Civil Engineering Commons^™

A Point-Cloud Data Analysis Framework For Early Deformation Detection, Avinash Pandey

Theses and Dissertations

Frost heave and thaw-related deformation threaten the performance of roads, runways, embankments, and buried utilities in cold regions, yet traditional inspections remain reactive and often miss early uplift. This study evaluates the capability of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to detect small-scale ground deformation and introduces a practical point-cloud framework designed for early-stage characterization. Controlled jack-lift experiments quantified handheld LiDAR accuracy at uplift increments of 6.35, 12.7, 19.05, and 25.4 mm, with corresponding detection accuracies of 88%, 86%, 93.33%, and 94%. Registration quality had a significant impact. The targetless scans showed slight misalignment, whereas spherical targets provided precise, repeatable outputs. …

Angular Scanning Method For Efficient Maximum Power Point Tracking, Saikot Hossain Dadon

Student Theses and Dissertations

The Photovoltaic System (PV) is one of the widely used sources of renewable energy. There are various control mechanisms to manipulate the PV system. However, one of the major control mechanisms is Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to extract the maximum power from the solar panel. The solar power is intermittent and stochastic in nature due to the unpredictable sunlight exposure to the solar panel and temperature variance throughout the day and year. Consequently, the PV module does not run at Maximum Power Point (MPP) naturally; therefore, an MPPT controller is utilized so that the solar panel runs in the …

Advanced Control Strategy For Photovoltaic Dc Microgrids Using Model Predictive Control With Rl Filter Enhancement, Yagub Suleymanov

Student Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents the modeling and control of a photovoltaic (PV)-based DC microgrid using MATLAB/Simulink. A DC–DC converter with a buck stage is employed to perform a better maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and voltage regulation from PV panel. Predictive control method (MPC) algorithm will be employed, which offers faster transient response and reduced oscillations compared to traditional techniques. Considering the existing works, this study introduces an additional RL filter branch to further improve the stability of the regulated DC bus voltage combining MPC method and Incremental Conductance Maximum Power Point Tracking (IC-MPPT) algorithm. To ensure stable operation of the …

Direct Solar-Energy Powered Hydrothermal Treatment To Promote Biomethane Production From Anaerobic Digestion Of Rice Processing Waste, Kainat Rahnuma

Student Theses and Dissertations

Hydrolysis is a slow and energy-intensive process and a rate-limiting step in anaerobic digestion (AD). This research investigates performance strategies for integrating hydrothermal treatment (HT) with AD. HT-AD systems were less economically viable than AD-only options because of the high energy consumption of HT. Therefore, we used solar energy to conduct HT via either solar cookers or solar panels. The HT method significantly improved digestion performance, reducing the lag phase from 60 to 24 h, and increasing overall yield. Hydrothermally treated rice, rice bran, and rice hulls produced 22,932 mL, 13,136 mL, and 1283 mL, respectively. However, untreated rice, rice …

Insight Into The Decalcification Mechanism Of Calcium Silicate Hydrate Under A Water–Heat–Salt Environment, Wei Zhang, Boya Zhang, Jia Sun, Juntao Dang, Xiangke Guo, Keliang Li, Bo Tao Huang, Biqin Dong, Hongyan Ma, Dongshuai Hou

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Understanding the decalcification mechanism of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) under marine environments is crucial for concrete durability. In this study, the decalcification behavior of C–S–H under a water–heat–salt environment was systematically investigated through immersion experiments and reactive molecular dynamics simulations. Experimental results showed that elevated temperature and NaCl solution significantly accelerated Ca leaching and reduced the Ca/Si ratio of C–S–H. Simulation results further revealed that both high temperature and NaCl reduce the dissolution free energy of Ca, making its release more thermodynamically and kinetically favorable. Local structure analysis indicated that Cl^– disrupts Ca–Os (O atoms in silicate tetrahedra) connection …

Data-Driven Prediction Of Concrete Bridge Deck Corrosion Using Ground Penetrating Radar (Gpr), Nafisa Shafiullah

Civil Engineering Theses

Corrosion detection remains a crucial factor in the proper maintenance of Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures. While several studies have used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for corrosion detection, quantitative models for prediction are still limited. This study presents an approach for the quantitative prediction of rebar corrosion in concrete using GPR data obtained from a prior experimental program involving accelerated corrosion. A total of 36 RC samples were cast, varying in cover depth, rebar diameter, and concrete porosity. The samples were subjected to an impressed current of 0.65 A in a 5% NaCl solution over three phases: 10, 20, and 30 …

Effect Of Snow Melt On Slope Stability, Gustav G. Gothberg

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project explores the effect of snow melt on slope stability. The different types of slope failure are examined to determine which are most affected by snow melt. Then, the report examines the equations that geotechnical engineers use to determine the exact moment when a slope fails. Using GeoStudio modeling software, Slope/W, landslides caused by snow melt were modeled. GeoStudio was also used to explore methods of mitigating the effects of snow melt. This project also explores how to take advantage of these models to minimize the damage done by landslides.

