Engineering Commons^™

Electrical Design For Moringa Leaf Dryer, Jake Weiss

Construction Management

The objective of this project is to provide a methodology to the electrical scope of mechanical leaf dryers. This dryer was particularly designed for an off-grid farm in New Longoro, Ghana in which resources and materials are limited. The electrical system must be designed so that it works with motors, variable frequency drives, worm gears, and other materials that could be sourced in Ghana. The system should also draw minimal power so that remaining photovoltaic energy could be utilized on the farm. The system should be simplistic and repeatable for other farmers to utilize. By using both a numerical analysis …

Communication Challenges And Lessons Learned For An International Research And Development Project, Ryan Fehrenbach

Construction Management

This paper discusses the importance of communication for an International Research and Development project given the timeline it takes to accomplish. With a Cal Poly team of 5 students, 2 professors as advisors, an off-campus external advisor, and the Moringa Connect team in Ghana, many forms of communication were utilized and documented throughout the duration of the project. For a project of this magnitude, it was crucial to establish clear forms of communication from the first discussions of the project for both the internal Cal Poly team and the external team in Ghana. Implementing shared documents such as a deliverable …

Effect Of Waste Covid-19 Masks On Compaction Characteristics Of Silty-Clay Soil, Sydney K. Lawson

Honors College Theses

The present study aims to explore the effect of adding shredded waste Covid-19 masks to silty-clay soil on the soil’s compaction characteristics for beneficial use in embankment, the subgrade of roadways, or backfill. This was accomplished by using two different types of masks: blue surgical masks and KN95 masks. Both mask types were hand shredded into half-inch sections using safety-scissors. The maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) are the two most important compaction characteristics, and they were determined by the Standard Proctor Compaction Test (ASTM D698 / AASHTO T99). The change of both the MDD and OMC …

Improvement Of Gravelly Laterite And Cement Stable Disposal In West Africa, Jin Haibing, Yi Zicheng, Zhuo Rong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Owing to poor gradation and high liquid limit and plasticity index，the application of gravel laterite on road paving is limited in West Africa.To overcome this issue，laterite granule combined with sand at different content was explored.The performance including the particle composition，limit water content and CBR value was investigated.The results indicate that sand treatment can improve the gradation，enhance the compactness，and reduce the plasticity index.The improved gravel laterite can meet the requirements of subbase，cushion，and base courses.Cement treatment can improve the mechanical properties of laterite grains.Cement and sand content affect the unconfined compressive strength significantly，with an optimal sand content range identified.Specifically，laterite granules mixed with …

Water Banking As A Strategy For The Management And Conservation Of A Critical Resource: A Case Study From Tunisia's Medjerda River Basin (Mrb), Aymen Sawassi, Roula Khadra, Brian Crookston

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The increasingly adverse impacts of climate change (e.g., rainfall patterns, droughts, and floods), coupled with the ever-increasing water demands, are often translated into a contingent liability for water users' communities. Additional complexities arise due to competing priorities, water rights, and transboundary water sources. Therefore, conventional water management practices should shift toward more comprehensive and responsive integrative approaches, even for systems with limited data. Furthermore, water managers must prioritize dynamic and interactive management techniques for existing systems. One such management technique is water banking, which is the focus of this study. Herein, a dynamic interactive water allocation model, which encompasses the …

Building Services Engineering May/June 2024

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of Success Factors And Comparative Analysis Of Public Private Partnership (P3) Project Performances Against Design-Build And Design-Bid-Build Project Delivery, Bandana Shrestha

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Public-private partnerships (P3s) projects have gained widespread popularity in both developed and developing countries due to their ability to access new financing sources and shift specific project risks to the private sector. P3s has been an active area of research with a particular focus on the concept of Critical Success Factors (CSF). The growing interest and the diverse outcomes associated with P3s emphasize the need for a thorough investigation into the factors that contribute to successful P3 projects. This study focused on identifying the CSFs for P3 highway and building projects towards project objectives of achieving cost efficiency and schedule …

