Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Physical And Stochiometric Controls On Nutrient Uptake And Ecosystem Respiration In Contrasting Sites, Jancoba K. Dorley

Civil Engineering ETDs

Meteorological, hydrological, and biogeochemical processes naturally control stream ecosystems. These processes define the frequency and distribution of precipitation and the supply and demand of solutes and particles to support aquatic food chains through space and time. Studies have also found that stream ecosystems are also controlled by anthropogenic activities, which occur on a much shorter timescale. These anthropogenic activities affect stream ecosystems' structure and function from local to planetary changes to the environment. It is essential for scientists and engineers to understand the relationships between naturally occurring processes and those created by human activities for a better interpretation of stream …

A Vehicle-Bridge Interaction Model Considering Contact Patch Size And Vehicle Self-Generated Excitation – A Theoretical Study, Zhenhua Shi, Yahya M. Mohammed, Nasim Uddin, Genda Chen

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents an improved theoretical damped single-axle vehicle-bridge dynamic interaction model to consider the effect of the contact patch size and motor-induced vehicle excitation. The contact patch issue is critical as it determines the minimum time step for simulation and maximum identifiable frequency, while the inclusion of the motor-induced vehicle excitation benefits the design of autonomous self-driven rather than towed vehicles. Estimations of the contact patch size for both the pneumatic tire and solid wheel scenarios are discussed. The contact patch responses, which degenerate into contact point responses when the contact patch size is assumed to be infinitely small, …

Enhancing Wettability Prediction In The Presence Of Organics For Hydrogen Geo-Storage Through Data-Driven Machine Learning Modeling Of Rock/H2/Brine Systems, Zeeshan Tariq, Muhammad Ali, Nurudeen Yekeen, Auby Baban, Bicheng Yan, Shuyu Sun, Hussein Hoteit

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The success of geological H2 storage relies significantly on rock–H2–brine interactions and wettability. Experimentally assessing the H2 wettability of storage/caprocks as a function of thermos-physical conditions is arduous because of high H2 reactivity and embrittlement damages. Data-driven machine learning (ML) modeling predictions of rock–H2–brine wettability are less strenuous and more precise. They can be conducted at geo-storage conditions that are impossible or hazardous to attain in the laboratory. Thus, ML models were utilized in this research to accurately model the wettability behavior of a ternary system consisting of H2, rock minerals (quartz and mica), and brine at different operating geological …

Prediction Of Self-Consolidating Concrete Properties Using Xgboost Machine Learning Algorithm: Part 1–Workability, Amine El Mahdi Safhi, Hamed Dabiri, Ahmed Soliman, Kamal Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Interest in Implementing Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) in Major Construction Projects Has Increased Significantly in Recent Years. This Paper Reports the Results of an Extensive Survey of Experimental Data of More Than 1700 SCC Mixtures from over 100 Studies Published in the Last Decade. the Survey Included the SCC Mixture Proportioning, Key Fresh Properties Including Flowability, Passing Ability, and Segregation Resistance, as Well as Some of the Derived Properties (E.g., Paste Volume). the Statistical Analysis of the Reported Parameters Showed Wide Variations in Values. the Outcome of the Survey Indicates that SCC Mixture Design and Workability Properties Do Not Systematically …

Effectiveness Of The Different Eutectic Phase-Change Materials In Cooling Asphalt Pavement, Jiasheng Dai, Feng Ma, Zhen Fu, Jenny Liu, Chen Li, Yingjie Hou, Hanli Wu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Choosing a Phase-Change Material (PCM) Adapted to the Specific Phase-Change Temperature (Tm) Required for Each Temperature Condition is of Utmost Importance in Cooling Pavements. Eutectic Phase-Change Materials (EPCMs) Realize the Customization of the Desired Tm and Reduce the Difficulty of Matching PCMs. This Work Aims to Investigate the Effectiveness of a Group of Binary/ternary EPCMs with Tm Ranging from 30 to 60 ℃ and Melting Enthalpies of Around 200 J/g as Thermal Regulation Components for Different Asphalt. to Achieve This Goal, the Thermal and Rheological Properties of Phase-Change Asphalt Binders (PCAB) Were Evaluated by Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Thermogravimetric, Fourier Transform …

Component Approach For A Combined Hurricane Wind And Rainwater Damage And Time Related Expenses Model In Mid/High-Rise Buildings, Zhuoxuan Wei

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on mid/high-rise commercial residential buildings (MHRB) vulnerable to wind-driven rainwater ingress during hurricanes. The author developed the WHIP-MHRB model, a new probabilistic vulnerability model funded by the Wind Hazard Infrastructure Performance Center (WHIP-C). This model combines the estimates of rainwater ingress, distribution and propagation, and damage assessments, and time-related expenses (TRE) predictions for MHRB during hurricanes. Embedded within WHIP-MHRB is the WHIP-TRE model, which forecasts repair times, delay times, downtime, and recovery times post-hurricane explicitly.

