Engineering Commons^™

Routing Opportunities For Commercial Crossings Between El Paso And Juarez, Marek Musil

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis explores the topic of commercial movements between the El Paso and Ciudad Juarez road networks and the implications of the possible changes in their routing. This area houses several ports of entry, which present one of the busiest commercial and personal border crossings in the whole nation. The primary focus was to evaluate the recently proposed reconstruction scenario of removing trucks from the Bridge of the Americas and study the impacts on the flows throughout the other ports. The chosen tool to support the analysis is a mesoscopic simulation software called DynusT, which is capable of modeling the …

Smart Public Transportation And Mobility Hub Design In El Paso, Jiri Vojtisek

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis explores the potential of a Smart Public Transportation concept and mobility hub design as tools to mitigate the growing trend of transportation issues, such as traffic congestion, reliance on privately owned vehicles, or unattractive public transportation. Consequently, residentsâ?? lives are negatively affected by excessive noise, air pollution, and travel delays, leading to increased safety risks, lost productivity, and a lower quality of life. Considering these challenges, the study begins by analyzing the current state of public transportation in El Paso. Next, it introduces a toolkit from the Smart City concept, followed by case studies of best practices of …

Automated Intake Valve Control Systems For Rural Community Water System, Isabelle Hamby, Jackson Reeves, Ashlyn Celichowski, Elizabeth Morgan

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Analytical And Experimental Studies To Support Codification Of Lightweight Grout For Masonry Design, Cooper Banks

All Theses

Lightweight (LW) aggregates have many potential benefits in masonry construction including minimizing mass, improving thermal performance, and reducing the potential for shrinkage cracking via internal curing. The current masonry design standard, TMS 402/602-22, permits lightweight aggregate in the production of concrete masonry units (CMU), but there has been insufficient testing of masonry assemblies to permit designing with LW grout. Shrestha et al. characterized LW grouts bond to reinforcement, shear strength, tension and shear pullout behavior of anchors and proposed possible reduction factors for design. Hiner characterized the flexural bond strength LW grouted masonry assemblies and proposed possible reduction factors for …

Primary Consolidation Settlement Of South Louisiana Clay Deposits In Marsh Environment, Alice E. Stark

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Accurate estimation of primary consolidation of in-situ marsh soils is inherently difficult in south Louisiana due to the soft, settlement prone soils and variable alluvial material. To investigate the accuracy of settlement analysis methods commonly utilized in local practice, estimates from numerical models were compared to the results of a settlement monitoring program at a project site during construction. Sensitivity analyses were then performed using several parameters that were used in the settlement analysis, and the results were compared to the field observations.

The disagreement of observed settlement data and settlement estimates produced with a model that did not include …

Assessment Of Engineering Performance And Environmental Impacts Of High Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (Rap) Asphalt Mixtures In Flexible Pavements, Ibrahim A.I.E. Elnaml

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Due to the critical role of asphalt pavements in national infrastructure development, there is a pressing need to investigate more sustainable materials and approaches. The use of natural aggregates and asphalt binders in asphalt pavement presents sustainability challenges due to the depletion of finite resources. Recycling Asphalt Pavement (RAP) offers a promising sustainable solution by substituting virgin aggregates and asphalt binders with recycled ones. However, increasing RAP contents in asphalt mixtures (>25%) can lead to premature cracking, insufficient durability, and limited longevity due to the presence of aged RAP-asphalt binder. To address these concerns, the application of novel recycling …

Assessment Of Improvement In Unpaved Roadway Performance Using 3d Geogrids Under Cyclic Loading, Munibhaskar Pagadala

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Geogrids have been used for decades to improve the performance in both paved and unpaved road construction. This research focuses on quantifying the performance and optimizing the design of unpaved roadways using the results from an extensive cyclic triaxial testing program. Twenty-seven cyclic triaxial tests were performed, consisting of unreinforced (control) and reinforced samples using two types of 3D geogrids: Grid1 and Grid2. The samples measured 150 mm in diameter and a height of 300 mm. The tests were run under different loading sequences ranging from 41 kPa to 55 psi (6 psi to 8 psi of confining stress and …

Antibiotic Resistance In Urban Stormwater Runoff And Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Kassidy N. O'Malley

Dissertations (1934 -)

Antibiotic resistance in the environment poses significant risks to human health, especially through the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) via pathways like food and water. Urban stormwater runoff has been identified as a significant contributor to the release and transport of ARGs in the environment but has remained under-researched. This dissertation aimed to address this gap by investigating the fate of ARGs in urban stormwater runoff to guide future stormwater management decisions. Two phases were completed; the first sought to investigate extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs) in stormwater runoff, and the second focused on quantifying …

Cal Poly's Old Powerhouse Analysis Assessing Stakeholder Preferences, Marissa D. Burns

