Engineering Commons^™

Hydrologic Inventory Of The Great Salt Lake Desert Area, Gary L. Foote

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Utah, located in the arid southwest, is a state that experience s chronic water shortages. The pattern of valleys and high mountain ranges that exists in the state produces sharply contrasting differences in climatic conditions . Desert valleys in the western portion may receive as few a s 4 inches of precipitation in a year while headwater areas in the Wasatch Mountains receive 60 inches or more. Wide cyclic as well a s geographical variations of precipitation added to uneven seasonal distribution makes development and efficient utilization of water resource s vital though difficult.

In order to make the most …

Computer Simulation Of Urban Runoff Characteristics Within Salt Lake County, Robert Newman Parnell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A hybrid computer program is developed to simulate the outflow hydrographs of two urban watersheds located within Salt Lake County, Utah. The gaged outflow of the watersheds provided a checkpoint for comparing the observed and the simulated final outflow hydrographs.

The outflow hydrographs for each subzone of the two watersheds were obtained by abstracting interception, infiltration and depression storage from each subzone hyetograph. The outflow of the subzones were routed to the Jordan River, the final outflow point of the two watersheds. The final hydrographs of the watersheds were combined and compared with the gaged flow.

The uniquenesses of this …

Phosphorus Distribution In The Bottom Sediments Of Hyrum Reservoir, Kirk L. Schmalz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The distribution of phosphorus in the sediment of Hyrum Reservoir was studied by collecting and analyzing 84 sediment samples for total, inorganic, organic, and water-soluble phosphorus.

Sample locations were mapped by triangulation and sediment phosphorus distribution maps were made. Sediment analysis showed average total phosphorus content of 755 micrograms per gram, with organic phosphorus composing approximately 97 percent of total phosphorus.

Sediment samples showed variability in phosphorus content which precluded identification of point sources of phosphorus input to the reservoir. Several areas of comparatively higher phosphorus content in the sediments were shown with isopleth maps.

An estimate of the extent …

Static And Dynamic Buckling Of Shallow Arches, David D. Loendorf

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The static and dynamic buckling behaviors of a shallow, simply supported sinusoidal arch subjected to both a uniformly distributed step pressure load and a purely impulsive load are considered. Five equilibrium paths are obtained for the arch under static loading conditions. Critical static loads corresponding to two different instability modes and based on characteristics in the load displacement curve are obtained numerically. Critical dynamic loads, corresponding to three different instability modes, are obtained from a numerical procedure in which buckling criteria are based on characteristics in the time response of the structure. The influence of damping on the various dynamic …

Computer Simulation Of Unsteady Flow In An Alluvial Channel By The Method Of Characteristics, Dennis Lynn Richards

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A number of dams have been constructed along alluvial rivers. These dams create reservoirs which serve to collect and store water, usually in large quantity, for use in supplying municipal needs, for supplying power and driving machinery, for furnishing irrigation, and for retaining the flow in time of floods. The characteristics of flow and the sediment-transport capacity of the channel change after these dams have been constructed. One of the major problems then confronting the hydraulic engineer is the rate of reservoir sedimentation and the change in river configuration. A problem of concern is the rapidity of reservoir sedimentation and …

An Evaluation Of An Aerated Lagoon System Treating Combined Dairy And Domestic Wastes During Summer Operation, Douglas M. Skie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Water Quality Act of 1965 and the adoption of the subsequent state water quality standards emphasized the general public's concern for the control of water pollution; for it has become the goal of our nation to maintain all American waters in a suitable condition for domestic and industrial supply, for recreation and for other beneficial uses. It is for these reasons that many communities have been faced with the problem of constructing new sewage treatment facilities or expanding present operations. The use of stabilization ponds as a means of providing sewage treatment has been the practice of many small …

