Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Use Of Pushed-In Pencel Pressuremeter Test For Shallow Foundation Design In Florida Fine Sands, Brhane Weldeanenya Ygzaw

Theses and Dissertations

A comprehensive evaluation was conducted on the performance, consistency, and practical application of various in-situ geotechnical testing methods for predicting the settlement and bearing capacity of shallow foundations in Florida’s fine sands. The methods assessed include the Standard Penetration Test (SPT), Cone Penetration Test (CPT), Dilatometer Test (DMT), pushed-in PENCEL Pressuremeter Test (PPMT), and the pre-bored TEXAM Pressuremeter Test. A dual approach controlled indoor testing at the FDOT State Materials Office (SMO) and field investigations at three representative sites (Kingsley, Trenton, and the UCF research site), formed the experimental foundation.

Over thirty settlement prediction techniques and thirteen bearing capacity estimation …

Development Of A Probabilistic Interaction Rule And Failure Pressure Model For Pipelines With A Colony Of Corrosion Defects, Kiswendsida J. Kere

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The interaction effect originating from a defect colony can pose a higher pipeline failure risk than the case when such possible interaction is not considered. Recognizing the limitations in existing models that can lead to inaccurate pipeline integrity assessment, the goal of this study is to develop a probabilistic interaction rule and predictive burst failure pressure model for pipelines with a colony of corrosion defects. First, a comprehensive database of burst failure pressure for pipes with a colony of corrosion is established that encompasses a wide range of influencing factors (e.g., spacing, defect sizes, and material properties) on the defect …

Comparison And Evaluation Of Overlay And Leveling Binder In Traffic Circle Construction, Pratik Neupane

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Traffic circles play a vital role in managing traffic flow and ensuring safety, yet their unique traffic conditions make them prone to early cracking and deformation. This study evaluated the performance of overlay and leveling binder asphalt mixtures for a reconstructed traffic circle at the University of South Alabama, using plant-mixed laboratory-compacted (PMLC) specimens. Volumetric analyses were performed to determine maximum specific gravity (Gmm), bulk specific gravity (Gmb), and air voids content. Laboratory tests were conducted on both the overlay and leveling binder layers using indirect tensile cracking test (IDEAL-CT) and indirect tensile rutting test (IDEAL-RT) to assess cracking tolerance …

Incorporating Recycled And Repurposed Plastic Into 100% Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement, Basant Bhatt

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

The increasing awareness of sustainability in the asphalt industry has driven the use of recycled materials like reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and waste plastic. This study examines the incorporation of recycled polypropylene (rPP), recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE), and recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE) at 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.8% dosages into 100% RAP, along with the warm mix asphalt additive Evotherm® P25. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical and durability performance of the modified asphalt mixtures while rutting and fatigue life were evaluated using mechanistic-empirical (ME) analysis in PerRoad software. Both plastic type and dosage had a statistically significant impact …

Evaluation Of Novel Jointless Engineered Cementitious Composite Ultrathin Whitetopping (Ecc-Utw) Overlay, Hassan Noorvand, Marwa Hassan, Tyson Rupnow, Ricardo Hungria

Publications

The present work corresponds to the development and the application of a cost-effective Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) mix design with the name M3-1.5%. Once the material was developed it was applied in the construction of a novel engineered cementitious composites ultrathin whitetopping (ECC-UTW) overlay. The overlay was constructed in May 2019 at the Pavement Research Facility (PRF) in Port Allen, Louisiana. The project was built on top of a distressed asphalt pavement corresponding to a previous project. During the construction, samples were gathered and subjected to testing after 28 days through means of compressive, uniaxial tension and flexural strength tests. …

Enhancing Asphalt Mix Design Through Film Thickness And Bailey’S Gradation Method, Lydia Quinn

