Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Reduced Uncertainty Of Ground Motion Prediction Equations Through Bayesian Variance Analysis, Robb E.S. Moss

Civil and Environmental Engineering

A ground motion prediction equation estimates the mean and variance of ground shaking with distance from an earthquake source. Current relationships use regression techniques that treat the input variables or parameters as exact, neglecting the uncertainties associated with the measurement of shear wave velocity, moment magnitude, and site-to-source distance. This parameter uncertainty propagates through the regression procedure and results in model uncertainty that overestimates the inherent variability of the ground motion. This report discusses methods of estimating the statistical uncertainty of the input parameters, and procedures for incorporating the parameter uncertainty into the regression of ground motion data using a …

Microalgal Biomass For Greenhouse Gas Reductions: Potential For Replacement Of Fossil Fuels And Animal Feeds, D. E. Brune, Tryg Lundquist, J. R. Benemann

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Microalgal biomass production offers a number of advantages over conventional biomass production, including higher productivities, use of otherwise nonproductive land, reuse and recovery of waste nutrients, use of saline or brackish waters, and reuse of CO₂ from power-plant flue gas or similar sources. Microalgal biomass production and utilization offers potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) avoidance by providing biofuel replacement of fossil fuels and carbon-neutral animal feeds. This paper presents an initial analysis of the potential for GHG avoidance using a proposed algal biomass production system coupled to recovery of flue-gas CO₂ combined with waste sludge and/or animal manure …

Algae Grown On Dairy And Municipal Wastewater For Simultaneous Nutrient Removal And Lipid Production For Biofuel Feedstock, Ian Woertz, A. Feffer, Tryg Lundquist, Yarrow Nelson

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Algae grown on wastewater media are a potential source of low-cost lipids for production of liquid biofuels. This study investigated lipid productivity and nutrient removal by green algae grown during treatment of dairy farm and municipal wastewaters supplemented with CO₂. Dairy wastewater was treated outdoors in bench-scale batch cultures. The lipid content of the volatile solids peaked at Day 6, during exponential growth, and declined thereafter. Peak lipid content ranged from 14–29%, depending on wastewater concentration. Maximum lipid productivity also peaked at Day 6 of batch growth, with a volumetric productivity of 17 mg/day/L of reactor and an …

Nutrient Removal & Greenhouse Gas Abatement With Co2 Supplemented Algal High Rate Ponds, Ian Woertz, Laura Fulton, Tryg Lundquist

Civil and Environmental Engineering

High rate algae ponds fed clarified domestic wastewater and CO₂-rich flue gas are expected to remove nutrients to concentrations similar to those achieved in mechanical treatment technologies, such as activated sludge. However, the energy intensity of wastewater treatment with CO₂-supplemented high rate ponds (HRPs) would be less than that of mechanical treatments. In conjunction with anaerobic digestion of algal biomass and co-substrates, the algae-based system would produce a substantial excess of electricity. Greenhouse gas abatement from such CO₂-HRP/digestion systems would stem mainly from energy conservation and the offset of fossil fuel electricity with biogas-derived …

Biogas Production From Algae Biomass Harvested At Wastewater Treatment Ponds, Michael Salerno, Yakup Nurdogan, Tryg J. Lundquist

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Waste-grown microalgae are a potentially important biomass for biofuel production. However, most of the 7,000 wastewater treatment ponds systems in the US do not use algae harvesting. Those that do, typically return the biomass to the ponds, where it decomposes on the pond floor, releasing methane to the atmosphere and degrading water quality. Instead, the algae biomass could be processed in anaerobic digesters. Algae typically yield less methane than wastewater sludge (~0.3 vs. 0.40 L CH4/g volatile solids introduced). Ammonia toxicity and recalcitrant cell walls are commonly cited causes of the lower yields. Ammonia toxicity might be counteracted by co-digesting …

Optimization Of Two-Way Post-Tensioned Concrete Floor Systems, Gaelyn B. Krauser

Master's Theses

This thesis investigates a parametric study of a flat plate floor system designed using post-tensioning. The load balanced by the post-tensioning, the slab depth, and the strength of concrete were varied to create the parametric study of a hotel/condominium grid layout. In order to perform the parametric study, research was conducted on the development of post-tensioning, methods of analysis for two-way slab design, and post-tensioning methods of analysis. Design was conducted by hand through a series of Excel spreadsheets and compared to results found using the computer analysis program, ADAPT-PT. The designs found in the parametric study were then used …

