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Michigan Technological University

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Articles 31 - 60 of 513

Full-Text Articles in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Treating Low-Concentration Methane Emissions Via A Methanotroph-Based Biotrickling Filter: Techno-Economic And Life Cycle Assessment, Waaseyaaban Landgren, Robert Handler, David Shonnard, Mary E. Lidstrom Oct 2025

Treating Low-Concentration Methane Emissions Via A Methanotroph-Based Biotrickling Filter: Techno-Economic And Life Cycle Assessment, Waaseyaaban Landgren, Robert Handler, David Shonnard, Mary E. Lidstrom

Michigan Tech Publications

Methane, a greenhouse gas which has a global warming potential 80 times greater than carbon dioxide on a 20-year time scale, greatly contributes to global warming. Removing 1 Gt of atmospheric methane by 2050 would limit global temperature increase from reaching 1.5 °C. Currently, biotrickling filter systems for removing atmospheric methane via methanotrophs exist, but not for very low methane concentrations (< 1 v%). Recent work at the University of Washington to isolate and improve a microbial strain which thrives at 500 ppmv CH4 has removed one obstacle in making this technology feasible. In this study, techno-economic and environmental life cycle assessment analyses conducted on this process have assessed its economic feasibility, greenhouse gas reduction potential, and possible areas of improvement. Study results show that at 500 ppmv CH4, this process could remove atmospheric methane at a cost of USD 3992–5224/tCH4. The best-performing case also produces annual net reductions in warming potential by 276–311 tCO2e/120 m3 process unit deployed. Many opportunities exist to improve the outcomes of the baseline analysis even further, especially related to reducing the transport distance of media and harvested biomass.

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Halogenated Flame Retardants In The Sediments Of The Lower Great Lakes And Region-Wide Discoveries, Tian Lin, Shanshan Zhou, Huan He, Jiehong Guo, Neil C. Sturchio, Karl J. Rockne, John P. Giesy, An Li Oct 2025

Halogenated Flame Retardants In The Sediments Of The Lower Great Lakes And Region-Wide Discoveries, Tian Lin, Shanshan Zhou, Huan He, Jiehong Guo, Neil C. Sturchio, Karl J. Rockne, John P. Giesy, An Li

Michigan Tech Publications

This work aims to provide updated information and insights on the contamination by halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) of the Great Lakes sediments. Thirty HFRs, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), dechlorane plus (DPs), and other chlorinated (CFRs) or brominated (BFRs) chemicals, were measured in 400 sediment surface grab and core segment samples from Lakes Erie and Ontario. The data were combined with those from Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron to provide a comprehensive region-wide analysis. Together, the target HFRs in the Great Lakes sediment amount to approximately 420 tonnes. Among the five lakes, Lake Ontario had the highest concentrations of CFRs, …

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Road Performance Evaluation Of Preventive Maintenance Techniques For Asphalt Pavements, Fansheng Kong, Yalong Li, Ruilin Wang, Xing Hu, Miao Yu, Dongzhao Jin Sep 2025

Road Performance Evaluation Of Preventive Maintenance Techniques For Asphalt Pavements, Fansheng Kong, Yalong Li, Ruilin Wang, Xing Hu, Miao Yu, Dongzhao Jin

Michigan Tech Publications

Preventive maintenance treatments are widely applied to asphalt pavements to mitigate deterioration and extend service life. This study evaluated four common technologies: a high-elasticity ultra-thin overlay, an Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA)-10 thin overlay, micro-surfacing (MS-III), and a chip seal. Laboratory testing focused on skid resistance, surface texture, and low-temperature cracking resistance. Skid resistance was measured with a tire–pavement dynamic friction analyzer under controlled load and speed, while surface macrotexture was assessed using a laser scanner. Low-temperature cracking resistance was determined through three-point bending beam tests at −10 °C. The results showed that chip seal achieved the highest initial friction and …

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Large Language Models For Construction Risk Classification: A Comparative Study, Abdolmajid Erfani, Hussein Khanjar Sep 2025

Large Language Models For Construction Risk Classification: A Comparative Study, Abdolmajid Erfani, Hussein Khanjar

Michigan Tech Publications

Risk identification is a critical concern in the construction industry. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of applying artificial intelligence (AI) tools to detect risks from unstructured data sources such as news articles, social media, contracts, and financial reports. The rapid advancement of large language models (LLMs) in text analysis, summarization, and generation offers promising opportunities to improve construction risk identification. This study conducts a comprehensive benchmarking of natural language processing (NLP) and LLM techniques for automating the classification of risk items into a generic risk category. Twelve model configurations are evaluated, ranging from classical NLP pipelines …

