominately rural population relies heavily on small-scale agriculture, with 78% of households having at least one member engaged in the field, yet staple crops are highly susceptible to droughts and other weather shocks. Total and agricultural GDP growth in the country have been strongly linked to inter-annual rainfall variability, of which Ethiopia has among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. A decrease in rainfall since the 1970s has been one of the primary causes of low crop yields, and stresses the immediate …
Investigation Of Activated Carbon And Protein Polysaccharide Amendments In Capping Applications For Sediment Remediation, Mehdi Begag
Honors Scholar Theses
Contaminated sediment is a major environmental problem in numerous sites across the US and requires costly treatment to effectively remediate the sediment and prevent contaminants from entering the water column. Capping of contaminated sediment has emerged as the preferred treatment design as it is more cost effective and effectively isolates the contaminants in-situ. Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) is commonly introduced in capping designs due to its high sorption capacity of organic contaminants. However, its low bulk density and fine particle size result in significant carbon resuspension during cap placement. This report provides experimental and modeling results focused on the effects …
Wrack Lines Volume 19, Number 1, Spring/Summer 2019, Nancy Balcom, Syma Ebbin, David Gregorio, Richard Telford, Judy Benson
Wrack Lines Volume 19, Number 1, Spring/Summer 2019, Nancy Balcom, Syma Ebbin, David Gregorio, Richard Telford, Judy Benson
Wrack Lines
Issue theme is: "Making Connections: As the Climate Changes, People and Nature Intertwine in New Ways." Articles include: "As More Roads Become Rivers, Communities Search for Solutions;" "Solving an Engineering Conundrum: As Coastal Homes Get Elevated, New Research Looks at Whether Vulnerability to Wind Damage Is Increasing;" "Along the Coast, Residents Consider How to Heed Sandy's Warning of What's to Come;" "All Rivers, All Lives Run to the Sea," about the intersection of waterways and the world of nature writer Edwin Way Teale; and "Crosscurrents: Connecticut Sea Grant's Retrospective Exhibition Makes Waves," about reaching new audiences and building bridges with …
Stretchable Methyl Ammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite Solar Cells For Photovoltaic And Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting, William Tait
Stretchable Methyl Ammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite Solar Cells For Photovoltaic And Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting, William Tait
University Scholar Projects
The goal of this work was to fabricate an inverse planar perovskite solar cell (PSC) that was stretchable in one dimension and completely solution-processible. Perovskites are a material that have attracted much attention in recent years due to their appealing characteristics, such as being photovoltaic and piezoelectric. PSCs have been the focus of many studies in the solar cell area, as they are solution-processible and have shown high efficiencies relative to the amount of time they have been studied. Fabricating a PSC on a stretchable substrate would be beneficial, as a bendable, stretchable PSC would likely have more applications than …
Structural Cyber-Physical Systems: A Confluence Of Structural Health Monitoring And Control Technologies, Rosana E. Martínez-Castro, Shinae Jang
Structural Cyber-Physical Systems: A Confluence Of Structural Health Monitoring And Control Technologies, Rosana E. Martínez-Castro, Shinae Jang
CEE Articles
Many bridges in the nation’s transportation infrastructure network have been found to be structurally deficient. In face of a natural or man-made disaster, this poses a serious threat to the execution of emergency respondent logistics, as the failure of such structures could disconnect communities from the necessary provisions and services that must remain accessible after a disaster. To predict such an eventuality, dependable information on structural status for decision-making can be obtained from structural health monitoring (SHM) systems. However, the avoidance of such a situation is preferred. Structural control systems offer an option to improve structural response during extreme loading …
Effect Of Surface Modifying Biopolymers On Sand Cohesion, Connor H. Ligeikis
Effect Of Surface Modifying Biopolymers On Sand Cohesion, Connor H. Ligeikis
Honors Scholar Theses
Coastal erosion is a substantial problem in the United States and throughout the world. A novel approach to mitigating this problem is through the application of surface-modifying biopolymers to sand on beaches. Field research conducted by Dr. Amine Dahmani has shown that these organic complexes can coat granular sediments and increase sediment cohesion, thereby decreasing the erodability of the sediment. The goal of this thesis is to quantify the impact of proprietary surface-modifying biopolymer formulations on sand cohesion in order to better engineer this innovative solution for sand retention and potentially contaminated sediment sand cap stabilization. The impact of the …
Stability And Redispersion Of Platinum Nanoparticle Suspensions For Attachment To Dyes In Low-Cost Solar Cells, Jeffrey Rothstein
Stability And Redispersion Of Platinum Nanoparticle Suspensions For Attachment To Dyes In Low-Cost Solar Cells, Jeffrey Rothstein
Honors Scholar Theses
The project involves optimizing the synthesis, washing, and redispersion of platinum nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are to be attached to dye molecules where they will act as nanocatalysts to reduce energy losses in low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells. The goal is to develop a process based on a pure or mixed solvent that will maintain a stable dispersion of the nanoparticles without interfering with their ability to bond with the dye molecules in the solar cell.