Removal Of Permethrin And Bifenthrin Insecticides From Runoff Water By Activated Carbon Adsorption, Ernesto Hernandez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Among the hundreds of pesticides and insecticides, pyrethroids-particularly permethrin and bifenthrin, have become very popular due to their high toxicity to insects and low toxicity to humans, leading to extensive use in both agriculture and urban areas. Pyrethroids have no discharge limits because of this, leading to a negative impact on surrounding ecosystems due to their high toxicity to fish and aquatic life. Due to their low solubility and long half-lives, they are prominent in the environment long after application with a high potential for getting transported in runoff water to nearby water bodies. In this study, DSR-C reactivated carbon …

Causes And Consequences Of Inefficient Drilling And Blasting In Mine Development Headings: A Case Study Of Hard Rock Gold Mining Operations In Northern Tanzania, George Bennett

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Despite the introduction of the perimeter blasting technique at the Tulawaka Gold Mine, the mine continued to suffer from an overbreak of mine development headings, with an average overbreak of 24% every 22 m, which is approximately twice the acceptable 10% overbreak. The causes of this problem include ineffective drilling practices and uneven and excessive charging of explosives, resulting in a slightly high powder factor of 3.94 kg/m3 instead of 3.8 kg/m3, as per the design. The problem of overbreak resulted in ore dilution, a longer mine development cycle time and additional costs of approximately US$ 45 per cut, especially …

General Hydrogeochemical Characterization Of Groundwater In Coastal Aquifers Of Kilwa Kisiwani Oceanic Island, South East Tanzania, Simon R Melchioly

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The main objective of this study was to determine the hydrogeochemical processes controlling the groundwater chemistry on the Island and assess its suitability for human consumption and irrigation. The methodology used in the study include hydrogeological assessment of the study area and laboratory analysis for general physico-chemical parameters of groundwater. Other parameters such as Soluble sodium percentage (SSP) or % Na+, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), Residual sodium carbonate (RSC), hydrochemical facies classification, and Water Quality Index (WQI) were calculated using empirical formulae. The effects of salinization of groundwater were classified using the chloride-Bicarbonate (Cl/HCO3) and the …

Hydrological Model Of The Diyala River Watershed In Iraq Using Soil Water Assessment Tool, Ahmed Sagban Khudier, Ahmed Naseh Ahmed Hamdan

Al-Bahir

The motivation of the present study is to study and address the limitations imposed on hydrological models and the spatial and temporal distribution of streamflow in the Watershed Diyala River (WDR) from January 1996 to April 2023, which has an area of 25652 km2, which is considered an important source of water for central and southern Iraq, to enable decision-makers to make a future management plan for streamflow. To achieve this motivation, the SWAT model was used and fed by input data such as a Digital elevation model with a 30 m resolution, a soil map, the land use and …

Assessment Of Satellite-Based Water Requirements For A Drip-Irrigated Apple Orchard In Mediterranean Agroclimatic Conditions, Daniel De La Fuente-Saiz, Samuel Ortega-Farias, Marcos Carrasco-Benavides, Samuel Ortega-Salazar, Fei Tian, Sufen Wang, Yi Liu

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Accurate assessment of evapotranspiration (ETa) and crop coefficient (Kc) is crucial for optimizing irrigation practices in water-scarce regions. While satellite-based surface energy balance models offer a promising solution, their application to sparse canopies like apple orchards requires specific validation. This study investigated the spatial and temporal dynamics of ETa and Kc in a drip-irrigated ‘Pink Lady’ apple orchard under Mediterranean conditions over three growing seasons (2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15). The METRIC model, incorporating calibrated sub-models for leaf area index (LAI), surface roughness (Z_om), and soil heat flux (G), was employed to estimate ETa and Kc. These estimates were validated …

An Architectural Approach To Neighborhood Design In The Quarry Road Informal Settlement In Durban, Viloshin Govender, Ameen Shaikjee

