Civil Engineering Commons^™

Barriers To The Adoption Of Digitalization In The Construction Industry: Perspectives Of Owners, Consultants, And Contractors, Rawan Al-Omari, Ghaleb Sweis, Waleed Abu-Khader, Rateb Sweis

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Construction organizations are moving toward adopting digitalization in response to Industry 4.0. However, the slow adoption of digitalization has been observed. This study aimed to assess the level of digitalization adoption and evaluate the barriers to adopting digitalization in the Jordanian construction industry by all project parties in the public and private sectors. The study targets were achieved through a structured questionnaire using SPSS software for analysis through the following statistical tests: Normality test, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Most respondents used software at the design stage, and less than half did not use any software …

Flood Inundation Mapping Of The Catalpa Creek Watershed, Subodh Poudel

Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses flood risk assessment in the Catalpa Creek watershed, located in northeast Mississippi, USA. Employing the Hydrological Modeling System (HEC-HMS) and the River Analysis System (HEC-RAS), integrated models were developed and calibrated, to predict flood behavior within the watershed. The study conducted flood frequency analyses for return periods ranging from 2 to 100 years and generated flood inundation maps, pinpointing flood-prone areas. Mitigation measures for flood risk management were recommended. The results underscore the effectiveness of the integrated modeling approach for simulating and understanding the complex dynamics of flood events. The research identified critical flood-prone zones, emphasizing the …

Cement Stabilization Of Poorly Graded Sand, Lana Grayson Brown Sisung

Theses and Dissertations

Stabilization of poorly graded sand in full-scale applications is challenging. This thesis evaluated cement-stabilized sand and had two objectives: (1) evaluation of stabilized material using the PM device to quantify engineering properties for future comparison to alterative materials and to investigate the effectiveness of the device with sand and (2) investigation of the merits of alternative application of cement to sand to benchmark against other topically applied materials. The PM device was successfully used to recommend 10% cement for field studies with one sand, successfully allowed data collection in laboratory and field applications, and its potential in sand seems promising …

Climate Change Impact On Bridge Scour Risk In Ny State: A Gis-Based Risk Analysis Model, Muhammad Hassan Butt

Publications and Research

Bridge scour, the primary cause of bridge failure in the United States, escalates post-severe storms, necessitating effective mitigation. This study employs a GIS-based risk analysis model to assess climate change's impact on bridge scour and associated risks in New York State. Data from the National Bridge Inventory, climate hazard maps, and geospatial data are integrated.

The Utilization Of Repurposed Whole Textiles To Modify The Mechanical And Hydrogeological Soil Properties: Green Media, Angelis Almanzar-Chevalie, Yehya Elfgeeh, Calvin O. Walters Jr.

Publications and Research

The utilization of repurposed whole textiles to modify the mechanical and hydrogeological soil properties investigates the impact of adding repurposed textiles to lightweight engineered soil, documenting changes in unit weight, water content, and hydraulic conductivity. This study builds upon prior findings, which demonstrated significant alterations in hydrogeological properties when incorporating textile fabric (3% by weight at an aspect ratio of 1:1). Functioning as reinforcement, these fibers enhance the soil's strength, stability, and structural integrity—especially advantageous in erosion-prone areas, regions susceptible to landslides, or locations requiring heightened load-bearing capacity. The outcomes of this parametric study lead to green roof farms playing …

Biological Nitrogen And Phosphorus Removal From Wastewater Under Low Dissolved Oxygen (Ldo) Conditions, Bashar Al-Daomi

Dissertations and Theses

This study examines the complexities of the integration of different technologies for nutrient removal, investigating parameters like sludge residence time (SRT), carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, Anaerobic/Oxic (A/O), and Anaerobic/Oxic/Anoxic (A/O/A) systems, continuous and intermittent aeration regimes, and air OFF/air ON periods ratios for efficient nitrogen and phosphorus removal.

Two continuous aeration systems were implemented: The first aimed to carry out a simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SNdN) process for nitrogen and phosphorus removal under low dissolved oxygen (DO) and C/N ratio conditions. This system operated with 4.5-5-day total sludge age in a single-stage anaerobic/oxic (A/O)-SBR, performing stepwise DO reduction at varying DO …

Predictive Modeling Of Asphalt Pavement Performance Using Artificial Neural Networks, Rami Khalifah

Civil Engineering Theses

This thesis highlights the significance of using the Resilient Modulus (Mr) and Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC) coefficients within the scope of pavement design. It aims to demonstrate the importance of pavement quality and safety by developing a prediction model for bleeding and rutting depth in asphalt pavements using data from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database and the National Catalog of Natural Subgrade Properties Database. Additionally, the thesis builds predictive models using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), which include a single hidden layer and multiple neurons. The developed Mr and SWCC models in this thesis utilized the basic soil index properties …

