Engineering Commons^™

Sediment Budgets In The Irish Estuarine Environment, Kevin Motherway

Theses

A sediment budget is the quantification of sediment sources and sinks for natural physical systems such as rivers and estuaries.

This thesis has developed estuarine sediment budgets for Cork Harbour, Kinsale Harbour and Youghal Harbour. The thesis includes a literature review of the properties of sediment, river and estuary related sediment transport, sediment management and sediment related legislation and the approaches used to develop a sediment budget for an estuary system.

An extensive study of riverine suspended sediments discharging to the estuaries has been undertaken. Both surface grab samples and depth integrating suspended sediment samples were collected, tested and analysed. …

Expert System Design Guide For Lower Classification Roads Over High Pi Clays, Yaqi Wanyan

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This research was focused on low-volume roads over expansive clayey soils in Texas. In spite of the redundant pavement designs recommended and widely used in Texas for roads in high PI clay areas, these pavements often fail prematurely. This failure occurs primarily because of the highly variable properties of the clayey subgrade throughout the year due to moisture fluctuations. The problematic nature of high PI clays, despite the fact that volumetric changes such as heaving are sometime considered in the design, is of concern since they contribute to roughness and longitudinal shrinkage cracking of the road, and as such the …

Drop Photometer Design., Kevin Tiernan

Doctoral

The tensiograph drop analyser, operating in the mode of ultraviolet-visual absorption photometer, was re-engineered to improve measurement accuracy. As well as instrumentation re-design, the other objective of the research was to analyse tensiograph signals to explore how their features are defined by drop properties. Using fibre optic technology, the tensiograph emits a light beam into a growing pendant drop whereupon it undergoes a number of internal reflections. A portion of the reflected light energy is coupled to a photodiode producing a proportional current that is electronically processed and transferred to a computer for analysis. The signal produced, known as the …

Antennas For Portable Communications In The Uwb And Gps Spectra., Giuseppe Ruvio

Doctoral

The thesis describes a study of antennas for solutions in emerging systems. An account of the fundamental principles of these antennas is given together with an outline of the basic electromagnetic theory on which the designs are based. While the main focus is on antennas for Ultra Wideband (UWB) systems, some additional work was carried out on enhancing performance of circularly polarised antennas for satellite navigation systems. The study focussed on the design of highly efficient broadband antennas with particular requirements for size compactness, gain stability, phase-linearity, and the use of low-cost materials. These requirements are particularly important for UWB …

Effects Of Aggregates On Properties And Performance Of Mastics And Superpave Hot Mix Asphalt Mixtures, Francisco Aragão

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Superpave, a set of advancements in testing devices and specifications for asphalt binders and mixtures, was limited to address the effects of aggregates. Because aggregates represent around 95% in mass of the asphalt mixtures, it is important to understand how these materials affect properties and performance of such mixtures. This research focus on how different types and contents of aggregates affect properties of mastics and asphalt mixtures, and their performance considering the viscoelastic nature of the asphalt material.

Five different types of aggregates and hydrated lime were used for sample fabrication together with two different binders. Several different tests were …

Socio-Economic Impacts Of Computer Viruses In Tanzania, M Victor

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This paper reports on a research project conducted with an objective of identifying and assessing various approaches used by different computer users (Management, System Administrators and end users) in Tanzania to combat computer viruses (CVs), and to assess users' awareness level on CVs. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing the awareness level on CVs to the Tanzanian business community; analyze the socio -economic impact caused by CVs in Tanzania and; assess existing methods, capacity and limitations on controlling CVs in Tanzania. Data was collected using both questionnaires and interview from financial institutions such as NBC and BOT, and telecommunications sector …

Long-Term Mechanical Behavior Of Yucca Mountain Tuff And Its Variability, Jaak J.K. Daemen, Lumin Ma, Guohua Zhao

Publications (YM)

The study of the long term mechanical behavior of Yucca Mountain tuffs is important for several reasons. Long term stability of excavations will affect accessibility (e.g. for inspection purposes), and retrievability. Long term instabilities may induce loading of drip shields and/or emplaced waste, thus affecting drip shield and/or waste package corrosion. Failure of excavations will affect airflow, may affect water flow, and may affect temperature distributions. The long term mechanical behavior of “hard” rocks remains an elusive topic, loaded with uncertainties. A variety of approaches have been used to improve the understanding of this complex subject, but it is doubtful …