Moisture Performance Of Coated Cross-Laminated Timber Under Coastal Conditions In Vertical And Horizontal Orientations With And Without Weather And Vapor Resistive Barriers, Mia Raley

Engineering Theses

Rhode Island is experiencing sea level rise, and more flooding and erosion during storm events due to climate change. The Rhode Island construction industry wants to adopt mass timber, but have concerns with the changing coastal environment on cross-laminated timber (CLT) wall and slab panels. This research aims to understand how coastal conditions affect CLT under different protection conditions, panel orientations, and structure type, by collecting moisture and temperature data on two structures, one commercially-fabricated and one laboratory-fabricated, located on Shell Path from early-July to early-April. Results found that all layers of horizontally-oriented panels benefitted from an additional protective weather-resistant-barrier …

Proposed Design Approach Of Bolted Cruciform Stiffened End-Plate Connections And Bolted Circular Flange Plate Connections Under Combined Loading For Enhanced Economy And Performance, Cesar E. Aguirre

Civil Engineering Dissertations

This research will deliver a substantive contribution to the advancement of design practice for bolted circular flange connections and cruciform stiffened end-plate connections — critically evaluating existing approaches, identifying their limitations, and proposing evidence-based design frameworks that enhance structural performance, predictability, and safety across relevant engineering applications.In addition provide economical benefits.

The Rise In Height And Curb Weight Of The Top-Selling Vehicles In The United States From 1991 - 2025: Implications For Engineering Design And Vulnerable Road Users, Samuel L. Steinman-Friedman

Civil Engineering Theses

Road fatalities are higher in the United States than in other high-income regions. In 2024, 39,254 people died on roads in the United States compared to 19,940 in the European Union. These two regions have comparable exposure metrics, such as population size, roadway network length, and fatalities per mile traveled. Light trucks dominate the U.S. market, whereas hatchbacks are prevalent in Europe. The trendline of the average height and curb weight of the top-selling vehicles in the United States has increased by 0.24 inches and 23.52 pounds per year since 1991. The average 2025 top-selling U.S. passenger vehicle is 7.5 …

Effects Of Metals On Persulfate Activation For The Decomposition Of Pfas, Malu Deav Devadasan

Civil Engineering Dissertations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants widely used in industrial and consumer products due to their unique physicochemical properties. Their resistance to degradation, potential for bioaccumulation, and associated adverse health effects have prompted increasing regulatory attention, including the establishment of drinking water standards for six PFAS compounds by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2024.

Current PFAS treatment technologies are often energy-intensive and costly or generate secondary waste streams requiring further management. Meanwhile, this research investigated transition metal-catalyzed advanced oxidation processes for PFAS decomposition in water under ambient conditions. Previous studies demonstrated effective degradation of perfluorocarboxylic acids …

Interpretable Machine Learning For Bridge-Pier Scour Prediction And Flood Resilience, Adil Khan, Dalya Ismael

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Bridge-pier scour is a leading cause of flood-induced bridge failure, yet practice still lacks transparent, physics-informed tools that link data-driven prediction with design guidance. This study develops an interpretable, physics-aware machine-learning framework to predict equilibrium scour depth and translate those predictions into actionable strategies for flood-resilient infrastructure. Using the 2014 U.S. Geological Survey Pier-Scour Database (569 laboratory cases), five models: Gradient Boosting, AdaBoost (Tree), XGBoost, Gaussian Process (RBF kernel), and Kernel Ridge (polynomial), were trained and evaluated with K-fold cross-validation. Model performance was evaluated using R², RMSE, and MAE. Gradient Boosting performed best, achieving training and testing R² of 0.99 …

Reliability-Based Performance Evaluation Of Slurry Wall For Leakage Control At Chakaria Landfill, Bangladesh, Shishir Bhandari

Civil Engineering Theses

Landfill leachate threatens groundwater quality in low-lying coastal Bangladesh, where a shallow water table and a discontinuous natural clay barrier heighten contamination risk beneath municipal solid waste sites. At the Chakaria Landfill in Cox's Bazar District, a cement-bentonite slurry wall was proposed as a vertical cutoff to control seepage, but its reliability under the site's high-groundwater condition had not previously been evaluated in probabilistic terms.

