Engineering Commons^™

Spl-1: Sarfaz Ali, Sarfaz Ali

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Cnb-1: Tony A. Kiefer, P.E., Tony A. Kiefer

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of The Failure Probability Of Slopes In Residual Soil From The Aburrá Valley, Medellín Colombia, Juan Pablo Villada Rodas, Manuel Roberto Villarraga

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

In recent years the evaluation of failure probability on slope stability analyses has become important because it has been presented as a representative method helping to complement the factor of safety. As part of this paper, it is proposed the evaluation of the failure probability in cut slopes on residual soils from the Aburrá valley. Statistical analyses were performed on the most important variables, considering continuous statistical distributions. Sensitivity analyses were performed to quantify their influence in the stability. As a result, some abacuses are developed in which the height and the slope angle are related to the failure probability …

Conference Schedule, Multiple Authors

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Preface, Shamsher Prakash

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Rbp-1: Shamsher Prakash, Shamsher Prakash

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Historical Application Of Screw-Piles And Screw-Cylinder Foundations For 19th Century Ocean Piers, Alan J. Lutenegger

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Iron Screw-Pile foundations were first introduced by Alexander Mitchell in the middle of the 19th Century for support of offshore lighthouses in shallow water ocean environments. Large diameter Screw-Piles with helical blades ranging from 2.5 ft. to 4 ft. in diameter were routinely used during this period and were constructed with either a solid iron central shaft (Screw-Pile) or a large diameter hollow cylindrical pipe shaft (Screw-Cylinder). Soon after their introduction, Screw-Piles and Screw-Cylinders were being used in pier construction, to allow ocean front piers to be constructed quickly and economically in many parts of the world, while at the …

A Case Study On The Use Of Flexible Earth Retaining Structure In Instable Slopes, H. Turan Durgunoglu, Ahmet Sahin, Onder Akcakal

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Recently new highway, motorway and railway projects take place in many developing countries within the aggressive infrastructure investment programme of governments. In rugged topography, engineers face the challenging problems of designing safe and cost effective cuts and fills for these projects especially under seismic loading and marginal stability conditions. Overall stability mechanism and safety of the cut generally controls the design decisions for the relevant section. In addition, because of the construction width limitations, in some mechanically stabilized earth wall projects sufficient width to accommodate the strip lengths of the retaining system cannot be provided. To eliminate all these problems, …

Liquefaction Of Mine Tailings, Vijay K. Puri, Todd R. Kostecki

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Liquefaction of mine tailings is known to occur during cyclic, quasi-static & static loading cases but is still a relatively misunderstood concept because tailings dam failures continue to occur. In the worst case scenario the results are high costs, hindered public perception, environmental cleanup and worst of all, the loss of life. A better understanding of this issue is essential for any engineer associated with the mining and/or geotechnical industry, and in particular tailings dam construction and maintenance. This paper presents the liquefaction concept, some case histories dealing with failure of mine tailings dams, available testing methods and some dated …

Forensic Geotechnical Distress Evaluation Of Damaged Buildings In Alluvial-Loessic Soils; A Case History, Sarfraz Ali, Abdul Qudoos Khan, Usman Zafar, Talha Haider Shehryar

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The city of Hyderabad is a part of lower Indus Basin with arid-tropical climatic conditions. Geologically, the soil deposits near Hyderabad are of alluvial-loessic nature underlain by limestone beds alternating with clay layers. Groundwater is present at shallow depth which fluctuates to even shallower depths during monsoon season in the months of July and August. In recent past, large number of buildings built over shallow foundations in the city suffered structural damages of varying scale in the form of cracks and settlements. Some of these buildings were declared dangerous from safety and stability view point and got vacated by local …

General Report - Session 5, Dimitrios Zekkos, Neven Matasovic, Daniel A. Vellone

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This General Report summarizes the papers submitted to Session 5 titled “Case Histories and Failure of Geological, Rock and Mining Engineering, including Underground Structures and Excavations, and Subsidence of Deltas, Anticipation, Characterization, Design and Construction in the Geological Complexity of Mélanges, Fault Rocks, Weathered Rocks, Boulder Colluvium, Lahars, and Similar Bimrocks (Block-in-Matrix Rocks) and Rock/Soil Mixtures.” A total of eleven papers covering the broad session themes described above were submitted. The geographic distribution of the case histories is listed in Table 1. Overall, five papers were submitted from Asia, two from Africa, two from North America, and two from Europe.

