Digital Commons Network^™

Great Salt Lake Model Depletion, Katherine Wright

Spring Runoff Conference

When does water leasing make sense? Using New Information to Make Better Leases.

Lease, but only if it makes sense.

• Farmers have a legal right to use water on their farms for agriculture.
• Leasing might be a good economic decision for you, but not your neighbor.
• Leasing is voluntary, the purpose of this presentation is to explain the benefits of leasing and give you the information you need to decide if it is right for you. 

Utah Water Research Lab, David Tarboton

Spring Runoff Conference

The concept of a dedicated water research laboratory evolved over years, with significant contributions from Vaughn E. Hansen, Dean F. Peterson, and George D. Clyde. The UWRL represents the culmination of a long-held vision at USU to advance water research.

Legislative Updates Panel, Casey Snider, Brian Steed, Kelly Pehrson, Joel Ferry

Spring Runoff Conference

Legislative Updates Panel

Water Rights Update, Teresa Wilhelmsen

Spring Runoff Conference

State Engineer's Update:

2024-2025 Strategic Action Plan

2024 Updates by functional section:

• Adjudication
• Applications & Records
• Dam Safety & Stream Alterations
• Data Services
• Field Services
• Technical Services

Northern Utah Gaging And Measurement Infrastructure Needs And Updates, Beth Neilson

Spring Runoff Conference

We can’t manage what we don’t MEASURE. We can’t manage what we don’t UNDERSTAND.

Great Salt Lake: What’S Next?, Brian Steed

Spring Runoff Conference

Water security is key to living in the West.

Snowpack And Water Supply Outlook, Jordan Clayton

Spring Runoff Conference

>95% of the water we use in Northern Utah comes from snow. Therefore, it’s critically important to quantify how much water is stored in our snowpack.

Modeling The Pollution From Latrines In A Low- And Middle-Income Country Setting, Christopher Nenninger

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Latrines are an important sanitation infrastructure that are critical to the United Nations’ effort to end open defecation and achieve the target regarding safely managed sanitation outlined in Sustainable Development Goal #6. This global effort has led to 40,000,000 new users being introduced to improved latrines each year, and this number is expected to increase as the world’s population grows. One of the drawbacks related to these new latrine additions is the potential increase in pollution from hydraulically connected latrine pits to shallow groundwater. This is especially problematic in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where communities are more likely to …

Bayesian Network-Based Framework To Uncover Social Inequities In Flood Risk: Application To East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Fuad Hasan

LSU Master's Theses

Regional flood risk assessment requires understanding the complex interplay of sociodemographic, socioeconomic, hydrogeologic, built environment, and climatic variables that impact flood vulnerability. Traditional studies often focus on large-scale units, overlooking localized variations and disproportionate exposure within populations. To address these gaps, a methodological framework of flood risk assessment using the Bayesian network was proposed and applied to East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, for the August 2016 flood event to identify relationships between flood risk variables at the housing unit level. Flood exposure representativeness (FER) was determined using the Bayesian network's inference capabilities to identify over- or under-represented groups. This study …

Intelligent Turning Cyber-Physical Systems Modeling Using Sysml, Prithbey Raj Dey, David Lee Enke, Mario F. Buchely

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) support industrial automation that incorporates people, hardware, signal, computation, and control using networking to achieve desired results. The complex automated CPS design demands a standard and comprehensive approach to appropriately identify the system requirements, define the architecture, and model the relationships among the software and hardware components. Systems Modeling Language (SysML) provides the capability for a comprehensive modeling to capture the desired design requirements in the systems architecture. SysML enables performance estimation of the model by analyzing constraints while identifying interactions among the components through various behavioral diagrams. In this paper, SysML is applied to the design …

Enhancing The Efficiency Of Eaop Degradation Using Ultrasound: A Study With Methylene Blue And Pfoa As Model Pollutants, Jamiu Busayo Ahmed

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Smart Highway Construction Site Monitoring Using Artificial Intelligence, Mehran Mazari, Yahaira Nava-Gonzalez, Ly Jacky N. Nhiayi, Mohamad H. Saleh

Mineta Transportation Institute

Construction is a large sector of the economy and plays a significant role in creating economic growth and national development,and construction of transportation infrastructure is critical. This project developed a method to detect, classify, monitor, and track objects during the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of transportation infrastructure by using artificial intelligence and a deep learning approach. This study evaluated the performance of AI and deep learning algorithms to compare their performance in detecting and classifying the equipment in various construction scenes. Our goal was to find the optimized balance between the model capabilities in object detection and memory processing requirements. …

