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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Coupled Oceanic-Atmospheric Variability And U.S. Streamflow, Glenn A. Tootle, Thomas C. Piechota, Ashok Singh Dec 2005

Coupled Oceanic-Atmospheric Variability And U.S. Streamflow, Glenn A. Tootle, Thomas C. Piechota, Ashok Singh

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

A study of the influence of interdecadal, decadal, and interannual oceanic-atmospheric influences on streamflow in the United States is presented. Unimpaired streamflow was identified for 639 stations in the United States for the period 1951–2002. The phases (cold/negative or warm/positive) of Pacific Ocean (El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)) and Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)) oceanic-atmospheric influences were identified for the year prior to the streamflow year (i.e., long lead time). Statistical significance testing of streamflow, based on the interdecadal, decadal, and interannual oceanic-atmospheric phase (warm/positive or cold/negative), was performed by …


Nonlinear Model For Reinforced Concrete Under Cyclic Loading, Aly Said, M. Elmorsi, M. Nehdi May 2005

Nonlinear Model For Reinforced Concrete Under Cyclic Loading, Aly Said, M. Elmorsi, M. Nehdi

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

Most of the available shear models for reinforced concrete rely on empirical formulations. In this study, a rational shear stress function is used to define the shear stress–strain envelope for reinforced concrete. Cyclic rules are proposed to define the loading, unloading and reloading relationships for reinforced concrete under shear stress reversals. A normal stress function describing the cyclic relationship of concrete under axial stress is also introduced. The proposed functions are verified using experimental data of reinforced concrete panels tested under monotonic and cyclic loading. Subsequently, the normal and shear stress functions along with their cyclic rules are integrated in …


Efficient Water Use On Construction Sites, David E. James, Thomas C. Piechota Apr 2005

Efficient Water Use On Construction Sites, David E. James, Thomas C. Piechota

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

One of the objectives of this research project was to develop strategies to optimize dust control efficiency by developing and promoting best management practices for water application, or exploring the cost efficiency of dust control alternatives. Ideally, the results of this research will result in practical recommendations that minimize water use and contractor cost, while maximizing the improvement in control of dust from construction sites (i.e., improved air quality). The overall goal was to gather information and data from field activities that will assist the local agencies (e.g., SNWA and the Clark County Air Quality Management District) in developing water …


Detecting Anomalous Inclusions In Soil Profiles: Encouraging The Use Of Geophysics To Solve Engineering Problems, Barbara Luke, Carlos Calderon-Macias Jan 2005

Detecting Anomalous Inclusions In Soil Profiles: Encouraging The Use Of Geophysics To Solve Engineering Problems, Barbara Luke, Carlos Calderon-Macias

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

Geotechnical site investigations often do not take full advantage of geophysical methods. As examples, when delineating cemented strata and when detecting shallow cavities, investigations can be enhanced greatly for low additional cost by incorporating seismic surface-based measurements.


Integration Of Service-Learning Into Civil And Environmental Engineering Curriculum, T. C. Piechota, Shashi S. Nambisan Jan 2005

Integration Of Service-Learning Into Civil And Environmental Engineering Curriculum, T. C. Piechota, Shashi S. Nambisan

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

Service-learning is defined as integrating the community service experience of students with their academic study so that learning is enhanced. The level of student participation in community service is at an all time high as students feel the need to confront today's technical and societal problems. However, service-learning is more than community service or volunteerism. Service-learning as defined above, integrates the community service experience with the student’s academic study (note the hyphen in "service-learning" means that both are considered equal). This enhances learning which is a fundamental goal of colleges and universities. Boyer highlights the need for service-learning stating that …