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Informal settlements, often characterized by inadequate infrastructure, housing, and services, are a significant urban challenge in the global South. Creating well-functioning and supportive neighborhoods within these settlements is crucial for improving the living conditions and livelihoods of those living there. This paper explores the strategies and principles of creating neighborhoods in informal settlements that promote community empowerment, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Conventional top-down development approaches often fail to address these settlements' unique needs and dynamics. In contrast, a bottom-up approach empowers residents, fosters community engagement, and promotes sustainable development. This paper explores how architecture can respond to the needs …

Assessing The Characteristics Of Coastal Neighbourhoods That Influence Flood Susceptibility In Kosofe, Nigeria, Saudat O. Ajijola, Funmilayo M. Adedire, J A. Fadamiro

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

As climate change continues to exacerbate weather patterns, flood susceptibility has become an increasingly pressing global concern. The susceptibility to floods is influenced by many contextual factors; as such, characterizing coastal neighbourhoods for the purpose of articulating susceptibility pathways is crucial for developing appropriate physical planning policies. The specific research objective seeks to assess the dimensions of neighbourhood characteristics that influence flood susceptibility in Kosofe, a suburban coastal community in Lagos, Nigeria. The data used were based on primary and secondary sources. Using a systematic sampling method, 324 respondents participated in the field survey. The result of the descriptive statistics, …

Evolving Hangwuran City Development Model Through Partial Least Square Approach In North-Central Nigeria, Samuel Medayese, Hangwelani H. Magidimisha-Chipungu, Lovemore Chipungu

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The need for a paradigmatic shift in city development ideology has become increasingly evident over the years. In response to this need, the Hangwurian City Development Model was developed to establish a connection between the concepts of environmental awareness, urban governance, and management. This model also integrates sustainable urban development, urban liveability, and inclusive physical development. The research sets a critical objective of analyzing the significant levels of various indicator variables. The exploratory research utilized partial least squares (PLS) via SmartPLS to evaluate the variables, collecting quantitative data through the open data toolkit from three selected cities: Lokoja, Minna, and …

Neighbourhood Planning: Reminiscence Towards Liveable Communities, Bolanle Wahab, Waheed Kadiri, Ayobami Popoola, Bamiji Adeleye, Robert A. Dwamena

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Urbanisation remains a topical discussion across the globe. According to the United Nations (2022), 68% of the world's population will be absorbed in urban areas by 2050. The envisaged rapid urbanisation in cities by 2050 is believed to be accompanied by various planning problems, which include accelerated climate change, urban slums, urban sprawl, poor sanitation, inadequate infrastructure, overcrowding, housing deficiency and transportation issues. To mitigate these planning problems, the role of effective urban planning cannot be overemphasised. Urban planning provides a pathway for overcoming the various challenges posed by urbanisation both in the present and in the future.

Urban planning …

Partnership And Coalition Efforts For Community-Based Research: Towards A Liveable Urban And Rural Settlement In Kwazulu-Natal, Sibongile A. Ngcobo, Nene E. Khalema, Tawanda Makusha

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

This paper examines the role of community partnerships and coalitions in the intricate and constantly evolving dynamics of communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Various aspects of the community context, such as socioeconomic conditions, geography, environmental factors, demographics, community politics, and cultural norms, often influence these community partnerships and coalitions. This study adopted the Community Coalition Action Theory as an organisational framework to examine the efforts of coalitions and partnerships in community-based research. The research applied a mixed-methods approach. This included a survey and individual interviews within the research organisation responsible for multiple community-based projects in rural and urban areas of …

Land Surface Temperature And Landuse/ Land Cover Change Variability Using Remotely Sensed Data For Sub-Urban Settlements In Osun State, Nigeria, Saeed K. Ojolowo, Abiodun A. Audu, Charles O. Olatubara, Olusiyi Ipingbemi, Olaitan O. Odunola, Olaide J. Omirin, Oluwasinaayomi F. Kasim