A Novel Approach For Analyzing Severe Crash Patterns On Multilane Highways, Anurag Pande, Mohamed Abdel-Aty

Civil and Environmental Engineering

This study presents a novel approach for analysis of patterns in severe crashes that occur on mid-block segments of multilane highways with partially limited access. A within stratum matched crash vs. non-crash classification approach is adopted towards that end. Under this approach crashes serve as units of analysis and it does not require aggregation of crash data over arterial segments of arbitrary lengths. Also, the proposed approach does not use information on non-severe crashes and hence is not affected by under-reporting of the minor crashes. Random samples of time, day of week, and location (i.e., milepost) combinations were collected for …

Investigation Of The Geotechnical Properties Of Municipal Solid Waste As A Function Of Placement Conditions, Wilson W. Wong

Master's Theses

An investigation of the variability of engineering properties of municipal solid waste as a function of placement conditions was conducted. Limited data have been reported for the engineering properties of municipal solid waste (MSW) as a function of placement conditions. Wastes have high variability of engineering properties due to heterogeneity in composition and component size; influence from time based effects; and presence of compressible solids. Control of moisture content of MSW at the time of waste placement provides opportunity for increased capacity at a given landfill site due to higher compacted unit weight as well as for control of other …

Using Conditional Inference Forests To Identify The Factors Affecting Crash Severity On Arterial Corridors, Abhishek Das, Mohamed Abdel-Aty, Anurag Pande

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Introduction

The study aims at identifying traffic/highway design/driver-vehicle information significantly related with fatal/severe crashes on urban arterials for different crash types. Since the data used in this study are observational (i.e., collected outside the purview of a designed experiment), an information discovery approach is adopted for this study.

Method

Random Forests, which are ensembles of individual trees grown by CART (Classification and Regression Tree) algorithm, are applied in numerous applications for this purpose. Specifically, conditional inference forests have been implemented. In each tree of the conditional inference forest, splits are based on how good the association is. Chi-square test statistics …

Reinvestigation Of Liquefaction And Nonliquefaction Case Histories From The 1976 Tangshan Earthquake, Robb E.S. Moss, Robert Kayen, Liyuan Tong, Songyu Liu, Guojun Cai, Jiaer Wu

Civil and Environmental Engineering

A field investigation was carried out to retest liquefaction and nonliquefaction sites from the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in the People's Republic of China (PRC). These sites were carefully investigated in 1978/1979 using standard penetration test (SPT) and cone penetration test (CPT) equipment; however the CPT measurements are obsolete because of the now nonstandard cone that was used at the time. In 2007 a modern cone was mobilized to retest 18 select sites that are particularly valuable because they experienced intense ground shaking, have high fines content, and are classified as nonliquefaction sites. Of the sites reinvestigated and carefully processed, 13 …

Frp Confined Reinforced Concrete Circular Cross Section Seismic Applications, Jeffrey G. Lyon

Master's Theses

In recent earthquakes, structures have not performed as well as expected resulting in a need for better means of retrofitting and improvements in seismic design. Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP), as a material with potential to increase strength and ductility of columns in conjunction with capacity design methodology, has promise for seismic design. By investigating the displacement, ductility, and flexural strength properties of FRP confined reinforced concrete circular cross sections, this study analyzes the seismic applications of FRP confinement.

