Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of Mechanisms Of Alteration And Humification Of Pahs For Water Quality Management, Ronald C. Sims, Carolyn K. Abbott

Reports

Introduction: Creosote-pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a mixture commonly used as a wood preservative in the U.S. (1). A 1988 survey (2) indicated that 1,397 wood preserving waste contaminated sites exist in the United States consisting of 555 active wood treatment plants and 842 inactive plants. Stinson (3) indentifed 58 wood preserving sites on the National Priorities List, of which 51 have PCP and/or creosote or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination. Principal classes of organic constituents present in creosote waste are PAHs (~85% by weight) and phenolics. PAHs with less than three fused benzene rings comprise 69% (i.e., naphthalene, anthracene and phenanthrene); …

Bioengineering For Water Cleanup: State-Of-The-Art Assessment, Judith L. Sims, Ronald C. Sims, Jon S. Ginn

Reports

No abstract provided.

A Spatially Distributed Water Balance Based On Physical, Isotropic And Airborne Remotely Sensed Data, C. M.U. Neale, David G. Tarboton, J. J. Mcdonnell

Reports

Introduction: The objective of this research to develop a spatially distributed water balance model based on the integration of spatially distributed data. Progress this year has consisted of model development, instrument acquisition, installation and development of experimental procedures, and baseline data collection. The original research plan called for detailed observations related to the water balance over the year September 1991 to August 1992. The detailed measurements were to start with accumulation of the snowpack followed by melt and evapotranspiration measurements from March to August. The objective was to measure the energy balance parameters starting with the peak accumulation, through the …

Composting Of Explosives Contaminated Soil Using The White Rot Fungus Phanerochaete Chrysosporium, Michael J. Mcfarland, Shashi Kalaskar, Eric Baiden

Reports

Bioaugmentation using the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium was found to be effective in enhancing TNT removal in lightly (i.e., below 100 mg/kg) contaminated soil. The percent reduction in TNT increased from 15% to 53% when soils were treated with fungal inoculated organic material. Maximum removal rates improved from 0.33 mg TNT/kg-day to 0.76 mg TNT/kg-day during the same treatment. Neither fungal inoculation nor organic amendment addition resulted in improving TNT removal kinetics in highly contaminated soils (i.e., above 1000 mg/kg). Executive Summary: Laboratory scale compost studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of bioaugmentation with the white rot fungus,

Nonparametric Stratigraphic Interpretation From Drill Log Data, Upmanu Lall, A. I. Ali

Reports

Near surface groundwater contamination is a widespread problem. The potential for contamination of deep aquifers in such areas depends on the vertical hydraulic gradient as well as the extent and location of interconnection between the upper and lower aquifers. In alluvial, sedimentary environment, the geologic units are typically weakly connected lenses or layers of high or low conductivity with variable size, geometry and orientation. Drill logs provide qualitative, local information on such aquifer heterogeneities. A binary (high or low conductivity) indicator function is used to describe the aquifer system. A nonparametric statistical methodology for assessing the probability that a particular …

Fate And Transport Of Tce-Petroleum Hydrocarbon Mixture At Uttr, G. Nash Quashiga, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

In 1988 a preliminary assessment (PA) study was conducted at Chemical Disposal Pit No. 4 to address several concerns of Hill Air Force Base (HAFB), the facility operators. The objectives of the PA were; i) to assess the potential for organic chemical releases to the subsurface environment, and ii) to determine the need for any immediate control measures, if the subsurface environment were threatened.

Optimizing Perennial Groundwater Yield Planning For Nonlinear Systems: Approach Comparison, Shu Takahashi, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Four alternative simulation/optimization models useful for computing optimal sustained-yield (steady-state) groundwater pumping strategies are compared in terms of formulation, solution procedure, accuracy, and computational efficiency. The different models require different computer processing time and memory. For the aquifer tested system, if more than 10% of the cells have pumping as a decision variable, a fully linearized embedding model will require less computer memory than any other model. All the models address linear and nonlinear steady-state flow in multilayer, unconfined/confined aquifers. They also address several types of nonsmooth external flows. Newly presented are a response matrix model solving external flows described …

Optimizing Ground Water Planning And Management, Richard C. Peralta, L. S. Willardson

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Simulation/optimization (S/0) models can be used to speed the process of computing long term groundwater pumping strategies. These combined models can also greatly ease the planning tasks of water management agencies. They make the process of computing optimal perennial yield groundwater management strategies fairly straightforward. S/0 models dramatically improve conjunctive water management and can help minimize the cost of groundwater contaminant clean-up. The differences between S/0 models and the simulation (S) models currently used by over 98 % of practitioners are illustrated with recent applications of S/0 models in regional planning.