Tunnel Geology As Seen By Geologists: Manhattan, New York City, Nazrul I. Khandaker, Stanley Schleifer, Masud Ahmed, Alan R. Slaughter, Belal A. Sayeed, Dorean J. Flores, Mario Jo-Ramirez

Publications and Research

Current exploratory boring operations in and around Manhattan, New York City are providing geologists and geotechnical engineers with a plethora of new and interesting geological information, which has not been previously reported. The rocks encountered, mostly medium to high-grade metamorphic rocks, with both mafic and felsic intrusives, are highly variable in competency and mechanical durability. One of the most frequently encountered rock types is a garnetiferous-muscovite-biotite schist which grades into schistose gneiss and displays a wide variety of structural, compositional, and textural attributes. Metamorphic minerals showing the variable degree of metamorphism include graphite, talc, garnet, kyanite, tourmaline, emory, and occasionally …

Basinwide Flood Control: The Waffle, University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Fact sheet about the Energy & Environmental Research Center's proposed system for temporary storage of floodwater in the Red River Basin. Describes the "waffle" concept, and outlines the two project phases. [This item is an outdated or superseded version and retained for historical purposes only. It may no longer reflect current information, policies, or practices.]

A Solution: The Waffle, University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Fact sheet about the Energy & Environmental Research Center's proposed system for temporary storage of floodwater in the Red River Basin. [This item is an outdated or superseded version and retained for historical purposes only. It may no longer reflect current information, policies, or practices.]

Sub-Surface Corrosion Research On Rock Bolt System, Perforated Ss Sheets And Steel Sets For The Yucca Mountain Repository — Quarterly Technical Report No. 3, Dhanesh Chandra, Jaak J.K. Daemen

Publications (YM)

This report encompasses the work done for third quarter in accordance to cooperative agreement of UCCSN for the Task 019 “Subsurface Corrosion Research on Rock Bolt System, Perforated SS Sheets and Steel Sets for the Yucca Mountain Repository”, the objective of which was proposed earlier, to conduct corrosion research and predict the durability of rockbolts and other underground metallic roof supports. We have recently started working on oxidation tests using Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA), stress corrosion cracking/hydrogen embrittlement studies on rock bolts, other support materials including bench mark materials. In this quarterly report we will discuss “Dry” oxidation of steels and …

Sub-Surface Corrosion Research On Rock Bolt System, Perforated Ss Sheets And Steel Sets For The Yucca Mountain Repository — Quarterly Technical Report No. 2, Dhanesh Chandra

Publications (YM)

This report encompasses the work done for second quarter in accordance to cooperative agreement of UCCSN for the Task 019 “Subsurface Corrosion Research on Rock Bolt System, Perforated SS Sheets and Steel Sets for the Yucca Mountain Repository”, the objective of which was proposed earlier, to conduct corrosion research and predict the durability of rock-bolts and other underground metallic roof supports. We have recently started working on oxidation tests using Thermogravimetric Analyzer, stress corrosion cracking/hydrogen embrittlement studies on rock bolts, other support materials including bench mark materials. In this quarterly report we will discuss “Dry” oxidation of steels and other …

Quantifying Savings From Improved Boiler Operation, Kevin Carpenter, J. Kelly Kissock

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

On/off operation and excess combustion air reduce boiler energy efficiency. This paper presents methods to quantify energy savings from switching to modulation control mode and reducing excess air in natural gas fired boilers.

The methods include calculation of combustion temperature, calculation of the relationship between internal convection coefficient and gas flow rate, and calculation of overall heat transfer assuming a parallel-flow heat exchanger model. The method for estimating savings from changing from on/off to modulation control accounts for purge and drift losses through the boiler and the improved heat transfer within the boiler due to the reduced combustion gas flow …

Sediment Transport In Rivers And Estuaries, John Clancy

Theses

The processes of erosion, transportation and sedimentation in rivers and estuaries have fascinated researchers for centuries. These processes have been active throughout geological time and have shaped the present landscape. To effectively study these processes analysis needs to be carried out at catchment scale level. Cork Harbour and its tributaries including the River Lee, the Owenabue River, the Glashaboy River, the Owennacurra River, and the Dungoumey River are analysed for the processes of sediment transport within their catchments and systems, and particularly river sediment loadings.

This thesis includes a literature review of the properties of sediment, river and estuary related …

Detecting Anomalous Inclusions In Soil Profiles: Encouraging The Use Of Geophysics To Solve Engineering Problems, Barbara Luke, Carlos Calderon-Macias

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

Geotechnical site investigations often do not take full advantage of geophysical methods. As examples, when delineating cemented strata and when detecting shallow cavities, investigations can be enhanced greatly for low additional cost by incorporating seismic surface-based measurements.

