Civil Engineering Commons^™

Assessment Of Prestressed Concrete Beams: Advancing Non-Destructive Testing Methods For Enhanced Bridge Evaluation, Felipe Mota Ruiz

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The validity of non-destructive methods for evaluating transportation infrastructure conditions was explored in this study. The overarching objective is to assist in developing ideal protocols for bridge inspectors to determine the condition of reinforced concrete infrastructures and the remaining service life. A meticulous evaluation of a prestressed concrete beam decommissioned from a bridge listed in the West Virginia Division of Highways inventory was completed. The evaluation included determining the sizes, spacings, and location of reinforcement steel bars and prestressing tendons. The effort included generating a new computer code to automate the data post-processing, allowing for the automated identification of the …

Evaluation Of Driveway Assistance Device (Dad) Systems In One-Lane Two-Way Work Zone, Mm Shakiul Haque, Aemal J. Khattak, Li Zhao

Mid-America Transportation Center: Final Reports and Technical Briefs

Lane closure on two-lane highways due to the presence of work zones negatively impacts traffic safety and operational efficiency. Additionally, traffic from access points (e.g., commercial and residential driveways, or minor side roads) within work zones make operations more complicated and inefficient. Deploying a driveway assistance device (DAD) system can enable more efficient traffic control for work zones with access points. While traffic agencies are becoming interested in DAD deployments, research on such systems is relatively sparse. This research was the first in-depth operational investigation of the DAD system under different signal strategies, traffic conditions, and work zone characteristics. This …

Experimental And Finite Element Investigation Of Shear Transfer Mechanisms And Capacity Of Continuous Post-Tensioned Concrete Beams In One-Way Slab Buildings, Suman Rijal

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

This study investigates the shear behavior and resistance mechanisms of continuous post-tensioned beams commonly used in one-way slab buildings. Combining experimental and analytical methods, the research focuses on the targeted failure regions of prestressed and non-prestressed continuous beams to gain deeper insights into their shear behavior. The large-scale specimens used in this study featured realistic parabolic tendon profiles and an average prestress level comparable to that used in actual construction. The experimental program includes three test series, with beam designs and setups refined for each series based on observations of shear crack development and progression in the preceding series. This …

Performance Evaluation Of Composite Utility Structures Under Wildfires And Mitigation Methods, Siddhant Sitoula

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite utility poles and crossarms have been getting wider attention from the utility industries because of their advantages over the traditional wooden, concrete, and steel poles. Wood is vulnerable to fire, rot, and animal damage. Concrete poles are heavier, increasing both transportation and installation costs of the poles, in addition to limited-service life (40-50 years). Similarly, steel poles have durability and safety concerns because of their inherent corrosive nature and conductivity. These disadvantages are significantly reduced by the use of FRP composites in utility structures because of FRP’s strength, specific gravity, flexibility, non-conductivity and durability …

Understanding Learners' Perception Of Virtual Reality-Assisted Learning In Engineering Education, Mohammad Samin Mansur

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Virtual reality (VR)-assisted learning may facilitate an immersive and interactive learning environment and enable learners to explore and interact with learning content at their own pace and interest. However, it is still unknown how well VR is received in engineering learning while empowering autonomy and personalization. The objective of this study is to investigate learners' perceptions of VR-assisted learning in engineering education while allowing learners to learn at their own pace, driven by their personal preference. To this end, experiments were conducted, in which thirty engineering students were recruited and immersed in a VR setting designed to deliver an interactive …

Evaluation Of Hydrophobic Materials For Stabilizing Expansive Soils, Suman Shrestha

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

The swelling and shrinkage of the expansive soil as a response to moisture change is one of the significant challenges posed to infrastructure projects. The significant economic damage that is caused by the expansive soil, as well as its abundance in nature, has prompted various scientists and engineers all around the world to actively search for new and improved methods for stabilizing it. Various traditional methods, such as lime and cement treatment, have been used extensively to stabilize expansive soils and mitigate their harmful effects on the infrastructure. Although these methods are quite often effective and various studies have been …

Improvement In Benefit-Cost Analysis Of Bridges Through Assessment Of Secondary Benefits And Defect Based Maintenance Cost, Shadman Sakib

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

Benefit-cost Analysis (BCA) is conducted prior to federal grant allocation for bridge replacement and enhancement projects to prioritize decision-making. Benefits are measured based on total bridge closures, requiring vehicles to take alternate detour paths. Primary benefits are the direct user costs such as travel time saving or emission costs. However, there are more secondary benefits that are intangible and hard to monetize, but United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) guidelines suggest considering them wherever possible. There are lack of US based data and research also no set guideline by authority.