Civil Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Contemporary asphalt research aims to strike a balance between rutting and fatigue cracking to enhance pavement longevity. The performance of asphalt mixtures is influenced by factors such as aggregate gradation and asphalt film thickness. Although gradation typically adheres to the mid-gradation method, asphalt film thickness is included in certain mix designs, even though it is not universally regarded as an essential parameter. Nonetheless, no current method primarily addresses both gradation and asphalt film thickness together. In this research, aggregate gradations were designed using the principles of Bailey’s method along with various other criteria such as control points, the dust to …

A Statistical Investigation Of The Parameters Influencing Rutting And Cracking Performance In Asphalt Mixtures, Alexis Light

Civil Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Durable pavement is essential for modern transportation infrastructure, especially in the United States of America which boasts over 8.5 million lane miles of roads and highways. Despite advanced construction techniques, asphalt pavements are susceptible to rutting and cracking, significantly affecting their performance and maintenance costs. Current methods for analyzing rutting and cracking in asphalt mixtures rely on various parameters, leading to measurement variability. This highlights the need for more rigorous analysis to explore the relationship between mix design variables and pavement performance. This research explores the IDEAL-CT and APA data from 171 mix designs collected by the Arkansas Department of …

Assessment Of Energy Efficiency Measures Recommended For Industrial Facilities: Environmental, Economic, And Life Cycle Perspectives, Dariush Jafari

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

This study assesses the economic, environmental, and life cycle impacts of more than 800 industrial Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs) identified in manufacturing facilities across Nebraska. These EEMs are notable for their rapid implementation and minimal disruption to the facility’s building structure or core processes.

The research evaluates the financial viability of EEMs by analyzing utility savings, implementation costs, and payback periods. It also examines their cost-effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including calculations of net cost and cost of mitigated CO₂-eq.

Key findings indicate that adding insulation to hot pipes and buildings, replacing personal fans with High-Volume, Low-Speed (HVLS) …

Mash Crashworthiness Of Work Zone Devices And Breakaway Luminaire Poles, Mohammadreza Rajaee

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

This thesis presents a study on the crashworthiness of two commonly-used roadside safety devices: Type II barricades and luminaire poles supported by TB1-17 transformer bases. The first part focuses on designing and evaluating a non-proprietary, Type II barricade that meets MASH criteria. A validated LS-DYNA model, based on a previously-tested Type III barricade, was used to guide the design. The proposed Type II system was evaluated through simulation and confirmed with full-scale crash testing. The second part of the study investigates luminaire poles supported by the TB1-17 transformer base. A previously-developed LS-DYNA model was updated and validated using test No. …

A Framework For Quantifying The Benefits Of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Development, Donya Negahbani

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

Under the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, a significant portion of benefits derived from federal clean transportation investments is required to be directed to disadvantaged communities. Meeting this mandate necessitates a transparent and reproducible approach that quantifies various dimensions of value and allocates them equitably. This dissertation presents a flexible framework specifically tailored for the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Nebraska, effectively translating equity goals into rigorous spatial and economic analyses. The framework first identifies multiple distinct categories of benefit that reflect the societal value of charging access: energy savings, economic opportunities, environmental quality enhancements, and public health improvements. …

Development Of Timber Bridge Railing And Approach Guardrail Transition, Aaron Lechtenberger

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

Timber bridges with transverse and longitudinal bridge decks are increasingly utilized across the United States. However, limited research exists to develop bridge railing systems for high-service-level roadways that meet current vehicular impact safety standards. In response to this gap, the United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service -Forest Products Laboratory (USDA-FS-FPL), in collaboration with the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility (MwRSF), initiated a research program to develop, crash test, and evaluate higher-service-level bridge railings and approach guardrail transitions (AGTs) compliant with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH).

