Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Assessment Of Drainage Characteristics Of Recycled Crushed Concrete Aggregate (Rcca) And Plastic Mix Pavement Base, Amena Begum

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

Recycled Crushed Concrete Aggregate (RCCA) offers a sustainable alternative to natural aggregate in construction, reducing reliance on natural resources and diverting construction and demolition debris from landfills. Similarly, the escalating global plastic waste crisis highlights the need for innovative solutions to address non-biodegradable waste disposal challenges and create opportunities for recycling plastics into value-added applications. This study explores the potential of RCCA mixed with plastic waste, such as HDPE and PP, as a viable substitute for natural aggregates in flexible pavement base layers, with a focus on hydraulic properties and drainage performance to enhance pavement durability.

A comprehensive experimental program …

Impact Of Augmented Documentation Workflows On Transportation Agency Asphalt Paving Operations: A Qualitative And Quantitative Study, Josh Withrow

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

e-Ticketing was an intriguing technology to many state transportation agencies (STAs) pre-COVID-19 pandemic but gained significant attention upon arrival of the pandemic due to the contactless nature of the technology. Research completed prior to the pandemic into e-ticketing for asphalt paving primarily identified qualitative benefits and concerns. However, minimal academic literature exists in the post-pandemic era discussing the additional e-ticketing benefits not previously captured which resulted in increased implementation by STAs. This research seeks to address this gap by gathering information from state members of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Committee on Construction (AASHTO COC), employees …

Estimation Of Mechanical Behavior Of Unsaturated Soils From A Soil-Water Characteristic Curve, Lucas Acheampong

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

The small-strain shear modulus and shear strength are two crucial mechanical behaviors used in the design of geotechnical structures and in the analyses of earth materials subjected to static and dynamic loadings. Traditional testing methods for these parameters are expensive and time-consuming. This research aimed to address these challenges by developing a model based on the inverse relationship between mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils and the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC). The proposed model integrates a scaling function to align the SWCC with the mechanical property curve. Empirical relationships were established for the scaling function, specifically aligning with the air-entry value …

Geophysical Method Used For The Determination And Prediction Of Soil Strength And Stiffness Parameters, Dabo Adama

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

This paper presents the results of an effort to use geophysical measurements such as seismic wave velocities and electrical resistivities to calculate airfield design parameters. The study converts all geophysical measurements to equivalent California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values, comparing CBR values estimated from DCP penetration resistance with CBR values estimated from shear wave velocity and electrical resistivity values. Relationships linking the geophysical measurements to CBR estimates were established using laboratory data and applied to field in-situ measurements. The elastic modulus (E) is the stiffness parameter involved in predicting soil strength and stiffness. This research aims to relate electrical conductivity and …

Analysis And Improvement Of The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’S Serious Injury And Fatality Program, Arun Subedi

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs) within construction and maintenance industries indicate severe vulnerabilities within workplace safety, and their prevention requires the highest priority. SIFs usually occur due to systemic failures, and proactive steps must be taken to identify and neutralize high-risk scenarios. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has recently implemented a safety management system called BOOTS, for improving incident reporting and analysis along with SIFs. This study identifies gaps in KYTC's SIF reporting framework and provides analysis on recurring incident trends utilizing the incidents already reported in the system. While current practice in KYTC relies on event-based decision tree when classifying …

Digital Innovation Roadmap For Construction Industry: Bridging The Gap For Future, Nisa Zahin

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Digitalization has considerable value in the digital transformation of the construction business. It means the use of digital technologies to create revenue, improve business, increase profit and sustainability, and create an environment for digital business whereby digital information is at the core. As such, digital transformation requires skills that involve extracting and exchanging data and analyzing and converting that data into actionable information. In addition to technological solutions, a paramount need is to ensure that the people using these solutions and the processes used to integrate, coordinate between teams, and continuously improve the use of technology are in place. Therefore, …

Thermal Alteration Of The Mineralogy Of Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cements: Implications For The Performance Of Rapid Repair Materials, Jillian Cavellier

Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences

Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) was developed in part to lessen the environmental impact of cementitious materials compared to traditional Portland cements. CSA was first put into production in the 1970s and has been undergoing various performance testing to investigate its durability. Yet to be evaluated is CSA’s response to a rapid, high temperature event. In this study, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and scanning electron microscope imaging were used to analyze alterations in the mineralogy due to such an event. As found in previous studies, after ~125°C, ettringite has been completely dehydrated. Ettringite decomposes into bassanite and calcium …

Polymeric Spray-Applied Pipe Lining Selection, Evaluation And System Design, Sanaz Ghalambor

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

POLYMERIC SPRAY-APPLIED PIPE LINING SELECTION, EVALUATION

AND SYSTEM DESIGN

Sanaz Ghalambor, PhD

The University of Texas at Arlington, 2024

Supervising Professor: Dr. Mohammad Najafi

Numerous pipes are considerably aged, and most are no longer functional. Immediate attention is required to either restore or replace these pipelines. To avoid digging up and replacing underground pipes, the Spray-Applied Pipe Lining (SAPL) rehabilitation technology, also known as Spray-In-Place-Pipe (SIPP) lining, can be used for pipe rehabilitation. This approach lowers expenses and downtime while preserving landscapes and structures and enhancing hydraulic characteristics. Although lining water pipes through spray application is the oldest pipeline rehabilitation …

Advanced Network And Graph Theoretical Approaches To Urban Traffic Control And Optimization, Peirong Wang

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

This article-based dissertation consists of four complete manuscripts related to using proposed advanced network and graph theoretical approaches to optimize traffic control. Manuscript One addresses the integration of Connected Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and human-driven vehicles in heterogeneous traffic networks. Traditional models assume uniform driving behaviors, which are now inadequate. To address this, an integer programming formulation for a vehicle-oriented traffic dynamics model in space-time networks is introduced. This model distinguishes between individual vehicles and their unique driving behaviors, capturing diverse attributes of heterogeneous traffic flow. The manuscript demonstrates how the model can estimate the propagation of backward shockwaves for scheduled …

Investigating Urban Impacts On Temperature And Rainfall Using Drone, Radar And Machine Learning Techniques, Junaid Ahmad

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The global urban population is increasing, and it is anticipated that approximately 70% of people will reside in urban areas by 2050. Urbanization changes land use and land cover, altering local climatology. For example, various urban centers across the globe are experiencing extreme rainfall events, resulting in widespread damage to life and property with possible linkages to urbanization. The use of artificial materials in urban areas brings significant changes to the surface temperatures. Due to the high heat capacity of most of the construction materials, the temperature of the urban area can increase substantially compared to the rural areas. This …

Flood Frequency Analyses Using Depth-Area Reduction Factors (Darfs) In Texas, Mohamad Ahmadzadeh

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The increasing frequency and severity of flood events globally necessitate more accurate and reliable hydrologic models to inform flood risk management and mitigation strategies. Traditional hydrologic models have often relied on the simplification of uniformly distributed rainfall across watersheds, a method that fails to account for the spatial variability inherent in real-world storm events. This dissertation addresses this critical gap by applying Depth-Area Reduction Factors (DARFs) in hydrologic modeling, specifically focusing on the Trinity and Neches River Basins in Texas. DARFs are used to adjust point rainfall data to reflect the reduction in rainfall intensity as storm areas increase, thereby …

Evaluation Of Air Emissions For Cured-In-Place Pipe Construction Method For Sewer Pipe Rehabilitation, Rasoul Adnan Abbas

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The aging underground pipelines in the United States, which include sewer and water supply systems, have exceeded their design lifespan and will have to be renewed or replaced to continue providing these vital services to communities. Two methods can be used to replace the pipes: open-cut and trenchless technologies. Trenchless methods offer several advantages in urban areas: a small work area, lower operational and maintenance costs, and fewer negative impacts on the surrounding communities. Among the trenchless options, the CIPP method has been chosen for this research since it minimizes surface disruption, making it particularly well-suited for densely populated areas …

Sustainable Use Of Wastewater In Concrete Construction, Mohammadamin Soltanianfard

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

This dissertation investigates the use of wastewater from various treatment stages in concrete production to promote sustainable construction practices. Concrete prepared with potable water (PW) served as a control, while wastewater from plant final effluent (FE), chlorine contact basin (CL), secondary clarifier effluent (SC), primary clarifier effluent (PC), and bar screen effluent (BSE) was evaluated.

