Civil Engineering Commons^™

Implementation And Performance Evaluation Of Plastic Road Mix Design In Parking Lot, Ishraq Faruk

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The uncontrolled proliferation of plastic waste has emerged as a global environmental crisis, with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) constituting a substantial fraction of the waste stream due to its extensive use in packaging and its resistance to degradation. In parallel, asphalt pavements particularly in urban infrastructure such as parking lots experience accelerated deterioration from raveling, rutting, and cracking as a result of thermal cycling, repetitive loading, and inadequate drainage. These converging challenges present an opportunity for innovative, circular-economy-based sustainable pavement technologies that simultaneously improve surface durability and mitigate plastic waste accumulation.

This research investigates the full-scale implementation and monitoring of HDPE …

Leveraging Product And Process Characteristics Across The Concrete Pavement Life Cycle To Integrate Global Warming Potential Into Project Procurement Processes, Michelle Annette Cooper

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The objective of this research is to support sustainable procurement of concrete pavements by linking materials-level global warming potential (GWP) to the project-level. Infrastructure owners require reliable environmental product declarations (EPDs) and methodologies for integrating GWP into the procurement process to ensure equitable decision-making. This work provides insights into current EPD reliability by assessing the sensitivity of concrete GWP to materials-level contributors to recommend a level of supply chain specificity needed to effectively communicate GWP. A benchmarking methodology was developed and implemented to establish reference values for procuring sustainable products. Having provided evidence towards EPD reliability, this work presents a …

Ansi Z97 Impact Testing Of Thin Glass, Justin P. Anthony

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

To determine whether thin glass constructions can pass Z97 impact test to qualify as safety glass an extensive protocol was performed. Constructions including monolithic, chemically strengthened, filmed, laminated, and triple pane insulated glass units comprised of thin glass ranging in thickness between 0.50 mm and 1.6mm were evaluated. Test results indicate annealed specimens, and laminated specimens performed similar to constructions with 3 mm and 6 mm glass. Specimens with 0.2 mm film consistently performed as safety glass for thicknesses between 0.7 mm and 1.6 mm and similar performance for specimens with 0.1 mm film with thickness of 1.1 mm and …

Life Cycle Assessment And Life Cycle Cost Assessment Of A Floating Treatment Wetland In A Wastewater Lagoon Located In Copper Harbor, Michigan, Erin Browne

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

A full-scale floating treatment wetland was implemented in a wastewater treatment lagoon in Copper Harbor, Michigan. Copper Harbor is a small, rural community located in a cold climate. Many studies have focused on the performance of floating treatment wetlands in mesocosm studies in warmer climates, but there is not a lot of research conducted on the feasibility and performance of full-scale floating treatment wetlands in wastewater lagoons, specifically in cold climates. The 2024 treatment season was the first season with the floating treatment wetland implemented in the wastewater lagoon. A preliminary assessment of the cost and environmental impacts of a …

Estimating Unconfined Compressive Strength (Ucs) Of Rocks From Measurement While Drilling (Mwd) Data, Can Erdem

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Measurement-while-drilling (MWD) technology enables the real-time monitoring of drilling parameters during the drilling process. MWD data can provide valuable insight into the mechanical behavior of intact rocks and rock masses, which is essential for geotechnical applications such as foundation design and underground construction. The aim of this study is to correlate real-time drilling parameters, recorded using a laboratory-developed MWD system, with the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of rocks. A custom laboratory MWD system was designed to simultaneously record four key drilling parameters: thrust (axial force, crowd), torque, penetration rate, and rotational speed. The custom-built MWD system was used to continuously …

Performance And Environmental Impact Of Waste Glass Asphalt In Cold Regions, Kai Xin

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The reuse of waste glass in asphalt mixtures has significant potential in sustainable pavement engineering, yet its performance under cold, freeze–thaw conditions remain underexplored. This dissertation presents a first-of-its-kind comprehensive evaluation of glass asphalt for cold regions, simultaneously assessing its low-temperature cracking resistance, moisture susceptibility, field performance, and life-cycle environmental impacts. A series of laboratory tests were performed on asphalt mixtures incorporating various proportions of crushed waste glass aggregate, including Disk-Shaped Compact Tension (DCT) and Indirect Tensile (IDT) tests for low-temperature fracture resistance, and Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) and Hamburg Wheel Tracking (HWTT) tests for moisture damage and rutting susceptibility. …

