Engineering Commons^™

Investigating The Influence Of Volumetric Water Content In The Upper Layer Of Soil On Embankment Factor Of Safety, Kiera Rose Hughes

Theses and Dissertations

Geohazards, including landslides and embankment failures, pose significant risks to railway infrastructure, necessitating early recognition methods for effective risk mitigation. This research explores the relationship between the volumetric water content in the upper soil layer and the embankment's factor of safety (FOS) to improve early detection and stability assessment. A parametric analysis was conducted to evaluate how variations in the soil type (shear strength and hydraulic conductivity), slope geometry (angle and height) and recharge conditions (rainfall intensity and duration) affect the FOS. Using the GeoStudio software, seepage and slope stability analyses were performed for two baseline soils, as well as …

Experimental Investigation On Metakaolin/Coal Fly Ash-Based Porous Geopolymer Grouting Material For Geotechnical Applications, Karla Sierra, Philip Park, Chu-Lin Cheng, Yong Je Kim, Jae-Hoon Hwang, Bubryur Kim, Boo Hyun Nam, Jinwoo An

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

This research investigates the development of a porous geopolymer cement grout for soil grouting applications, aiming to reduce carbon emissions associated with Portland cement while maintaining critical performance characteristics such as strength and permeability. Class F fly ash and metakaolin were used as aluminosilicate precursors, activated by sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions. The addition of hydrogen peroxide served as a foaming agent to introduce porosity. Compressive strength and porosity were evaluated, with results showing that metakaolin significantly increased compressive strength due to its smaller particle size and higher reactivity. A higher molarity of sodium silicate enhanced strength by reducing …

Utilization Of Paper Sludge Ash In Geotechnical Engineering – Review, Kyungwon Lee, Hoyoung Lee, Junwoo Shin, Byounghooi Choi, Jinwoo An, Jiannan Chen, Boo Hyun Nam

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The pulp and paper industry has grown and created tremendous volumes of byproducts (e.g., fly ash) via combustion process. Unfortunately, most of them are being landfilled; in the meantime, environmental regulations restrict the disposal in landfill because of high disposal cost and reduced land due to urbanization. Therefore, the pulp and paper industries urgently seek for its beneficial reuse and one of the most cost-effective applications is a building and construction sector, particularly its reuse as geomaterials such as stabilizing soils. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the beneficial use of the paper sludge ash (PSA) in geotechnical engineering …

Framework For Integrating Industry Knowledge Into A Large Language Model To Assist Construction Cost Estimation, Prashnna Ghimire

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

The construction industry generates a large amount of data across projects produced by digital devices, tools, and methods, and this volume is rapidly increasing. However, the industry lags behind in adopting data-driven technologies. On the other hand, the rapid advancement of generative AI (GenAI) in recent years, especially state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs), shows great potential and has been increasingly adopted in many industries; however, the construction industry is behind in adoption. While academic studies have proposed various machine learning applications for construction, industry implementation has lagged due to a disconnect between these proof-of-concept developments and practical industry needs. Also, …

Evaluation Of Long-Term Performance Of Transportation Earthworks Prone To Weather-Driven Deterioration Under Changing Climate, Amr Morsy, Emma Varela

Mineta Transportation Institute

Embankments are key transportation infrastructure features providing essential support for long, linear stretches of transportation infrastructure, including highways and railways, in California and globally. Clay embankments are susceptible to weather-related deterioration processes that can gradually compromise their stability and, in some cases, lead to unexpected failures. Climate change, along with the associated shifts in weather patterns, is projected to adversely impact weather-related deterioration processes, leading to exacerbated failures and/or shorter service life. This study evaluated the impact of climate change on the rate of weather-driven deterioration of embankments in two locations in California: Los Angeles and Sacramento. Specifically, a multi-phase …

Measurement Of Groundwater And Contaminant Fluxes In Fractures Using A Combined System Of Passive Flux Meter And Multiport Sampler, Qasim Raza Khan