A comprehensive testing program was implemented to assess performance, including compressive strength tests, water absorption measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that wastewater from advanced stages (FE, CL, SC) had minimal impact on strength and durability, …

Enhancing Resilience Of Critical Infrastructural Systems Against Severe Weather Conditions, Miaomiao Li

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

As climate change intensifies natural hazards and extreme weather events, critical infrastructure systems like power networks and pavements are increasingly vulnerable to damage. While significant progress has been made in studying individual hazards for specific systems, there remains a need for comprehensive frameworks addressing parametrized fragility for key components in critical infrastructure and their application in system risk and resilience evaluation. This dissertation investigates the failure mechanisms and fragility of power systems and pavements under extreme conditions, including winter storms, hurricanes, heatwaves, and flooding. Using structural analysis, numerical modeling, and statistical methods, this work evaluates system vulnerabilities, develops fragility models, …

Investigating Chloride Ingression In Concrete And Chloride-Induced Rebar Corrosion, Peifeng Su

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The durability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures in chloride-rich environments is compromised due to steel reinforcement corrosion. This dissertation investigates chloride-induced corrosion in concrete containing supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and corrosion inhibitors through experimental and numerical methods.

First, the correlations between commonly used parameters and the chloride penetration resistance of concrete were investigated using matrix scatterplot analysis. Concrete samples with various binder types are tested. Results indicate that bulk resistivity is most related to chloride penetration resistance. The effect of SCMs on chloride binding was then studied, and an improved chloride profile prediction model was developed. The binding isotherm of …

Wet-Carbonation Of Rcas For Improved Carbonation Efficiency And Mechanical Properties Of Rca And Recycled Concrete, Zhao. Xiang

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

RCA typically exhibits weak interfacial transition zones (ITZ), high porosity, and micro-cracks due to residual mortar layers, resulting in suboptimal performance when reused in structural applications. To address these challenges, this study developed a wet carbonation process using glycine acid as an inducer. Glycine acid, containing carboxyl and amino functional groups, forms stable complexes with Ca²⁺ ions in RCA, increasing calcium ion solubility and thereby accelerating carbonation. RCA samples underwent carbonation in a glycine acid solution, followed by characterization using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate mineralogical transformations and microstructural enhancements. The carbonation process promoted the formation of …

Degree Of Dispersion/Exfoliation And Surface Functionalization Of 1d And 2d Carbon Nanostructured Materials: Interface Interactions And Effects On Mechanical Properties, Michail Margas

Material Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The development of advanced cementitious nanocomposites relies heavily on understanding the interfacial interactions between carbon-based nanomaterials and the cement matrix, which significantly influence the material’s performance. The goal of this dissertation is to investigate the effect of dispersion/exfoliation and surface functionalization of 1D multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and 2D graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in aqueous suspensions on the interface interactions of nanoengineered cementitious composites. The first objective of this dissertation is to quantitatively evaluate the degree of nanomaterial dispersion for MWCNT and CNF suspensions, in a converging manner for cement-based materials applications using spectroscopic techniques, such as UV-vis …

Assessing Household Gac Water Filters For Pfas Removal From Private Drinking Water Wells, Mccallah Ferry

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research paper delves into the efficacy of a typical household water filter in removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a concerning class of chemicals prevalent in water sources. PFAS, known for their persistence and potential health risks, have prompted regulatory actions such as the Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3) and the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) by the U.S. EPA. While municipal water utilities are subject to regulatory oversight, individuals relying on private wells face challenges in ensuring water quality.