Punch-Through Foundation Failure Of Oil Drilling Platform In The Deltaic Plain Of The Niger River, E. A. J. George, T. J. Atuboyedia, M. Oju, T. E. George

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The deltaic plains of the Niger River are composed mostly of Pleistocene sediments. On the occurrence of low stands of the sea level due to eustatic changes, the sediments were exposed to temperature fluctuations during the Quaternary period, leading to strata sequence generated in these plains that allowed strong layers of soil to overlie weaker layers of the same age. Most of the onshore explorations for oil and gas in Nigeria take place within these plains of the Niger. A well was to be drilled in search of oil and gas in allocation within these plains. As often done, a …

Damage On A Main Gas Pipeline Due To Landslide Of Soils Derived From Volcanic Ashes In Colombia, Gilberto Ch. Rodriguez, Julián V. Rodriguez, Natalia A. Quintero, Jorge E. Villamarín

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

In December 2011 a great proportion slope failed affecting the main gas pipeline (20” diameter) that supplies Colombia’s southwest area. The landslide involved materials formed by soils derived from volcanic ashes and residual soils, typical in Colombia’s central zone, which acquired great energy flowing in an avalanche through the natural watercourse. The avalanche generated soil erosion over the torrent banks, generating the watercourse deepening and the deterioration of adjacent slopes over which the pipeline runs. There were identified as landslides triggering aspects the atypical raining period due to “La Niña” climatic phenomenon and the soils removal at the slope base …

Case Study Of Landslides In Kabylia Region, Algeria, Sadaoui Omar, Sadaoui Samir, Bahar Ramdane

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Kabylia is mountainous and coastline region of Algeria. Every year, particularly in the winter, it is affected by landslides displacing an important volume of detritic materials, and causing damages to infrastructures, housing and public facilities. It takes place in geological formations that are particularly favourable to this type of movement, because of the heterogeneity of their facies and the impermeability of some layers. Experience shows that the main cause of the landslides in this region is the combination of several passive and active factors, as geology, morphology, hydrology, climate and anthropic activities. The exceptional rains of winter 2012 triggered a …

Dynamic Properties Of Stabilized Subgrade Clay Soil, Argaw Asha Ashango, Nihar Ranjan Patra

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Expansive soils are fine-grained soils that can undergo a significant volume change due to the variation of water content. A change in the water content of weak subgrade material under the roadway is a cause for the damage of the road pavement. During an earthquake, the soft clay will lose the small shear strength it possesses which causes cracks and movements of the road. In the present study, soil samples were collected from Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India. The study area is at risk for seismic damage due to Himalayan frontal fault earthquakes. The soils samples are highly expansive in nature …

Assessment Of Surface Energy Balance In Southern Idaho, Beda Luitel

McNair Scholars Research Journal

Proper management of water resources is always a matter of concern in arid regions like southern Idaho such as the Snake River basin where rainfall is limited and the moisture level of atmospheric air is below threshold level most of the time throughout a year. For the proper assessment of water resources it is necessary to quantify the Evapotranspiration (ET) loss in this region and use the available water resources efficiently. A vast quantity of water is moving in the atmosphere under the direct influence of solar energy. So, in order to characterize the behavior of the water cycle, it …

Assessment Procedures For Paved And Gravel Roads, Claudio Figueroa, Bradley Fotsch, Sarah M. Hubbard, John Haddock

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

The funding available to local agencies in Indiana to manage roadways has decreased in recent years, and many agencies cannot provide adequate maintenance with the available resources. Consequently, agencies are doing everything they can to evaluate the least expensive method to maintain their roads that will meet their objectives and needs. In some cases, the most appropriate surface type is a paved road, and in some cases, it is a gravel road. The decision as to the most appropriate surface type depends on a variety of factors, such as cost, traffic volume, development and public input. The purpose of this …