Hydrogeological Conceptual Model Of La Villa River Watershed, Republic Of Panama, Maria G. Castrellon Romero
Hydrogeological Conceptual Model Of La Villa River Watershed, Republic Of Panama, Maria G. Castrellon Romero
Honors Scholar Theses
Groundwater in Panama is a valuable and poorly understood resource. Its exploitation has increased 75% in the past decade, reaching a total value of 700,000 m3/day or 185 million gallons per day (MGD). Climate change has caused a lengthening of the dry season, which has reduced precipitation and streamflow, resulting in surface water scarcity during this period. Nevertheless, it has not been possible to determine the extent to which groundwater sources have been affected by these factors since systematic monitoring of groundwater levels has not been implemented in Panama. With support from National Institution of Drinking Water Supply …
Quantum Mechanical Modeling Of Organic-Oxide Surface Complexation Reactions, Brianna Datti
Quantum Mechanical Modeling Of Organic-Oxide Surface Complexation Reactions, Brianna Datti
Honors Scholar Theses
Recent advancements in agriculture, industry, and pharmaceutical formulations have increased the presence of organic contaminants in the environment. It is important and necessary to study and understand the processes which control the environmental fate and transformation of contaminants and improve removal and remediation techniques. The use of advanced quantum mechanical modeling is a promising technique to better understand the mechanisms of adsorption within the environment. Relative Gibbs free energy values of adsorption have been calculated using such modeling for selected organic acids sorption to iron oxides, revealing the thermodynamic favorability of each of the reactions, except one involving bidentate mononuclear …
A Simple Formula To Calculate Azimuth Without A Two-Argument Arctangent Function, Thomas H. Meyer, Jacob Conshick
A Simple Formula To Calculate Azimuth Without A Two-Argument Arctangent Function, Thomas H. Meyer, Jacob Conshick
Department of Natural Resources and the Environment Articles
Calculating azimuths from planimetric coordinates is complicated when the available implementations of inverse trigonometric functions have ranges spanning only 180° instead of 360° as azimuth requires. A tangent half-angle formula is used to derive a formula with only one special case (due South) that computes azimuth for the whole circle.
Urban Parking Economics And Land Consumption: A Case Study Of New Haven, Connecticut And Cambridge, Massachusetts, Bryan P. Blanc
Urban Parking Economics And Land Consumption: A Case Study Of New Haven, Connecticut And Cambridge, Massachusetts, Bryan P. Blanc
Honors Scholar Theses
It has become increasingly apparent that providing copious off-street parking has deleterious effects on urban form and function. This study compares parking policy in New Haven, Connecticut and Cambridge, Massachusetts that have pursued very different types of parking policies that have resulted in different outcomes in terms of land use. Since 1951, off-street parking provision has increased by nearly 400% in New Haven, meanwhile both employment and residential population have declined in the city. In contrast, off-street parking provision in Cambridge has risen around 140% since 1952, while employment and residential populations in the city have increased by 50% and …
Material Characterization Of Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete At Elevated Temperatures, Richard T. Way
Material Characterization Of Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete At Elevated Temperatures, Richard T. Way
Master's Theses
With the recent development of Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC), there has been limited investigation into the mechanical and material properties of this composite at elevated temperatures. At elevated temperatures concrete is shown to undergo several material changes which affect the residual mechanical properties. Additionally, fast heating rates are known to cause a phenomenon called explosive spalling. This research investigates the effect of high temperature on the residual mechanical properties and chemical degradation of two types of UHPFRC. This was accomplished by casting and testing two different UHPFRC mixes and exposing them to elevated temperatures at two rates …
