Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Mixed Reality For In-Field Construction Activities: A Systematic Literature Review To Identify Challenges And Solutions, Sumanth Sai. P., Jason Lucas

The Professional Constructor

With the new industrial revolution, “Industry 4.0,” it is important to understand and incorporate the new standards and technologies evolving in the market. Industry 4.0 relies on the integrated use of big data and analytics coupled with various technologies to help make decisions and manage projects. This revolution has brought Mixed Reality (MR) into the construction field. Mixed reality (MR) offers significant benefits for smart industries, such as enhancing productivity, training, manufacturing, error correction, assembly, and packaging processes. But how feasible are Mixed Reality Technologies (MRTs) considering the high initial investment required for acquiring devices, subscribing to services, planning and …

Computer-Integrated Construction Management With Procore, Vedanth Ashoka, M.G. Matt Syal

The Professional Constructor

The construction industry faces difficulties in managing the enormous amounts of data generated at each stage of a project, impacting project coordination and decision-making. Currently the industry is facing the issue of a lack of interoperability among the multiple software programs being used for different functions. To address this lack of interoperability, there is a need for an integrated environment that allows seamless flow of data between different functions. Among the few software tools that have emerged in recent year, Procore, a cloud-based construction project management software, has emerged as a widely used solution in the industry, enabling collaboration among …

Nanobubble Technology For The Removal Of Mib And Geosmin From Drinking Water, Meryem Soyluoglu

All Dissertations

The presence of taste and odor (T&O) compounds in drinking water has been historically a major challenge for water utilities. They are difficult to remove using conventional water treatment processes, a combination of coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination. However, activated carbon (AC) adsorption, advanced oxidation processes, and biofiltration can be effective. The seasonal nature of T&O events makes it difficult to justify installing dedicated treatment technologies. Additionally, incorporating these technologies into existing water treatment plants can be expensive and require significant upgrades. Therefore, water utilities are always interested in exploring new approaches to minimize the occurrence and removal of …

Effect Of Latex Modified Concrete Overlays With Reduced Surface Preparation On The Load Distribution And Flexural Strength Of Channel Girders, Samuel Dodd

All Theses

This thesis investigates the use of a Latex Modified Concrete (LMC) overlay to increase the strength of prestressed channel girders and enhance their ability to distribute load. The research conducted in this thesis involved material testing of several different LMC mixes and flexural testing of an LMC overlay and girder system. The material testing was used to determine a reasonable LMC mix design and surface preparation method to be used for the overlay. Based on material testing it was concluded that a rapid-set mix and pressure washing of the girder surfaces were a reasonable mix design and surface preparation for …

Evaluation Of The Long-Term Performance Of Ogfc In South Carolina, Rishiraj Brahmbhatt

All Theses

Since the 1970s, South Carolina has employed open graded friction courses (OGFC) on high-speed asphalt roadways to enhance wet weather safety. While these mixes have indeed enhanced safety, they still grapple with durability issues, particularly concerning raveling. This research aimed to assess the prolonged performance of OGFC pavements in South Carolina, with a specific emphasis on isolated raveling occurrences. In 2012, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), constructed the first Warm Mix OGFC test section in South Carolina on I-20 Eastbound in Kershaw County, spanning 3.9 miles, using the Evotherm additive and excluding fibers. Following the success of this …

Development Of Scope Of Services For Procurement Of Professional Consultant Services On Transportation Projects – A Study Of South Carolina Department Of Transportation, Ajay Jadhav

All Dissertations

Project Scoping Process (PSP) is one of the significant steps that starts at the very beginning of the project life cycle. During project initiation phase, project scoping is kicked off which includes documenting a list of project-specific goals, deliverables, tasks, costs, and deadlines. The scoping phase duration depends on the project complexity and involves various stakeholders, establishing team, confirming the project purpose and need, initiating the environmental revie process, determining the level of environmental documentation and permit requirements, conducting survey, identifying project risks and tools to mitigate them, and evaluating public involvement strategies. A well-defined PSP is therefore essential for …