Transient Hydraulic Simulation: Breached Earth Dams, D. L. Fread

Doctoral Dissertations

"A conceptual method to alleviate flood damages due to over-topping failures of small earthfill dams is the incorporation of a relatively thin erosion retarding layer within the dam. This paper investigates the reduction in the reservoir release due to the hypothetical erosion retarding layer. In addition, the paper provides a method for the determination of an optimal location of the layer so as to minimize the maximum possible reservoir release due to a gradually breached earth dam. The transient reservoir flow is simulated by a numerical model, based upon the solution of the one-dimensional St. Venant unsteady open-channel flow equations. …

The Skid Resistance Of Asphaltic Pavements Using Glass Aggregates, Michael Vaughn Korth

Masters Theses

"The disposal of the glass portion of solid waste is an ever-growing problem in the U.S. and recycling has been suggested as a possible solution. In order to find new uses for waste glass, investigations have been conducted to determine if the glass could be used as an aggregate in bituminous concrete mixtures. As part of the overall investigation, this study was concerned with investigating the skid resistance properties of the glass aggregate mixtures, called glasphalt. The objectives were to compare the skid resistance of various bituminous mixtures using aggregate combinations ranging from all glass to all conventional aggregate and …

Interactions Between Selected Pigment Producing Bacteria Isolated From Sewage, Leslie Alexander Lakie

Masters Theses

"Pigmented bacteria have been of interest to the microbiologist for several years. The pigmented organisms in sewage have been known to gain predominance, but no investigations have been made to determine whether the pigment assists the organism in gaining predominance. During this study a number of bacteria which produced a water soluble pigment were isolated from sewage. These bacteria were grown in shaken flasks using tryptone Glucose extract broth as a medium. Growth studies of the bacteria in pure and mixed culture were performed to determine if the pigment could affect another bacteria's growth. Studies were also performed using the …

Reservoir Design: Simulation Techniques, Larry W. Mays

Masters Theses

"A simulation model is developed to aid in the analysis of small dams to reduce the possibility of inadequate spillway designs. Basic assumptions concerning the geometric aspects of the natural reservoir are made to develop the model which is based upon describing the timing and magnitude of a design flood passing through a reservoir. Simulation equations are derived from the basic continuity equation and describe reservoir outflow and storage as functions of reservoir depth. Newton's Iteration Technique is utilized to solve the simulation equations for the reservoir depth. The resulting simulation model determines an optimum size auxiliary spillway having a …

Dynamic Behavior Of Eccentrically Stiffened Plates, Charles Stuart Ferrell

Doctoral Dissertations

"The dynamic behavior of eccentrically stiffened rectangular plates is studied by the finite element method. The addition of stiffeners to a plate structure is a common method of increasing the rigidity of the structure with a minimum of weight increase. However, this stiffened plate configuration does not easily lend itself to analysis. This study is an approach to finding a rational method by which the dynamic behavior of such a stiffened plate structure may be determined. The governing differential equations for the finite element model are derived and the stiffness and mass matrices for the plate and stiffener elements are …

Advanced Waste Treatment Of Industrial Waste Waters By Physicochemical Processes, Michael Gay Hardie

Masters Theses

"The primary objective of this investigation was to determine the general applicability of using physicochemical processes for treating different types of industrial wastes. Emphasis was placed on the evaluation of the treatment efficiency and the performance difficulties encountered in the treatment of each waste. Two types of waste were studied, one a high strength acidic industrial chemical waste and the other a petroleum refinery waste. The physicochemical system utilized included chemical coagulation and clarification plus activated carbon adsorption. Parallel operations of fixed-bed and expanded-bed carbon adsorbers were conducted. Treatment efficiencies were evaluated in terms of the removals of chemical oxygen …

Comparing Community Resources To Industrial Needs With Application To Daviess County, Missouri, Jay Eldon Waggoner Jr.