The study employs a model to assess the performance of a SAMSUNG Ice and Water Refrigerator …

Development Of A New Type Of Air-Barrier Slabs To Mitigate The Thermal Bridging Activity, Md Asfaq Hafiz, Md Ashiqul Islam, Sk Md Imdadul Islam, Md Shoriful Islam

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Flat concrete roofs, a common global roofing system, are particularly susceptible to high temperatures during summer due to extended sun exposure. This often results in increased indoor temperatures on top floors, leading to a significant rise in cooling costs - a concern with both individual and national economic implications. Despite available solutions, like insulation, the cost of implementation postconstruction can be prohibitive. This is especially true in South Asia, where vast urban areas consist predominantly of concrete structures and comprehensive heat control measures are seldom in place. Heat absorption by a top floor is influenced by factors such as seasonal …

Using Electro-Peroxone Process To Remediate Stabilized Clay, Elaheh Faghih Nasiri, Farhad Qaderi, S. Mustapha Rahmaninezhad

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Industrial processes are among human activities that cause the production of a large volume of wastewater containing organic pollutants such as phenol and its derivatives. These pollutants are among the substances that are considered a serious threat to the health of the environment, soil and humans. Soil remediation is crucial for enhancing environmental quality for both humans and other living organisms. This study investigated the use of an electro-peroxone system to remove environmental pollutants from soil. In conjunction with ozonation, the study employed electrochemically generated hydrogen peroxide using a carbon electrode, addressing concerns about transportation and storage. Experiments were structured …

Resilience In The Wake Of Storms: Unveiling Spatiotemporal Mobility Dynamics Of Gulf Coast Communities Through Crowd-Sourced Data, Joswin Valerian Concessao

Computer Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

Flood events present substantial challenges for coastal communities, severely impacting public safety, transportation infrastructure, and overall livability. Tropical storms, hurricanes, and sea level rise can cause extensive damage to homes and critical systems, requiring costly and prolonged recovery efforts. Coastal transportation networks are particularly vulnerable to flooding, leading to road closures, increased congestion, restricted access to essential services, and long-term economic disruptions. Understanding the effects of flood events on mobility patterns is crucial for urban planning and effective disaster management.

This thesis utilizes motif analysis to examine transportation network disruptions and access patterns in Harrison County, Mississippi, during Hurricane Ida …

Evaluation Of Probable Maximum Precipitation (Pmp) For West Virginia To Predict Current And Future Pmp & Utilizing Acid Mine Drainage (Amd) Sludge In Reclamation, Grace Katherine Kerr

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis includes two main topics: 1) evaluation of probable maximum precipitation (PMP) for West Virginia to predict current and future PMP, and 2) utilizing acid mine drainage (AMD) sludge as a reclamation plan.

Probable maximum precipitation (PMP) is essential for dam design as well as for the inspection, operation, maintenance, and repairs of these facilities. West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Dam Safety utilizes the 6-hr, 10-mi² (26-km²) PMP established by Hydrometeorological Report (HMR) 51 based on the analysis of extreme rainfall. These PMP are outdated because there have been unaccounted for extreme rainfall events that …

Performance And Field Testing Of Geotextiles For Dewatering Rare Earth Element Hydraulic Preconcentrate From Hardrock Amd, Ian R. Bird

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As part of ongoing efforts to develop a domestic Rare Earth Elements (REE) supply chain the Hydraulic Preconcentrate (HPC) produced at the Horseshoe bend treatment plant (HsB) was manufactured and evaluated as a potential source for feedstock. After the existing clarifiers on the site were flipped to the desired pH set points, HPC was manufactured and pumped to 24 geobags. The geobags were then passively dewatered to increase the total solids percentage. The geobags evaluated were comprised of: Woven geotextiles, composite (woven and non- woven), and geobags augmented with Capillary Channel Fiber (CCF). Column Filtration Tests (CFTs) were performed onsite …