Feasibility Of Using High-Alkali Natural Pozzolans And Reclaimed Fly Ash As Alternative Supplementary Cementitious Materials In Concrete, Weiqi Wang

All Dissertations

Due to the shortage of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in the concrete industry, it is necessary to seek a new alternative. This study evaluates the feasibility of high-alkali SCMs, which were not recommended previously due to potentially exacerbating alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete. The study addresses theSCMs’ ASR mitigation performance, evaluated by ASTM C1567, C1293, and AASHTO T380. Other concrete durability tests, including ASTM C596 drying shrinkage test, ASTM C1012 sulfate resistance test, and ASTM C1202 rapid chloride ions penetration test, were also conducted in this study. The ASTM C311 strength activity index test, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and ASTM …

Influence Of Photoreactor Design Parameters On The Performance Of Ultraviolet Light-Induced Degradation Of Per-And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances By Bismuth Oxy Hydroxy Phosphate And Hexagonal Boron Nitride Photocatalystsinfluence Of Photoreactor Design Parameters On The Performance Of Ultraviolet Light-Induced Degradation Of Per-And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances By Bismuth Oxy Hydroxy Phosphate And Hexagonal Boron Nitride Photocatalysts, Mojtaba Qanbarzadeh

All Dissertations

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the practical applicability of heterogeneous photocatalysis technology powered by ultraviolet (UV) photons for the degradation of per and -polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in contaminated groundwater samples. For this purpose, bismuth oxyhydroxy phosphate (BOHP) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) were utilized as the main photocatalysts in slurry photodegradation systems. BOHP (Bi₃O(OH)(PO₄)₂) is a wide bandgap semiconductor with high activity for degrading long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) in mild operational conditions. Boron nitride (BN) is another wide bandgap semiconductor material that was used in this study due to its …

The Professional Constructor, Full Issue, Volume 48, Number 01

The Professional Constructor

No abstract provided.

The Potential Of Iron Electrodes In Electrochemical Cells For The Stabilization Of Synthetic Urine, Skyler Voisin

All Theses

Source separation and urine treatment present the opportunity to significantly reduce influent concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater treatment plants and to capture those minerals for reuse. This study aims to use electrochemical cells with a sacrificial iron electrode to produce hydrogen peroxide in situ for the stabilization of urea while dissolving ferrous iron ions to promote the precipitation of phosphate into compounds such as vivianite (Fe₃ (PO₄)₂ ∙ 8 H₂O), a precipitate with potential uses in agriculture and manufacturing. Synthetic urine samples were treated as anolyte, then were given time to form …

Impact Of Granular Activated Carbon On In-Situ Reductive Dechlorination Of Chlorinated Solvents, Reagan Gregory

All Theses

Treatment of chlorinated solvent-contaminated aquifers with in-situ activated carbon offers a simple yet cost-effective treatment opportunity, yet the interactions between activated carbon and the chlorinated solvents and their daughter products are not well understood.

The objective of this research is to demonstrate the impacts of in situ activated carbon on complete reductive dechlorination of chlorinated solvents in contaminated aquifer material with mixed dehalogenating cultures. This research seeks to characterize the sorption of trichloroethene and its daughter products cis-dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, and ethene to granular activated carbon and how that sorption relates to the removal of trichloroethene from contaminated material in …

Vibration Fatigue Of Leaded Solder Joint Interconnects For Pcb Electronics, John Crowder

All Theses

With the increasing prevalence of electronic equipment worldwide, there is also a decrease in the size of the components on their printed circuit boards (PCBs), leading to an increase in the density of these components. A significant amount of failure in electronic equipment is vibration fatigue of solder joints and their attachments. However, the complexity of these PCBs and their components has made finite element modeling (FEM) more complex, adding considerable time to create and analyze a model.