Enhancing Operational Efficiency Of Paratransit Services Using Predictive Models, Troyee Saha

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Paratransit services play a vital role in supporting the mobility of older adults and individuals with disabilities, yet they experienced major disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to face ongoing operational issues such as trip cancellations. This dissertation explores these challenges through three distinct analyses using data from Arlington, TX. The first chapter investigates how COVID-19-related factors (policies, cases, and vaccination) and socio-demographics influenced paratransit usage from 2019 to 2021. Applying SARIMAX and Poisson regression models, the study finds a substantial drop in ridership—41% in 2020—and a shift toward essential medical travel. It also reveals that restrictive policies, such …

Development Of Supervised Machine Learning-Based Life-Cycle Cost Estimation And Prediction Models For Comparative Sewer System Rehabilitation Using Open-Cut And Trenchless Cured-In-Place Pipe Methods, Gayatri R. Thakre

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Aging wastewater infrastructure in the United States demands renewal strategies that balance cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and minimal social disruption. Conventional open-cut pipeline installation (OCPI) involves extensive excavation and restoration, whereas trenchless alternatives such as Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) Renewal Technology offer reduced surface disturbance and environmental impacts. However, existing studies primarily focus on Construction Costs (CC), neglecting integrated life-cycle evaluations that also account for Environmental Costs (EC) and Social Costs (SC).

The primary objectives of this research are to develop supervised machine-learning (ML) models to estimate and predict CC in 2025 US dollars (USD) per linear foot of OCPI and CIPP Renewal …

Development Of A Drone-Assisted Pavement Management Framework Based On The Pavement Condition Index For University Parking Lots, Omesh Pasuluru

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

Efficient pavement management is essential for keeping university parking lots in good condition. At the University of Texas at Arlington, parking areas experience heavy use and environmental wear, which can cause damage if not addressed early. Traditional methods for assessing pavement conditions are time-consuming, interrupt daily activities, and are expensive. Hence, there is a need for better solutions. This study introduces a drone-based pavement management approach that uses the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) system. The PCI is a numerical scale from 0 to 100 that rates pavement quality based on surface condition. A high PCI score (85-100) indicates the pavement …

Structural Performance Of High-Rise Rc Buildings With Sfrc Columns And Shear Walls Subjected To Seismic Loading, Ali Azzawi

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

To investigate the seismic performance of high-rise RC buildings with steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) columns and shear walls, a detailed numerical analysis was established using RISA-3D software on twelve-story RC buildings subjected to earthquakes. The variables included in this research are steel fiber volume fraction (SFVF), number of stories with SFRC columns and shear walls, and concrete strength grade. The mechanical properties of the concrete for each mix are evaluated experimentally. Three types of concrete mix designs were performed in the Civil Engineering Laboratory Building (CELB) using different dosages of steel fibers (0, 25lb/cy, and 70lb/cy). The properties of …

Investigation Of Aluminum Hollow Shapes Subject To Torsion, Nora Frederick

Honors Theses

This research investigates the torsional strength of hollow aluminum shapes, specifically fairly stocky square and circular cross-sections made from 6061-T6 alloy. A total of six cross-sections were tested, with six specimens for each cross-section, resulting in 36 tests. Torque and angular deformation data were recorded for each specimen to determine the torque corresponding to full- yield of the cross-section. Additionally, Strand7 finite element models were created to simulate the experimental results and assess whether the torsional behavior could be accurately replicated through numerical analysis. This allows for future research to be conducted using Strand7 or similar finite element software.