Construction Management

This research paper delves into the historical and cultural relevance of Cal Poly’s Old Powerhouse, the college’s oldest architectural landmark, which has remained in a state of disuse since the 1990s. Employing meticulous survey methodology; perspectives from faculty, staff, alumni, students, and community members are gathered to illustrate the significance of the Old Powerhouse within the various stakeholders. The study refrains from imposing interpretation but rather seeks to capture the sentiments expressed by stakeholders, providing valuable insights into the building’s perceived value. By centering on the community opinions, the research will underscore the building’s potential and expand on the collected …

Quasi-Static And Impact Load Response Of Bfrp-Reinforced Concrete Beams And Post-Terrorist-Attack Sub-Assemblages, José Luis Carrasquillo

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation presents the outcome of a theoretical and experimental study of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) reinforced concrete beams and post-terrorist-attack subassemblages subjected to either quasi-static or impact load. Both BFRP reinforcement as well as BFRP fabric are used in this investigation. The sub-assemblage consists of an otherwise two-span beam converted to a fixed-end single-span one owing to the loss of a middle column blasted off during the terrorist attack. The simply supported beams are subjected to a midspan quasistatic or an impact load. However, each sub-assemblage is subjected to a quasi-static load up to collapse to simulate the …

Thermo-Elasto-Plastic Stability Of Biaxially Loaded Hollow Rectangular Section Steel Beam-Columns With Applied Torsion, George Adomako Kumi

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Presented herein is an experimental and theoretical study of biaxially loaded hollow rectangular section steel beam-columns with applied torsion at elevated temperatures. The theoretical analysis is based on a system of simultaneous materially nonlinear differential equations of equilibrium for which an iterative semi-analytic solution approach is formulated. Although the primary goal of this research is to study the influence of elevated temperatures on the steel member with the complex loading, rigorous analysis is also conducted of the member at ambient temperature for comparison. The experimental part of the study involves conducting tests on the members at both ambient and high …

Stability And Strength Of Glass Frp Beam-Columns With Biaxial Bending And Torsion Including Shear And Warping Deformations, Emad M. Amin

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Presented herein is a study of the stability and strength of pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer (Glass FRP) beam-columns with an I-shaped cross section subjected to biaxial bending and torsion including shear and warping deformations. Three coupled differential equations of equilibrium including second-order effects and geometric imperfections are formulated and solved using a finite-difference scheme. Laboratory experiments are also conducted on glass FRP members with applied torsion; axial load; combined axial load with biaxial bending; and combined axial load, biaxial bending and torsional moment, respectively, for comparison to the theoretical predictions. The theoretical results agreed well with the experiments for …

Modeling The Impact Of Connected And Automated Vehicles On Driving Behaviors And Safety: A Driving Simulator Study, Abdalziz Alruwaili

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Connected vehicles (CVs), equipped with advanced sensors, can communicate safety messages to drivers. Automated vehicles (AVs), designed with the ability to automate safety critical control functions, will redefine the traditional role of drivers. This dissertation aims to investigate the impact of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) on driving behaviors and safety outcomes using data from driving simulator experiments. More specifically, the research objectives include:

1. Modeling the impacts of CVs on driving aggressiveness and situational awareness in highway crash scenarios.

2. Modeling the impacts of CV technologies on driving behaviors and safety outcomes in highway crash scenarios under diverse weather …

Dynamic Soil-Structure Response And Failure Of Wood Utility Poles Under Hurricane-Force Wind And Non-Linear Cable Loads, Ramani Ayakannu

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation presents the outcome of a study of the dynamic soil-structure interaction response of tapered wood utility poles embedded in various foundation soils subject to quasi-static and dynamic wind loads. The study includes the effects of nonlinear soil behavior with varying quantities of moisture and nonlinear cable tension loads on a class H1 wood pole. The natural frequency response of the pole is determined using a finite element formulation. The dynamic response in the presence of wind-induced forcing function is studied using a SAP2000 finite element scheme with wind speeds up to 220 mph. The natural frequency of the …

Biochar For Heavy Metal Removal In Water: Opportunities, Challenges, And Sustainable Solutions, Pushpita Kumkum

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The presence of heavy metals in drinking water is a significant concern due to the harmful impacts it can have on human health. Biochar has emerged as a low-cost alternative to activated carbon for lead (Pb) adsorption due to its porous structure and high surface-to-volume ratio. The last 10 years of studies have been reviewed to investigate the biochar production, activation methods, kinetic, adsorption isotherms, mechanism, regeneration, and adsorption capacities to guide future researchers and practitioners in using biochar to remove Pb from water. However, several challenges hinder the actual application of biochar as an adsorbent. These challenges include variability …