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Incorporation Of E-Waste Plastics Into Asphalt: A Review Of The Materials, Methods, And Impacts, Sepehr Mohammadi, Dongzhao Jin, Zhongda Liu, Zhanping You Sep 2025

Incorporation Of E-Waste Plastics Into Asphalt: A Review Of The Materials, Methods, And Impacts, Sepehr Mohammadi, Dongzhao Jin, Zhongda Liu, Zhanping You

Michigan Tech Publications

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the environmentally friendly management and reutilization of electronic waste (e-waste) plastics in flexible pavement construction. The discussion begins with an overview of e-waste management challenges and outlines key recycling approaches for converting plastic waste into asphalt-compatible materials. This review then discusses the types of e-waste plastics used for asphalt modification, their incorporation methods, and compatibility challenges. Physical and chemical treatment techniques, including the use of free radical initiators, are then explored for improving dispersion and performance. Additionally, in situations where advanced pretreatment methods are not applicable due to cost, safety, or technical constraints, …

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How Does The Sewer Microbiome Impact Wastewater Surveillance For Antibiotic Resistance?, Israel Adedayo Adeoye, Ishi Keenum Sep 2025

How Does The Sewer Microbiome Impact Wastewater Surveillance For Antibiotic Resistance?, Israel Adedayo Adeoye, Ishi Keenum

Michigan Tech Publications

Antibiotic resistance is a global health threat that is difficult to directly monitor prior to clinical presentation. Wastewater surveillance has emerged as a public health tool that could aid in identifying the community wide circulation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), however this is complicated by the potential growth and decay of ARB within the sewer network. Sewer systems have been suggested as a primary place where sub-lethal doses of antibiotics are present with human and environmental adapted bacterial strains, however little is understood about what physiochemical properties might enhance or inhibit ARG propagation. Hence, key …

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Communicating Wastewater-Based Surveillance Data To Drive Action, Kata Farkas, Devrim Kaya, Rasha Maal-Bared, Ahmad I. Al-Mustapha, Sarmila Tandukar, Ishi Keenum, Teemu Gunnar, Aaron Bivins, Matthew J Wade, Kyle Bibby, Tarja M. Pitkänen, Ananda Tiwari Sep 2025

Communicating Wastewater-Based Surveillance Data To Drive Action, Kata Farkas, Devrim Kaya, Rasha Maal-Bared, Ahmad I. Al-Mustapha, Sarmila Tandukar, Ishi Keenum, Teemu Gunnar, Aaron Bivins, Matthew J Wade, Kyle Bibby, Tarja M. Pitkänen, Ananda Tiwari

Michigan Tech Publications

As exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) can deliver near real-time, population-level pathogen data to guide public health action. Its impact, however, hinges on timely, transparent, and context-specific communication to stakeholders, including health authorities, policymakers, scientists, clinicians, and the public. This review examines current WBS communication practices, identifies persistent challenges, and proposes strategies to enhance relevance. Key challenges include data complexity, lack of standardised communication frameworks, ethical and privacy concerns, and variable stakeholder capabilities. The strategic use of digital platforms, such as dashboards, reports, press releases, and social media, alongside traditional media, can broaden reach and aid interpretation. …

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Class A Biosolids Production Using Conventional And Low-Cost, Low-Tech Processes At Small Water Resource Recovery Facilities: A Multidimensional Sustainability Assessment, Janna Brown, Robert Handler, Eric Seagren, Jennifer Becker Aug 2025

Class A Biosolids Production Using Conventional And Low-Cost, Low-Tech Processes At Small Water Resource Recovery Facilities: A Multidimensional Sustainability Assessment, Janna Brown, Robert Handler, Eric Seagren, Jennifer Becker

Michigan Tech Publications

Producing Class A biosolids is a beneficial way to reuse wastewater treatment solids, but most conventional processes are energy-intensive and expensive. There is growing interest in the use of low-cost, low-tech (LCLT) Class A biosolids treatment processes, especially at small water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). This study used a holistic sustainability assessment to examine the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of conventional and LCLT processes at small WRRFs. The technologies studied were Direct Heat Drying, Composting, Lagoon Storage, Air Drying, and Temperature-Phased Anaerobic Digestion (TPAD). Environmental impacts were determined by conducting life-cycle assessments for all technologies, which is described in …