This study evaluated the wall's performance using a two-dimensional SEEP/W finite-element seepage model, a validated response surface (RSM) equation relating seepage rate to wall permeability, thickness, depth, and a Hasofer-Lind first-order reliability (FORM) analysis built …

Concord Public Transportation Improvement Project, Jacob Holt

Honors Theses and Capstones

The capital city of Concord, New Hampshire, has been served by Concord Area Transit (CAT) since 1989. Despite continued population growth and economic development within the city, CAT’s fixed route bus system has remained unaltered since 2011. The purpose of this project is to rework the CAT system to provide service that better aligns with Concord resident’s current needs. A public survey was conducted to gather data regarding Concord resident’s needs, habits, and perception of the existing system, which was used in the development of the revised system. The project includes suggestions for both system-wide and route-specific modifications. Key changes …

Perception Of Transportation Challenges And Their Influence On Mode Choice In A Small Us City: A Generalized Structural Equation Modeling Approach, Anindya Kishore Debnath, Suman Kumar Mitra

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study profiles individuals encountering transportation challenges by analyzing factors influencing their perceptions and how they affect mode choice decisions in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Using primary travel survey data, we estimated a multinomial logit (MNL) within a Generalized Structural Equation Model (GSEM) that controls for residential self-selection and car ownership endogeneity. We find that individuals from low-income households are more likely to perceive transportation challenges, particularly due to a lack of a car and inadequate public transport. Higher household car ownership generally diminishes perceived challenges, except regarding limited bike lanes. Weekend or late-shift workers are more likely to own cars …

Performance Evaluation Of Modified Moisture Barrier For Subgrade Stabilization Of Pavements On Expansive Soils, Md Tamim Shahriar

Civil Engineering Theses

Expansive soils inflict an estimated nine to fifteen billion dollars in annual damage to infrastructure across the United States, surpassing the combined losses from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes (Nelson and Miller, 1997; Jones and Jefferson, 2012). In Texas, eighteen of twenty-five TxDOT districts contend with pavement failure rooted in moisture-driven volume change of subgrade clay, consuming roughly twenty-five percent of the agency's annual budget for maintenance and repair (Sebesta, 2002; Wanyan et al., 2010). Conventional remediation approaches, including soil replacement, chemical stabilization with lime or cement, and prewetting, are either prohibitively expensive, unsuitable for high-sulfate soils, or confined to …

Evaluating Training Effectiveness And Learning Transfer In The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Safety Academy, Amanda L. Casolare

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Effective evaluation of safety training is crucial to ensure that learning translates into safe work practices, particularly in high-risk public sector environments. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is developing a Safety Academy to enhance hazard recognition, risk management, and safety leadership within the organization. However, the Safety Academy has not yet been implemented, and formal evaluation methods for training have not been established. This study aimed to examine evidence-based training evaluation techniques and develop recommendations for evaluating the KYTC Safety Academy prior to program implementation.

This study employed an applied pre-implementation research design grounded in a comprehensive review of safety …

Shm For Incipient Buckling Detection In Overloaded Structures Using Nonlinear System Identification Algorithms On Redundant Data Sets, Padmanabh Shridhar Desai

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Structural health monitoring (SHM) detects and characterizes damage to predict failure, but failures such as buckling, which are not predicated on traditional damage modalities, are harder to detect. Direct load measurements are costly and difficult to implement (especially for dead loads) as they require copious numbers of sensors, which must be installed before loading is present. Vibration-based detection is a good alternative because it can infer global structural characteristics with relatively few sensors. This dissertation presents an SHM approach for detecting incipient buckling in structures under excessive loads based on non-linear models fit from measurements of small lateral vibrations due …

Innovative Smart Sensing System For Accurate Monitoring Of Uhpc Setting Time, Ted Atera, Khalilullah Taj, Masoud Pasbani, Yen-Fang Su

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) is an advanced concrete material known for its strength and durability. Its superior mechanical properties make it an ideal material for demanding structural applications such as bridges. Accurate setting time measurements are crucial in helping to optimise the performance of UHPC. All conventional methods and standards for measuring the setting time of concrete rely on using expensive specialised equipment, such as the Vicat apparatus, which assesses penetration depth or resistance. However, these methods may not be well-suited for UHPC due to its rapid surface drying while the interior remains fresh. This prevents free needle penetration and leads …

Statewide Corridor Evacuation Response And Re-Entry Behaviors In Florida During Hurricane Irma, Xin Wang, Yuan Zhu, Hong Yang, Kun Xie

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Hurricane Irma stands as one of the most destructive tropical storms to make landfall in the United States, particularly impacting the State of Florida, where it prompted the largest evacuation in history with approximately 7 million residents. The profound consequences of mass evacuation underscore the critical need to understand travel behaviors during hurricane evacuation and the recovery process. This research analyzes statewide evacuation and re-entry patterns, leveraging diverse datasets, including TTMS data from main corridors and GIS data. A statewide corridor-based empirical analysis framework is constructed to characterize evacuation and re-entry response patterns using sensor-based traffic observations. The results show …