This study continued …

Towards Advancing Streamflow And Peak Flow Prediction With Machine Learning: Identifying Infrastructure At Risk, Sudan Pokharel

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

Due to climate change and its impact, the need for adaptive strategies for natural disaster mitigation and resource management has never been more urgent. Central to this is water resource management, which is essential for sustainable human activities, ecological balance, and the mitigation of natural hazards like floods. Streamflow is a crucial element of water resource management and plays a vital role in planning and building water infrastructure, implementing emergency response plans, supporting flood mitigation initiatives, and regulating agricultural and industrial use. However, accurate prediction of streamflow still remains a challenge due to the complex non-linear and non-stationary interaction between …

Wind-Induced Gravel Blow-Off: Experimental Investigations And Predictive Modeling For Resilient Roof Design, Md Safwan Ahsanullah

All Dissertations

Roof gravel blow-off during severe windstorms is a major hazard, leading to roof damage and significant downwind impacts. Understanding the initiation mechanisms for gravel blow-off is critical for improving building design and mitigating windborne debris risks. Existing experimental data on the wind speed required to initiate gravel blow-off have been collected from high-speed, full-scale tests at wind tunnels. While these tests form the basis of current design guidelines, they are expensive and can lack generalizability. As a result, rooftop gravel is frequently blown off at wind speeds below the design thresholds. This dissertation investigates the onset of rooftop gravel motion, …

Influence Of Terrain Model Resolution On Rockfall Dispersion And Tortuosity Of Rockfall Paths, Lucas Jason Arsenith

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The geology of the Snake River Plain region of southwestern Idaho contains terraces formed from downcutting of the Boise River and columnar jointed basalt cliffs from lava flows. Within the city limits of Boise, Idaho, rockfall events originate from these columnar jointed basalt cliffs. Whitney Terrace, a rockfall-prone location in southwestern Boise, was chosen as the study site. Site-specific LiDAR data was used to create a bare earth terrain model, and rockfall boulders were geolocated and measured to be used as inputs into rockfall models. The slope below the cliff face was divided into four distinct slope zones, each with …

Analysis Of Hydrological Model Uncertainty In The Response Of Farmers' Decision Models: A Case Study From The Lower Mississippi River Basin Region, Aayush Khadka

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Ever since human have evolved on planet earth, they have been dependent on water resources for almost every aspect of their lives. From food production to industry, water has been an integral part of the ever-growing human civilization. Increasing reliance on water has resulted in development of effective and sustainable management strategies. However, water management has remained a complex task due to different human and natural stressors. Hydro-economic models are powerful tools that have been widely used to study water resource systems, management options, economic values, and infrastructures. They have been used to analyze the Water-Energy-Food nexus, climatic interactions, and …

Building Resilience: Strategies For Sustainable Wildfire Management In California, Jaiden Rennie, Pegah Zamani

Symposium of Student Scholars

Wildfires in California are becoming more intense and destructive, threatening communities, ecosystems, and livelihoods. This project explores how resilience and sustainability can work together to reduce wildfire risks and long-term damage. By reviewing research, case studies, and expert insights, it examines what’s driving these fires, climate change, poor land management, and human activity, and looks at solutions that can make a real difference. From community education programs to AI-driven fire detection and smarter policies, the findings highlight practical ways to better prepare for and manage wildfires. The goal is to contribute to a future where communities and the environment are …

Comparative Analysis On Design Error Risks In Design-Bid-Build And Design-Build Construction Approaches, Eradius Edward Rwakarehe

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study was conducted to compare design errors risk in Design-Bid-Build (DBB) (traditional) and Design-Build (DB) methods in building projects. Several construction projects under both DB and DBB method were reviewed. On most of construction projects under DB method, it was found that there were over supply of floor area due to different reasons. Also, it was found that, clients’ requirements were changed during project execution, which resulted into change on schedule, contract value and project quality. It was also revealed that in most cases, designs were in accordance with the clients’ requirements as submitted earlier but during construction clients …

Flood Inundation Mapping For The Tana River Delta In Kenya, Anne N. Mugatha

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study aimed at mapping flood inundation areas in the Tana River Delta. The 30 m DEM and digitized streams and road networks data were collected through remote sensing techniques followed by ground truthing. The data used also included Tana River discharge data at Garsen gauging station. Probability distributions were fitted on the annual maximum discharges. The 4 parameter generalized Gamma probability distribution was the best-fitting distribution according to goodness-of-fit criteria and the Q-Q plots and was used to generate the flood quantiles for different return periods. The generated flood quantiles were; 286 m3/s, 369 m3/s, 400 m3/s, 405 m3/s, …

Pros And Cons Of Preservation Treatments, Buzz Powell

Local Transportation Asset Management Conference

No abstract provided.