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Qacs) In Wastewater Influent And Effluent Throughout The Covid-19 Pandemic, Anna K. Mahony, Patrick J. Mcnamara, William A. Arnold

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are used in consumer and industrial products, including disinfectants. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, disinfectant use has increased, purportedly increasing loads to wastewater treatment plants and the environment. To understand how the increased usage has affected QAC loadings to treatment plants and to determine how effectively plants remove QACs from liquid effluent that is discharged to surface and groundwaters, influent and effluent wastewater samples were collected from four treatment plants (treatment capacities < 5 MGD to > 100 MGD) for 21 months beginning in May 2020. Influent QAC concentrations were hundreds of μg/L and effluent QAC concentrations were < 1 μg/L, corresponding to an average removal of 98% from all four plants. The most prevalent QACs in influent were those used most commonly in disinfectants, specifically benzylalkyldimethylammonium compounds (BACs) and short-chain dialkyldimethylammonium compounds (DADMACs), and influent levels of these compounds were correlated with QAC sales. Prior to this study, ethylbenzylalkyldimethylammonium compounds (EtBACs) had not been studied, and they comprised 13 ± 6% of QACs in influent. While removal was high at all plants, low μg/L concentrations were still continuously discharged into the environment. For QACs with equivalent alkyl chain lengths, those with aromatic substituents (BACs and EtBACs) appear to be removed more effectively than those with only alkyl chains (DADMACs).

Optimization Of Hydraulic Cylinder Positioning For Wind Tower Hydraulic Erection System, Anbesh Rawal

Master's Theses

Wind produced electricity is a rapidly growing field with wind towers serving as critical components. Conventionally, special cranes are commonly used for wind tower erection. This study explores the use of hydraulic cylinders for small-scale wind tower erection. The thesis aims to find the optimal position of hydraulic cylinder connections in a hydraulic erection system for safe and energy-efficient tower erection and retraction and to enhance the performance and longevity of the system.

Structural analysis was conducted to investigate various hydraulic cylinder positioning configurations, ensuring minimal force exertion while maintaining structural integrity. The study included the selection of locally available …

Decoding Usage And Adoption Behavior Of The Low-Carbon Transportation Market: An Ai-Driven Exploration, Vuban Chowdhury

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The transportation sector stands as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with its environmental impact steadily escalating over the past few decades. This has prompted government agencies to facilitate the adoption and usage of low-carbon transportation (LCT) options as alternatives to fossil-fuel-powered transportation. LCTs include modes of transportation that minimize the overall carbon footprint of the transportation sector by relying on energy sources that are environmentally sustainable. These sustainable transportation options have also garnered significant interest in the transportation research community. For government agencies and researchers alike, a comprehensive understanding of the adoption and usage …

Determining The Effect Of The Presence Of Food Deserts On The Number Of Crashes In Census Tracts In Arkansas, Lizbeth Juarez-Bartolo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Food deserts, areas with limited access to grocery stores which sell fresh produce, dairy, and meats, are a growing concern in many communities. The presence of a food desert is known to cause great impacts on the physical health of the people residing within them, but there is little to no research on a food desert’s influence on the traffic safety of the location in which it encompasses. Based on previous studies into food deserts, studies suggest that food inaccessibility is mostly felt by rural residents. Since rural residents must travel farther distances on more hazardous rural roadways to access …

Diffusive Gradients In Thin-Films Passive Samplers For Quantitation Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances In Water: Kinetic Modeling, Experimental Methods, And Outlook For Regulatory Monitoring, Samuel Hodges

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Environmental sampling is the backbone of regulatory compliance in public water systems. Coupled with continuously improving analytical capabilities, grab sampling has revealed the ubiquity of emerging contaminants in water resources such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPAs) Method 533 and 537.1 specify 0.25 L grab samples undergo a solid phase extraction (SPE) to enrich PFAS up to 250-fold in 1 mL of methanol prior to analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This process can achieve lowest concentration minimum reporting levels (LCMRLs) between 0.53–16 ng•L−1 for the twenty-nine prioritized PFAS in drinking waters. However, toxicity …

Self-Consolidating Concrete Design For Drilled Shaft Structural Applications, Grady S. Caton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is a relatively new concrete technology which allows the concrete to be placed without the need for manual or machine vibration. This innovation reduces labor costs, construction times, and can provide a smooth, finished surface. However, this technology is used in the United States primarily in the precast and prestressed concrete industry. The utility of SCC in structural applications, such as areas of dense reinforcement or locations where complex geometry makes consolidation impossible, is also advantageous. In this study, a series of SCC mixtures were developed both with and without fly ash replacement. These mixtures were then …