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A Novel, Metal-Based Approach To Identify Residences With Lead Service Lines, Danielle Land, Grant D. Brown, David M. Cwiertny, Marc A. Edwards, Mona Hanna, Drew E. Latta, Michelle M. Scherer Jul 2025

A Novel, Metal-Based Approach To Identify Residences With Lead Service Lines, Danielle Land, Grant D. Brown, David M. Cwiertny, Marc A. Edwards, Mona Hanna, Drew E. Latta, Michelle M. Scherer

Michigan Tech Publications

There is an urgent need for rapid, cost-effective approaches to identify residences with lead service lines (LSLs). We evaluated whether analyzing water for corrosion-related metals could accurately identify residences with LSLs without relying on potentially inaccurate property records. We applied principal component analysis logistic regression (PCA-LR) and classification tree models using 28 analytes per bottle (including Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Al, and others) measured in 216 water samples collected in Flint, Michigan, in August 2015. The PCA-LR model achieved 87% accuracy (AUROC = 0.93) with 81% sensitivity and 90% specificity, while the classification tree model achieved 80% accuracy (AUROC = …

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Enhancing Winter Climate Simulations Of The Great Lakes: Insights From A New Coupled Lake–Ice–Atmosphere (Cliav1) System On The Importance Of Integrating 3d Hydrodynamics With A Regional Climate Model, Pengfei Xue, Chenfu Huang, Yafang Zhong, Michael Notaro, Miraj Kayastha, Xing Zhou, Chuyan Zhao, Christa Peters-Lidard, Carlos Cruz, Eric Kemp Jul 2025

Enhancing Winter Climate Simulations Of The Great Lakes: Insights From A New Coupled Lake–Ice–Atmosphere (Cliav1) System On The Importance Of Integrating 3d Hydrodynamics With A Regional Climate Model, Pengfei Xue, Chenfu Huang, Yafang Zhong, Michael Notaro, Miraj Kayastha, Xing Zhou, Chuyan Zhao, Christa Peters-Lidard, Carlos Cruz, Eric Kemp

Michigan Tech Publications

The Laurentian Great Lakes significantly influence the climate of the Midwest and Northeast United States due to their vast thermal inertia, moisture source potential, and complex heat and moisture flux dynamics. This study presents a newly developed coupled lake–ice–atmosphere (CLIAv1) modeling system for the Great Lakes by coupling the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Unified Weather Research and Forecasting (NU-WRF) regional climate model (RCM) with the three-dimensional (3D) Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) and investigates the impact of coupled dynamics on simulations of the Great Lakes’ winter climate. By integrating 3D lake hydrodynamics, CLIAv1 demonstrates superior performance in …

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Integrating Recycled Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene Plastics From Electronic Waste With Carbon Black For Sustainable Asphalt Production, Sepehr Mohammadi, Dongzhao Jin, Zhanping You Jul 2025

Integrating Recycled Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene Plastics From Electronic Waste With Carbon Black For Sustainable Asphalt Production, Sepehr Mohammadi, Dongzhao Jin, Zhanping You

Michigan Tech Publications

As the global demand for electronic equipment continues to grow, many devices are being replaced more frequently, resulting in a rapid rise in electronic waste (e-waste), now the fastest growing waste stream worldwide. Motivated by this, the objective of this study is to present an environmentally friendly method to recycle acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS), one of the most common e-waste plastics, by using it for asphalt production. In contrast to earlier methods of plastic-modified asphalt production involving complex pretreatments or complimentary additives unsuitable for plant-scale use, this study aims to demonstrate a practical, low-cost solution through the use of carbon black. This …

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Reduction-Driven Mobilization Of Structural Fe In Clay Minerals With High Fe Content, Anke Neumann, Luiza Notini, W. A.P.Jeewantha Premaratne, Drew E. Latta, Michelle M. Scherer Jul 2025

Reduction-Driven Mobilization Of Structural Fe In Clay Minerals With High Fe Content, Anke Neumann, Luiza Notini, W. A.P.Jeewantha Premaratne, Drew E. Latta, Michelle M. Scherer