Combine Effects Of Heavy Storm, Sea Level Rise, And Wind-Induced Surge On Flooding In A Low-Gradient Coastal Watershed In Eastern Virginia, Rutvik Rajendrabhai Patel

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines and presents mechanisms of flooding in a low-gradient coastal watershed, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. The watershed comprises the North Landing River watershed and the West Neck Creek watershed, both characterized by a low topographic gradient. The analysis relied on examining simulations generated using one-dimensional and two-dimensional HEC-RAS models. These models were developed using a 1-m digital elevation model (DEM) obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). To calibrate and validate the models, unsteady flows resulting from historical hurricanes (e.g., Matthew, Sandy, and Isabel), southern winds, and/or rising sea levels were utilized. Some flows were caused …

Drivers’ Hazard Avoidance During Vehicle Automation: Impact Of Mental Models And Implications For Training, Ganesh Pai Mangalore

Doctoral Dissertations

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are vehicle automation systems that have become more accessible and prevalent in vehicles in recent years. But the introduction of such technologies introduces new human factors challenges. Past literature suggests that users of vehicle automation lack the necessary and appropriate knowledge about their automation system. This may play a negative role in their hazard avoidance abilities when driving with automation features. Improving mental models and knowledge could generally lead to safer interactions with vehicle automation systems, but any effort to develop hazard avoidance skills when driving with vehicle automation is impeded by the lack of …

Safety Investigation Of Crash Rates During Hurricane Evacuations, Amelia K. Lawson

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This study aimed to investigate crash rates across four distinct periods—evacuation, re-entry, emergency, and non-emergency—during Hurricanes Matthew (2016), Irma (2017), and Michael (2018). A notable gap in existing research pertains to understanding crash rates during these critical phases of hurricane events. By addressing this gap, this research contributes to a deeper comprehension of evacuation transportation safety. The methodology employed ArcMap to construct an interactive map for data collection, encompassing key variables such as the number of crashes, traffic volumes, duration of each period under analysis, and roadway segment lengths for each hurricane. Evaluating the crash rate per million vehicular miles …

Numerical Study Of Cone Penetration In Calcareous Sands: Investigating Cone Tip Resistance Correction Factors For Crushable Soils, Stephanie Michelle Hyder

Dissertations and Theses

The cone penetration test (CPT) is used to characterize the behavior and properties of soils, including the susceptibility to earthquake liquefaction triggering. The cone tip resistance relates to liquefaction susceptibility through relative density, where relative density is closely related to both cone tip resistance and liquefaction susceptibility. Currently, published methods of estimating liquefaction potential (i.e., cyclic resistance ratio) are based on silica sands and do not properly characterize calcareous sands. The measured cone tip resistance in calcareous sands is lower than in silica sands at the same relative density; this difference is generally attributed to the higher compressibility of calcareous …

Investigating Gulf Coast Aquifer System: Stratigraphy Reconstruction, Inverse Modeling, And Groundwater Stress Assessment, Shuo Yang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Mississippi Embayment aquifer system (MEAS) and the Coastal Lowlands aquifer system (CLAS) provide substantial groundwater resources for human activities in the U.S. Gulf Coastal Plain. However, the overexploitation has led to groundwater depletion in the MEAS and the CLAS, threatening sustainable groundwater use. Such concern highlights the crucial need for an advanced understanding of stratigraphy and groundwater in these aquifer systems, which is essential for effective regional groundwater management. This dissertation presents a comprehensive investigation of MEAS and CLAS in the Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi region, encompassing three fundamental dimensions: stratigraphy reconstruction, groundwater modeling, and groundwater stress assessments. A …

Implementation Of Fluid Viscous Damper For 2023 Eeri Seismic Design Competition, Dalton J. Muck, Payton S. Mcgee, Payton R. Filippin, Tynan Castro

Architectural Engineering

The authors of this report were a part of the 2023 Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) student chapter for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). With thirteen other team members, they traveled to San Francisco, CA to compete in the Seismic Design Competition (SDC) hosted by EERI. The team was tasked with preparing a written proposal, design and computer analysis of the structural system, construction of two physical models, as well as creation of a poster and a presentation for a proposed mid-rise building located in the competition host city. The goal of the design of Cal …

Efficacy Of Passive Ventilation With High Exhaust Demands: A Case Study Of Cal Poly Sst, Siddarth Bokka

Construction Management

The Simpson Strong Tie Demonstration Laboratory serves as a multipurpose space allowing students at the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at California Polytechnic State University to build full scale construction projects. The building features a material storage area, a high bay for construction of full-scale projects, and a mezzanine level that houses digital fabrication equipment. However, the building was never designed to house the specific equipment currently installed on the mezzanine and ventilate the exhaust fumes from them. Rather, the building relies on passive natural ventilation that is likely ineffective at properly exhausting hazardous fumes, resulting in complaints from …