Best Management Practices (Bmps) To Minimize Nitrate Leaching From Irrigated Potatoes, Ahmad Yar Ranjha, Richard C. Peralta, Robert W. Hill

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Numerous preliminary simulations are again performed to determine the smallest fertilizer amount, applied througii sprinkler irrigations (chemigation), that should still yield 15.3 tons of potatoes per acre. Applying only 68 lbs/ac of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in the first irrigation on June 28, should be sufficient. Again, total crop N uptake equals potential crop N uptake throughout the growing season. Except for the net income and applied fertilizer N uptake efficiency, all the other results computed by NLEAP (Figure 4 and Table 1) are very similar to results of scenario II. Applied fertilizer N uptake efficiency is the highest (91%) in …

Optimal Groundwater Quantity/Quality Planning For Salt Lake Valley, Ali Gharbi, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Generally, the embedding technique for optimizing groundwater management has been limited to small scale or steady-state groundwater flow management cases. The embedding approach causes sparse, highly structured constraint matrices which have been sometimes difficult to solve. Embedding applications have been limited by lack of: optimization algorithms able to easily address such matrices for large scale problems, and efficient methods for addressing common nonlinearities and converging to a solution. Computer software, USUEM, addresses these issues by: creation of alternative linear, nonlinear, combined and partitioned formulations of the same problem, implemention of an efficient cycling procedure, and good selection of optimization algorithm …

Pluman, Decision Support System For Groundwater Contaminant Plume Simulation/Optimization Management Model, Herminio H. Suguino, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Optimal Management Of Irrigation And Vadose Zone Pesticide Transport, M. A. Hegazy, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A management model is developed for maximizing crop yield while avoiding unacceptable pesticide leaching. Utilized constraint equations: maintain a soil moisture volume balance, describe downward pesticide transport, and limit the amount of pesticide reaching groundwater. The reported optimization model is the first which includes unsaturated zone pesticide transport. It is designed to help prevent nonpoint-source contamination of shallow groundwater aquifers. The model computes optimal irrigation amounts for given soil, crop, chemical, and climate data and irrigation frequencies. The model is tested for different irrigation scenarios. The modeling approach is promising as a tool to aid developing environmentally sound agricultural production …

Optimal Perennial Groundwater Yield Planning For The East Shore Area, Utah, Shu Takahashi, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Computer models are developed for computing optimal perennial groundwater withdrawal strategies for the East Shore Area of Utah's Great Salt Lake. The underlying aquifer has three confined or unconfined layers. Both embedding and response matrix (RM) approaches are tested and compared. Historically, it has been difficult to incorporate simulation of an unconfined aquifer and many external flow equations described by nonsmooth functions within linear programming models. RM models normally assume system linearity. The presented RM model overcomes this difficulty using cycling and influence coefficients generated with a modified MODFLOW model. In this groundwater flow simulation model, the above nonlinear terms …

Seismic Response Of Pipeline Systems In A Soil Liquefaction Environment, Hongzhi Zhang

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This research is a study of the general seismic response behavior of buried pipeline systems during a soil liquefaction process. To aid the design of buried pipelines in a soil liquefaction environment, the purpose of this research is to provide the basic dynamic seismic response of different pipeline systems. Several important parameters such as pipe diameter, buried depth, additional mass and the size of the liquefiable soil zone have been introduced. The pipeline systems under study are cross-types, T-types and straight pipelines, with or without a manhole, buried in a soil liquefiable zone.