Sub-Surface Corrosion Research On Rock Bolt System, Perforated Ss Sheets And Steel Sets For The Yucca Mountain Repository, Dhanesh Chandra, Jaak J.K. Daemen, Jaime Gonzalez, Raymond Keeler, Amy J. Smiecinski

Publications (YM)

The objective of the proposed investigation is to conduct corrosion research and predict the durability of rock-bolts and other underground metallic roof supports. In critical areas, it is possible to use highly corrosion resistant steels for rock bolts at Yucca Mountain (YM) repository, as the steel rock bolts, as well as other materials such as Bernold type shields for tunnels at YM site [1-4]. In addition, there is propensity for stress corrosion cracking as well as hydrogen induced cracking in rock bolts likely to occur in YM repository emplacement under drift conditions. As corrosion of these materials for underground support …

Review Of The Product Development Process And Information Flow In The Manufacturing Industry: Problems And A Possible Wav Forward, E Opiyo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

No abstract provided.

Magneto Rheological Dampers — A New Paradigm In Base Isolation Techniques In Earth Quake Engineering, S. Suresh Babu

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Over the past three decades, a great deal of interest has been generated regarding the use of structural protective systems to mitigate the effects of dynamic environmental hazards, such as earth quakes and strong wind, on Civil Engineering structures. These systems usually employ supplemental damping devices to increase the energy dissipation capability of the protected structure. One of the most promising new devices proposed for structural protection is Magneto rheological (MR) fluid dampers because of their mechanical simplicity, high dynamic range, low pressure requirements, large force capacity and robustness, this class of devices has been shown to mesh well within …

Past Proceedings: 3rd International Conference On Recent Advances In Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering & Soil Dynamics (1995), Multiple Authors

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Restoration Of Path Service To Lower Manhattan, Raymond E. Sandiford, Samuel Leifer, Mark Mcneilly

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

When the World Trade Center was destroyed the transit link connecting Lower Manhattan and New Jersey, the Port Authority’s Trans Hudson system or PATH, was cut. The PATH station, which was located beneath the WTC, was destroyed, the two tunnels under the Hudson River were flooded, and the first PATH station in New Jersey was rendered useless for train movements. Immediately after Sept 11, the re-establishment of the downtown PATH service was identified as a key element in the revitalization of Lower Manhattan. The re-establishment of PATH service required that three elements of major construction be completed. These were the …

Non-Destructive Evaluation Of Deep Foundations, Frank Rausche

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) or Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of a great variety of materials and structures has become an integral part of many manufacturing processes. The same tendency towards more testing for improved quality assurance is also apparent in the deep foundation industry. However, the process of testing long piles, deeply embedded in the ground, is more complex than the NDE of other materials: the product can only be accessed from its smallest side and the material is often concrete or timber, which are rather heterogeneous materials with unreliable properties. The greatest difficulties, however, are presented by the intimate contact between …

The Collapse Of Fukae (Hanshin Expressway) Bridge, Kobe, 1995: The Role Of Soil And Soil-Structure Interaction, George Mylonakis, Costis Syngros

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The paper investigates the role of soil in the collapse of a 630m segment (Fukae section) of the elevated Hanshin Expressway during the severe Kobe earthquake of 1995. From a geotechnical viewpoint, the earthquake has been associated with extensive liquefactions (notably of reclaimed ground), lateral soil spreading, and damage to waterfront structures. However, there is evidence that soil-foundation-structure interaction (SFSI) in non-liquefied ground played a detrimental role in the seismic performance of local structures, including the one under investigation. The bridge consisted of single circular concrete columns monolithically connected to a concrete deck, founded on pile groups in alluvium sand …

Settlement Back-Analysis Of Buildings On Soft Soil In Southern Germany, H.-G. Kempfert, B. Soumaya

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This paper presents 10 case-histories of buildings on soft clay in southern Germany. A lot of field observations show that the calculated settlements using the routine analysis are on average 50 % larger than settlements actually measured in this area. A back-analysis is carried out to verify the soil parameters which are intended to investigate in the subsurface exploration phase and later in a laboratory test program. Recommendations for the engineering practice are suggested to review the determination of compressibility parameters and, consequently, to improve the settlement prediction.