Michigan Tech Publications

Clay minerals contain significant amounts of Fe in their alumosilicate framework, and this structural Fe can be reduced and re-oxidized, constituting a potentially renewable source of reduction equivalents in sedimentary environments. However, dissolution and/or clay mineral transformations during microbial Fe reduction contradict this concept. Here, we investigate how Fe reduction and re-oxidation affect the propensity of Fe to be released from the clay mineral structure and use selective sequential extractions in combination with Mössbauer spectroscopy. Negligible amounts of Fe were released in the sequential extraction of high Fe content clay minerals NAu-1 and NAu-2. Once aqueous Fe(II) was added as …

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Performance Characterization And Mechanistic Study Of Dry Process Wr/Sbs Composite Modified Asphalt Mixture, Hongfu Liu, Xiangyang Ren, Wenwen Ge, Zhengwei Yi, Dongzhao Jin, Xinghai Peng, Songtao Lv Jul 2025

Performance Characterization And Mechanistic Study Of Dry Process Wr/Sbs Composite Modified Asphalt Mixture, Hongfu Liu, Xiangyang Ren, Wenwen Ge, Zhengwei Yi, Dongzhao Jin, Xinghai Peng, Songtao Lv

Michigan Tech Publications

The dry process modification is characterized by simplicity, flexibility, low energy consumption, and low pollution, making it an ideal choice in pavement repair engineering. This study aims to optimize the use of waste rubber powder and SBS modifiers in dry process composite modification by preparing dry process WR/SBS composite modified particles (WR/SBS CMP) using a twin-screw extruder. The optimum mixing content of modified particles was determined through comparative analysis of pavement performance of dry process WR/SBS composite modified, wet-process SBS-modified, and matrix asphalt mixtures. The rheological properties and modification mechanism of the asphalt binder extracted from these mixtures were tested …

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Minimum Ghg Emissions And Energy Consumption Of U.S. Pet And Polyolefin Packaging Supply Chains In A Circular Economy, Utkarsh S. Chaudhari, Abhishek Patil, Tasmin Hossain, David Watkins, Damon S. Hartley, Barbara K. Reck, Robert Handler, Anne T. Johnson, Vicki S. Thompson, David Shonnard Jun 2025

Minimum Ghg Emissions And Energy Consumption Of U.S. Pet And Polyolefin Packaging Supply Chains In A Circular Economy, Utkarsh S. Chaudhari, Abhishek Patil, Tasmin Hossain, David Watkins, Damon S. Hartley, Barbara K. Reck, Robert Handler, Anne T. Johnson, Vicki S. Thompson, David Shonnard

Michigan Tech Publications

There is a wide agreement on the urgency of transforming linear management of plastics towards a circular economy model. However, no clear pathways exist as to required recycling technologies involved and system-wide environmental impacts. This study explores such pathways in the U.S. for the most commonly used packaging plastics through a combination of mechanical and emerging advanced recycling technologies. A system optimization model aimed at minimizing environmental impacts was developed to determine optimal end-of-life (EOL) management and locations of existing and emerging U.S. recycling infrastructures. Our study includes material flows from virgin resin production through semi-manufacturing processes to existing EOL …

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Causation Analysis Of Crane-Related Accident Reports By Utilizing Chatgpt And Complex Networks, Yifan Wang, Junyu Chen, Bo Xiao, Shane T. Mueller, Jingjing Guo May 2025

Causation Analysis Of Crane-Related Accident Reports By Utilizing Chatgpt And Complex Networks, Yifan Wang, Junyu Chen, Bo Xiao, Shane T. Mueller, Jingjing Guo

Michigan Tech Publications

This study integrates ChatGPT and complex network (CN) techniques into an accident analysis framework designed to reduce manual effort in accident causation analysis. The proposed framework supports construction stakeholders in extracting causal factors (CFs) from accident reports and identifying both critical CFs and key causal paths. A multistep research design was adopted to develop and validate this novel framework for analyzing crane-related construction accident reports using ChatGPT and CN techniques. First, ChatGPT was prompted to extract CFs from a database of crane-related accident reports. Second, evaluation metrics and an expert questionnaire survey were developed to assess ChatGPT’s performance in CF …

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A Case Study Of Pavement Construction Materials For Wet-Freeze Regions: The Application Of Waste Glass Aggregate And High-Content Rubber Modified Asphalt, Kai Xin, Meng Wu, Dongzhao Jin, Zhanping You May 2025

A Case Study Of Pavement Construction Materials For Wet-Freeze Regions: The Application Of Waste Glass Aggregate And High-Content Rubber Modified Asphalt, Kai Xin, Meng Wu, Dongzhao Jin, Zhanping You