The study is performed by incorporating an FRP confined concrete stress-strain model into a developed Moment-Curvature and PM Interaction software. This software …

Removal Of Boron From Produced Water By Co-Precipitation / Adsorption For Reverse Osmosis Concentrate, Imran Yusuf Rahman, Yarrow Nelson, Tryg Lundquist

Master's Theses

Co-precipitation and absorption methods were investigated for removal of boron from produced water, which is groundwater brought to the surface during oil and natural gas extraction. Boron can be toxic to many crops and often needs to be controlled to low levels in irrigation water. The present research focused on synthetic reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate modeled on concentrate expected from a future treatment facility at the Arroyo Grande Oil Field on the central coast of California. The produced water at this site is brackish with a boron concentration of 8 mg/L and an expected temperature of 80°C. The future overall …

Safety Evaluation Of Multilane Arterials In Florida, Mohamed Abdel-Aty, Prem Chand Devarasetty, Anurag Pande

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Resurfacing is one of the more common construction activities on highways. While its effect on riding quality on any type of roadway is obviously positive; its impact on safety as measured in terms of crashes is far from obvious. This study examines the safety effects of the resurfacing projects on multilane arterials with partially limited access. Empirical Bayes method, which is one of the most accepted approaches for conducting before–after evaluations, has been used to assess the safety effects of the resurfacing projects. Safety effects are estimated not only in terms of all crashes but also rear-end as well as …

Video Technology For Interuniversity Collaboration In A Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, James Hanson

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Advanced video technology was used to incorporate multi-component (inter-university and university-industry) collaborations in geotechnical engineering laboratory courses. The project was conducted between California Polytechnic State University (California), Auburn University (Alabama), and Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. (Japan). Synchronous video conferencing and asynchronous video communications were used between the partners. The conferencing activities included guest lectures and exchange of assignments. New assignments developed in the study included role-playing whereby one class acted as a client on a project that was ordering geotechnical testing to be completed by the students at the other university acting as a consulting firm. New assignments also included …

Prestressing Concrete With Shape Memory Alloy Fibers, Skye M. Orvis

Master's Theses

Concrete is considerably stronger in compression than it is in tension. When cracks form in concrete members, the flexural stiffness of the member decreases and the deflection increases which increases the overall size of the member. Prestressing concrete remedies this problem by inducing a compressive stress in the concrete thereby reducing the net tension in the member and increasing the load required to crack the member. Traditional prestressing is generally limited to large, straight members. During the last decade, shape memory alloys (SMA) have become more prevalent in engineering and civil engineering applications. The shape memory effect refers to the …

Assessing Near-Field Outdoor Concentration Variability From Residential Wood Smoke Combustion Sources, Courtney E. Ward

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT Assessing Near-Field Outdoor Concentration Variability from Residential Wood Smoke Combustion Sources Courtney Ward The primary goal of this research was to determine whether near field effects from residential wood smoke emissions have a significant impact on acute and/or average PM2.5 concentrations, and therefore health risks. To this end, three primary research objectives were addressed: (1) measurement of the variability of wood smoke concentrations within a residential neighborhood with wood smoke sources, (2) establishment of whether the magnitude of near-source contributions to exposures can be estimated using typically available data, and (3) prediction of wood smoke concentrations using linear regression …

Multi-Objective Design Of Transient Network Models, Bong Seog Jung, Misgana K. Muleta, Paul F. Boulos

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The optimal design of a water distribution system under transient conditions is formulated as a two-objective optimization problem. The objectives are minimization of the total pipe costs and maximization of the hydraulic reliability for the transient network design model. Unlike most optimization models in which demands are set to their end-of-life levels, this approach assumes that the demand loadings vary throughout the design life of the system. Evolutionary algorithms are applied to support efficient search for Pareto optimal solutions to the dual-objective optimization problem. An example application is presented and relevant conclusions are stated.

Linear Analysis Of Ordinary Bridges Crossing Fault-Rupture Zones, Rakesh K. Goel, Anil K. Chopra

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Rooted in structural dynamics theory, two approximate procedures for estimating peak responses of linearly elastic “ordinary” bridges crossing fault-rupture zones are presented: response spectrum analysis (RSA) procedure and a linear static analysis procedure. These procedures estimate the peak response by superposing peak values of quasi-static and dynamic responses. The peak quasi-static response in both procedures is computed by static analysis of the bridge with peak values of all support displacements applied simultaneously. In RSA, the peak dynamic response is estimated by dynamic analysis including all significant modes, which is simplified in the latter procedure to static analysis of the bridge …

Nonlinear Analysis Of Ordinary Bridges Crossing Fault-Rupture Zones, Rakesh K. Goel, Anil K. Chopra