Travel Behavior Study On Shared Micromobility Service, Yixiang Teng

Lyles School of Civil Engineering Graduate Student Reports

This study investigates the travel behavior on the shared micromobility service around Purdue University West Lafayette campus area. It aims to understand the shared micromobility user patterns and identify the barriers of adoption. The study was enlightened by the influence of pandemic on transportation choices and the shift on transportation habits, and the gap identified was the understanding of the college related population. The research method was a constructed survey distributed among Purdue University’s students, faculties and staffs. A total of 143 valid responses were collected, comprising 73 current users and 70 non-users. Results indicate that shared micromobility is primarily …

Evaluation Of Chloride Diffusion In Concrete Using Bulk Diffusion Test And Scanning Electron Microscopy, Payton Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Reinforced concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the world with many bridges and other major infrastructure consisting of such structural elements. A primary concern impacting the durability of concrete is chloride penetration in aggressive environments such as marine or coastal areas. In such environments, chloride ions can penetrate into the pores of concrete leading to the corrosion of embedded steel reinforcement which compromises the structural integrity of concrete. To investigate the issue, a comprehensive experimental program was designed and implemented which involved the preparation and testing of 31 different concrete mixes, each incorporating varying proportions …

Examination Of A Bench-Scale Model For Post-Wildfire Flood And Water Quality Mitigation Solutions, Cheyenne Ethridge

Honors Theses

The objective of this study is to determine a potential low-cost, sustainable, and rapidly deployable solution for post-wildfire flood and water quality mitigation in communities reliant on surface water for drinking water. Coalinga, Fresno County, California was selected as a study area for a full-scale solution due to its high risk of wildfires, high social vulnerability, and relatively low community resilience. A bench-scale demonstration of the system directs water into a gravel infiltration zone surrounded by a weir perimeter and followed by a clarifier. Because of their abundance in the area, almond shells were explored as a coagulant additive to …

Selective Lithium Extraction Using Ion-Sieves From Geothermal Brine, Agyare Asante, Abigail Berardi, Jayla Standin, Elliott Walker, Ujjwal Pokharel, Sandeep Kumar

Graduate Student Government Association Research Conference

Lithium (Li) is a critical component in modern green energy technologies, serving as the cornerstone for advanced batteries used in electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and portable electronics. To address the increasing global demand for lithium, this study explores the synthesis and performance of ion-sieve novel adsorbents derived from the spinel-type precursor Li₄Mn_4.5Zr_0.5O₁₂ (LMZO). The precursor was produced using an economical solid-phase reaction that involved lithium, manganese, magnesium, and zirconium salts. This was followed by a two-stage calcination process involving 200 K for 2 hours and 450 K for 24 hours. Acid activation …

Establishing Particle Size Recommendations For Cationic Asphalt Emulsions, Tanner Turben, Pedro Diaz-Romero, Andrew Braham

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Asphalt emulsions are used in flexible pavement maintenance and rehabilitation treatments. Emulsion specifications for material characterization are based on testing methodology dating to the 1930s. Newer test methods, including particle size analysis (PSA) of binder droplets in emulsion, have been explored but not implemented into specifications. The objective of this study is to observe the particle size and performance of cationic slow-setting (CSS) emulsions and establish baseline particle size recommendations for cationic emulsions. Four physical property tests (residue, oversize particles, viscosity, and particle size) and two cold mix asphalt performance tests (indirect tensile strength (IDT) and direct shear test (DST)) …