Apart from calculating primary benefits for a 95 sample of …

Statistical Analysis On The Effects Of Environmental Factors On Bridge Condition Rating In Texas, Mohammad Wasif Quadri

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

The development of predictive models for bridge deterioration is crucial for ensuring the longevity and safety of transportation infrastructure. Bridge condition degradation is heavily influenced by environmental conditions. This research integrates various environmental variables such as rainfall, humidity, air temperature, coastal influence, and freezing effects to generate environmental risk scores. These scores help in developing environmental risk zones within the Texas region. Deck condition ratings from the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) database are used to develop deterioration models using linear regression and the Markov method. The results highlight the impact of different environmental risk zones on bridge degradation patterns and …

A 3-Step, Open-Data, Ride-Hailing Ridership Model With Pricing Applications, Richard A. Mucci

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Researchers and practitioners studied the effects ride-hailing had in cities before the covid-19 pandemic. Previous research found ride-hailing to produce negative externalities, such as reducing transit ridership and increasing congestion in various cities. Since the pandemic, ride-hailing ridership has nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels in Chicago. Ride-hailing ridership has grown steadily since the pandemic while a rider’s willingness to share their trip stagnated. Ride-hailing ridership nearly recovering to pre-covid levels in Chicago suggests that transportation planners, and policy makers, will need to continue assessing the impacts ride-hailing trips have in their cities.

Pickup and drop off locations in the Chicago …

Effect Of Admixtures On Rapid Hardening, Self-Consolidating Concrete, Haley Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Self-consolidating, rapid-hardening concrete is a sought-after product in the market now, however the effects of admixtures on fresh and hardened concrete rheology are still uncertain. This study aims to create a self-consolidating concrete (SCC) using calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement for its rapid-hardening properties, and tests two set time retarders and two viscosity-modifying admixtures (VMAs) to determine how they affect the properties of concrete. The properties studied in this thesis are workability, viscosity, set times, air content, compressive strength, and freeze-thaw resistance of self-consolidating concrete. It was found that tartaric acid creates a very workable SCC with consistent results regardless of …

Post-Fire Hydrologic Analysis: A Tale Of Two Severities, Kendra Fallon, Shawn J. Wheelock, Mojtaba Sadegh, Jennifer L. Pierce, James P. Mcnamara, Megan Cattau, Victor R. Baker

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Addressing post-fire impacts largely depends on burn “severity.” A singular severity classification that encompasses the holistic effects of fire on all ecosystem processes does not currently exist. Lumping vegetation burn severity and soil burn severity into one metric, or using them interchangeably, can induce large inaccuracies and uncertainties in the intended ecosystem response to forcing. Often, burn “severity” reflects fire impacts on vegetation, which can be measured through remote sensing. Vegetation burn severity is likely more apropos for ecological research, whereas soil burn severity is more relevant for hydrological analyses. This paper reviews different remotely sensed vegetation severity products currently …

Simulation Of Wave Propagation In Granular Particles Using A Discrete Element Model, Syed Tahmid Hussan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The understanding of Bender Element mechanism and utilization of Particle Flow Code (PFC) to simulate the seismic wave behavior is important to test the dynamic behavior of soil particles. Both discrete and finite element methods can be used to simulate wave behavior. However, Discrete Element Method (DEM) is mostly suitable, as the micro scaled soil particle cannot be fully considered as continuous specimen like a piece of rod or aluminum. Recently DEM has been widely used to study mechanical properties of soils at particle level considering the particles as balls. This study represents a comparative analysis of Voigt and Best …

Investigating Emerging Technologies In Civil Structural Health Monitoring: Generative Artificial Intelligence And Virtual Reality, Furkan Luleci

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Condition assessment of civil engineering infrastructure systems is of growing importance as they face aging and degradation due to both human-made activities and environmental factors. Nevertheless, challenges persist in data collection, leading to "data scarcity", and the need for frequent site visits in inspections, presenting significant obstacles in the assessment of the civil infrastructure systems. This dissertation aims to overcome these challenges by exploring the potential of two emerging technologies: Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR). In tackling the issue of data scarcity, the research question revolves around how Generative AI can be utilized to mitigate data collection-related …

Termite Gut Microbe (Tav5) Application To Pulp & Paper Wastewater And Sugarcane Bagasse: Enhancing Lignin Degradation And Methane Generation During Anaerobic Digestion, Doreen Ntiamoah-Asare, Melanie Sattler Ph.D, P.E.

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

TAV5 is a bacterium strain of the family Opitutaceae from Termite-Associated Verrucomicrobium isolated from the hindgut of Reticulitermes Flavipes, the most common subterranean termite in North America. The genome of TAV5 contains genes coding for enzymes that could structurally modify lignin.

