Civil Engineering Commons^™

Effects Of Testing Time On Anaerobic Toxicity Assessment, Omolola Atinuke Akintomide

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Anaerobic digestion has been widely used for wastewater treatment for decades. Several Anaerobic Toxicity tests have been developed to screen wastewater for toxicity and assess the treatability of such toxicants. However, past research and reviews on Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) test and Anaerobic Toxicity Assay (ATA) were considered in this study.

The experimental tests included ammonium-nitrogen and sodium chloride toxicity tests with varied concentration and solid retention time. These tests were designed to demonstrate the impact of ammonia- nitrogen and sodium chloride on the biological degradation process. The anaerobic test set-up includes bench-scale test reactors and respirometers used for measuring …

The Development Of A High Performance Concrete To Store Thermal Energy For Concentrating Solar Power Plants, Emerson Esmond John

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, due to rising energy costs as well as an increased awareness of the environmental effects of greenhouse gas emissions produced through traditional forms of energy production, there is great interest in developing alternative sources of energy. One of the most viable alternative energy sources is solar energy. In particular, concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies have been identified as an option for meeting utility needs in the U.S. Southwest. These systems are required to produce electricity not only during periods of high solar radiation but also during times of reduced radiation due to cloud cover, and even extend …

Investigating The Bond Of Prestressing Strands In Lightweight Self-Consolidating Concrete, Royce Woodrow Floyd

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Lightweight self-consolidating concrete (LWSCC) is a relatively recent advancement in concrete technology. The reduced dead load from lightweight concrete is beneficial for precast elements and for elements where dead load is a significant portion of the total load, such as prestressed bridge girders. Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is a specially proportioned concrete mixture that consolidates under its own weight without the need for vibration. The combination of lightweight concrete and self-consolidating behavior provides the benefits of both. Bond of prestressing steel has been a much debated topic since the 1950s. Limited data are available on the transfer and development length of …

New Insights Into Disinfection Byproduct Formation And Control: Assessing Dissolved Organic Matter Diffusivity And Chemical Functionality, Ashley Pifer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Methods were developed for application of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) and fluorescence parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis to raw and treated samples from drinking water sources to improve characterizations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and discover DOM properties correlated to disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation potential (FP). Raw water samples were collected from a reservoir, adjusted to pH 6, 7, and 8 and subjected to (1) jar tests using aluminum sulfate (alum) and (2) treatment with magnetic ion exchange (MIEX^®) resin. Both treatments were followed by DBPFP tests at pH 7. AF4 was used to size DOM in raw …

Wheel Path Wandering Based On Field Data, Wenting Luo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The position and width of wheel path on a pavement lane is an important consideration in conducting pavement distress survey, especially for distinguishing longitudinal cracking from fatigue cracking. Currently, the widely used wheel path definition is derived from the LTPP distress manual with fixed width and position, in which the influence of traffic wander on wheel path was overlooked. This thesis attempts to develop a new wheel path definition based on the lateral placement investigation of heavy vehicles' wandering in the field. Generally, the factors influencing vehicle lateral placement can be divided into seven categories, but only four factors are …

The Effect Of Granular Activated Carbon Pretreatment And Sand Pretreatment On Microfiltration Of Greywater, David Christopher

All Theses

Around the world, water scarcity is driving people to practice water reuse. One form of water reuse is the recycling of greywater, which is household wastewater excluding toilet waste. With adequate treatment, greywater may be recycled onsite for applications that do not require potable water, such as irrigation or toilet flushing. Membrane filtration (including microfiltration (MF)) is one option for greywater treatment. The small footprint, modular nature, and predictable performance of MF make it an attractive option. However, direct MF of greywater can lead to rapid membrane fouling. This thesis investigated two possible pretreatments for reducing membrane fouling and improving …

Numerical And Reliability Analysis Of Gravity Cantilever Retaining Walls Backfilled With Shredded Tires Subjected To Seismic Loads, Eleanor Huggins

All Theses

Shredded tires have been considered as a suitable alternative to conventional sand and gravel backfill materials as they offer benefits from their significantly lower unit weight, reductions in the cost of materials and construction, and because they utilize a common and potentially hazardous waste material. This research addresses some gaps in previous research in the implementation of shredded tires in this capacity by examining variation in material properties through a reliability analysis, developing an improved design technique for retaining walls tailored to shredded tire fills, and simulating how shredded tire backfill behaves in conjunction with retaining walls when subject to …

