Digital Commons Network^™

Water Bottle Lid Co Detector, Zeke Bukovansky, Jake Siegel, Jack Wisegarver, Cody Rudman

Mechanical Engineering

This project introduces a portable carbon monoxide detector integrated into a water bottle lid to give users a simple way to stay aware of CO exposure in daily life. The design packages an electrochemical sensor, onboard electronics, and clear visual and audible alerts into a compact form that fits standard bottles. By embedding sensing into an object people already carry, the device offers a practical path toward reducing unrecognized CO risks and improving personal safety.

Rapid Construction Of Short Gap Crossings Using Indigenous Timber, Jack Everett Hamburger

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines multiple design options for constructing short span crossings for the military using indigenous timbers. Using indigenous timbers allows for a significant reduction in resources that must be brought into a site for construction. Construction time is minimized by optimizing the steps to convert indigenous timber into structural members for use as timbers in a short gap crossing. A major objective during this thesis study was to examine approaches for maximizing timber strength for design purposes and reduce timber weight for handling purposes. Wood strength and wood weight are highly dependent on moisture content. Decreasing moisture content addresses …

Application Of Plastic Waste As A Sustainable Bitumen Mixture—A Review, Nuha S. Mashaan, Thakur Chamlagai

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Plastic waste is growing rapidly, while asphalt binders remain heavily reliant on petroleum bitumen. Incorporating recycled plastics into bitumen can divert waste and enhance pavement performance. This review compiles 251 experimental records from 56 studies to evaluate how plastic type, dosage, and processing conditions affect softening point, penetration, and viscosity. Across studies, plastics (PET, LDPE/HDPE/LLDPE, PP, and hybrids) consistently stiffen binders, reducing penetration and increasing softening point and viscosity, thereby improving rutting resistance while potentially raising mixing/compaction demands. Using grouped cross-validated machine-learning models (median baseline, ridge, random forest, XGBoost), we quantify the predictability of binder properties and show that nonlinear …

Biochar As Additive And Modifier In Bitumen And Asphalt Mixtures, Chathurika Dassanayake, Nuha S. Mashaan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Incorporating biochar into pavement materials is a novel and environmentally sustainable approach that aligns with global sustainability goals and advances greener pavement technologies. Studies have shown that biochar significantly enhances the strength, durability, and stability of pavements, while also contributing to sustainability by lowering the carbon footprint associated with traditional construction materials. Additionally, the incorporation of biochar contributes to the sustainability of asphalt engineering by reducing reliance on petroleum-based products and promoting the valorization of biomass. The primary objective of this review is to critically evaluate and synthesize existing research on the use of biochar in bitumen and asphalt mixtures, …

Confinement-Dependent Transient Mi For The Hoek-Brown (H-B) Strength Criterion, Hao Li, Leo Pel, Zhenjiang You, David Smeulders

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The growing global demand for mineral resources necessitates deeper excavation, where increasing in situ stresses pose significant geomechanical challenges. Consequently, an accurate strength assessment of deep-seated rock masses is crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of underground excavations. The Hoek-Brown (H-B) strength criterion remains a widely applied rock strength criterion. However, its conventional form struggles to characterize the full nonlinear evolution of rock strength from pre-critical to critical conditions across varying confining stresses. To address this limitation, this study proposes a Confinement-dependent Transient mi Model (CTM) as an enhancement to the H-B criterion. By incorporating confinement-sensitive variations of mi, …

A Critical Review On Selecting Performance Evaluation Metrics For Supervised Machine Learning Models In Wastewater Quality Prediction, Hoda Khoshvaght, Ratish Ramyad Permala, Amir Razmjou, Mehdi Khiadani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

While numerous machine learning (ML) models have been applied to wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) quality prediction tasks, significantly less attention has been paid to the selection and interpretation of performance evaluation metrics. Most studies rely on general-purpose regression metrics such as Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and the Coefficient of Determination (R²). Although widely used, these metrics differ considerably in terms of interpretability, sensitivity to data anomalies, and suitability for dynamic, noisy environments like WWTPs. This review, based on a systematic literature analysis of 27 performance evaluation metrics, critically …

A Comparative Analysis Of Complete Streets And Multimodal Transport Approaches: Implications For Sustainable Urban Mobility In Lincoln, And Global Contexts, Oliva Richard Kilyenyi