Making Climate Data Relevant To Decision Making: The Important Details Of Spatial And Temporal Downscaling, Evan H. Girvetz, Edwin P. Maurer, Philip B. Duffy, Aaron Ruesch, Bridget Thrasher, Chris Zganjar

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering

This paper examines potential regional-scale impacts of climate change on sustainability of irrigated agriculture, focusing on the western San Joaquin Valley in California. We consider potential changes in irrigation water demand and supply, and quantify impacts on the hydrologic system, soil and groundwater salinity with associated crop yield reductions. Our analysis is based on archived output from General Circulation Model (GCM) climate projections through 2100, which were downscaled to the 1,400 km2 study area. We account for uncertainty in GCM climate projections by considering two different GCM's, each using three greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Significant uncertainty in projected precipitation creates …

The Sustainability Generation: Why Young People Hold The Key To A Better Future, Leidy Klotz

Publications

In a standard test of reasoning, you are given a candle, a box of thumbtacks, and a book of matches. Your task is to attach the candle to the wall so that it does not drip onto the table below.

I thought about how to melt the wax and use it to stick the candle to the wall. What would you do?

This challenge is designed to reveal functional fixedness, mental blocks against using objects in a new way. The experience that comes with age is a disadvantage here because it leads to thinking of the normal use of the …

Development Of The Chinese Construction Industry After The Cultural Revolution: Administration Framework, Economic Growth, And Market Structure, Yilei Huang, Yi Lan, Yong Bai

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the development of the Chinese construction industry after the Cultural Revolution in terms of administration framework, economic growth, and market structure, with the consideration of Chinese currency inflation. The development was divided into three stages based on Chinese government policy changes on the construction industry. In each stage, the reform of administration framework was reviewed, and the market size and market structure in both the domestic and the international markets were analyzed. Value added and gross output value of domestic market, the number of contracts, contracting value, total turnover, and turnover …

Investigations Of Attitudes Towards Offshore Wind Farm Development In Ireland: Their Implication Towards Future Development Of The Industry., Aidan Melia

Purdue Polytechnic Masters Theses

This current research investigates what the attitudes of Irish people are towards the development of offshore wind farms in Ireland. Using a qualitative approach, a questionnaire is carefully designed and distributed among a sample population from three coastal communities. One is located on the west coast and two on the east coast. The two locations on the east coast have an involvement in offshore wind farms. One of the locations plays host to Ireland’s only offshore wind farm, while there are plans in place for an offshore wind farm at the other location. The results from the questionnaires are analyzed …

Effects Of Molecular Structure Of The Oxidation Products Of Reactive Atmospheric Hydrocarbons On The Formation Of Secondary Organic Particulate Matter, Including The Effects Of Water, Negar Niakan

Dissertations and Theses

Organic aerosols have significant effects on human health, air quality and climate. Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) are produced by the oxidation of primary-volatile organic compounds (VOC). For example, α-pinene reacts with oxidants such as hydroxyl radical (OH), ozone (O₃), and nitrate radical (NO₃), accounting for a significant portion of total organic aerosol in the atmosphere. Experimental studies have shown that the oxidation process between α-pinene and ozone has the most significant impact in the formation of SOA (Hoffmann et al., 1997). Most of the models used to predict SOA formation, however, are limited in that they …

2013 Civil And Environmental Engineering Department News, Department Of Civil And Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Newsletters

Table of Contents

• New Faculty
• Student Awards
• Research Awards
• Department News
• Academy of Civil and Environmental Engineers
• CEE Donor Recognition

Tackling Change: Future-Proofing Water, Agriculture, And Food Security In An Era Of Climate Uncertainty, Peter G. Mccornick, Vladimir Smakhtin, Luna Bharati, Robyn Johnston, Matthew Mccartney, Fraser Sugden, Floriane Clement, Beverly Mcintyre

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

In 1950 the global population was just over 2.5 billion. Now, in 2013, it is around 7 billion. Although population growth is slowing, the world is projected to have around 9.6 billion inhabitants by 2050. Most of the population increase will be in developing countries where food is often scarce, and land and water are under pressure. To feed the global population in 2050 the world will have to produce more food without significantly expanding the area of cultivated land and, because of competition between a greater number of water users, with less freshwater. On top of land and water …