Design Of An Electro-Hydraulic Laboratory Test System For Adjusting The Inclination Angle Of Sowing Machines, Aytac Moralar, Figan Dalmis, Bahattin Akdemir

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Field testing of grain sowing machinery requires favorable field conditions and sufficient time periods, making laboratory tests a preferred alternative for determining performance under controlled conditions. However, a standardized testing system for evaluating sowing machinery has not yet been established. In this study, a test system was designed for laboratory testing of universal grain sowing machines. A movable platform was built on a chassis made using sheet metal with different dimensions and profiles. It operates through a hydraulic system via a programmable logic controller-based control system. The sowing machine placed on this platform allows for inclination adjustments (front, back, right, …

Evaluating Educational Benefits Of A Custom Cyber Game: ‘Hvac Attack!’, Jillian S. Valente

Theses and Dissertations

Cyber competition and conflict remain an enduring concern for the Department of Defense (DoD). Positive control of cyberspace is crucial across the vast diversity of military operations and supporting activities. Military members play an important role in cyber prevention, detection, and remediation, but most receive relatively little training outside of the annual Cyber Awareness Challenge. Particular career fields within the DoD may benefit from specialized training in cybersecurity, in particular the civil engineering (CE) community supporting critical infrastructure protection. Prior research has suggested that game-based learning (GBL) can be beneficial for teaching cyber concepts.

Molecular Scale Investigations Of Interactions Between Pfas And Concrete, Eric E. Keeler

Theses and Dissertations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely referred to as “forever chemicals,” exhibit high environmental persistence and potential health risks due to their robust carbon-fluorine bonds. These substances are prevalent in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), used in industrial and military applications, and are known to contaminate environmental surfaces, including concrete. This study aims to characterize the molecular-level interaction energies of six PFAS species—PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHxA, 6:2 FTS, and PFBS—with calcium silicate, a key component of concrete, using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) was determined for each of the interactions, revealing negative ΔG values for …

Assessing The Feasibility Of Managed Aquifer Recharge For The United States Air Force, Daniel Hendrix

Theses and Dissertations

Water stress is becoming an increasing global issue, with 4 billion people (50% of the world’s population) experiencing water stress at least one month per year. By 2050, 60% of the world’s population and $70 trillion USD in global gross domestic product will be affected. This research analyzes 78 CONUS USAF installations to determine location-specific water stress and feasible Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) solutions. Although thousands of MAR projects have been implemented globally, active-duty USAF installations have yet to contribute to solving this growing issue. Important factors such as required subsurface conditions, physical limitations, design, cost, and regulatory constraints are …

Modelled Flooding Impacts On Lower Fish River Watershed, Sebastian Loschner

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

This study investigates the impacts of compound flooding in the Lower Fish River watershed, Baldwin County, Alabama, with a focus on the potential effects of sea level rise due to climate change. Coastal flooding, particularly in smaller watersheds, is a growing concern as it results from the interaction of multiple factors, including rainfall, tidal changes, and extreme weather events. Compound flooding, which involves multiple flood drivers, is expected to worsen with climate change, as increased precipitation and rising sea levels create heightened flood risks. However, existing research on compound flooding predominantly focuses on large-scale watersheds, leaving a knowledge gap in …

Early-Phase Cost Estimation For Department Of Defense Construction Projects Via Artificial Neural Networks: Implications And Policy Recommendations For Artificial Intelligence Integration, Kobe T. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense lost over 500 million dollars between 2016 and 2024, partially due to poor early cost estimates resulting in cost overruns. practice for cost estimation relied on parametric techniques that incorporate historical data, subject matter experts in cost estimating, and predictive software applications. The main motivation for this study was to assess the viability of artificial neural networks as a means of providing a more accurate cost estimate in the early design phases of a construction project. The dataset initially contained approximately 48,000 data points from a database of various Air Force projects, including maintenance, repair, minor …