Design And Installation Of Foundations In Various Ground Conditions At Four Power Stations In The U.K., Christopher D. Parks, David E. Jones, José L. M. Clemente

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The design and installation of safe and economic foundation solutions for large projects is of great importance in contributing to commercial success. On four recent power projects in the U.K., a variety of foundation solutions have been adopted, driven largely by the particular ground conditions encountered at each location. All four projects were gas fired combined cycle power station facilities and each location provided unique challenges in both the design and installation of the foundations. The variety of foundation soils encountered was diverse; soft alluvial peat and clay, loose to medium dense silty sands and moderately weak to moderately strong …

Design And Construction Of A Support Of Excavation System For A Deep Cut-And-Cover Tunnel In Downtown Boston, Yousef Alostaz, Abdol Hagh, Jack Pecora

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

This paper presents the analysis, design, implementation and construction of a Value Engineering Cost Proposal (VECP) for the support of excavation system for parts of the underground Central Artery Tunnel in downtown Boston. The excavation varies between about 130 ft and 240 ft in width and between 60 ft and 100 ft in depth. The typical structure of the tunnel consists of soldier pile tremie concrete (SPTC) walls, roof girders with a cast-in place (CIP) concrete slab and a CIP invert slab. The SPTC walls, constructed using the bentonite slurry technique, act as the temporary earth-support structure as well as …

Increase In Pile Capacity With Time In Missouri River Alluvium, Paul J. Axtell, Jacob W. Owen, Scott D. Vollink

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

The data measured in this study suggest that the increase in compressive pile capacity for a 42-ft long, HP14x102 pile, in a predominantly fine-grained Missouri River alluvium soil profile, increases by about 16 percent from days seven to forty-four after driving. It appears evident that Davisson’s (1973) failure criteria seems to agree fairly well with the observed plunging failure of two compressive pile-load failure tests performed in Missouri River alluvium. By comparison of compressive proof and failure tests performed on day forty-four after driving, it appears that loading a pile to some degree prior to failure, and then reloading the …

Settlement Of A Light Rail Pier Supported On Large Diameter Bored Piles Remediated By Jet Grouting, Emilio M. Morales, Toshio Ono

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

A support Pier (Pier 161) for a Light Rail line being constructed for the Metro Manila Light Rail Project encountered large settlements after the installation of the Precast Deck Girders. This pier supports bridge crossing across the San Juan River with a total span of sixty (60) meters. This Pier is supported on six (6) 1500 mm diameter bored piles designed to extend down to 17 meters or socketed into bedrock at least 2.0 meters based on design requirements. The structure started to settle during the erection of the superstructure when the dead load reached about 700 metric tons. Total …

Foundations Over Expansive Soil, A Saudi Arabia Case History, Syed Faiz Ahmad

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Presence of highly plastic clays in Hofuf in Al-Hassa (an oasis in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia) indicated existence of potential expansive soil problems in these regions. Hofuf is notoriously known as the area with expansive clay problem and finds mention in text books on the subject also. The first ever “Stiffened Slab Waffle Foundation” in Saudi Arabia was poured on Sunday the 7th February1999 for the Barracks in Prince Abdullah Military City, in Hofuf. In this Paper, a Case History is being presented encompassing: the experiences of this project vis-à-vis geotechnical complexities of the Site, decision to adopt …

Snow Avalanche Training Dike At Flateyri, Iceland, Pálmi R. Pálmason, Fjóla Guðrún Sigtryggsdóttir, Flosi Sigurðsson, Gunnar Guðni Tómasson

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

October 26, 1995 a snow avalanche hit a village in NW Iceland killing 20 people. Subsequently, extensive research on the properties and characteristics of avalanches and defence possibilities was instigated aiming at appraising preventive measures. Due consideration of the prevailing conditions showed training dikes (deflecting dams) of specific height and angles to be the most cost effective measures, provided that these could be constructed from materials available in the immediate vicinity. Additionally, the steeper the slope facing the avalanche (upstream) the more protective the dike. This was designed and constructed at 1 vertical to 1.25 horizontal upstream. The 1200 m …

Treatment Or Unconformity Zone And Curtain Grouting In Foundation Of Almatti Dam On Krishna River, Mahavir Bidasaria

International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering

Curtain Grouting is an important component of Foundation treatment of Dam and other hydraulic structures. The purpose of Curtain Grouting is to form a zone of low permeability upto a designed depth on the upstream of the dam. This grout curtain along with downstream drainage system controls the uplift pressure and piping which are potential hazards. The present case study deals with providing grout curtain to Almatti Masonry Dam from Block No. 1 to 52. Besides curtain grouting this case study also deals with the treatment of weak zone (unconformity zone) of thickness upto 6 m, which was existing in …