Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Portable Variable Message Signs In Improving Safety For Motorists And Workers At Construction Zones In Abu Dhabi, Khalid Ismail Al-Zoubi

Theses

In March 2008, a single accident resulted in three people being killed and nearly 350 injured in a horrific crash involving over 60 vehicles on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot. The cause of this crash was attributed to failure by motorists to adhere to severe weather conditions (fog). In response to the increasing number of accidents on Abu Dhabi roads, the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DoT) has deployed approximately 40 portable Variable Message Signs (PVMSs) throughout the main DOT's highway network as one of the strategies to control driver behavior and to improve road safety. The objective of …

Structural Performance And Economics Of High-Rise Buildings Under Seismic And Wind Loads, Nadeem Hussain

Theses

High-rise buildings have a priority when considering the potential consequences from natural hazards since they represent concentrated human and monetary assets. The use of high strength materials is promoted in this class of structures to effectively use floor areas, control vibrations and expedite construction. There is a pressing need to investigate the relationship between structural performance and economics of high-rise buildings with different material strengths under lateral loads, particularly seismic loads that control the design of a wide range of buildings.

To realistically represent the modern high-rise construction, five 60-story reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with varying material strengths, ranging from …

Challenges Of Permitting Ballast Water Discharges From Commercial Vessels In U.S. Waters, Paul Rodriguez

Theses

On February 5, 2009, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) issued the Vessel General Permit (VGP), under the Clean Water Act (CWA), for discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels, including ballast water discharges. This set forth permit requirements for most commercial vessel discharges within 3 nautical miles of U.S. shore. Since it will expire in December 2013, the US EPA recently issued a draft 2013 VGP. One of the significant changes is the proposal of numerical ballast water discharge standards requiring most commercial vessels to install ballast water treatment systems onboard.

The objective of this thesis is …

Development Of Gis Database For Hayward Fault, Olugbope Maku

Theses

Earthquake activity and its attendant effects on the earth surface have been a major concern for some time now, especially considering their negative effects in loss of human life, property damage including the emotional impact on witnesses. This study focuses on the Hayward Fault, located in the heart of population center in Contra Costa County of the San Francisco Bay Area, California.

Geographical Information System (GIS) has proved to be a valuable tool in recent years in the study and analysis of earthquakes to complement emergency response efforts. GIS has been adapted to estimate the impact of the geologic hazards …

Settlement Of Municipal Solid Waste, Emmet Burke

Theses

The mechanical properties of waste (compression index, elastic modulus, stresses) are an important aspect for the design, operation and post-closure uses of landfills. In recent years the requirement to utilise the acreage that the landfill occupies to its maximum potential has necessitated the landfill structure to accommodate a greater volume of waste over a smaller plan area. This pushes the boundaries of design relating to side-slope and infrastructural elements of landfill structures.

The objectives of this research were identified from significant gaps in the knowledge relating to the settlement and mechanical properties of municipal solid waste. The main objectives are …

Development Of A Low Cost Instrument For Tidal Flow Measurement, Thomas Daly

Theses

This project examines current technology for the production of energy from wave and tidal sources and the pros and cons of the different types of technology available. It also looks at the possibility of producing energy from tidal streams on a micro scale for local use. It identifies some of the barriers to this and attempts to solve one of those barriers by developing a low cost instrument which would be capable of assisting in the surveying of possible sites for micro tidal energy production in a cost effective way.

As part of this process an off the shelf marine …

Effects Of Cyclic Loading On Offshore Foundation Systems, Shane Browne

Theses

A brief description of the various offshore foundation systems currently available is provided in this report, including the advantages and disadvantages for each system and water depth in which they can be used. These foundation types include floating structures, jacket structures, gravity base structures and the monopile foundation, on which this research specifically focuses.

The monotonic lateral loading of the monopile structure is also examined and the reasons why monotonic testing is required are highlighted, along with the potential analysis that can be generated to improve the design of the monopile foundation. A review of previous test programmes for monopiles …

A Study Of Creep And Shrinkage In Concrete With A Consideration Of Its Effects On Curved Post-Tensioned Concrete Bridges, William O'Sullivan

Theses

The first objective of the project was to explore the differences between Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS) cement. The use of GGBS cement concrete is increasing in industry due to the environmental and durability benefits it gives compared with OPC concrete. Data on the creep properties of GGBS cement concrete is limited compared with the data that is available for OPC concrete. Laboratory testing was undertaken to determine the different effects of creep on OPC concrete and GGBS concrete.

The second project objective was to research the effects of creep on post - tensioned curved …

Visualising Urban Flooding Scenarios Using Video Game Technology, William Elliott Lynn

Theses

This thesis investigates the application of computer graphics to the visualisation of urban flooding scenarios. The demand for urban flooding visualisations is presented in the context of an EU wide climate change response strategy. An analysis of the requirements from various stakeholders is presented and a strategy that addresses these requirements is synthesised. A study on the appropriate computer graphics methods and technologies is outlined and limitations of current technologies are assessed. Systems that solve these limitations are described and the result of usability and user acceptance testing are offered as evidence.