This paper aims to provide a literature review for the vibration fatigue of leaded solder components, create a test setup, and validate …

Effect Of Transverse Post-Tensioning On Moment Distribution Between Channel Girders, William Eubanks

All Theses

This thesis investigates the strength of prestressed concrete channel girders used

in bridges in South Carolina and how to improve their load distribution. The specimens

are 30 feet in length, 33 inches wide and 17 inches deep. South Carolina has 377 bridges

containing prestressed concrete channel girders and many of these bridges received a

poor load rating in a recent load rating project conducted by the South Carolina

Department of Transportation (SCDOT). The research included flexural testing of seven

individual channel girders and load distribution tests of three transversely post-tensioned

channel girders. Individual flexural testing was done to determine the …

Healthcare Built Environment And The Covid-19 Pandemic, A Mixed-Method Study, Mohammad Saleh Nikooopayan Tak

All Theses

The outbreak of COVID-19 presented an unparalleled risk to public health, leading to urgent scientific efforts in understanding transmission mechanisms and mitigating risks, especially in healthcare settings. This mixed-methods study examines knowledge advancement regarding indoor air quality in healthcare facilities during the pandemic. A systematic literature review of 163 post-COVID studies identifies key research thrusts and 31 recommendations related to building ventilation, air filtration, surface disinfection, and monitoring. Comparison with over 200 pre-pandemic publications reveals both reliance on established infection control principles and unique contributions, such as detecting viral RNA in air and surface samples indicating potential airborne and fomite …

The Extent Of Drone Education Being Taught In Asc Schools To 4-Year Construction Students, Cheran Teja Dumpati

All Theses

The technology of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is growing rapidly in many fields and has become one of the skills in demand in the industry. Universities are one of the primary sources of teaching drone technology with a career-oriented approach. The goal of this study is to investigate the content of the drone curriculum being taught in Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) schools. This includes the topics covered, practical training offered, and the key deliverables taught. This information serves as a foundation for the schools that are looking forward to start drone courses in their department. The research found that …

Investigation Into The Load Transfer Mechanism Of Trees To Develop An Innovative Foundation Configuration Using 3d Finite Element Modeling, Kaleb Boland

All Theses

This study was inspired by a tree’s reliance on its root system that enables it to withstand a natural disaster, such as an extreme hydroclimatic event or hurricane. This curiosity has led to an investigation into what makes this possible, developing a new and innovative foundation configuration for infrastructure systems, and a new possible construction material and method. This study provides results on a material that does not have conventional testing procedures or standards: a tree root. The trees studied are common to the upstate of South Carolina, which are Pine, Sweetgum, and White Oak. According to the results, on …

Evaluating The Feasibility Of Using Strain Measured During Sinusoidal Rate Pumping Tests To Characterize An Aquifer, Riley Blais

All Theses

Pumping tests with sinusoidal variation in pumping rate have been proposed as a method for improving aquifer characterization. These tests can interrogate a larger aquifer volume than slug tests and they can be more sensitive to small variations in drawdown. Current methods of using sinusoidal variations of rate are based on measuring pressure signals from the reservoir or aquifer, which requires access to monitoring wells. An alternative approach has been developed that measures the strain in the vadose zone instead of pressure in the reservoir. An instrument has been developed at Clemson University that can measure small strains using optical …

Understanding The Hydromechanical Effects Of Extreme Events To Improve The Performance Of Infrastructure Foundations, Siddharth Marathe

All Dissertations

Extreme hydroclimatic events like heavy rainfall, flooding, and prolonged drought can potentially cause the failure of infrastructure foundations, leading to socio-economic losses. The objective of this dissertation is to understand the deformation and bearing capacity behavior of drilled shafts subjected to extreme hydroclimatic events, including heavy rainfall, prolonged drought, and earthquake. The Finite Element Method (FEM) results show that during rainfall, the drilled shaft settled caused by a decrease in the porewater pressure in the sand leading to a decrease in the axial bearing capacity. The axial force variation from an experimental investigation showed good agreement with the FEM. The …

Generative Neural Network-Based Defense Methods Against Cyberattacks For Connected And Autonomous Vehicles, M Sabbir Salek