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Movement of people and goods in urban areas through different modes of transportation including walking, cycling, public transit and by autos is termed as urban mobility. Urban mobility presents significant environmental, social, and economic challenges for cities worldwide as they grapple with the impacts of conventional transportation systems, particularly in North America context where car-centric planning approaches has dominated urban developments since 1950s. Car-centric dominance is 80% in North American Metropolitan areas (Manaugh et al., 2015). The impacts of these conventional systems include greenhouse gas emission emissions contributing approximately 24% of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, air pollution …

Impact Of Equipment Type On Measured Particle Size Of Civil Engineering Materials, Tanner Turben, Tasnimul R. Ferdous, Andrew Braham, Wen Zhang

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Particle size analysis (PSA) captures the size distribution of finely graded materials with particles generally smaller than 1000 microns. Many civil engineering materials do not leverage PSA for material specifications or acceptance despite the insight into material performance and quality gained through understanding the particle size. The objectives of this study are to compare PSA measurement principles by testing 13 civil engineering materials by laser diffraction, Coulter counter, and microscopy. Asphalt emulsions, cementitious materials, sands, clays, and biological samples were selected to represent a wide set of interests and shapes. It was found that between laser diffraction and Coulter counter …

Development Of A Kytc Highway Geometric Design Workshop, Jill Asher, Jeff Jasper, Travis Thompson, Chris Van Dyke

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In-depth knowledge of geometric design principles is a prerequisite for delivering road projects that provide safe and efficient multimodal mobility for all users. Historically, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) early-career design staff arrived at the agency with little design experience. The agency has relied on a combination of short courses and mentorship provided by experienced personnel to bring early-career design staff up to speed on design best practices. However, this approach to training carries limitations. Employee turnover and imposing workloads make it challenging for early- and even mid-career design professionals to receive guidance from seasoned designers who have long tenures at …

Rainfall-Runoff Modelling In An Indonesian Humid Tropical Area Using Satellite-Based Precipitation Products, Noordiah Helda

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation explores three rainfall-runoff models in the humid tropical regions of Indonesia using satellite-based precipitation products (SBPPs) and develops integrated machine-learning modeling frameworks. Several ground-based observations from BMKG (Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (also known as the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics)) stations across Indonesia (133−165 stations) are compared and evaluated against satellite products, indicating that GPM performs well, with R-squared values ranging from 0.54 to 0.76 and correlation coefficients ranging from 0.45 to 0.69, respectively.

In the Martapura Watershed, South Kalimantan, due to a lack of observational discharge data, streamflow was generated using the FJ Mock …

Intrinsic Disinfection Byproducts In Free Chlorine And Chloramine Systems: Formation Of Chlorite, Chlorate, Perchlorate, And Chloronitramide Anion, Julian L. Fairey, Ashley D. Pifer, David G. Wahman

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Intrinsic disinfection byproducts are formed by reactions between disinfectant species and/or their decomposition products. In this review, we focus on a subset that accumulates in free chlorine and chloramine drinking water systems. First, we review the sequential formation of chlorite, chlorate, and perchlorate in hypochlorite feedstocks. Model simulations indicate chlorate and perchlorate can accumulate under realistic dosing conditions and can be managed with less concentrated feedstocks and climate-controlled storage. Second, we review the formation pathways of dichloramine and chloronitramide anion. Chloronitramide anion accumulation may be mitigated by increasing monochloramine stability and quenching reactive nitrogen species in its formation pathway.

Using Hydraulic And Hydrologic Modeling To Determine Scour At Toro Creek Under Climate Change Conditions, Gabriel E. Alaniz

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates bridge scour at the Toro Creek crossing of Highway 1 in Morro Bay, California, under present conditions and future climate conditions with more frequent extreme rainfall events. California infrastructure is becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme storm events and increased intense precipitation events brought by climate change. This analysis focuses on the calculation of scour for both the northbound and southbound spans. Highway 1 plays a vital role in California’s coastal transportation infrastructure by carrying more than 20,000 vehicles daily (Caltrans, 2017). In this thesis, a hydrological model (HEC-HMS) is used to simulate runoff under present-day and …