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Land surface temperature (LST) is an indispensable factor in studying urban climate. Ground-based measurements have been employed to quantify LST and Land Use/Land Cover Change (LULC). However, due to advancements in space technology and extensive spatial coverage, remote sensing techniques are increasingly being used to measure the intensity of LST and LULC dynamics, owing to the availability of enhanced satellite-based thermal observations of the Earth. The climatic conditions over a medium-sized city could be improved by understanding the interplay of LST and LULC. In this study, we estimated LST based on Landsat bands 4 and 5 for 1990 and 2000, …

Socio-Economic Effects Of Orisumbare Sawmilling Industries On The Residents Of Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area Osun-State, Nigeria, Umar Usman Jimoh, D R. Ogungbemi

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The study examined the socio-economic effects of the Orisumbare sawmill industry on the residents of Ikire, Irewole local government area of Osun State. The objectives of the study include, examination of the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, the positive effects of industry on the residents, the negative impacts of industry on the residents, and the perceived environmental-induced diseases caused by industrial activities. A case study research design was adopted, while both primary and secondary data were utilised. A multistage sampling technique was used, in which a buffer zone of 900m radius was made to delineate the zone of industries’ influence. …

Analysis Of The Effects Of Service Delivery On The Wellbeing Of Internally Displaced Persons (Idps) In Federal Capital Territory (Fct), Abuja, Olusegun O. Idowu, Valda Martins, Ndako B. Santali, Jonathan U. Adama, Adekunle S. Adeogun, Gideon Danlami

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The provision of services, encompassing substandard medical facilities, inadequate housing conditions, limited access to electricity, insufficient recreational amenities, and the absence of potable water supply, has emerged as a significant impediment confronting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) both domestically and globally. The present investigation sought to evaluate the impact of service delivery on the welfare of IDPs residing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The objectives of this inquiry were to assess the socioeconomic attributes of the IDPs, scrutinize the types and efficacy of service delivery within the IDP camps, and appraise the consequences of service delivery on the well-being …

Research Of The Influence Of Dust On Photovoltaic Modules, Anvarjon Mirolimov, Xalmurat Iliev

Technical science and innovation

The influence of dust concentrations on the current-voltage characteristics (voltampere characteristics) of photovoltaic modules (PVM) based on crystalline silicon in laboratory conditions. It was investigated how an uncleaned panel affects the output power. The tests were carried out in the city of Tashkent on the territory of the “National Research Institute of Renewable Energy Sources”. The objects were located co-plurally as specified in GOST R 60904-1 Photoelectric devices. Part 1. Measurement of current-voltage characteristics. Measurements of a cleaned photovoltaic module with a maximum power of 330 W and not a cleaned one of 236 W were obtained. Based on the …

Sustainable Design And Construction With Cob, Alessandro Moya, Bailey Mclaughlin, Maddie Ly, Quinn Boardman

Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Senior Theses

Conventional building materials contribute to over 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually, therefore, more sustainable materials must be explored. The most readily available material is earth, cob being one of them. Cob is a monolithic earthen material made up of sand, clay, and straw, integrated using water. While this material has been used for thousands of years across the world, it is lacking research, and thus, limiting its implementation into official codes. This project tested six (6) 2’x 2’ cob walls, three (3) six (6) inch thick walls and three (3) twelve (12) inch thick walls using the ASTM …

Enhancement Of Rainfall Prediction And Satellite Precipitation Estimates: A Machine Learning Approach For United Arab Emirates, Faisal Baig

Dissertations

The accurate estimation of rainfall in arid regions presents a significant challenge due to sparse ground observations and complex atmospheric dynamics. This dissertation investigates various aspects of rainfall estimation and prediction in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), employing Satellite Precipitation Products (SPPs) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques. The research is structured around four key articles, each addressing different facets of the overarching theme. The first publication examines rainfall variability, consistency, and concentration in the UAE by comparing satellite precipitation products with rain gauge observations, highlighting the discrepancies between the two data sources. The second publication evaluates the performance of precipitation …