The …

In-Plane Shear Stiffness Of Stay-In-Place Forms And Bracing Effects On The Torsional Stability Of Press-Brake-Formed Tub Girders, Ethan L. Host

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Press-brake-formed tub girders have welded internal angle bracing that is believed to be necessary for torsional stability under eccentric loading. However, this bracing creates fatigue weld hotspots overtime, which are subject to cracking. This study was performed to assess the torsional behavior of the Valmont U12 press-brake-formed tub girder (PBFTG) under various configurations using finite element analysis (FEA) modeling and experimental laboratory testing. The primary objective was to (1) determine the necessity of various angle bracing throughout the beam, and the effects removing said braces has on the torsional stiffness of the girder and (2) investigate the use of stay-in-place …

Long-Term Assessment Of The Morphological Behavior Of The Beaches North Of Sebastian Inlet, Florida, Aidan O'Gorman

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The morphological behavior of the beaches north of Sebastian Inlet, Florida is investigated by applying Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analyses to a series of beach surveys conducted semi-annually (winter and summer) over a period of fifteen years (2005-2019), with the primary objectives being to 1) determine the extent to which the inlet’s influence to the north typically fluctuates on a short-term basis (e.g. annually), and 2) identify any long-term trends of accretion or erosion that might exist. Each survey is comprised of thirty-one cross-shore profiles that are referenced to permanently installed range monuments (“R-monuments”) that are spaced nominally 305 …

Assessment Of Surface Area Application Ratios For Beach Sand Treated Via Surface Percolated Micp-Bioslurry For Erosion Mitigation, Connor J. Marlin

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rapid shoreline erosion associated with sea-level rise is an ongoing threat to coastal infrastructure. Traditional stabilization techniques, such as revetments, seawalls, and periodic nourishment, often prove costly, ecologically disruptive, or provide only temporary protection. Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) and its operational variant, bioslurry, present a biologically inspired alternative capable of forming a cemented surface crust that reduces soil erodibility. Previous laboratory studies typically prescribed a solution dosage as a percentage of pore volume (%PV). While geotechnically sound, this metric is poorly suited to field deployment across a large area. This thesis evaluates surface-area-based dosing (L/m²) as the primary dosage …

Assessment Of Wave Climate Conditions At An Important Historical And Ecological Site Along The Fort George River In Northeast Florida, Ally O. Kasuwi

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated wave climate conditions at the Timucuan Preserve in northeast Florida, addressing gaps in previous shoreline erosion research that largely attributed erosion to boat wakes without detailed wave data. Field data were collected using several do-it-yourself water wave gauges. Each data collection event was for approximately one week, with an emphasis on collecting data before, during, and after periods of expected peak wave activity (i.e., holiday weekends and large-scale storms). Data were analyzed in the frequency domain to establish the likely cause of waves. Results suggested that, counterintuitively, watercraft traffic may have produced higher dominant wave periods than …

Performance And Economic Evaluation Of Asphalt-Based High Friction Surface Treatment (Hfst) Applications, Alireza Roshan, Magdy Abdelrahman

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

High Friction Surface Treatments (HFSTs) are recognized for enhancing friction between tires and road surfaces, with reduced road accidents being a key benefit. Epoxy-based HFSTs, though widely used, come with challenges like compatibility issues with existing pavements, higher installation and removal costs, and reduced durability tied to substrate quality. Recently, state agencies have increasingly focused on developing asphalt-based alternative binders for HFST applications as highlighted in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) RFP #NCHRP 10-145. This study introduces asphalt-based HFSTs as an alternative to traditional epoxy-based treatments. Various aggregate types were examined for friction performance and the effect of …