Draft Genome Sequences Of Four Phosphate-Solubilizing Microbes Of The Family Burkholderiaceae Isolated From Tailings From The Former Pea Ridge Mine In Washington County, Mo, Usa, Prince Oppong Amoh, Abiodun E. Idowu, Elizabeth R. Grube, Melanie R. Mormile, Hunter W. Schroer

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

We present draft genome sequences of four Gram-negative phosphate-solubilizing microbes isolated from Pea Ridge Mine tailings in Missouri, USA. Belonging to the family Burkholderiaceae, these isolates exhibit a phosphate-mineral-dissolving phenotype in liquid and solid cultures. Genome sizes span 5.6–9.7 Mb, with GC contents of 61.6%–67.0%.

Ethical Decision-Making Processes In Authentic Environmental Engineering Contexts Through Systems Thinking And Team Collaboration Lenses: An Embedded Single Case Study, Toluwalase Eniola Brower

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Ethical and professional responsibility is a critical learning outcome emphasized in ABET accreditation. However, ethics instruction in engineering education often lacks integration of system-level considerations such as economic, environmental, and societal contexts, that are essential for developing engineering solutions that ensure the safety and welfare of diverse stakeholders. This embedded single-case study investigated the integration of authentic ethics instruction within a junior-level environmental engineering course at a Midwestern U.S. university during spring 2025 and explores how civil engineering student teams within the course engage in ethical decision-making process during authentic problem-solving.

The instructional intervention consisted of four problem-based ethics modules, …

Utilizing Diatoms In Wastewater Treatment For Pollutant Removal, Ceaira D. Howard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Wastewater treatment systems are increasingly challenged by a complex mix of pollutants including excess nutrients, organic dyes, and persistent chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Conventional treatment technologies often struggle to effectively and affordably remove these contaminants. This study explores the use of two diatom species, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Navicula cryptocephala var. veneta, both single-celled microalgae with silica-based cell walls, as an environmentally sustainable approach to tertiary wastewater treatment. Diatoms offer dual functionality through surface adsorption properties and metabolic flexibilities, making them promising candidates for integrated treatment strategies.

To test the trophic flexibilities of diatoms, P. tricornutum was …

Advancements In Sinkhole Remediation: Field Data-Driven Sinkhole Grout Volume Prediction Model Via Machine Learning-Based Regression Analysis, Bubryur Kim, Yuvaraj Natarajan, K. R. Sri Preethaa, V. Danushkumar, Ryan Shamet, Jiannan Chen, Rui Xie, Timothy Copeland, Boo Hyun Nam, Jinwoo An

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Sinkhole formation poses a significant geohazard in karst regions, where unpredictable subsurface erosion often necessitates costly grouting for stabilization. Accurate estimation of grout volume remains a persistent challenge due to spatial variability, site-specific conditions, and the limitations of traditional empirical methods. This study introduces a novel machine learning-based regression model for grout volume prediction that integrates cone penetration test (CPT)-derived Sinkhole Resistance Ratio (SRR) values, spatial correlations between CPT and grouting points (GPs), and field-recorded grout volumes from six sinkhole sites in Florida. Three data transformation methods, the Proximal Allocation Method (PAM), the Equitable Distribution Method (EDM), and the Threshold-based …

Analysis Of Progressive Failure From Hydrofracturing Tests In Boise Sandstone, Alejandra Sanchez Arizmendi

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Sealed borehole laboratory hydrofracturing tests with acoustic emission monitoring were used to investigate the acoustic emission activity, damage thresholds, progressive failure, and tensile strength as a function of injection rate for twenty Boise Sandstone specimens. Four injection rates 15.7, 31.4, 62.8, and 125.6 mL/minute were used in the testing.

Increasing the injection rate initially increased and then decreased acoustic emission activity. The highest injection rate resulted in the lowest number of AE hits. The acoustic emission data was collected via two ultrasonic sensors. The highest average AE hits at the 31.4 mL/min injection rate was 613 and the lowest average …

A Machine Learning Approach To Estimating Agricultural Return Flows: A Case Study Of The Twin Falls Canal Company In Idaho, Kendra Alise Figgins

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Idaho is the third largest water user in the United States due to its extensive agriculture industry (Murray, 2018). Irrigation has allowed farmers to take advantage of the warm climate and rich soils of the Eastern Snake River Plain to develop one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions. This area now contains one-third of Idaho’s irrigated acres (Idaho Department of Water Resources, 2024). It also contains critical hydrologic connections between the Snake River and the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.