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Rooted in structural dynamics theory, three approximate procedures for estimating seismic demands for bridges crossing fault-rupture zones and deforming into their inelastic range are presented: modal pushover analysis (MPA), linear dynamic analysis, and linear static analysis. These procedures estimate the total seismic demand by superposing peak values of quasi-static and dynamic parts. The peak quasi-static demand in all three procedures is computed by nonlinear static analysis of the bridge subjected to peak values of all support displacements applied simultaneously. In the MPA and the linear dynamic analysis procedures, the peak dynamic demand is estimated by nonlinear static (or pushover) analysis …

Housing Market Outlook: San Luis Obispo, Ca And Surrounding Area, Gabe Randall, Scott D. Kelting

Construction Management

Starting between 1999 and 2000, national home prices began a period of unprecedented growth, increasing at a pace more than 8 times their annual average until peaking in early 2006. National home prices appreciated over 100% on average during the 6 year period before declining 27% from 2006 through Q4 2008. Markets across the sunbelt, namely Florida, Southern California, and Arizona saw prices appreciate as much as 180 % from 2000 to their peak in 2006; these areas have also declined the fastest and hardest, falling as much as 50% and boasting the highest foreclosure rates in the country.

Case Study In Implementing A Service-Learning Class In A Construction Management Curriculum, Philip L. Barlow

Construction Management

Service-learning is a pedagogical approach which gives the students an opportunity to develop professional and social skills in concert with learning and reflecting on curricular material. This is achieved through a student’s active participation in a meaningful community service project, open and interactive reflection, formal class lectures, and discussions. This case study discusses the results of implementing a pilot service-learning undergraduate class in a state university construction management program. The course was offered as a two-credit hour voluntary technical elective in the Spring quarter of 2008. The organization of this study first puts service-learning into context by giving a brief …

Simultaneous Nitrification And Denitrification Of Wastewater Using A Silicone Membrane Aerated Bioreactor, Kirk Hjelte Waltz

Master's Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the use of a single reactor to biologically treat wastewater by simultaneously oxidizing ammonia, and reducing nitrate and nitrite. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) places strict discharge restrictions on these compounds due to their inherent toxicity to humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. The use of a simultaneous system can assist the conventional wastewater treatment technology that requires separate systems, by creating a system that needs less time and smaller size to reach effluent requirements. To conduct this research, a bench-scale membrane aerated biofilm reactor was built using silicone tubing for aeration. Batch and …

Uncertainty Propagation In Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, Robb E.S. Moss

Civil and Environmental Engineering

This paper describes recent advances in evaluating, quantifying, and propagating various forms of uncertainty in geotechnical earthquake engineering problems. Important developments in the fields of liquefaction engineering, dynamic slope stability, engineering seismology, and lifeline engineering are discussed. The benefits gained through proper treatment of uncertainty include; a well defined measure of the most likely engineering results, a well defined estimate of extreme results, a probability of likelihood ascribed to different realizations, and a mathematical format that lends to performance-based engineering assessment. This paper is by no means comprehensive but highlights some recent studies that contribute to improved probabilistic methodology in …

Performance Of A Catch Basin Filter And Leachate From Biocidal Media For Stormwater Treatment, Ryan Scott Maclure

Master's Theses

The feasibility of installing biocidal beads into a catch basin filter insert for simultaneous stormwater disinfection and contaminant removal was tested. The catch basin filter insert (DrainPac®) was tested for its sediment, oil and grease, and coliform bacteria removal efficiency in conjunction with bench-scale testing of biocidal polymer beads. DrainPac® catch basin filters are composed of a metal frame, polypropylene filter fabric, and a high-density polymer support basket, and are installed below storm drains. A 12 x 41 in. DrainPac® filter (United Stormwater, Inc.) insert was set in a flume that simulated a large-scale catchment basin. Pond water was gravity …

Phytoremediation Of Weathered Petroleum In Groundwater By Arroyo Willows In Nutrient Amended On-Site Mesocosms, Sarah E. Bragg-Flavan