Michigan Tech Publications

Pavement systems in wet-freeze regions are prone to cracking, rutting, and moisture damage, making it challenging to incorporate recycled materials into asphalt mixtures in a way that enhances sustainability while maintaining performance and constructability. This study investigates and demonstrates the combined benefits of using processed waste glass in a leveling course and high-content crumb rubber in a surface course, focusing on both laboratory and full-scale field assessments in a wet-freeze region of northern Michigan. A leveling course containing 10% waste glass aggregate and a surface course using 16% crumb rubber (by binder weight) modified asphalt were designed with low air …

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Subsurface Heatwaves In Lakes, R. Iestyn Woolway, Miraj Kayastha, Yan Tong, Lian Feng, Haoran Shi, Pengfei Xue Apr 2025

Subsurface Heatwaves In Lakes, R. Iestyn Woolway, Miraj Kayastha, Yan Tong, Lian Feng, Haoran Shi, Pengfei Xue

Michigan Tech Publications

Lake heatwaves (extreme hot water events) can substantially disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Although surface heatwaves are well studied, their vertical structures within lakes remain largely unexplored. Here we analyse the characteristics of subsurface lake heatwaves (extreme hot events occurring below the surface) using a spatiotemporal modelling framework. Our findings reveal that subsurface heatwaves are frequent, often longer lasting but less intense than surface events. Deep-water heatwaves (bottom heatwaves) have increased in frequency (7.2 days decade−1), duration (2.1 days decade−1) and intensity (0.2 °C days decade−1) over the past 40 years. Moreover, vertically compounding heatwaves, where extreme heat occurs simultaneously at the …

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Bio-Inspired Highest Lift-To-Drag-Ratio Fin Shape And Angle For Maximum Surfboard Stability: Flow Around Fish Fins, Megan S. Macneill, Brian Barkdoll Apr 2025

Bio-Inspired Highest Lift-To-Drag-Ratio Fin Shape And Angle For Maximum Surfboard Stability: Flow Around Fish Fins, Megan S. Macneill, Brian Barkdoll

Michigan Tech Publications

Wave surfing is a multi-billion dollar industry involving both maneuverability and speed, yet little research has been performed regarding the highest lift-to-drag-ratio fin shape for these competing qualities. Numerical modeling and laboratory experiments were performed here to identify a bio-inspired fin shape that maximized lateral stability and minimized drag forces, in order to increase surfing maneuverability. Nine fins based on dorsal fins of real fish were tested. Both the CFD and laboratory experiments confirmed that the fin of the same shape as that of the Short-Finned Pilot Whale at an angle of attack of 10° had the greatest lift-to-drag ratios. …

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Denitrification Processes, Inhibitors, And Their Implications In Ground Improvement, Yasaman Abdolvand, Mohammadhossein Sadeghiamirshahidi, Ishi Keenum Mar 2025

Denitrification Processes, Inhibitors, And Their Implications In Ground Improvement, Yasaman Abdolvand, Mohammadhossein Sadeghiamirshahidi, Ishi Keenum

Michigan Tech Publications

Ureolysis and denitrification are the two major microbial metabolic pathways commonly used in Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) for geoengineering applications. Although ureolysis is generally the more efficient pathway, the denitrification pathway has gained more attention recently because a diverse group of bacteria can precipitate calcite via denitrification, and no harmful byproduct is generated provided that the reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas is complete. There are, however, many environmental factors that could inhibit or reduce the efficiency of the denitrification process in soil. Some examples of these factors include salinity, pH, temperature, biodiversity (abundance and species of denitrifiers and …

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Denitrification Processes, Inhibitors, And Their Implications In Ground Improvement, Yasaman Abdolvand, Mohammadhossein Sadeghiamirshahidi, Ishi Keenum Mar 2025

Denitrification Processes, Inhibitors, And Their Implications In Ground Improvement, Yasaman Abdolvand, Mohammadhossein Sadeghiamirshahidi, Ishi Keenum

Michigan Tech Publications

Ureolysis and denitrification are the two major microbial metabolic pathways commonly used in Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) for geoengineering applications. Although ureolysis is generally the more efficient pathway, the denitrification pathway has gained more attention recently because a diverse group of bacteria can precipitate calcite via denitrification, and no harmful byproduct is generated provided that the reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas is complete. There are, however, many environmental factors that could inhibit or reduce the efficiency of the denitrification process in soil. Some examples of these factors include salinity, pH, temperature, biodiversity (abundance and species of denitrifiers and …