Farming practices in Idaho have gradually shifted over time. Warming temperatures and increased irrigation efficiency are allowing an expansion of …

Sustainability Assessment Of Ground Improvement Techniques: A Life Cycle Analysis Of Lime, Cement, Geopolymers And Biopolymers For Roadway Application, Jillian R. Frost

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Ground improvement design (GID) is a vital part of constructing safe, long-lasting infrastructure. Traditionally, this is done with a chemical additive such as lime or cement that is mixed with in-situ soil to improve soil parameters such as compressibility, and strength. These stabilizers produce high amounts of carbon emissions. As a response, engineers and researchers are beginning to develop new stabilization methods using biopolymers and geopolymers in hopes of achieving comparable soil stability results as well as reduced environmental impacts.

This thesis work integrates a life-cycle analysis (LCA) and life-cycle-cost-analysis (LCCA) framework to evaluate and compare four soil stabilizer types: …

The Effect Of Loading Conditions And Specimen Size On The Tensile Strength Of Ring-Shaped Specimens, Kolby Scott Mcclure

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This study introduces a custom-built direct tension testing apparatus designed for ring-shaped rock specimens. The apparatus applies a uniform axial load to the inner surface of the ring and is compatible with standard geotechnical testing equipment. Using this device, 176 granite specimens sourced from Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, were tested under three configurations: Brazilian, indirect ring tension, and direct ring tension. Only specimens exhibiting valid diametrical splitting failure modes (126 out of 176) were included in the final analysis. Direct tension tests yielded the lowest tensile strengths, followed by Brazilian tests, with indirect tension tests producing the highest values. While scatter …

Feasibility Of Small-Modular Reactors In Hybrid Energy Systems, Taylor Reid

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates the feasibility of integrating next-generation nuclear technology into hybrid energy systems, framing the analysis within the guidelines suggested by the World Energy Council’s, Energy Trilemma. The trilemma seeks to balance energy security, economics/equity and sustainability. To this end, a computer model was created to illustrate how the limitations of intermittent renewables, like wind and solar (PV), can be addressed when they are combined with a baseload provided by a next-generation nuclear Small Modular Reactor (SMR). The baseload power provided by nuclear energy can smooth the variability of wind or solar power, while simultaneously offsetting the cost of …

Evaluation Of High Concentration Dissolved Oxygen Delivery On Wastewater Treatment Plant Performance, Gregor Ethan R. Posadas

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Microorganisms are used in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to transform constituents and depend on dissolved oxygen (DO) for growth. Limitations in traditional treatment methods pose inefficiencies in performance relative to constituent removal. This study involved monitoring the performance of a selected WWTP located in Greenleaf, Idaho that was retrofitted with a high concentration DO delivery system. The WWTP was selected due to its small scale (classified as a minor discharge facility with a design flow <1 MGD) and capability of being retrofitted with a high concentration DO delivery system proprietary to BioSolution Holdings Co., Ltd. This study aimed to monitor the effects of delivering higher DO concentrations in the WWTP in conjunction with validating the performance and function of the retrofitted high concentration DO delivery system. The performance of the selected WWTP was monitored over the course of one year to capture seasonal fluctuations.

Significant changes in WWTP constituent treatment induced by higher DO concentrations were observed at various points within the treatment processes. Monitored parameters included DO, temperature, …

Building Services Engineering November/December 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Assessing Technology Adoption In The Construction Industry, Lucas D. Gibbons

Construction Management

The construction industry is steadily integrating new technologies, yet adoption varies widely depending on company size, market sector, and internal readiness. This study examines how common technologies such as drones (UAVs), Building Information Modeling (BIM), robotics and automated equipment, laser scanning/LiDAR, AI-driven scheduling or analytics tools, and augmented or virtual reality (AR/VR) are being applied in practice, and what benefits they are delivering to construction organizations. To better understand the factors shaping adoption, a survey was administered to members of the CMAC (Construction Management Advisory Council) board representing a range of contractors and industry stakeholders. The survey assessed current technology …