Designing A Chicken Coop For The San Luis Obispo High School Ffa Farm, Zoe King

Construction Management

This paper covers the design process by a team of students from Cal Poly to provide a chicken coop for the San Luis Obispo High School FFA Farm. The project, initiated in Summer of 2023, aimed to replace their existing temporary chicken coops with a larger, better functioning structure that could house their 10+ chickens comfortably. The paper focuses primarily on the design phase but touches briefly on material procurement and construction. Through meetings with the client, the team developed a design that met the school’s design criteria and educational needs. The design process involved collaboration and many iterations of …

Case Study: Diesel Powered Loaders Compared To Electric Loaders In Heavy Civil Construction, Jayson Downs

Construction Management

As the construction sector evolves, the environmental consequences of greenhouse gasses have become a significant issue. Numerous contractors are transitioning to electric-powered systems, which offer more energy-efficient methods for heavy machinery, enhanced productivity, and construction equipment that meets new and improved emission standards. This paper aims to examine the viability of heavy civil construction firms transitioning from traditional diesel-powered wheel loaders to electric wheel loaders. Given the competitive and saturated market in road construction, many contractors have already started investing in electric systems. This results in cost savings in terms of fuel efficiency and operating expenses compared to conventionally fueled …

The Impact Of Culture On Construction, Vatulele Uluakiotonga Finau

Construction Management

The aim of this comprehensive exploration is to identify elements within Japanese, Islamic/Arabic, and Tongan cultures that can be implemented into construction practices in California, leveraging their unique values to enhance home design and construction. The study reveals that culture plays a pivotal role in shaping the design and construction of homes, reflecting deeply held values, traditions, and societal norms. Through qualitative research, expert interviews, and a detailed literature review, key elements defining each cultural approach to housing are elucidated. From the emphasis on privacy and natural ventilation in Japanese homes to the integration of modesty and hospitality in Islamic/Arabic …

Lemur Enclosure, Joshua Mancio, Justin Krietzberg

Construction Management

Zoo-to-You, a local wildlife conservation zoo, proposed a project to construct a new shelter for their lemurs due to the inadequacy of protection for extreme heat or cold weather of their previous enclosure. With three lemurs in residence, the zoo sought to create a spacious and insulated shelter that would provide protection from the elements while allowing connectivity to the adjacent enclosures. Situated amidst two existing circular cages with a gap in between, the project presented unique site conditions on a concrete slab. The scope of the project encompassed estimating, design, material procurement, build-out, and owner turnover, with the objective …

Effects Of The 2022 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards On New Construction In San Luis Obispo County, Christopher Hoefer

Construction Management

California released the first Building Efficiency Standards, or Energy Code, in 1976 and has updated them every three years. These standards aim at limiting the amount of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by buildings in the state. California claims that these standards have saved consumers billions on utility bills, but there is limited information on the upfront impact the Efficiency Standards have had on new construction. This study sought to evaluate the impact that the 2022 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards had on new construction in San Luis Obispo County. Interviews were conducted with local specialty contractors in order …

Design And Construction Of A Buddy Bench For An Elementary School Play Yard, Remy N. Hickle

Construction Management

A buddy bench was designed, constructed, and installed at the Shasta Meadows Elementary School in Redding, California. A response to loneliness and bullying in schools, the buddy bench is a physical and nonverbal way students can identify the need for companionship on a school playground. By sitting on the bench, students, teachers or school administrators will see them and can come over to spend time with them. Grounded in personal connections and a deep understanding of the school's ethos, the buddy bench aims to foster empathy, inclusion, and support within the student community. Through collaborative efforts with school staff, students, …

Student Solutions For Leaf Drying: A Collaborative Approach To Enhance Moringa Production In Ghana, Daniel Desoto

Construction Management

This paper expands on a project that seeks to address the need for an updated mechanical leaf drying system for local farmers in Ghana, Africa. Working with the local organization, Moringa Connect, we were able to connect and identify potential areas of improvement within the current existing system. This project involved aspects of design, fundraising, and the construction of a rotating metal hopper. This hopper was identified as a solution for a crucial pinch point currently seen in the processing of the leaves from a wet stage to the final dry product. The design and construction process had a multidisciplinary …

Creating Content For Prison Design Course: Nordic Countries Vs. United States, Calvin Steven Clauson

Construction Management

Since 2010, prisons in Nordic countries have begun to take a very progressive approach to rehabilitating prisoners, addressing prisoners more humanely than is traditionally done in the United States. This project aims to develop course content that looks at the design elements of prisons in the United States and performs a comparative analysis with more progressive Nordic prison designs. Cal Poly’s construction management department will incorporate the developed content into one module of a co-taught course with sociology. The course will examine the ways social changes impact the construction of prisons and the social impacts of design and construction on …