All Dissertations

The rapid advancement of communication and artificial intelligence technologies is propelling the development of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), revolutionizing the transportation landscape. However, increased connectivity and automation also present heightened potential for cyber threats. Recently, the emergence of generative neural networks (NNs) has unveiled a myriad of opportunities for complementing CAV applications, including generative NN-based cybersecurity measures to protect the CAVs in a transportation cyber-physical system (TCPS) from known and unknown cyberattacks. The goal of this dissertation is to explore the utility of the generative NNs for devising cyberattack detection and mitigation strategies for CAVs. To this end, the …

Towards Validating Satellite Remote Sensing Of Aerosols With Ground-Based Low-Cost Sensors, Francine Roberts

All Theses

Poor ambient air quality has significant impacts on the environment and human health. Extensive regulation and monitoring has resulted in improvements since the first iteration of the Clean Air Act was passed in 1955. However, work still needs to be done in regard to higher spatial and temporal monitoring. Temporally, sensors used for regulatory purposes often only report every other or every third day. Spatially, they are often spread across vast distances due to cost. The following research is working towards improving the spatiotemporal measurements of particulate matter (PM), specifically in South Carolina. The two methods available for improving the …

Experimental Investigation Of The Long-Term Bending Deflection And Creep Performance Of Cross-Laminated Timber (Clt), Aaron Desantis

All Theses

Rising popularity in mass timber construction for residential and commercial projects has escalated the need to develop and increase understanding of mass timber products both from a strength and serviceability perspective. For cross-laminated timber (CLT) there is a significant lack of research on the creep characteristics also known as long-term deflection behavior. Creep is particularly important for products such as CLT that are used for floors with longer spans. Full-scale creep testing was conducted using 5-ply CLT panels over the course of 6 months in a controlled environment under dry service condition. Testing resulted in average final deflections 1.73 times …

Improved Vehicle-Bridge Interaction Modeling And Automation Of Bridge System Identification Techniques, Omar Abuodeh

All Dissertations

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recognizes the necessity for cost-effective and practical system identification (SI) techniques within structural health monitoring (SHM) frameworks for asset management applications. Indirect health monitoring (IHM), a promising SHM approach, utilizes accelerometer-equipped vehicles to measure bridge modal properties (e.g., natural frequencies, damping ratios, mode shapes) through bridge vibration data to assess the bridge's condition. However, engineers and researchers often encounter noise from road roughness, environmental factors, and vehicular components in collected vehicle signals. This noise contaminates the vehicle signal with spurious modes corresponding to stochastic frequencies, impacting damage monitoring assessments. Thus, an efficient and reliable SI …

High-Energy Storm Events And Their Impacts On Carbon Storage In Tidal Wetlands Of South Carolina, Gavin Gleasman

All Dissertations

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations have been increasing at an accelerating rate for the past two centuries, profoundly impacting global climate change. Atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are influenced by the global carbon cycle through physical and biogeochemical pathways. Tidal wetland environments play a vital role in the global carbon cycle by offsetting atmospheric CO₂ concentrations through their natural physiochemical processes of high autotrophic productivity, allochthonous organic matter deposition, anoxic soils, and continuous accretion which promotes carbon sequestration with long-term storage at the land-ocean margin. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and United States Global Change Research …

Probabilistic Modeling Of North Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Spawn Considering Climate Change, Susmita Bhowmik, Weichiang Pang, Michael Stoner

Publications

Hurricanes are a significant natural hazard, which cause significant damage and financial losses in the coastal areas of the United States almost every year. For example, the devastating nature of North Atlantic Ocean (NAO) storms can easily be understood from the 2005 Hurricane Katrina, which was the most damaging NAO storm in modern history, causing more than 1,800 deaths and a financial loss of at least 161.3 billion USD. It has been found that the formations of hurricanes depend heavily on climate conditions, which implies a direct relationship between the changes in climate extremes and the occurrences of hurricanes or …

Design Of Bamboo Reinforced Concrete Beams Considering Variability In Tensile Strength Of Bamboo, Bibek Bhardwaj, Michael Stoner, Weichiang Pang