Dissertations

Groundwater and contaminant movement in fractured rock aquifers is highly variable. Its dependence on fracture apertures and orientation as well as fracture network interconnectivity is not well understood. This poses a challenge to the measurement of groundwater and contaminant fluxes, especially when using open-hole techniques, which significantly alter natural flow conditions by connecting different fractures along an open borehole or a well. Hence, downhole techniques to directly measure groundwater fluxes and map fractures' locations, orientations, and apertures are considered valuable tools. In this work, the use of Fractured Rock Passive Flux Meter (FRPFM) with invisible tracer and visible dye component …

Investigating The Discrepancies Between Acoustic And Radar Measurements Of Water Level Using Data Analysis And Computational Modeling, Ohiedul Haque Mohammad Asad

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Observations indicate that there is a discrepancy between water level measurements from NOAA’s acoustic gauges and radar gauges. NOAA’s acoustic gauges use a downward-looking acoustic sensor that measures the instantaneous distance from the sensor to the water level. To create a calm water surface for measurements, the sensor is placed in a PVC tube that penetrates the water surface to a certain depth. This tube is called the stilling well. In this thesis, discrepancies in water level measurements from acoustic and radar sensors were explored through data analysis and computational modeling. Specifically, the correlations between the error, which is defined …

Valorization Of Industrial Wastes To Low-Carbon Minerals, Nandan Nag

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This study concentrates on developing methods for utilizing industrial waste materials such as red mud and phosphate slag. In this study, an electrochemical process was developed for recovering iron metal powder from red mud. Red mud is a waste material from aluminum refineries. Although red mud can be utilized as a construction and building material, its use is becoming controversial due to its high metal content, which contributes to its toxicity. However, the high iron oxide content in red mud makes it a good feedstock for producing iron. In this project, we employed an electrochemical technique for extracting iron powder …

Modeling The Impacts Of Disruptive Events On Driving Behaviors, Transportation Safety, And Equity: Advanced Statistical Insights From The Covid-19 Pandemic, Xiaomeng Dong

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation aims to understand how disruptive events —particularly the COVID-19 pandemic—affect driving behaviors, transportation safety and equity by leveraging advanced statistical modeling techniques and data from Virginia. This research pursues three overarching objectives. First, it employs multigroup structural equation modeling (SEM) to uncover the complex interrelationships among risky driving behaviors, injury severity, and pandemic-related factors, delineating the mechanisms through which COVID-19 has impacted crash outcomes via changing risky driving behaviors. Second, it leverages hidden Markov models to trace shifts in safety states over the pre-, during-, and post-pandemic periods, determining whether and when safety conditions return to pre-pandemic norms. …

Low Dissolved Oxygen Operation Enhances Biological Phosphorus Removal In Wastewater Treatment, Haley Morgan

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Biological phosphorus (bio-P) removal occurs when bacteria are exposed to anaerobic/aerobic conditions that stimulate polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) to uptake phosphorus. In most treatment plants, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the aeration tanks are commonly at or above 2.0 mg O₂/L, which is often referred to as the most optimal aeration condition for bio-P. If bio-P can happen efficiently at lower DO (< 0.3 mg O₂/L), then the energy demand of aeration can be decreased appreciably. This research was conducted in a biological nutrient removal (BNR) pilot plant to assess the performance of bio-P at progressively lower DO operation. This …

Rutting And Aging Properties Of Recycled Polymer-Modified Pavement Materials, Nuha S. Mashaan, Chathurika Dassanayake

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recycled polymer-modified binders have emerged as a sustainable solution for improving the performance and durability of pavement materials. This review examines the rutting and aging properties of pavements modified with recycled polymers, highlighting their potential for sustainable infrastructure development. The incorporation of recycled polymers into bitumen enhances resistance to rutting and aging by improving the binder’s mechanical stability and oxidative durability. Key laboratory techniques, including the rolling thin-film oven test (RTFOT) and the pressure aging vessel (PAV), are evaluated for their effectiveness in assessing the thermal and oxidative aging behavior of modified binders. The review demonstrates that recycled polymers improve …