Multiplatform Analysis Seismic Evaluation Of A Non-Seismically Detailed Nonlinear Rc Structure Retrofitted With Magneto-Rheological Dampers, Eric R. Lovejoy
Multiplatform Analysis Seismic Evaluation Of A Non-Seismically Detailed Nonlinear Rc Structure Retrofitted With Magneto-Rheological Dampers, Eric R. Lovejoy
Master's Theses
In prior research, the MR damper's dynamic characteristics are typically modeled in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. Creating a structural model with nonlinear material properties, however, may be challenging in the MATLAB/Simulink environment without approximating the material behavior and neglecting effects such as P-∆ or panel zone behavior. More behaviorally accurate models of these structures can be produced using nonlinear finite element analysis tools such as Abaqus, OpenSees or ZuesNL. These analysis tools, however, are not traditionally used to model the complex nonlinear and controllable behavior of MR dampers, nor their associated control algorithms. One solution is to facilitate communication between these …
Game Theory Approach To Transportation Network Vulnerability Measurement, Qixing Wang
Game Theory Approach To Transportation Network Vulnerability Measurement, Qixing Wang
Master's Theses
The vulnerability of a transportation network is strongly correlated with the ability of the network to withstand shocks and disruptions. A robust network with strategic redundancy allows for the redistribution or reassignment of traffic without unduly compromising system performance. As such, high-volume edges with limited alternative paths represent system vulnerabilities – a feature of transportation networks that has been exploited in the past to identify critical components. In this thesis, a mixed-strategy, two opponents, non-zero sum, combinatorial game theoretical framework are presented for measuring network vulnerability. Two solution approaches (Shortest Path Algorithm with Entropy function (SPE) & User Equilibrium Assignment …
Investigation Of In-Situ Immobilization Of Contaminated Sediments Using Alginate Gels For The Reduction Of Ecological Risk, Michael V. Podany Mr.
Investigation Of In-Situ Immobilization Of Contaminated Sediments Using Alginate Gels For The Reduction Of Ecological Risk, Michael V. Podany Mr.
Master's Theses
Remediation methods for contaminated sediments include dredging, treatment and disposal and sediment isolation through capping. These methods are costly and adversely impact local ecosystems, in some cases causing major disturbances to the sediment bed and water column. A new remediation technique is proposed for slowly biodegradable contaminants using alginate hydrogels as a binding agent of sediment. The rational is that sediment particles bound in alginate hydrogel are less likely to be resuspended and the treatment is less disruptive than capping. Here we show addition of alginate increased the shear strength of sediment comprised of defined particle sizes. The increase in …
Weather-Based Damage Prediction Models For Electric Distribution Networks, David W. Wanik
Weather-Based Damage Prediction Models For Electric Distribution Networks, David W. Wanik
Master's Theses
From thunderstorms to hurricanes, electric distribution networks are subject to a wide range of warm weather storm events. Tropical Storm Irene (2011) and Hurricane Sandy (2012) are two events in recent memory that disrupted over half of The Connecticut Light and Power Company’s (CL&P) service territory, which left some customers without power for up to eleven days. This research study investigates a damage prediction framework for both thunderstorms and hurricanes that combines two generalized linear models to probabilistically determine the occurrence and extent of damages, known as trouble spots, to the overhead power distribution network. The models are inputted with …
Environmental Justice Ties To Electronic Travel Surveys And Transit Accessibility, Nicholas A. Hart
Environmental Justice Ties To Electronic Travel Surveys And Transit Accessibility, Nicholas A. Hart
Master's Theses
No abstract provided.
Impacts And Analysis For Buildings Under Terrorist Attacks, Edward Eskew, Shinae Jang
Impacts And Analysis For Buildings Under Terrorist Attacks, Edward Eskew, Shinae Jang
CEE Articles
No abstract provided.