Load Carrying Capacity Assessment Of A Masonry Dome, Tun Li

All Theses

This thesis first establishes a semi-empirical relationship to estimate the reduction in load carrying capacity of a masonry dome due to damage by exploiting deviations in the fundamental natural frequency. A macro finite element model of the dome is developed and calibrated using both non-destructive vibration measurements and destructive load-displacement measurements up to failure. The macro-model is then executed to simulate incremental development of cracks. The first natural frequency and remaining load carrying capacity of the dome are monitored to define a semi-empirical relationship, which is ultimately generalized for spherical domes with varying span-to-height ratios.
Subsequently, in order to numerically …

L&D Manual Turn Lane Storage Validation/Update, Deogratias Eustace, Sowjanya Ponnada

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Mechanics Faculty Publications

Queuing occurs at intersections mostly due to overflow or inadequacy of turn bays. The ODOT L&D Manual Volume 1 has storage requirements for both signalized and unsignalized intersections. Figures 401-9E and 401-10E of the L&D Manual provide the required turn lane storage lengths which should be compared with the real world conditions to check for adequacy of these lengths as a measure of ensuring that accesses to the left turn lanes are not blocked. In addition to the projected turn lane volume, ODOT’s methodology incorporates both deceleration (based on the speed of the roadway) and potential blockage from the adjacent …

Unified Rating Equations For Cutthroat Flumes Derived From A Three-Dimensional Hydraulic Model, Sathaporn Temeepattanapongsa

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A sophisticated mathematical model of three-dimensional hydraulics was used to develop complete calibrations for Cutthroat flumes, which are structures used in canals (or “open channels”) to measure flow rates. Although Cutthroat flumes have been used for many years, and much research has been done on their calibrations and application in the field, never before was there a complete set of calibration parameters for all 24 standard flume sizes. This research was validated by previously published laboratory results on prototype flumes at Utah State University and elsewhere, and it was successful in generating accurate calibration parameters for all 24 flume sizes, …

Effects Of Single Panel Replacement Of A Full-Scale, Full-Depth, Precast Concrete Bridge Deck System, Jason Robert Perry

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of precast concrete deck panels is becoming increasingly popular for bridge construction and rehabilitation in the state of Utah and across the country. It allows for the use of full depth concrete deck panels but removes the long construction times of traditional cast-in-place methods. One of the challenges to the use of precast deck panels is the transverse deck panel joints that exist between the panels. These joints are unreinforced using traditional methods and therefore are the weakest section of the bridge. In many situations the joint will fail and water seeps through and can damage the bridge …

Statistical Analysis Of A Vehicle Miles Travled Fee For Nevada, Andrew Nordland

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Increases in the number of electric, hybrid-electric, and other alternative fuel vehicles, combined with increasing vehicle fuel efficiency present problems with the ability of the fuel tax to collect sufficient revenue. A Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Fee is being considered as an option to replace the existing fuel tax for the collection of revenue for road maintenance, reconstruction and expansion. This study provides an analysis about costs, preference of a potential billing cycle, level of comfort with a mileage collection device, potential changes in transit use, and the effectiveness of a VMT Fee for Nevada. Multinomial logit models are developed …

Statistical And Numerical Integrated Approach For Detecting Onset Of Prefabricated Bridge Component Connection Deterioration, Cem Mansiz

Masters Theses

Bridges are the substantial part of the transportation infrastructure. Most recent report shows that of the 605,086 bridges in the United States, 67,526 (11%) are deemed structurally deficient, and 76,363 (13%) are declared functionally obsolete (FHWA, 2011). Deck is the shelter of a bridge that is subjected to severe loads due to exposure and traffic. Importance of detecting deck deterioration is further highlighted with the introduction of accelerated bridge construction (ABC) where prefabricated components are brought to the site, assembled, and connected using field cast joints. However, durability performance of field cast connections is not encouraging. Hence, continuous monitoring of …

Operational Guidance For Bicycle-Specific Traffic Signals In The United States, Christopher Monsere, Miguel A. Figliozzi, Sam Thompson, Kirk Paulsen