Time-varying soil spring constants are used for …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Strain Rate On Material Properties Of Sheet Steels, M. Kassar, Wei-Wen Yu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The effect of strain rate on tensile and compressive mechanical properties of sheet steels is investigated experimentally and analytically. Three sheet steels are studied in both longitudinal and transverse directions under different strain rates and different amounts of prior cold stretching in order to determine the separate effects of strain rate and aging half of the cold-stretched coupons are tested in an average of two days after cold-stretching operation. The remaining half are tested to failure at least 30 days after cold-stretching operation The results show that the proportional limit yield strength and ultimate strength increase with increasing strain rate …

Effect Of Strain Rate On Cold-Formed Steel Stub Columns, M. Kassar, C. L. Pan, Wei-Wen Yu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The material properties of steel and the strength of steel members are affected by strain rate to investigate this characteristic for compression members 49 stub columns fabricated from 35XF sheet steel and 48 stub columns fabricated from 50XF sheet steel are studied experimentally and analytically under different strain rates The strain rate ranged from 10^-5 to 0.1. in./in./sec (10^-5 to 0.1 mm/mm/s). The material properties of 35XF and 50XF sheet steels developed from previous tests are used for the evaluation of the test data obtained from the member tests using specimens fabricated from the same sheet steel. The …

Asce Lrfd Method For Stainless Steel Structures, Shin Hua Lin, Wei-Wen Yu, Theodore V. Galambos

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In recent years, probability-based load-and-resistance-factor-design (LRFD) method has been successfully applied to the design of hot-rolled steel sections and cold-formed steel members in the United States and foreign countries. In order to develop the LRFD criteria for the design of cold-formed stainless steel structural members and connections, a research project was conducted at the University of Missouri-Rolla since 1986 under the sponsorship of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). This newly developed LRFD Specification with Commentary has been adopted by ASCE as a new standard in 1990. It supersedes the 1974 edition of the Specification for the Design of …

Job Characteristics Of Construction Craftsmen And Their Relationships To Affective Work Outcomes, Musibau Adeola Shofoluwe

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research was undertaken to investigate the extent to which employee-perceived job characteristics were related to internal work motivation and general satisfaction. Research shows that the structure of work has a significant influence on the motivation and general satisfaction of workers.

A job characteristic model developed by Hackman and Oldham (1980) was used as a basis for conducting this study. The study population consisted of construction craft workers who were registered members of the bricklayers, carpenters, and electrical unions located in a mid-western state. Job diagnostic survey questionnaires were mailed to 650 craftsmen. A total of 236 (36.3%) instruments were …

Parameter Uncertainty And Modeling Of Sludge Dewatering In One Dimension, Joseph H. Plaskett

Dissertations and Theses

Separation of liquid from solids is a necessary step in the ultimate disposal of wastewater sludges. Most commonly, sludges are dewatered by pressure-filtration methods. Mathematical models of the physics of the sludge dewatering process would provide the ability to predict dewatering performance and optimize the design and operation of dewatering facilities.

Behavior Of Square And L-Shaped Slender Reinforced Concrete Columns Under Combined Biaxial Bending And Axial Compression, Wen Hu Tsao

Dissertations

A numerical analysis was developed to evaluate the complete load-deflection and moment-curvature relationships for square and L-shaped slender reinforced concrete columns subjected to biaxial bending and axial load. This computer model can be used for any cross section geometry and material properties of normal concrete. The analysis was based on a deformation control and both the ascending and descending branches of curves can be studied. The finite difference method was introduced to calculate the deflections which satisfy the compatibility equations. Six square slender columns and eight L-shaped slender columns were tested to compare their experimental load-deformation results with the analytical …

The Hydraulic Performance Of A Vortex Tube Foector, F Mtaro

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The vorle.r tube silt exrrac/or consists of a pipe, rhe crest of which has a slit and lies flush across lhe canal bed.With minimal warer loss, I.oe bedload is extracted through lhe slil settling canal back ro the river, thus reducing or eliminating the bedload transported in main canal. Ihe resulting swirling flow phenomena is of complex nature and depends on sc conirol paramerers, as a result of which previous empirical design approaches have yielded conflicting guidelines. By means Of a simplified hydraulic system, the flow mechanism and energy in rhe can be determined.