Leveraging Systems Thinking For Global Environmental Health, Martha M. Mcalister

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Environmental health inequities such as household air pollution, inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene, and chemical pollution persist globally and have myriad consequences on individual and societal well-being. Unfortunately, while billions of dollars and countless hours of research have been applied towards addressing these issues in development, humanitarian, and environmental justice contexts, attempts to reduce the environmental burden of disease can seem successful at first, but then backslide to pre-intervention conditions (or worse). This is indicative of policy resistance, a tendency of complex systems that makes it very difficult to enact change if the “rules” of the system are misunderstood. There …

A 4-Node Shell Finite Element Based On Assumed Bending And Membrane Strains For Static Analysis Of Plates And Shells, Sifeddine Abderrahmani

Emirates Journal for Engineering Research

In this paper the development of a new rectangular flat shell element is proposed. This element is called SBRPK-SBRIE. This element is used in the numerical analysis of thin structures based on the strain approach with linear elastic behavior. Combining bending and membrane elements yields the proposed element.The strain-based rectangular finite element for the thin plate bending element denoted SBRPK, and the strain-based membrane element denoted SBRIE. Several numerical examples have been conducted to assess the accuracy and reliability of the developed element compared with the theoretical results and other finite elements. Obtained results show its good performance compared to …

Scrutinizing The Adoption Of Smart Contracts In The Mena Region’S Construction Industry, Ahmed Gouda Mohamed

Civil Engineering

The construction industry embodies a paramount role in the economic growth of various nations, including the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Despite its significance, the industry faces construction disputes and payment issues, inducing financial losses and project postponements. Consequently, the construction industry has mutated smart contracts to enhance operational efficiency, which automates contract management tasks and offers perks, including transparency and efficiency. However, the adoption of smart contracts in the MENA construction sector remains limited, and the region lacks thorough research on this topic. This study addresses this gap by examining the level of cognizance and apprehension of …

Assessing The Performance Of Jatropha Curcas And Moringa Oleifera Conditioners Towards Improving Fecal Sludge Treatment For Agricultural Purpose, Doglas Benjamin1

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

been proposed as alternative solutions to replace chemical conditioners for fecal sludge (FS) treatment. However, their effectiveness in treating FS for safe agricultural use has not been thoroughly evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of FS treated with Moringa oleifera and Jatropha Curcas conditioners for agricultural use. Physicochemical parameters Indexes, salinity and sodium hazard levels (Wilcox Diagram analysis), and removal efficiency of nutrients and pathogens were evaluated. Qualitative experiments were conducted using dewatering treatment chambers containing untreated control FS samples, FS treated with Moringa oleifera and Jatropha Curcas conditioners at the University of Dar es …

Root And Causes Of Skilled Labor Shortage In Construction Industry: Comprehensive Literature Review, Nicholas Hardy, Carolina Barbosa-Resende, James Kereri, Arash Taghinezhad

The Professional Constructor

The skilled labor shortage is well documented from a historical perspective via studies focusing various construction trades such as carpentry, mechanical, electric and plumbing, and tile setters. Causes of such shortages such as industry image, college as a preferred choice after high school, and construction being a last resort have been investigated extensively. Consequently, possible solutions ranging from amplifying shop classes in high school to intensifying recruiting efforts for union training programs have all been addressed throughout the last 40 years. However, recent studies have focused on identifying the magnitude and reach of the skilled labor gap while limited attention …

Characterization Of Per- And Polyflouroalkyl Substances In Aqueous Filmforming Foam Wash Waters, John M. Diskin

Theses and Dissertations

The fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act mandated the publication of a military specification for a fluorine-free firefighting foam available for use no later than October 1, 2023. Replacing AFFF with a fluorine-free alternative creates the issue of decontaminating current firefighting infrastructure of residual PFAS without replacing these systems. To eliminate outstanding PFAS, the proposed solution is to drain the AFFF from current fire suppression systems and flush the plumbing three times with uncontaminated water. This study tested the efficacy of the triple rinse method by conducting scaled down experiments on a variety of plumbing components from a retired …

The Professional Constructor, Full Issue, Volume 49, Number 01

The Professional Constructor

No abstract provided.