Understanding Water Washing Needs Of Hydrochar Generated From The Hydrothermal Carbonization Of Food Wastes To Establish Minimum Post-Processing Needs For Soil Amendment Application, Neve Renee Steger

Theses and Dissertations

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an advantageous and potentially environmentally beneficial approach for the conversion of wet biomass and waste streams into a value-added solid product referred to as hydrochar. Although hydrochar composition and properties generated from the carbonization of a variety of feedstocks have been well studied, there is a need for understanding whether hydrochar requires further refinement and/or treatment prior to being used in environmental applications, particularly when using the hydrochar as a soil amendment. Understanding the need for and extent of hydrochar post-treatment is critical in identifying environmentally beneficial and economically attractive strategies for hydrochar use. In this …

Sorption-Spectroscopic Method For Determining Mn Ions In Wastewater, Zulayho Asanalievna Smanova, Zukhra Ziyatovna Yakshieva, Nazira Kuchkarbayevna Madusmanova, Gulyorkhon Otkir Qizi Miradkhamova

Technical science and innovation

In this article, the processes of metal complex synthesis are studied in detail. Zinc OEDF+NTF complexation reactions were carried out in the presence of polyhydric alcohols, ethylene glycol, glycerol, and citric acid. For the first time, the synergistic efficiency of a mixture of zinc OEDF+NTF complexes with methyldiethanolamine, used as an inhibitor of mineral salt accumulation, was studied. It was found that when selecting the components in equivalent amounts, the inhibition efficiency of the composition is at least 90%. The high efficiency of inhibiting mineral salt accumulation in the composition is due to the presence of methyldiethanolamine, alkylimidazoline, and their …

Assessing Groundwater Availability And Land Subsidence Risk Associated With Anthropogenic Activities In A Complex Aquifer System, Aya Bakr Attya Mohamed

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Southern Hills aquifer system (SHAS) is the primary source of water in the Capital area of Louisiana. However, the overexploitation of freshwater-bearing aquifers and the presence of two active faults, the BR fault and the DSS fault, have resulted in groundwater depletion, saltwater intrusion, and increased the risk of land surface subsidence. Such critical issues pose substantial threats to groundwater availability and exert detrimental effects on the environment and urban infrastructures. This dissertation presents a comprehensive investigation of the SHAS for recognizing the consequences of groundwater depletion and its potential long-term impacts on groundwater availability and land stability. A …

Quaternary Subsurface Characterization Of The Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer: Insights From Interval Kriging And Airborne Em-Borehole Data Integration, Yuqi Song

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Pleistocene period significantly contributed to the formation of alluvial aquifer worldwide. These productive aquifers are crucial for domestic, industrial, and agricultural water supplies. The Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer (MRVA), a principal aquifer in the U.S., is crucial for national food security and global agricultural supply. This study aims to characterize the subsurface architecture of the MRVA, thereby enhancing fundamental understanding of sedimentological processes involved in the genesis of glacio-fluvial aquifers worldwide. The research objectives are threefold: (1) to provide a detailed characterization of the MRVA; (2) to develop 3D geostatistical methods for geological modeling; and (3) to develop …

Bear Lake Water Quality And Chemistry: 114 Years Of Water Management, Connely Baldwin

Spring Runoff Conference

Motivation: Fall 2024 Bear Lake Sediment-Nutrient Reduction Workshop (Bear Lake Watch) motivated deeper dive into water quality and chemistry status and trends

Development Of A Low-Cost Stem Dendrometer For Irrigation Scheduling In Fruit Trees, Anderson Luiz Dos Santos Safre, Alfonso Torres-Rua, Brent Black

Spring Runoff Conference

Motivation 

• Irrigation scheduling in water scarce regions. 
• Water stress evaluation in tart cherry orchards.
• Plant-based methods more suitable for tree crops. 
• Elevated cost of commercial dendrometers (> 1,000 USD). 