Evaluating Psychosocial Stressors And Mental Well-Being Of Construction Professionals From The Management Standpoint: An Exploratory Study, Md Tauhidul Karim

Masters Theses

Construction professionals face persistent workplace stressors that undermine their mental well-being outcomes. Despite progress in general job-related stressors, social and interpersonal aspects of psychosocial stressors traditionally remain underexplored in the construction management research. The present study examines how social and interpersonal factors influence construction workers’ mental well-being and how management’s awareness, responsiveness, and strategic roles evolved in the transition of the COVID-19 pandemic at the organizational level. An integrative mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review, a bibliometric analysis, and an exploratory case study to capture the current landscape of mental well-being and management standpoints in the US …

Digital Solutions For Bridging Language Barriers: Designing And Testing An App For Construction Spanish Safety Communication On Construction Jobsites, Adrian Cappella

All Theses

Language barriers between English-speaking supervisors and Spanish-speaking workers create safety risks on U.S. construction jobsites. Hispanic workers face higher injury and fatality rates, with miscommunication being a major contributing factor. Existing translation tools lack the accuracy, cultural context, and jobsite relevance needed for effective safety communication.

In this study a mobile application with construction-specific safety phrases in English and Spanish was designed and field tested. The research included a literature review, phrase collection and validation with industry experts, application development and design with a computer science collaborator, and usability testing with supervisors and workers. Surveys and field trials measured navigation, …

Comparison Of The Recent Icrp Occupational Intakes Of Rradionuclides Series To Annual Limits On Intake (Ali) In The United States For Select Radionuclides, Aidan B. Barker

All Theses

Dose coefficients (DCs) and secondary limit values (such as the annual limit on intake [ALI] and derived air concentration [DAC]) are useful and convenient quantities in radiation protection (RP) for estimation of radiological dose and the practical application of dose limits. DCs link radioactivity intake to dose while secondary limit values express a dose limit in terms of the type and extent of exposure. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), an international organization which provides guidance and recommendations for RP, calculates, tabulates, and updates DCs following new findings and updated knowledge relevant to dose determination (e.g. improved human biokinetics, …

Dynamic Topology Optimization And Experimental Validation Of Reinforcement For Pcb Robotics, Ryan G. Semler

All Theses

Ongoing research between Clemson University and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has been conducted to characterize and assess rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB) robotics subjected to dynamic loads. A lightweight, PCB lunar rover, PUFFER (Pop-Up Flat Folding Explorer Robot), was designed by NASA JPL for Mars missions, but its deployment for lunar missions has been investigated as well. Its current architecture, however, is insufficient for navigating and surviving the lunar environment, and reinforcement has been recommended as a solution to protect larger panels.

This research work presents a dynamic topology optimization process for PCB panel reinforcement. A thorough literature …

Per- And Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Fate Across California Wastewater Treatment Plants: A Meta-Analysis Of Formation, Distribution, And Persistence, Elizabeth Reineke

Master's Theses

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent contaminants that move through municipal and industrial wastewater systems with limited attenuation. As a result, they are increasingly detected in drinking water supplies. Despite growing regulatory concern, a systems-level understanding of PFAS behavior across multiple treatment facilities and watershed settings remains incomplete. This study compiled influent, effluent, and biosolids datasets from more than one hundred California wastewater treatment plants to evaluate PFAS occurrence, transformation, and partitioning across diverse treatment configurations. Analytical steps included calculating removal efficiencies, assessing precursor-to-product oxidation, evaluating co-contaminant correlations, and grouping facilities by process design to quantify configuration-specific fate patterns. …

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting From Roadways: Challenges, Advances, And Future Directions, Heba Mohamed Gaber, Mohamed Abdel-Raheem

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

As the global demand for renewable energy intensifies, piezoelectric energy harvesting from roadways has emerged as a promising avenue for sustainable power generation. This systematic literature review analyzes 61 peer-reviewed studies to assess the feasibility, performance, and potential of integrating piezoelectric systems into roadway infrastructure. While technology faces challenges, such as high installation costs, limited energy output, and a scarcity of thorough economic evaluations, findings suggest it holds considerable promise as a supplementary renewable energy source. The review analyzes the operational characteristics and efficiencies of various piezoelectric transducers, identifies key factors influencing system performance, and evaluates recent technological advances. It …