Network- Level Pavement Performance And Management Study In Connecticut, Ramandeep S. Josen
Network- Level Pavement Performance And Management Study In Connecticut, Ramandeep S. Josen
Master's Theses
This thesis presents the analysis of asphalt pavement cracking data on the network level in Connecticut. Pavement performance indicators including longitudinal and transverse cracking as well as roughness are investigated with respect to numerous distinct factors that can be grouped into three categories, i.e. climatic-, pavement structure-, and traffic-related. High-quality climatic data was obtained from the national weather stations in Connecticut. Maintenance and construction data was used to determine the pavement age and structure amongst several other factors. Traffic data was acquired from the state records and accumulated traffic loading was estimated for all segments based on their age. High …
The Effects Of Bolt Pretension, In-Plane Eccentricity, And Friction On The Ductility Of Block Shear Connections, Kevin M. Zmetra
The Effects Of Bolt Pretension, In-Plane Eccentricity, And Friction On The Ductility Of Block Shear Connections, Kevin M. Zmetra
Master's Theses
Block shear is a complex failure mechanism in bolted and welded steel components such as gusset plates, webs of coped beams, angles and tees. It presumes a combination of tension rupture and shear yield. Multiple variables affect the block shear capacity and ductility of a connection. This study investigates the effects of bolt pretension, connection eccentricity and friction force transfer through a series of destructive experiments followed by refined finite element simulation. Clamping forces create a complex triaxial stress field compounded by the stress concentration at the bolt holes. In-plane load eccentricity with respect to the centerline of the connection …
Using Nwp Analysis In Satellite Rainfall Estimation Of Heavy Precipitation Events Over Complex Terrain, Xinxuan Zhang
Using Nwp Analysis In Satellite Rainfall Estimation Of Heavy Precipitation Events Over Complex Terrain, Xinxuan Zhang
Master's Theses
This study investigates the use of Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) high-resolution storm analysis in satellite rainfall estimation over complex terrains. Rainfall estimation here is based on the NOAA-Climate Prediction Center morphing (CMORPH) product. Specifically, CMORPH rainfall is adjusted by applying a power-law function whose parameter values are obtained from the comparison between WRF and CMORPH hourly rain rates. Results are presented based on the analyses of five storm cases that induced catastrophic floods in southern Europe. The WRF-based adjusted CMORPH rain rates exhibited improved error statistics against independent radar-rainfall estimates. We show that the adjustment reduces the underestimation of …
Impact Of Salt On Denitrification Potential In Roadside Environments, Nakita A. Lancaster
Impact Of Salt On Denitrification Potential In Roadside Environments, Nakita A. Lancaster
Master's Theses
Urban systems are impacted by changes in hydrology and water chemistry, altering their ability to mitigate detrimental impacts to coastal water bodies, particularly those that result from high volumes of stormwater runoff. The elevated level of impervious cover increases not only runoff but also contaminant loading of nutrients, metals, and road salt used for deicing in cold weather climates. Current stormwater management strategies, while focused on managing the changes in hydrology associated with urbanization, also are designed to mitigate the pollutant loading. Here we investigate the impact that road salt will have on nitrogen removal in roadside environments. Sediments were …
Investigation Of Trends And Predictive Effectiveness Of Crash Severity Models, James E. Mooradian
Investigation Of Trends And Predictive Effectiveness Of Crash Severity Models, James E. Mooradian
Master's Theses
This thesis describes analysis using ordinal logistic regression to uncover temporal patterns in the severity level (fatal, serious injury, minor injury, slight injury or no injury) for persons involved in highway crashes in Connecticut, focusing on the demographic split between senior travelers (65 years and over) and non-senior travelers. Existing state sources provide data describing the time and weather conditions for each crash and the vehicles and persons involved over the time period from 1995 to 2009 as well as the traffic volumes and the characteristics of the roads on which these crashes occurred. Findings indicate an overall increase in …
Rainfall Organization And Geomorphologic Controls On The Flood Response Of Mild-Slope Basins In The South Atlantic Region Of Us, Yiwen Mei
Master's Theses
This study uses data from the Tar-River Basin in North Carolina to explore how space-time rainfall variability influences the hydrologic response from observational and modeling perspectives. For understanding the basin scale effect, the Tar-River Basin is divided into four cascade sub-basins ranging from 1106 km2 up to 5654 km2. The study evaluates the catchments’ response to rainfall for a large number of storm events by computing the event runoff coefficient based on streamflow observations and through simulations from a semi-distributed hydrological model. Comparison of observed to simulated hydrographs from the hydrological model shows that distributed rainfall forcing …