Atmospheric Water Generation: Experimental Observations And Assembly Of An Artificial Neural Network, Houston Hoss Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the performance of a Tsunami T50 Vapor Compression Cycle styled Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) machine operated under ambient conditions in Dayton, Ohio. Water yield from the device was measured volumetrically and these values are paired with respective weather data, collected from a local monitoring station, to build an Artificial Neural Network in MATLAB and JMP software. Water yield varied over the course of this study but averaged 1.2L and maxed at 5L for 4-hour operating periods. This work is part of a 3-year project; future data is needed to enhance both training and validation of the model …

The Application Of Decision Analysis Theory For Space Allocation At The Air Force Institute Of Technology, Damian N. Soriano

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the application of Decision Analysis Theory to optimize space allocation at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). Through a Multi-Objective Decision Analysis (MODA) framework, this study addresses existing methodologies for space allocation in military, academic, and office settings; the rules, limitations, and factors influencing space utilization at AFIT; and approaches to improve office and lab allocations for institutional efficiency and fairness. This research incorporates qualitative and quantitative metrics, including faculty and student data, research outputs, and historical space usage. These findings highlight significant complexities in space allocation, particularly in reconciling administrative and research requirements with structural …

Maintenance Strategy And Budgeting Optimization For United States Air Force Facilities, Sophia C. Hirtle

Theses and Dissertations

Mission readiness in the United States Air Force (USAF) is critically dependent on the sustainment and maintenance of aging facilities. However, budgetary and manpower constraints have led to a significant backlog of deferred maintenance, estimated at $137 billion. To address these challenges, this research develops an optimization model that aids in prioritizing facility maintenance strategies within a fixed budget. The methodology incorporates existing USAF data from BUILDER, NexGenIT, and financial records to create a simulation-based optimization framework at the base level. The model evaluates four different maintenance strategies—replacement only, preventative maintenance only, corrective maintenance only, and a combination of preventative …

Evaluating Atmospheric Water Generation For The Indo-Pacific: Predictive Modeling, Energy Considerations, And Regional Viability, Jose I. De La Serna

Theses and Dissertations

Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) technology presents a promising solution for extracting and harvesting water from ambient air through condensation methods. This innovative approach offers a viable alternative for water production in regions with limited or unreliable water sources. AWGs operate most effectively in hot and humid environments, typically at temperatures of 80°F and relative humidity levels of 80%. As of 2020, the Department of Defense (DoD) has identified the Indo-Pacific region as a strategic focus for addressing future greatpower competition. Within the framework of Agile Combat Employment, this study evaluates the feasibility and performance of AWG technology at pre-determined locations …

Numerical Analyses Of Construction Materials At Different Scales For Improved Resilience And Sustainability Of Civil Infrastructures, Chenchen Huang

Theses and Dissertations

The resilience and sustainability of civil infrastructure are fundamental to supporting modern society in the face of growing environmental challenges and resource limitations. This study aims to use multi-scale numerical tools to evaluate mechanical performance of different construction materials under various environmental and loading conditions. Firstly, we adopt the discrete element method (DEM) to evaluate the influence of freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs) action on the mechanical properties of rock from the micro perspective. A simplified plastic model is proposed to capture the residual deformation produced during FTCs. To further explore the deterioration of FTCs on rock, the water-contained grain-based model (GBM) …

Static Performance And Stability Of A Multi-Span Hybrid Continuous Rigid Frame Bridge With High Piers, Huang Yu, Liu Guanyu, Yi Jianbo, Xing Xuan, Su Miao, Peng Hui

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In order to study the static performance and stability of a steel-concrete composite continuous rigid frame bridge in Suichang,Zhejiang Province,a single girder and girder lattice finite element model for the whole bridge was established by using Midas Civil,and a local solid finite element model was established by using Ansys.A detailed analysis of the structural displacement and stress state of the bridge in use and the local stress in the solid section of the pier and girder under different loads was carried out.The influence of the pile-bottom restraint stiffness and pier-girder connection form on the overall stability of the bridge was …

Influence Of Train Speed On Thermal Insulation And Anti-Thawing Length For Tunnel In Cold Region, Huang Huanan, Chen Yong, Wang Yibo, Wu Yaping

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To study the influence of train speed on thermal insulation and anti-thawing measures for surrounding rock of tunnels in cold regions,it is necessary to analyze the temperature field.By using the Kunlun Mountain Tunnel Project in cold regions as a case study,the effects of external atmospheric temperature,piston wind effects caused by varying train speeds,and the driving resistance on the distribution of the tunnel ’s internal temperature field were considered.A three-dimensional numerical calculation model including the surrounding rock,concrete lining,and tunnel air was established by utilizing the thermo-fluid-structure interaction (TFSI ) technique.The thermal environment variations caused by trains at different speeds were predicted.The …