Influence Of Heavy Metal Concentration On Rotating Biological Contrator Performance, Huei-Sheng Cheng

Theses

Seven heavy metals ( Fe⁺², Mn⁺², Zn⁺², Ag⁺, Pb⁺², Cu⁺², Cd⁺² ) at various concentrations were investigated in a Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) system. The experimental data indicated that the degree of heavy metal toxicity in the biological system mainly depended on the ratio of inflow heavy metal concentration to organic loading. The optimal ratio of heavy metal to organic loading was determined on the basis of the maximum removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) under different operating conditions. In addition, the effect of heavy metal on …

Bridge Deterioration Models, Christopher R.H. Howard

Theses

The deteriorated condition of America's bridges raises the need for a proper and optimal method of bridge management, from the conceptual stage through the construction stage, and throughout the useful life of our bridges. State agencies need to expand their data collection process so as to include additional information pertinent to the formulation of a credible system. This is critical in order to accommodate increased research efforts to investigate the behavioral pattern/s of the nations bridges and to eventually optimize bridge management systems. This thesis looks at the bridge deterioration model as a vital tool in realizing more effective bridge …

Response Characteristics Of Inelastic Single Degree Of Freedom Systems Subjected To Intraplate Earthquakes, Linda C. Jones

Theses

Within recorded, although not recent, history, there have been several large magnitude earthquakes in the Eastern and Central United States and the need to provide measures to protect from potential damage is recognized by the engineering community. Since there are inherent differences between earthquakes that occur along tectonic plate boundaries, interplate, and those that occur within the plate boundaries, intraplate, it is important to understand how these differences impact structural design. A parametric study of single degree of freedom systems subjected to various recorded and artificial ground motions was performed to identify the variations in response characteristics.

It was found …

Biodegradation Of Tnt (2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene), Jin Lou

Theses

This study summaries the results of various methods treating 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). Review of available literatures revealed that the most commonly used techniques in full-scale plant for TNT removal are chemical oxidation and carbon adsorption.

From economic point of view, the biological treatment system will be much more cost-effective. Various methods for improving the efficiency of biological system treating TNT wastewater were developed in the laboratory. Current laboratory results show that by isolating appropriate microorganisms under adequate conditions, TNT wastes can be degraded successfully.

At the some time, some pretreatment technologies are recommended in this study for improving the performance of …

Strength And Fragility Of Concrete, Kang-Qun Shao

Theses

It is known that both strength and fragility are two of the most important properties in concrete. In this research, theories of Chemistry, Physical Chemistry of Surfaces, Thermodynamics and Fracture Mechanics are used to study the relationships between the macromechanical behavior of concrete and the microstructure in concrete. The objectives of this research are therefore to find some effective ways to explain theoretically why the concrete is so brittle (fragile) and how to increase its strength or to decrease its fragility. Based on the present studies, an equation is formulated to calculate the coefficient of the fragility (or brittleness) of …

A Study Of The Potential Funding Mechanism For Surface Transportation In The New York Metropolitan Region, Krishnaveni Venkataswami

Theses

The present network of highways, soaring bridges, airports, seaports, and transit systems that serve the New York Metropolitan region are part of this region's inheritance from the generation of Americans who built them before us. These massive and sometimes daring achievements supported the economic growth of the region. Now that inheritance is in danger. The quality of the region's transportation infrastructure is barely adequate to fulfill current requirements, and insufficient to meet the demands of future economic growth and development. We are spending our inheritance.

A major problem is financial. Overall investment in transportation has slowed down in the last …

Parking Demand And Supply In The Central Business District Of Dar Es Salaam City, Theophil Rwebangira

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The Central Business District (CBD) Of Dar es Salaam city is currently experiencing severe congestion. Among the major causes of this condition is lack cf enough parking facilities. Obstructions due to vehicles parked on the roadway and increased vehicle circulation by drivers looking for a mace to park This paper reports on a recent study are major contributors to congestion. which evaluated the demand and supply as vell as usage of parking spaces in the CED. The f indings indicate that there is currently an acute shortage Of parking spaces, especially of off—street parking spaces. For the existing facilities, there …

Flood Forecasting In Tanzanian Catchments, Omari Rumambo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Floods are still a problem to many countries in the world todate. Floods do cause damages to property and sometimes loss to human life. Flood control measures by structural and non—structural methods are avail able in the literature . However , structural flood control measures are financially infeasible in most developing countries today. Flood forecasting is a non—structural measure for reducing flood damages. It is a means of providing early The Li near f 1 ood warnings to flood prone areas . Perturbation Model has been appl ied for real time flood The Linear forecasting in Tan zanian catchments . …