Numerical Modelling Of The River Bandon, Stephen Finn

Theses

Numerical modelling involves the use of data from the physical environment and mathematical equations to achieve predictive solutions to many engineering problems including for river engineering. The field data is surveyed, sampled, recorded and tested before it is entered into the numerical modelling program for analysis. The numerical modelling program contains various mathematical equations that solve the data that has been entered. Numerical modelling is an important tool for predicting the consequences of future events. It can be used for predicting the damage of a 1 in 100 year flood event in a river system. Numerical modelling is used by …

An Analysis Of Dredge Material Reuse Techniques For Ireland, Colm Sheehan

Theses

This thesis examines the use and applicability of a range of dredge material management techniques for the Republic of Ireland which will ultimately assist the stakeholders in the industry in assessing the available dredge material management options. A detailed study is presented into the critical parameters required for successful implementation of a range of dredge material management options. An overview of the Irish dredging industry including current dredge material management practice is presented. This is complemented by a detailed critical analysis of the industry which identifies areas requiring development and future challenges for the dredging industry in Ireland. To further …

Shear & Torsion Behaviour Of Hollow-Core Pre-Stressed Concrete Slabs, Cian Twomey

Theses

Research Aim The aim of this study is to carry out research on shear and torsion behaviour of hollow-core slabs.

Research Objectives The objectives of the research are: • carry out a review of research literature published to date • carry out physical laboratory testing • generate and calibrate Unite element models • expand finite element models to model shear and torsion behaviour of hollow- core slabs • carry out a comparison and discussion of the findings

The Structural Performance Of Timber Connections, Daniel Coleman

Theses

This thesis sets out to assess the behaviour of mechanically fastened timber-to-timber connections. The design aspects of timber connections are described in detail, with particular emphasis on nailed connections. The effects of inherent variations in timber properties on joint behaviour are also described.

The two types of connections considered were:

■ Corbel (cantilever);

■ Splice.

For each connection type, different nail configurations, nail diameters and shaft lengths were used. Testing undertaken was conducted to investigate the influence of a number of nail configurations on a connection’s initial stiffness. The test results, presented using moment- rotation curves are also used to …

Optimisation Of Cold-Formed Steel Purlin Cross-Sections, Matt Clifford

Theses

The subject of buckling of steel members is introduced and the critical nature of local buckling in slender members is highlighted.

The main thrust of work this semester is an investigation into the following buckling modes:

Flexural buckling;

Lateral torsional buckling;

Torsional buckling;

Shear buckling;

Web buckling;

Distortional buckling;

Local buckling.

This investigation has three main components:

1. Review of theory, books and appropriate published work;

2. Investigation into the relevant parts of Eurocode 3;

3. Finite element analysis using the LUSAS FE program to illustrate the various buckling modes.

Finally, the areas to be covered in the Realisation Stage …

The Performance Of Irish Grown Timber Composites Under Fire Conditions, Cillian Murphy

Theses

In comparison with many European countries Ireland does not make the most effective use of its native timber. It is good economic and environmental practice to promote the more efficient utilization of this natural resource. In recent years there has been a revival in the use of timber in multi-storey construction which predominantly utilises load bearing exposed timber composite members. These timber composites are typically manufactured in Europe using European timber.

The current study investigates the viability of using Irish grown timber composites as a direct replacement in these load bearing members. The main areas of focus will be the …

An Assessment Of Phosphorus Recovery From Dairy Wastewater, Éanna Kelleher

Theses

Phosphorus is an important nutrient for plant and animal life. It is one of the three essential nutrients required for plant growth; Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. It plays a vital role in the quality and structure of plants. In animals it is essential for the transfer of energy around the body and for the development of the skeleton. Phosphorus is mined from deposits of phosphate rock and is mainly used to produce fertiliser which is applied to agricultural land to improve plant growth. However, phosphorus is a finite resource and, similar to oil, is expected to peak during this century. …

Strengthening Of Reinforced Concrete Beams Pre-Damaged In Shear, Yousef Mohammed Bachar Chekfeh

Theses

Repair and strengthening of existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures has increased drastically in recent years. Shear reinforcement in RC beams is typically of a small bar diameter, and hence any shear-damage would result in a severe safety hazard and a catastrophic mode of failure especially under extreme loading events. The present work was initiated to the effectiveness of different composite strengthening systems; namely externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (EB-CFRP), and near surface mounted glass fiber reinforced polymer (NSM-GFRP) to prolong the functional service life of RC beams pre-damaged in shear. It comprised experimental testing and analytical investigation.

The experimental …