Parrotfeather (Myriophyllum Aquaticum): Biology And Management Options In Utah, Francielli S. De Oliveira

Spring Runoff Conference

Parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)

• Invasive weed from South America.
• Heterophilic perennial dioecious plant (female in the US).
• Forms dense mats, blocks waterways, and outcompetes native species
• Spreads via rhizomes, stolons, and stem fragments.

Comparing Two Methods To Monitor Singlet Oxygen Production In Aquatic Systems: Chemical Probe Vs. Time Resolved Phosphorescence., Monika Madhiyan

Spring Runoff Conference

What’s in water?

• DOM is a naturally occurring complex mixture of organic matter
• Pollutants from domestic, industrial and agricultural effluent are introduced into surface waters

Innovative Genetic Methods For Predicting Microcystin Toxin Production In Cyanobacterial Blooms: Real-Time And Pre-Bloom Public Health Monitoring, Liyuan Hou

Spring Runoff Conference

EQL emphasizes an integrated engineering and science approach to the environmental quality of land, water, and air

Chopping Up The Riverscape: Consistent Sample Frames For Assessment And Monitoring, Jordan Gilbert

Spring Runoff Conference

Background

• Riverscapes Assessment and Monitoring Lab (RAM)
• Joe Wheaton, Wally Macfarlane, Jordan Gilbert
• Founding member of Riverscapes Consortium
• Provide tools for people working in riverscapes
• Primarily planning, implementing, and monitoring restoration projects

Growing Roots: Water Conservation, Innovative Research And Public Education, Aurora Wallis Durfee

Spring Runoff Conference

Hydroponics allows for efficient, sustainable food production, using less water and space than traditional farming methods.

Water Markets In Utah? Water Manager Perspectives On Potential Uptake, Britta L. Schumacher

Spring Runoff Conference

Irrigation organizations: intermediaries that deliver water to farms, ranches, and other users, coordinate investments in conveyance infrastructure, and manage limited water supplies.

Advancing 3d Channel Representation To Support National Scale Flood Forecasting Operations, Jose Castejon Villalobos, Anzy Lee, Noelle Patterson, Belize Lane, Colin Phillips

Spring Runoff Conference

Storms and Flooding are major annual disasters.

Paired Storms Reveal Post-Fire Flood Characteristics And Drivers, Haley Canham, Belize Lane

Spring Runoff Conference

The wildfire regime is changing in the western US.

Davis Aqueduct Reach 1 - The Design And Construction Of Large Diameter Pipelines, Shane Mcfarland

Spring Runoff Conference

Designing and building a seismically resilient 72-inch pipeline.

District Overview: Weber Basin Water Conservancy District

From Vulnerabilities And Concern To Action: How Perceived Climate Vulnerabilities And Concern For The Great Salt Lake Desiccation Shape Utahns’ Migration Decision, Mufti Nadimul Quamar Ahmed, Jennifer E. Givens

Spring Runoff Conference

In light of the current climate crisis, how do Utahns perceive their climate or disaster vulnerabilities and concern for the Great Salt Lake desiccation? Does the perception of vulnerabilities and concern for the Great Salt Lake desiccation influence their intention to migrate from Utah?

Water And Journalism Panel, Heather May, Anastasia Hufham, Ben Winslow, Sheri Quinn

Spring Runoff Conference

Respondents’ sources of information on Great Salt Lake issues

The Practical And The Possible: How Research Informs Policy And Management For Land, Forest, And Water Management, Charlie Luce

Spring Runoff Conference

The practical and the possible: How research informs policy and management for land, forest, and water resources.

What Does Our Water Year Look Like?, Candice Hasenyager

Spring Runoff Conference

Drip Drip Drop: Water in Utah

In Utah, we are either in drought or preparing for the next one