Furthermore, taking advantage of the new model, this study presents two approaches to address the combined wind and rain vulnerabilities of MHRB …

Residual Trapping Of Co2, N2, And A Co2-N2 Mixture In Indiana Limestone Using Robust Nmr Coreflooding: Implications For Co2 Geological Storage, Amer Alanazi, Auby Baban, Muhammad Ali, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer, Hussein Hoteit

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) in geological formations is a prominent solution for reducing anthropogenic carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. The capillary trapping of CO2 is a primary trapping mechanism governed by the pressure difference between the wetting and nonwetting phases in a porous rock, making the latter a key input parameter for dynamic simulation models. During the CCS operational process, however, the CO2 is prone to contamination by impurities from various sources such as surfaces (e.g., pipelines and tanks) and the subsurface (e.g., existing natural gas). Such contamination can strongly influence the overall CO2 wettability, storage capacity, and …

Impacts Of Area-Wide Air Pollution On Multimodal Traffic: Comparing Pedestrian, Motor Vehicle, And Transit Volumes In Utah, Prachanda Tiwari

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The impact of area-wide air pollution on multimodal traffic volumes has been underexplored. Thus, this research investigates the effect of area-wide air pollution on pedestrian volumes, motor volumes, and transit ridership across two urban areas in Utah for two years (2018 and 2019). The research employed multilevel modeling to study this effect. The model results showed an overall decrease in pedestrian volumes in both study areas, while driving volumes saw both increases and decreases in different locations. Transit ridership saw an increase during days with moderate air quality in one particular study area. Median income, vehicle ownership, and higher street …

Effect Of Methylene Blue On Wetting Characteristics Of Quartz/H2/Brine Systems: Implication For Hydrogen Geological Storage, Fatemah Alhamad, Mujahid Ali, Nurudeen P. Yekeen, Muhammad Ali, Hussein Hoteit, Stefan Iglauer, Alireza Keshavarz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Hydrogen (H2) is considered a promising replacement for fossil fuels due to its enormous potential as an environmentally friendly and sustainable option compared to carbon-based fossil fuels. However, storing the vast quantity of H2 required to satisfy the global energy demand on the earth's surface can be difficult due to its compressibility and volatility. The best option for large-scale storage is underground H2 storage (UHS), which can be retrieved when needed. Rock wettability is vital in UHS because it determines the H2 storage capacity, containment security, and potential withdrawal and injection rates. Organic acid inherent in storage formations could make …

Information Management And Bim Standards And Supports Inventory, Ryan Dempsey, Barry Mcauley, David Burke

Tools

The Digital Standards pillar consists of industry experts who champion the benefits of common rules, guidelines, and workflows that facilitate the improvement of information flow and information management across asset life cycles. Digital standards provide a common language that can be translated to technical specifications enabling clients, designers, contractors, and facilities managers, irrespective of their preferred tools, to communicate efficiently and reduce cost, rework, and disputes. Working closely with the Digital Procurement and Digital Education and Training pillars, this pillar is developing and delivering Irish Information Management/BIM (Digital Construction) guidelines for the sector.

This report summarises existing digital construction standards, …

International Information Management And Bim Best Practice Report, Ted Mckenna, Davitt Lamon

Reports

In order to inform the Digital Leadership and Cultural Change pillar of the Build Digital, a study of international best practice in digital adoption within the built environment sector globally was undertaken and is presented here-in. In order to identify key learnings for Ireland in the context of digital transformation, eight countries were included in this study, namely, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. These countries were selected for various reasons, including the level of digital maturity, the scale of the built environment sector and geographic spread. Key data for each country is included …

Digital Construction Annual Survey 2022 Report, Davitt Lamon, Ted Mckenna

Reports

The Annual Survey 2022 was conducted to assess the state of digital transformation in the Irish construction and built environment sector. This report presents the analysis of survey data, with a focus on implications for the Build Digital project and Build Digital’s five pillars: Digital Leadership & Cultural Change, Digital Standards, Digital Education & Training, Digital Procurement, and Sustainability & Circular Economy. Key findings from the survey indicated that a significant number of organisations have started their digital transformation journey, with many identifying themselves as proactive and possessing a clear business-focused strategy. However, a considerable cohort of respondents are keen …

Sustainability And Circular Economy Horizon Scan And Needs Analysis, Sadaf Dalirazar, Mark Kelly, Derek Sinnott, James O'Donnell

Reports

The construction industry plays a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis as it is the largest global consumer of raw materials and contributes significantly to global energy consumption and emissions. Considering the world’s continuous population growth and the imperative to address infrastructure and housing demands the construction sector needs to adopt further sustainable strategies in its activities to reduce the pressure on natural resources. In addition, the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector is responsible for generating substantial amount of waste known as Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), which is projected to increase due to the future construction developments. …

Mode I Crack Morphology And Fracture Surface Roughness Of Granite Under Impact, Xue-Song Wang, Lian-Jun Guo, Xin Liu, Ding Deng, Jiu-Yang Zhang, Zhen-Yang Xu