Publications

In recent years, the price of steel has soared, making steel reinforcement in concrete structures unaffordable for households in low-income countries. Seismic activities in low-income households, particularly those in developing countries, pose a significant threat to life and property to unreinforced concrete structures. The application of bamboo as an alternative to steel in reinforced concrete is still in its early stages of development. Unlike steel, bamboo is a natural material, and its structural properties vary greatly based on species, location, age, and geometric properties. Thus, the design of bamboo-reinforced concrete involves more uncertainties than steel-reinforced concrete. This research investigates the …

Evaluating The Effect Of Palmitic Acid Concentration On Growth And Inhibition Of Syntrophomonas Sp., Clancy Kerr

All Theses

Various industries produce fats, oils, and greases (FOG). These hydrophobic compounds cause issues in municipal wastewater collection and treatment systems. Anaerobic co-digestion is an effective way to treat FOG and presents an opportunity to produce more significant quantities of biogas. However, many microorganisms are sensitive to the degradation products like long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). Palmitic acid is the most prevalent LCFA in anaerobic co-digestion of FOG and wastewater. Sytrophomonas is a β-oxidizer able to break down palmitic acid. Palmitic acid is known to feed and inhibit Syntrophomonas growth and methanogenesis. The objectives of this investigation are: To determine if Syntrophomonas …

Systematic Literature Review Of Roof Systems On Energy Efficiency Of A Building To Support An Ideal Study Framework, Ayushi Raj Dua

All Theses

A sustainable building envelope is a crucial element to build energy efficient structures that contribute towards sustainable communities. The demand for sustainable building envelopes has grown in response to a growing emphasis on sustainable living. The roofing system is an important component of a sustainable building envelope because it influences the building's energy consumption and indoor comfort levels. The current study focuses on roofing systems and associated solar reflectance and albedo values to document the impact on energy efficiency via cooling/heating energy usage, dollar savings and temperature (ambient and surface) reductions due to the roofing systems. Additionally, the study focuses …

An Experimental And Numerical Investigation Of The In-Plane Shear Behavior Of Cantilever Cross-Laminated Timber Diaphragms, Bibek Bhardwaj

All Dissertations

This research focuses on investigating the behavior of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) diaphragms under in-plane shear loads through an experimental, analytical, and numerical approach. Full-scale destructive tests were conducted on cantilever CLT diaphragms to measure their response to cyclic loading. The results showed that the ultimate capacity of the diaphragms was primarily influenced by the fasteners used and exceeded the LRFD capacity. The primary energy dissipation mechanism was through the slip of diaphragm components and rotation of CLT panels due to fastener deformations. The strain data revealed that the diaphragms exhibited deep-beam-like behavior, with resistance to tensile and compressive forces …

Evaluating The Role Of Magnetic Materials In Mediating The Abiotic Degradation Of Chlorinated Ethenes At Tcaap-A Using A C14-Assay, Olivia Dunn

All Theses

Among the most challenging sites to remediate are those where the groundwater is contaminated with large, dilute plumes of tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), dichloroethene isomers (cDCE, tDCE, 1,1-DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC). Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) by abiotic processes may be a viable strategy, but it can be difficult to document. The overall objective of this project is to develop a deeper understanding of the role of magnetic materials in mediating abiotic degradation of low concentrations of chlorinated ethenes in aquifers. Authentic core aquifer sediment has been collected from Site A at the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) …

Force Coefficients And Wind Loads For Wide Flange Section And Retrofitted Pipe Racks, Sovanroth Ou

All Theses

While relatively rare, the failures of steel structures occasionally occur due to extreme wind events such as hurricanes and tornadoes. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) provides well-defined guidelines for determining wind loads for regular buildings; nonetheless, the actual wind loads for complex open-frame steel structures are not as clearly understood by practicing engineers. Pipe bridges and pipe racks are open-frame structures, commonly used in many petrochemical plants. Over the years, additional pipes are often added to existing pipe racks or pipe bridges to accommodate changes in the operation needs of the petrochemical plant. The objectives of this study …