Comparing In-Situ Liquefaction Triggering Procedures For Sites In Arkansas, Sagar Barua

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There currently exists a significant amount of uncertainty when designing piles for bridge foundations in liquefiable soil. Currently ARDOT engineers use a Standard Penetration Test (SPT) based liquefaction spreadsheet developed 10 years ago to evaluate liquefaction triggering. Since this spreadsheet was developed, updates to the liquefaction triggering procedures have been published making the spreadsheet out-of-date. Moreover, additional methods of liquefaction evaluation using cone penetration test (CPT) and shear wave velocity (Vs) provide added means of evaluating liquefaction potential. This thesis updates ARDOT's liquefaction triggering evaluation methodology with the newest procedures and incorporates additional empirical liquefaction hazard estimates such as the …

Developing Asphalt Mix Design Specifications Based On Apa And Ideal-Ct Testing, Jonathan Stonestreet

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Some asphalt mixes, following the Superpave mix design procedure, have been reported to be too stiff, making cracking a prevalent form of pavement distress. Additionally, cracking has been reported to be the main form of distress of asphalt pavements in the State of Arkansas. These facts have heightened state agencies’ interest in better performing asphalt pavements, with Arkansas resolving to explore performance-based balanced mix designs (BMD), not yet explored in the state. The primary objective of this document is to present the completed study of balanced mix designs, based on the rutting and cracking potential of asphalt pavement mixtures through …

Characterizing Technology Impacts On Driving Behaviors, Crash Risks, And Infrastructure Performances, Jobaidul Boni

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

In recent years, an increase in driver distraction appears due to the rise in smartphone usage and the introduction of social media. Researchers put significant efforts in examining the impacts of distracted driving, mostly focused on distraction like texting or phone call. However, scant research exists to identify the underlying factors causing the distracted driving particularly caused by social media or showing their safety implications at complex geometries such as intersections and highways. This dissertation offers three independent studies reviewing the impact of technology on drivers' actions using field tests and simulation experiments. The first field tests conducted at three …

Evaluation Of Vertical And Lateral Load Capacity Of Recycled Plastic Pin, Sehneela Sara Aurpa

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

RPPs have been in use as a sustainable and effective technique to stabilize and reinforce weak ground for geotechnical purposes. Application of RPP in stabilization of slopes and improvement of load carrying capacity of foundation soil has yielded tremendous results. However, to facilitate the seamless integration of RPPs in design of foundation requires the load carrying capacity of RPP to be known. As RPP has been in use for both its vertical and lateral load carrying capacity, exploration of the load capacity of this material is essential. The objective of the study is to determine the load carrying capacity of …

Transportation Network Criticality Estimation For Hurricane Preparedness And Response Using Vulnerability Assessments, Mehrdad Arabi

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The resilience of urban transportation networks is crucial for effective evacuation, and search and rescue operations as hurricane events become more severe and frequent. This dissertation presents a comprehensive approach to identifying and evaluating critical transportation links which are crucial for emergency preparedness and response. Integrating socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities with traditional traffic management approaches, the research underscores the importance of equitable evacuation strategies that cater to the most vulnerable populations. Employing advanced spatial analysis and data analytics with real-time GPS data, the three individual papers in this dissertation offer a dynamic assessment of evacuation behaviors, capturing the complexities of …

Utilization Of Biomimetic Molecules To Control The Carbonation Of Cementitious Phases, Muhammad Intesarul Haque

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

This study introduces an innovative approach to mitigate carbonation-induced degradation of C-S-H and to enhance the carbonation properties of low calcium based cementitious materials by utilizing specific biomimetic molecules. In this study, four different biomimetic molecules were utilized. Details about their chemical formula and chemical structure can be found in Chapter 1. The dissertation is broadly focused on two aspects, Part 1 (Chapter 2 and 3) evaluated the role of biomimetic molecules in reducing the carbonation degradation of C-S-H. Part 2 (Chapter 4 and 5) assessed the effectiveness of the biomimetic molecules as performance enhancing admixture of carbonation cured dicalcium …

Experimental And Numerical Analyses Of Coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Behavior In Unsaturated Soil Under One-Dimensional Heat Transfer, Nice Kaneza

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Comprehension of the behavior of unsaturated soil in response to thermal gradients, moisture gradients, and deformation is important in geotechnics. Thermal gradients control fluid density and viscosity and moisture gradients alter thermal properties of unsaturated soil. Similarly, thermal gradients affect the thermal strain of unsaturated soil and changes in porosity influence hydraulic properties of the soil. Thus, thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical properties of unsaturated soil interact with and influence each other; the combination of these interactions form a mechanism called coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes. Although the study of the behavior of coupled THM processes is essential in predicting the performance …