พฤติกรรมการเปลี่ยนช่องจราจรบริเวณจุดรับส่งผู้โดยสาร, ศุภวิชญ์ มัธยมนันทน์

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

ในสภาพการจราจรจริง การไหลของกระแสจราจรมักถูกรบกวนจากยานพาหนะที่จอดเพื่อรับ–ส่งผู้โดยสาร ส่งผลให้ยานพาหนะที่ขับขี่ตามมามีสองทางเลือก ได้แก่ การรอให้ยานพาหนะด้านหน้าเคลื่อนตัวต่อไป หรือการเปลี่ยนช่องจราจรไปยังช่องที่สามารถเคลื่อนที่ได้ ซึ่งทั้งสองทางเลือกล้วนทำให้ประสิทธิภาพการไหลของจราจรลดลงเมื่อเทียบกับกรณีที่ไม่มีการรบกวนดังกล่าว ในปัจจุบัน การใช้แบบจำลองจราจรช่วยให้สามารถทำความเข้าใจและคาดการณ์สภาพการจราจรได้โดยไม่ต้องทดลองในพื้นที่จริง แต่แบบจำลองทั่วไปยังขาดความเฉพาะเจาะจงเมื่อต้องเผชิญสถานการณ์เฉพาะทาง โดยมักใช้พฤติกรรมพื้นฐานเพียงชุดเดียวในการแทนพฤติกรรมผู้ขับขี่ทุกกรณี งานวิจัยนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษาพฤติกรรมการเปลี่ยนช่องจราจรของผู้ขับขี่เมื่อแล่นตามหลังรถที่จอดรับ–ส่งผู้โดยสาร จากนั้นนำพฤติกรรมที่ได้จากภาคสนามไปใช้ในการพัฒนาแบบจำลองสภาพจราจรใน PTV VISSIM และทำการเปรียบเทียบกับพฤติกรรมจริง ข้อมูลภาคสนามถูกเก็บรวบรวมด้วยการบันทึกวิดีโอและประมวลผลด้วย Video Analytics ก่อนนำไปสร้างแบบจำลอง ผลการศึกษาพบว่า แบบจำลองสามารถจำลองพฤติกรรมการเริ่มต้นเข้าสู่การเปลี่ยนช่องจราจรได้ใกล้เคียงกับข้อมูลจริง โดยช่องว่างเชิงเวลา (Lag Gap) ของยานพาหนะที่ขับขี่ตามมามีค่าเฉลี่ย 0.425 วินาทีในภาคสนาม และ 0.375 วินาทีในแบบจำลอง อย่างไรก็ตาม แบบจำลองยังไม่สามารถสะท้อนพฤติกรรมการเปลี่ยนช่องจราจรได้ครบถ้วนทุกด้าน ซึ่งเป็นประเด็นที่ควรได้รับการพัฒนาเพิ่มเติมในงานวิจัยอนาคต

Mitigation Of Antibiotic Resistance Using Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes For Water Treatment, Nicole Heyniger, Patrick J. Mcnamara, Anthony D. Kappell, Brandon Schultz, Troy Skwor, Brooke K. Mayer

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment is a growing issue, which has been exacerbated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in health care and agricultural systems. One means of mitigating antibiotic resistance is through drinking water and wastewater treatment, specifically during disinfection processes. Ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) are an emerging disinfection technology featuring adjustable peak wavelength emissions. We assessed the use of UV-LED for treating waterborne ARB (Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila) and ARGs (intracellular and extracellular) compared to conventional low-pressure UV (LP-UV). Overall, less efficient reduction (bacterial inactivation and/or gene …

Innovations In Balanced Mix Design: Establishing Gwp Thresholds For Various Nmas And Evaluating Superpave Vs. Bmd In High Content Rubber Asphalt, Kai Xin

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Traditional volumetric asphalt mix design methods, such as Superpave, frequently struggle to address critical performance parameters, leading many agencies to seek more robust approaches. Balanced Mix Design (BMD) has emerged as a forward-looking alternative by directly measuring rutting and cracking resistance in the laboratory. In this study, BMD principles were applied to asphalt mixtures featuring three distinct NMAS mixes and two high content rubber mixes, introduced through both dry and semi-wet processes. Compared with conventional volumetric constraints, BMD provided greater flexibility in adjusting binder content and gradation to accommodate elevated crumb-rubber levels. The resulting mixtures satisfied both rutting and cracking …

Quantifying Subsurface Pavement Temperatures Subject To Future Climates And Implications For Pavement Resilience, Austin Michael Jarrell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Assessment of anthropogenic climate change impacts in pavement design and analysis remains limited within engineering practice, despite growing recognition of the need for climate-resilient roadway infrastructure. Research efforts have increasingly focused on integrating future climate projections into mechanistic-empirical pavement design, which represents the leading edge of the state of practice. However, a lack of consensus persists regarding the optimal methods for incorporating climate projections, particularly in the selection of downscaling techniques and global climate models (GCMs) to ensure accuracy and applicability for pavement performance analysis. This research investigates the impact of statistical downscaling methodologies and GCM selection routines on subsurface …