Masters Theses

"A method of matching industries with communities, the modified Miller-Weiss Indugram, is developed. The technique compares the environmental needs of industry with the environmental resources of a community. The comparison is based upon twenty-five environmental factors. Application of the technique is made to Daviess County, Missouri. Results indicate those industries which are best suited for this rural area"--Abstract, page ii.

A Study Of The Effects Of Mixing On The Accelerated Anaerobic Digestion Of Concentrated Municipal Sludges, Victor Darryl Orr

Masters Theses

"Most domestic sewage treatment plants today practice anaerobic digestion of sludge. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if thorough mechanical mixing of concentrated sludge would improve its digestion. The simulated digesters consisted of six 1 gallon anaerobic reactors which were operated in the laboratory for 78 days. The contents of three digesters were continually mixed and their responses were compared with those of the similarly loaded remaining three unmixed units. Raw sludge with solids concentrations of 7.5, 15 and 30 per cent was digested for detention periods of 30, 15 and 7.5 days at 33º C. Various analyses …

Effects Of Flat And Elongated Particles Upon Properties Of Mixtures Containing Glass Aggregates, John Dean Doyle

Masters Theses

"As a possible solution for the rapidly proliferating problem of waste glass disposal in the United States, glass is being considered for use as aggregate in bituminous concrete mixtures. Crushed waste glass particles, and crushed bottle glass particles in particular, are more angular, much smoother, and contain a higher percentage of flat and/or elongated particles than conventional rock aggregate particles. Because of the differences in shape and surface texture, glass aggregate may require different gradations than those found suitable for conventional rock aggregate. Objectives of this research were to determine gradations which result in maximum density for aggregates consisting entirely, …

A Statistical Hydrologic Simulation Model, Ronald L. Wycoff

Masters Theses

"Simulation of a physical system requires knowledge of all components of the system and their interactions. A probabilistic simulation model of a hydrologic system is developed from short term continuous, sychronized rainfall-runoff records. The individual components of the system area the time between and duration of storms, the depth of rain occurring in each time period of the storm, precipitation excess relations, and the watersheds unit hydrograph. The available data is used to define or develop the probabilistic models involved. The only nonprobabilistic model employed is the watersheds unit hydrograph. It is found that the time between and duration of …

Shear Properties Of An Organic Soil And The Same Soil With The Organic Matter Removed, David Eugene Daniels

Masters Theses

"The effect of strain rate on the shearing properties of an organic A̲ horizon Bryce clay and the same soil treated with hydrogen peroxide to remove the organic matter was studied. For both soils, the pore pressures were found to be independent of strain rate, and dependent only on the increment of strain during shear. The effect of the hydrogen peroxide treatment on the shear properties of an inorganic Bryce B̲ horizon clay was also studied. It was concluded that the hydrogen peroxide does not affect the mineral properties of the Bryce clay and serves only to selectively remove organic …

Some Factors Affecting The Results In Cyclic Triaxial Tests, Suresh Kumar Chaudhary

Masters Theses

"A major cause of damage to structures and earth embankments during earthquakes or any other such dynamic vibrating loading conditions has been the liquefaction of saturated sands. There have been several investigations to establish a convenient and relatively simple laboratory test procedure and to study the nature of field conditions leading to sand liquefaction. This investigation evaluates the effects of sample size, testing frequency, and the method of sample preparation on the number of cycles to cause initial liquefaction in pulsating triaxial tests using standardized equipment and test procedures. It has been found that sample size does affect test results …

Compressibility Effects On Transient Gas Pipe Flow, Gerald Francis Mouser

Masters Theses

"Abstract (1) Methods of iterative solution for the partial-differential equations that govern the transient flow of gases in pipelines are obtained by using the method of characteristics and linear finite-difference techniques. Solutions are developed for 1) a constant gas compressibility factor throughout transient conditions, and 2) a variable gas compressibility factor at constant temperature dependent upon pressures encountered during transient flow. Theoretical studies are made to compare results using both approaches for pipelines operating at various constant flowing temperatures. Results show greater differences between the two methods at lower values of flowing temperature due to the more rapidly changing compressibility …