Parametric Analysis Of Composite Slab With Steel Bar Trusses At Construction Stages, Zhang Junhao, He Jun, Tan Chao, Feng Sidong, Wang Zitong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To clarify the structural behavior of composite slab with steel bar trusses at key construction stages including hoisting and concrete post-pouring,a composite beam bridge with a main span of 60 m in Georgia ’s E60 Highway was investigated.A finite element model was developed by using ABAQUS to simulate the construction process and analyze the influence of parameters such as prefabricated bottom slab material,number of hoisting points,slab thickness,and number of steel bar trusses on the principal stress of concrete and mid-span deflection.The results indicate that ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC ) prefabricated bottom slabs prevent plastic damage and enhance slab stiffness.Normal concrete (NC) …

Cracking Characteristics Of Cement-Stabilized Macadam With Early Strength Agent Under Variable Temperature And Humidity Curing Conditions, Ge Dongdong, Liu Dingyuan, Lyu Songtao, Jiang Xiangyang, Xue Yanhua, Yu Yang

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In environments with large temperature variations and low humidity,the curing conditions of cement-stabilized macadam fail to meet the specifications,leading to slow early strength development and increased susceptibility to cracking.This study aimed to investigate the effects of actual environmental temperature,humidity,curing age,and addition of early strength agents on the cracking characteristics of cement-stabilized macadam.Variable temperature conditions were determined based on actual environmental temperature data.Four curing conditions were set by combining temperatures (variable temperature and standard temperature ) with relative humidity of 95%,80%,and 65%,respectively.Three types of specimens were prepared with 0%,10%,and 15% early strength agent contents and cured for 14 and 28 days,respectively.The …

Identification And Prediction Model For Traffic Blockage State Of Highways To Xizang, Wu Ling, Liu Jianbei, Zhang Zhiwei, Shan Donghui, Chi Gandu

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To identify the traffic blockage state on highways to Xizang in extreme environments,comprehensive evaluation indicators for traffic blockage state based on the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method were proposed by using the traffic blockage event parameters observed on four major highways to Xizang:Sichuan ‒ Xizang Highway,Yunnan ‒ Xizang Highway,Qinghai ‒ Xizang Highway,and Xinjiang ‒ Xizang Highway.The K-Medoids clustering algorithm was used to categorize the traffic blockage state into different levels.By considering factors such as hazard types,road types,traffic volume,and vehicle type ratios,a classification model for the traffic blockage state on highways to Xizang was constructed based on machine learning algorithms.The results show that …

Seismic Performance Of Bridge Pile Foundation Considering Effects Of Material Freeze-Thaw Deterioration And Permafrost Degradation, Zhang Xiyin, Yu Shengsheng, Wang Wanping, Wen Hairong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In cold and high-seismic regions,such as the Qinghai‒Xizang Plateau in China,the deterioration of material properties caused by freeze-thaw cycles and permafrost degradation due to climate change have become increasingly severe,posing significant challenges for the seismic performance assessment of bridge pile foundations.To systematically investigate the impact of permafrost degradation and material freeze-thaw deterioration on the seismic performance of bridge pile foundations and ensure proper seismic design,a finite element model was established,considering the dual effects of permafrost degradation and material freeze-thaw deterioration.A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence mechanisms of various factors on the seismic performance of bridge pile foundations …

Design And Simulation Evaluation Of Converged Toll Collection Schemes For Senegalese Highways, Lai Zengcheng, Zhang Ning, Yang Shichun, Ding Xueqi, Ji Yanjie

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The Senegalese highway toll collection system is inefficient,and significant congestion and delays frequently occur at toll stations in the face of sudden traffic surges during holidays.This paper examined the limitations of the existing toll collection methods on Senegalese highways and combined the image detection algorithm and electronic license plate recognition technology with the existing MTC and ETC toll collection methods to construct a converged toll collection method based on vehicle information recognition.The paper aimed to optimize the Senegalese highway toll collection system,reduce its cost of use,and improve the efficiency of toll collection.The BPV Thiès toll station in Senegal was selected …