Bayesian Belief Networks Approach To Prioritize Road Safety Mitigation Measures For Eco-Mobility Modes, Fatmah Mohamed Alyammahi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This study presents a novel approach to prioritizing road safety mitigation measures for eco-mobility modes in Abu Dhabi, employing a sophisticated Bayesian methodology integrated with cost-benefit analysis. The research addresses the pressing need for enhanced safety in sustainable urban transportation, focusing on pedestrians, cyclists, and users of micro-mobility devices. A comprehensive Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) model was developed, incorporating key variables influencing eco-mobility safety, including visibility, predictability, road curvature, obstructions, and lighting conditions. The model was constructed using a combination of historical accident data and Probabilistic reasoning. This approach allowed for the quantification of complex relationships between various risk factors …

Polymetal Phosphate Cement From Tin Fuming Furnace Slag: Hydration Mechanism, Mechanical Performance, And Environmental Safety, Peiwen Lv, Xintao Zhou, Zhongqiu Luo, Cuirong Yan, Xiunan Cai, Ting Huang, Pingyan Wang, Hongyan Ma

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Phosphate cement materials are ideal binders for the rapid repairment of civil engineering and solidification/stabilization of hazardous solid wastes due to their fast setting, high early strength and strong adhesion. However, the use of pure metal oxides as the raw base materials and their deactive pretreatment result in the high cost and energy consumption, limiting its broad applications. In this study, an eco-friendly polymetal phosphate cement (PMPC) was developed using tin fuming furnace slag (TFFS) as the primary base material. The hydration behavior, microstructure, mechanical properties, and environmental safety of PMPC were comprehensively evaluated. The results showed that the hydration …

Design Of A Retaining Wall For M-10 Freeway, Anthony Paul

Honors Theses

The M-10 Freeway, also known as the John C. Lodge Freeway, is bordered by retaining walls at the project location, one section of which required replacement to meet safety and serviceability standards. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this project focused on the redesign and replacement of a 300-foot section of retaining wall along the southeast-bound lanes of M-10, between Curtis Street and Outer Drive. The 20-foot-tall retaining wall also supports traffic loads from the overhead James Couzens Freeway. Through geotechnical and structural design, several alternatives were developed and evaluated. A CIP concrete cantilever wall was selected with a height of 21 …

Evaluating Embodied Carbon Emissions Of Post-Seismic Steel Framed Buildings, Nicholas Leavitt

Student Research Symposium

The carbon emissions of earthquake damage repairs is on average 40% of a building's total carbon emissions in 50 years.

Wind-Resilient Solar: Harnessing Cfd For Enhanced Load Estimation, Aly Mousaad Aly

Faculty Publications

Solar panels are a cornerstone of renewable energy infrastructure, playing a pivotal role in global sustainability efforts. To ensure their resilience and long-term viability, accurate wind load estimations are essential for designing supporting structures, which account for nearly 50% of their total cost. However, traditional building codes lack comprehensive guidance for solar panels, resulting in inconsistent estimations due to discrepancies in scaled wall-bounded wind tunnel testing methodologies. These inaccuracies pose safety risks, increase costs, and hinder adoption. Emerging technologies like computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations offer a promising alternative by enabling full-scale analysis under realistic conditions of complete turbulence. This …

Advancing Solar Farm Resilience: Cfd-Driven Wind Load Optimization, Aly Mousaad Aly

Faculty Publications

This study investigates wind load design methods for ground-mounted solar panels and arrays by comparing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with design standards. A case study of a solar farm impacted by Hurricane Maria examines the effects of elevation height, tilt angle, and variations in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) standards on wind loads and structural failure. Turbulence models, including Reynolds Stress Model, k–ε Model, and Large Eddy Simulation (LES), are used to analyze wind pressures, lift, drag, and peak pressures. Results show Phase 1 experienced higher wind loads than Phase 2 due to design differences. A cost-benefit …