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The research consisted of two phases: 1) a synthesis of practice and 2) and analysis of cyclist performance characteristics. The synthesis of current practice reviewed the literature, current engineering design and operational guidance documents, and surveyed the jurisdictions about their current deployments of bicyclespecific signals. This report summarizes research of cyclist behavior at signalized intersections in Portland, Eugene, Corvallis, Beaverton and Clackamas County, OR. These signals had both bicycle-specific indications and vehicle-only signals. A total of 4,673cyclists were observed. For each cyclist observed arriving on red, a set of descriptive variables were collected (e.g., age, sex, helmet use, presence of …

Engineering Performance Of Polymer Amended Soils, Gary E. Welling

Master's Theses

A laboratory test program was undertaken to evaluate a series of engineering properties over a range of soil types; amendment types and addition rates; and moisture contents to enhance understanding of the engineering significance of polymer amendment. Four soils were manufactured and tested with varying ranges of fines and plasticity. A proprietary elastic copolymer was tested at addition rates of 0.5% to 2.5% (dry weight basis). Cement was tested at addition rates of 1% to 4%. Lime was tested at an 8% addition rate. Water addition rates ranged from 4% dry of optimum to 4% wet of optimum. Engineering properties …

Use Of Building Information Modelling In Responding To Low Carbon Construction Innovations: An Irish Perspective., Barry Mcauley, Alan V. Hore, Roger West

Conference papers

At present the Irish construction industry is facing one of its most uncertain and challenging periods and will see major cuts in all areas of the economy in 2012. Despite this, Ireland pushes forward in sustainability initiatives with the Government ruling that environmentally-friendly policies are to get priority in competing for State contracts worth up to €16 billion a year. This and further initiatives are in place, so as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20% by the year 2020.By the end of 2018 the public sector must own or rent only buildings with high energy-saving standards and …

Implementing Building Information Modeling In Public Works Projects In Ireland, Barry Mcauley, Alan V. Hore, Roger West

Conference papers

The Irish State in recent years has suffered huge financial losses in the public works sector, which has now pushed the Irish Government to explore new ways of controlling cost. This background lead to the introduction of the Capital Works Management Framework in 2007 which aimed to support the certainty of outcome in terms of cost and quality, as well as improved risk management, through the implementation of fixed price contracts. In order to successfully compete within this framework it is recommended by the authors, that Irish Government moves towards the legal mandating of BIM. This can ensure a greater …

Selection Of Critical Design Parameters For Mmod Protection In Interplanetary Missions, Lisa M. Haisan, Cesar Carrasco

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Summer 2012

This research presents a methodology for the selection of critical design-parameters for the design of Micro Meteoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) spacecraft protection based on a modified implementation of the concept of the Probability of No Impact (PNI). The PNI methodology, based on Poisson’s discrete statistics, has been widely used to determine critical particle sizes for the design of protection systems. However, it does not provide guidelines for the selection of the design impact speed, especially when the impact speed has a very wide statistical distribution like that encountered in interplanetary missions. The modifications to the PNI methodology presented here …

Asphalt Testing: Enhancing The Roads, Andrea Gutierrez, Soheil Nazarian, Anjan K. Siddagangaiah

COURI Symposium Abstracts, Summer 2012

At the University of Texas at El Paso, the Center for Transportation Infrastructure Systems is conducting several asphalt tests to ensure the quality of the asphalt and the safety of the public. The tests determine special engineering properties of the material such as the strength and aggregate-asphalt ratio that are crucial to the life span of the asphalt on the field. The five tests that are conducted are:

• Maximum Theoretical Specific Gravity Test (GMM) – used to find the density of the material
• Bulk Specific Gravity Test (GMB) – determines the air pockets (air voids) in the material using the …

Laboratory Performance Of Highway Bridge Girder Anchorages Under Simulated Hurricane-Induced Wave Loading, Jora Lehrman, Christopher Higgins, Daniel Cox

TREC Final Reports

Many bridges along the Gulf Coast of the United States were damaged by recent hurricanes, and many more are susceptible to similar damage. This research examines the structural performance of common connection details used to anchor prestressed concrete girders to the substructure. Full-scale specimens were fabricated and tested under static and dynamic cyclic load histories. Dynamic load histories were developed from previously conducted hydraulic tests of a 1/5 scale model of a highway bridge under hurricane wave loads. The load effects considered included the pseudo-statically applied vertical uplift force, horizontal force, combined horizontal and vertical forces, and dynamically applied combined …