Master's Theses

PHYTOREMEDIATION OF WEATHERED PETROLEUM IN GROUNDWATER BY ARROYO WILLOWS IN NUTRIENT AMENDED ON-SITE MESOCOSMS

SARAH BRAGG-FLAVAN

A large-scale mesocosm study was conducted to determine if vegetation with willow trees enhances biodegradation and to evaluate the mechanisms of natural biodegradation of weathered petroleum compounds under field conditions. The mesocosms were designed to model conditions at a former oil field where mid-range petroleum distillates were used as a diluent for pumping crude oil contaminated the soil and groundwater at the site with petroleum compounds. Ten mesocosms were constructed at the field site using un-impacted soil and diluent-impacted groundwater from the site. Five …

Impacts Of Delayed Drawdown On Water Quality And Aquatic Biota In Seasonal Wetlands Of The Grassland Ecological Area, Los Banos, California, Kyle Nathan Poole

Master's Theses

The 178,000-acre Grassland Ecological Area in California’s San Joaquin Valley is managed to provide overwintering habitat to waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway. The major management activity is the fall flooding and spring drawdown of wetlands, timed to optimize the availability of forage vegetation and invertebrates for ducks and shorebirds. Wetland drainage contains salt, boron, and trace elements that are, in part, derived from imported surface water but also concentrate during storage in the wetland impoundments. The spring drawdown drainage contributes to occasional water quality violations in the San Joaquin River (SJR) during dry years. Compliance with water quality objectives may …

Temperature Influence And Heat Management Requirements Of Microalgae Cultivation In Photobioreactors, Thomas Hagen Mehlitz

Master's Theses

Microalgae are considered one of the most promising feedstocks for biofuel production for the future. The most efficient way to produce vast amounts of algal biomass is the use of closed tubular photobioreactors (PBR). The heat requirement for a given system is a major concern since the best algae growth rates are obtained between 25-30 °C, depending on the specific strain. A procedure to determine temperature influence on algal growth rates was developed for a lab-scale PBR system using the species Chlorella. A maximum growth rate of 1.44 doublings per day at 29 °C (optimal temperature) was determined. In addition, …

Two Simplified Dynamic Lane Merging System (Sdlms) For Short Term Work Zones, Rami Harb, Essam Radwan, Shankar Ramasamy, Mohamed Abdel-Aty, Anurag Pande, Khaled Shaaban, Sastry Putcha

Civil and Environmental Engineering

ITS-based lane management technologies were introduced to work zones in an attempt to reduce congestions and diminish queue lengths. Two forms of lane merging namely the early merge and the late merge were designed to advise drivers on definite merging locations. This study suggests two Simplified Dynamic Lane Merging Systems (SDLMS) (early merge and late merge) to supplement the current Florida maintenance of traffic (MOT) plans. Data was collected in work zones on I-95, Florida for three different maintenance of traffic plan treatments. The first maintenance of traffic plan treatment was the standard MOT plan employed by FDOT. The second …

Relationship Of Two-Fluid Model Parameters With Safety On Arterials, Vinayak V. Dixit, Anurag Pande, Mohamed A. Abdel-Aty, Essam Radwan, Abhishek Das

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The two-fluid model for vehicular traffic flow explains the traffic on arterials as a mix of stopped and running vehicles. It describes the relationship between the vehicles’ running speed and the fraction of running vehicles. Two parameters of the model essentially represent ‘free flow’ travel time and level of interaction among vehicles, respectively, and may be used to evaluate urban roadway networks and urban corridors with partially limited access. These parameters are supposed to be related not only with the characteristics of the roadway but also with behavioral aspects of driver population, e.g., aggressiveness. In this study two-fluid models were …

Market Basket Analysis Of Crash Data From Large Jurisdictions And Its Potential As A Decision Support Tool, Anurag Pande, Mohamed Abdel-Aty

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Data mining applications are becoming increasingly popular for many applications across a set of very divergent fields. Analysis of crash data is no exception. There are many data mining methodologies that have been applied to crash data in the recent past. However, one particular application conspicuously missing from the traffic safety literature until recently is association analysis or market basket analysis. The methodology is used by retailers all over the world to determine which items are purchased together. In this study, crashes are analyzed as supermarket transactions to detect interdependence among crash characteristics. The results from the analysis include simple …