Pulp & paper wastewater and Sugarcane bagasse contain high levels of cellulose (44-46%) and hemicellulose (27-32% ), as well as lignin (17-23%) which is recalcitrant to biodegradation. The lignin tend to shield the cellulose and hemicellulose making them inaccessible for biodegradation.

TAV5 can breakdown lignin, making the cellulose and hemicellulose accessible to microorganisms for biodegradation into methane generation for …

Development Of A Real-Time Warning System For Bridge Icing Using Time Domain Reflectometry, Taryn Dilorenzo

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Treacherous driving conditions are a safety concern during the winter season where icing on roadways and bridges is of particular concern. The use of sensors to detect the presence or potential of surface ice formation is essential for efficient and effective winter road maintenance. However, there is a lack of ice detection systems that combine robust sensors, active warning signs and an ice detection algorithm that is reliable and economical. This study presents an innovative sensor that uses dielectric sensing to detect the onset of ice formation on a bridge deck. The sensor combines an automatic algorithm for ice detection …

Streamlining Public Engagement In Transportation Projects Using Text Analytics, Alireza Shamshiri

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Infrastructure projects impact a broad range of stakeholders, particularly local communities, whose engagement is critical for successful outcomes. Despite the importance of public engagement in these projects, traditional methods of capturing and analyzing public opinion often fail to fully represent the diverse, genuine perspectives involved. This has led to conflicts between community members and project sponsors. On the other hand, despite advancements in text analytics, including natural language processing (NLP) and its subfields such as topic modeling, sentiment analysis, and neural networks, their functionalities and effectiveness in analyzing public opinion in the domain of infrastructure projects have not been fully …

Roles Of Vegetation On Soil Moisture Dynamics In Transitional Climates- Lessons From Improving Phenology Representation In Land Surface Model And Retrieval Algorithm, Farhad Hassani

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Soil moisture is a critical component of the terrestrial water and energy cycles, influencing key hydrological and atmospheric processes such as infiltration, runoff generation, evapotranspiration, and atmospheric boundary layer dynamics. Accurate representation of soil moisture is essential for reliable hydrological modeling, drought monitoring, and seasonal to sub-seasonal (S2S) weather forecasting. Vegetation significantly affects soil moisture dynamics through processes like transpiration, canopy interception, and root water uptake, especially in transitional climates where conditions fluctuate between arid and humid states. However, errors in vegetation phenology representation can lead to substantial biases in soil moisture estimates within land surface models (LSMs) and satellite …

Development And Application Of Teems (Telecommuting Expectation Models): Predicting Post-Pandemic Telecommuting Choice And Frequency Using Machine Learning Models, Aiswarya Acharath Mohanakrishnan

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Telecommuting, increasingly prevalent in today's workforce, has gained significant momentum amid the pandemic-induced shift towards remote work. It altered the travel behavior of workers and their travel patterns. This evolution prompts a reevaluation of worker travel behavior, necessitating adjustments in travel demand modeling to optimize transportation planning and service provision. Using the commuter’s data from a typical pre-pandemic workday to model the travel demand of weeks or years in the future is outdated. In designing transportation systems for the future, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) will thus need to account for change in work trips due to telecommuting, and how this …

Moisture And Glass Transition Temperature Kinetics From Long Term Hygrothermal Aging Of Carbon/Epoxy Composites, Behnaz Hassanpour

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The durability of fiber reinforced polymer composites used in civil infrastructure rehabilitation has become increasingly critical, especially under long-term hygrothermal aging conditions. This study focuses on the results of long-term (up to 6 years) hygrothermal aging of wet layup carbon/epoxy composites and investigates the effects of moisture, as well as accelerated aging at elevated temperatures with varying thicknesses and fabric areal weights. The primary objective is to establish a comprehensive understanding of moisture uptake kinetics and its subsequent effects on the glass transition temperature (T_g), mechanical performance, and the resulting implications for material durability. Four papers form …

Optimizing Anaerobic Digestion Of Food Waste And Industrial Sludge For Biogas Production, Emma R. Murray

Honors College Theses

Food waste is a major contributor to municipal solid waste, and its disposal at landfills has significant environmental and economic impacts. Opportunities need to be identified for the sustainable management of food waste at large scales. Pulp and paper mills throughout the country commonly use anaerobic digestion to treat their waste sludge; however, this sludge can consist of over 50% lignin, which is slowly or negligibly digested. This research aims to explore the sustainability of co-digestion of food waste and paper mill sludge. Lab-scale studies were used to assess the feasibility of anaerobic digestion by measuring treatment efficiencies and biogas …