Thickening And Dewatering Characteristics Of Activated Sludge Containing Metal-Precipitated Phosphorus, Lyle Wayne Merritt

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this research study was to investigate methods for the disposal of activated sludge containing metal-precipitated phosphorus. To accomplish this objective, chemically-treated activated sludge or a mixture of the secondary sludge with primary sludge were thickened and dewatered by vacuum filtration and centrifugation. The putrescibility of the dewatered secondary sludge was also evaluated, and since anaerobic digestion is the usual method of sludge treatment, a digestion study was conducted. Secondary sludge for these studies was produced in five 38-gpd (144-1/day) activated sludge pilot plants operated at the Rolla Southeast Treatment Plant. Ferric chloride and alum were added directly …

Contractor Quality Control: A Method Of Construction Inspection, John Scott Treadwell

Masters Theses

"It has become apparent in recent years that the United States Government's construction contract supervision and administration procedures are causing an increase in contractor claims and disputes and that the system itself is becoming prohibitively expensive. To deal with some of these problems, the Department of Defense is attempting to implement a new approach to construction inspection--Contractor Quality control. Under the Contractor Quality Control System the majority of the standard contract inspection and testing responsibilities are placed on the contractor, and the Government relinquishes its traditional step-by-step inspection and testing procedures and withdraws to a position of contract surveillance. The …

The Influence Of Temperature, Carbon Content, And Preloading On Secondary Consolidation Of A Clay, Richard Kai-Ming So

Masters Theses

"The effect of temperature, organic carbon content, and preloading on secondary consolidation of Bryce clay has been studied. A straight line plot of void ratio versus logarithm of time was established in secondary consolidation for long term loading periods up to one month. Temperature changes within the range of 5ºC. to 45ºC. were studied in the secondary consolidation phase at different stress levels and different carbon contents of the soil. Secondary consolidation in a preloading cycle at a stress level of 2 tsf unloaded to 1 tsf and reloaded to 2 tsf was studied. The preloading tests were at temperatures …

Digested Sludge Dewatering On Drying Beds Under Controlled Environmental Conditions, Daniel James Harris

Masters Theses

"The dewatering characteristics of anaerobically digested primary and activated sludge were investigated under eight selected combinations of laboratory controlled air temperature and relative humidity using three open, drained model beds, as well as a closed, drained and an open, nondrained bed. The evaporation rate from a free water surface was also determined. Moisture content, drainage, evaporative weight loss, and sludge surface recession were measured and recorded periodically throughout the two week period of each of the eight experiments. Relationships were shown to exist between sludge moisture content, evaporation rate from a free water surface, and the parameters 6T (the difference …

The Artificial Sedimentation Of Soil, John Richard Wagner

Masters Theses

"Previous investigations concerned with artificially sedimented soils and a review of the literature on soil structure are summarized. These studies show that many of the physical properties of a soil depend upon its structure and that the structure of a sedimented soil depends principally upon the salt content of the pore water. In addition, artificially sedimented soils have been shown to have a "natural" soil structure. An apparatus was developed which will automatically sediment soils in water of controlled salt content. To determine whether or not the apparatus was able to sediment uniform and homogeneous soil samples, moisture content determinations, …

A Digital Computer Simulation Of A Rural Two-Lane Highway, D. Jay Frankenfield

Masters Theses

"The traffic flow model developed in this study is a digital computer simulation utilizing the technique of periodic scanning to move the vehicles through a series of unit blocks. The model simulates traffic flow on a rural two-lane highway by assuming a straight and level road and incorporating sight distance restrictions and no-passing zones to simulate the effect of limited sight distance. By utilizing various "passing rules" to initiate the passing maneuver, three general topics were investigated. This study investigated the use of 1000 ADT as a criterion for yellow line striping no-passing by using the computer simulation to determine …