Post-Project Assessment Of Pit Latrines In Rural Panama, Jacob B. Midkiff

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

In Panama, one of the Environmental Health (EH) Sector’s primary goals is to improve the health of rural Panamanians by helping them to adopt behaviors and practices that improve access to and use of sanitation systems. In complying with this goal, the EH sector has used participatory development models to improve hygiene and increase access to latrines through volunteer managed latrine construction projects. Unfortunately, there is little understanding of the long term sustainability of these interventions after the volunteers have completed their service. With the Peace Corps adapting their Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation procedures, it is appropriate to evaluate the …

Development Of Statistical Models For Predicting Leachate Parameters From Simulated Landfills, Arpita Hetal Bhatt

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Leachate generation and management is recognized as one of the greatest problems associated with environmentally sound operation of landfills, as leachate can cause major pollution problems to surrounding soil, ground water, and surface waters. There are many landfills, especially in developing parts of the world like India, Bangladesh, Africa, and Latin America, where open dump systems are used for final disposal of solid waste rather than engineered landfills. In the near future, regulations in developing countries will likely require installation of liner systems, leachate collection systems, and treatment operations. A major requirement for successful leachate treatment is quantifying its typical …

Chemical Partitioning And Mobility Of Trace Elements In Dry Disposed Weathered Ash Conditioned With High-Saline Effluents, S.A. Akinyemi, A. Akinlua, W.M. Gitari, R.O. Akinyeye, L.F. Petrik

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

Weinvestigated the mobility of inorganic elements in the ash dump due to chemical interaction of weathered dry disposed ash conditioned with high-saline effluents and ingressed CO2 from atmosphere and percolating rainwater. Drilled ash core samples collected from dry disposed ash dump at a South African coal-burning power station were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. A modified sequential extraction procedure was selected to determine the mineralogical association of the investigated elements in the 1-year-old drilled ash cores. Major mineral phases are quartz and mullite and other minor phases included hematite, lime, calcite, anorthite, mica, and enstatite. …

Predicting The Dynamic Behavior Of Coal Mine Tailings Using State-Of-Practice Geotechnical Field Methods, Ali Salehian

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

This study is focused on developing a method to predict the dynamic behavior of mine tailings dams under earthquake loading. Tailings dams are a by-product of coal mining and processing activities. Mine tailings impoundments are prone to instability and failure under seismic loading as a result of the mechanical behavior of the tailings. Due to the existence of potential seismic sources in close proximity to the coal mining regions in the United States, it is necessary to assess the post-earthquake stability of these tailings dams.

To develop the aforementioned methodology, 34 cyclic triaxial tests along with vane shear tests were …

Rheological Study Of Asphalt Binders With A Wax-Based Warm Mix Additive And Its Relationships To Mix Compaction And Rutting, Rajan Saha

Doctoral Dissertations

Although the energy saving Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) technology that produces asphalt mixes at lower temperatures are around for about a decade, there still exist some concerns that are hindering its wide spread implementation. The overall objective of this study is to investigate if the viscosity reductions at higher temperatures have any impacts on asphalt mix compaction and rutting performances. This study reveals that there exists a critical temperature for each asphalt binder below which viscosity will increase with addition of Sasobit®. Therefore, compaction below the critical temperature can negatively impact density.

For PG 64-22, the critical temperature is 104 …

Synthetic Asphaltene As A Novel Dye In Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Dsscs, Hassan Sharif

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation approves the possibility of the first time use of synthetic asphaltene as new dye in dye sensitized solar cells. In which the conversion efficiency of synthetic asphaltene DSSC has improved up to 2.0 %. Synthetic asphaltene sample was prepared from the starting material as in literature and applied for various solar cell parameters of TiO2 based dyesensitized solar cell DSSC. DSSCs were fabricated using the synthetic asphaltene as dye. Different variables and parameters were carried out to test the photovoltaic performance of the cells, these parameters include open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current; fill factor. The first result was obtained …