Rock and Soil Mechanics

To study the response of mode I cracks under impact loading, the dynamic fracture test on the single cleavage triangle (SCT) granite specimens with the lateral opening was carried out using a split Hopkinson pressure bar test system. The Hough transform method was used to quantitatively describe the distributions of the surface crack lengths and angles, and the relationship between them and the absorbed energy of the specimen was analyzed. The three-dimensional (3D) point cloud data of the fracture surface was obtained by using a 3D surface topography detection device, and a fracture surface reconstruction method based on the threshold …

Upper Bound Analysis Of Uplift Piles In Saturated Clay And Soil Plug Effect, Ke-Wen Zhu, Jian Yu, Mao-Song Huang

Rock and Soil Mechanics

A new mechanism is established and applied to the upper bound analysis of uplift piles in saturated clay. Upper bound solutions of uplift capacities of closed and open-ended piles are analyzed. The new mechanism is verified by comparing with elastoplastic finiteelement, existing lower bound and API solutions. Its reliability is assessed through case studies including one centrifuge test and two field tests. The effects of the pile length-diameter ratio, pile surface roughness, non uniformity of undrained soil strength and length of soil plug on the uplift bearing capacity are considered. A formulation predicting the net bearing capacity of closed-ended uplift …

Shear Strength Characteristics Of Unsaturated Rubber Silt Mixtures, En-Quan Zhou, Yuan Yao, Lei Cui, Long Wang

Rock and Soil Mechanics

To study the shear strength characteristics of unsaturated rubber silt mixtures, a series of direct shear tests was conducted on the rubber silt mixtures with different rubber particle contents and water contents. Based on the particle contact state theory, the meso contact mode of rubber silt mixtures was constructed, and the calculation method of rubber silt mixtures skeleton void ratio based on different rubber content was obtained. The test results show that the shear strength of rubber silt mixtures decreases with the increase of skeleton void ratio at a low water content, while the strength of rubber silt mixtures increases …

A Simplified Algorithm For Predicting Creep Settlement Of High Fill Based On Modified Power Law Model, Jian Huang, Pu-Rong De, Yang-Ping Yao, Ren Peng, Ji-Lin Qi

Rock and Soil Mechanics

The creep settlement dominates the long-term deformation of high fill foundation after construction and cannot be ignored. The reliable prediction of creep settlement provides an important guideline for judging whether settlement is stable and arranging subsequent construction. The modification of the traditional power law model for predicting the one-dimensional creep deformation of soil is proposed, which can describe the one dimensional creep deformation of clay, sand and soil-rock mixture. The modified model satisfies the requirement that the growth of the creep deformation has an asymptote with respect to time; that is to say, the creep deformation grows continually and approaches …

Investigation Of The Fracture Process Zone And Behavior Of The Macro-Scale Fatigue Cracks In Brittle Rock Specimens, Nazife Erarslan

Rock and Soil Mechanics

The importance of this study is to explain the fatigue damage mechanism while addressing the effect of fatigue on the fracture toughness (KIC) using the brittle Brazilian specimens and to show for the first time in the literature the behavior of macroscale cracks that open and close in brittle rock without leading to eventual failure. The KIC was reduced by 35% due to the cyclic loading, and the reduction of the indirect Brazilian strength was found to be reduced by 30%. The fatigue cracks were observed to open and close elastically without failure and have been recorded by a camera …

Probabilistic Evaluation Of Excavation Unloading Response Of Rock Slope Considering The Uncertainty Of Mechanical Parameters, Guo-Feng Liu, Kun Feng, Chang-Gen Yan, Guang-Liang Feng, Ding-Ping Xu, Chi Zhou

Rock and Soil Mechanics

There are many studies on the spatial variability of mechanical parameters of jointed rock masses and the reliability of slopes with potential slip surface, but the research on the spatial variability of mechanical parameters of rock slopes and the uncertainty analysis of excavation unloading response (deformation and plastic zone) is limited. A probabilistic evaluation method for excavation unloading response of rock slopes considering the uncertainty of mechanical parameters is proposed. Based on laboratory rock mechanical tests and geological survey mapping data, the probabilistic statistical models of rock mass mechanical parameters of slopes are constructed by using Hoek-Brown empirical criterion and …

Long-Term Stress Characteristics And Load Reduction Effect Of High-Fill Box Culverts With Eps Slabs, Qi Gao, Bao-Guo Chen, Sen Wu, Shan Yuan, Meng-Yao Sun

Rock and Soil Mechanics

Laying expandable polystyrene (EPS) slabs on the top of high-fill box culverts to reduce earth pressure has been used in engineering practice, but the creep of EPS slabs will cause the earth pressure on the box culvert to change over time. The present design theory of box culverts cannot clearly reflect the long-term load reduction effect of EPS slabs and the long-term stress characteristics of box culverts. In this analysis, model tests were carried out to investigate the short-term stress characteristics of the box culvert with EPS slabs, and a numerical model was validated by the model test results. Then …