Advancing Gfrp Column Design: Strength, Effective Lengths, And Failure Modes, Jack Alan Wykle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites have become an increasingly popular choice in construction industry due to their higher strength-to-weight ratio, ease of manufacture including lower Embodied Carbon Factor, and better durability in harsh environmental conditions than conventional structural construction materials. Currently, GFRP composite column design lacks well-established design standards due to the material's unique properties such as lower bending and shear stiffness than steel, differing compressive and tensile moduli, which leads to complexities in computing buckling capacities under local effects such as flange or web buckling and even torsional buckling under off-centered compression loading. Therefore, GFRP columns will behave …

Understanding The Role Of Recalcitrant Organic Phosphorus Mineralization On Harmful Algal Blooms At The Sediment-Water Interface Of Freshwater System, Tasnuva Farnaz

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Over the past few decades, an enormous number of resources have been allocated to reduce the amount of phosphorus (P) entering the environment from both point and non-point sources. Nevertheless, the decrease in external P loading has not always resulted in a simultaneous decrease in the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in waters contaminated with phosphorus. A two-part study is currently being conducted to investigate and measure the role of legacy recalcitrant P forms in the overall pool of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). However, the objective of this particular study is to evaluate the potential of Organic Phosphorus (PO) …

Highlighting Opportunities For Anaerobic Co-Digestion Of Food Waste From Universities With Pulp And Paper Mill Sludge, Md Nizam Uddin

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The disposal of food waste (FW) in landfills presents significant environmental and economic challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions and loss of potential resources. Concurrently, the pulp and paper industry, a major sector in the United States, generates substantial quantities of recalcitrant organic waste that is high in lignocellulosic content. Anaerobic co-digestion of FW with pulp and paper mill sludge (PPMS) emerges as a potential strategy to address both waste streams simultaneously, potentially enhancing organic matter degradation and biogas yield. However, the efficacy of this co-digestion approach and its broader sustainability implications remain insufficiently characterized. This study employs laboratory-scale experiments to …

Computationally Modeling The Human-Structure Interaction Response Of An Occupied Cantilevered Structure, Brennan Smith

Honors Theses

There is a limited understanding of the impact that passive human occupants have on a dynamic structural system, referred to as Human-Structure Interaction (HSI). Cantilevers are naturally prone to excessive vibrations due to their long unsupported spans, and cantilevered structures such as those commonly found in the seating area of a stadium facility or concert hall are designed to support a high density of occupancy.

This study determined that HSI in cantilevered structures can be modeled using a simple two-degree-of-freedom system. The results of the model were validated by data that was collected on a small-scale laboratory structure intentionally designed …

Statistical Analysis For Water Quality Data Using Anova (Case Study- Lake Burullus Influent Drains), Mohamed Hussein Hegazy

Civil Engineering

Lake Burullus is considered one of the most valuable northern lakes in Egypt due to its unique ecological system and special location. Over the past four decades, the lake has suffered from high contamination levels due to expansion in fish farming and increasing of agricultural drainage water entering the southern side of the lake through eight influent drains. This research aims to assess the current situation of the lake’s influent drains. For this purpose, two types of statistical analysis, Mean average method, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used. The water quality conditions for six major drains (Therah (Tira), Nashart, …

Understanding Impact Resistance Of Hollow Core Slabs Using Frp Retrofitting. A Comparative Analysis Of Gfrp And Cfrp, Rana Essam, Mina Maxi, Mariam Ehab

Civil Engineering

No abstract provided.

Advancing Seismic Retrofitting: Unveiling The Impact Of Shape Memory Alloys On Structural Resilience And Beyond, Mariam Ehab, Mina Maxy, Nermin Ahmed

Civil Engineering

Reinforced concrete (RC) buildings face significant risks from natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes, necessitating prompt maintenance and retrofitting. This study explores the application of shape memory alloys (SMAs) as a promising retrofitting technique, leveraging their unique attributes such as super elasticity and shape memory effect. This research focuses on seismic retrofitting with SMAs, aiming to address gaps in understanding their behaviour under extreme loading conditions, such as seismic or impact loading. Employing a comprehensive methodology, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses, the study reviews relevant literature, categorizes key aspects, and conducts a comparative analysis of the selected papers. The …