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Direct Water Reuse: A Hydraulic Economic Analysis Of Connecting The Wastewater Treatment Effluent To Water Treatment Influent, Brian Barkdoll, Amber G. Strutz Mar 2025

Direct Water Reuse: A Hydraulic Economic Analysis Of Connecting The Wastewater Treatment Effluent To Water Treatment Influent, Brian Barkdoll, Amber G. Strutz

Michigan Tech Publications

Climate change is causing increased flooding and droughts. Droughts can cause drinking water sources to run dry. Therefore, recycling water from the wastewater plant effluent to the water treatment plant influent, also called ‘direct reuse’ is becoming necessary. A connection between a city's wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent and water treatment plant (WTP) influent via pipe was simulated to provide an understanding of the capital costs and feasibility of execution. Hydraulic pipe-flow and pump equations were used to calculate the pipe and pump sizes needed for various flow rate and elevation head values. Various flow rate recycle rates were modeled …

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Coastal Environments: Lidar Mapping Of Copper Tailings Impacts, Particle Retention Of Copper, Leaching, And Toxicity, W. Charles Kerfoot, Gary Swain, Robert Regis, Varsha K. Raman, Colin N. Brooks, Chris Cook, Et. Al. Mar 2025

Coastal Environments: Lidar Mapping Of Copper Tailings Impacts, Particle Retention Of Copper, Leaching, And Toxicity, W. Charles Kerfoot, Gary Swain, Robert Regis, Varsha K. Raman, Colin N. Brooks, Chris Cook, Et. Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

Tailings generated by mining account for the largest world-wide waste from industrial activities. As an element, copper is relatively uncommon, with low concentrations in sediments and waters, yet is very elevated around mining operations. On the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, USA, jutting out into Lake Superior, 140 mines extracted native copper from the Portage Lake Volcanic Series, part of an intercontinental rift system. Between 1901 and 1932, two mills at Gay (Mohawk, Wolverine) sluiced 22.7 million metric tonnes (MMT) of copper-rich tailings (stamp sands) into Grand (Big) Traverse Bay. About 10 MMT formed a beach that has migrated 7 km …

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Environmental Life Cycle Assessment Of Class A Biosolids Production Using Conventional And Low-Cost, Low-Tech Processes At Small Water Resource Recovery Facilities, Janna Brown, Robert Handler, Jennifer G. Becker, Eric Seagren Mar 2025

Environmental Life Cycle Assessment Of Class A Biosolids Production Using Conventional And Low-Cost, Low-Tech Processes At Small Water Resource Recovery Facilities, Janna Brown, Robert Handler, Jennifer G. Becker, Eric Seagren

Michigan Tech Publications

Producing Class A biosolids that can be distributed or land-applied without restriction is a beneficial way to reuse wastewater treatment solids. For small water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) in particular, low-cost, low-tech (LCLT) processes may be an appealing alternative to conventional technologies for producing Class A biosolids, such as processes to further reduce pathogens (PFRPs). Conventional Class A biosolids treatment processes tend to be energy-intensive and involve complex equipment and operations. However, a systematic comparison of the overall sustainability of conventional processes and LCLT alternatives for producing Class A biosolids to aid decision makers in selecting treatment processes is not …

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Generating Synthetic Images For Construction Machinery Data Augmentation Utilizing Context-Aware Object Placement, Yujie Lu, Bo Liu, Wei Wei, Bo Xiao, Zhangding Liu, Wensheng Li Mar 2025

Generating Synthetic Images For Construction Machinery Data Augmentation Utilizing Context-Aware Object Placement, Yujie Lu, Bo Liu, Wei Wei, Bo Xiao, Zhangding Liu, Wensheng Li

Michigan Tech Publications

Dataset is an essential factor influencing the accuracy of computer vision (CV) tasks in construction. Although image synthesis methods can automatically generate substantial annotated construction data compared to manual annotation, existing challenges limited the CV task accuracy, such as geometric inconsistency. To efficiently generate high-quality data, a synthesis method of construction data was proposed utilizing Unreal Engine (UE) and PlaceNet. First, the inpainting algorithm was applied to generate pure backgrounds, followed by multi-angle foreground capture within the UE. Then, the Swin Transformer and improved loss functions were integrated into PlaceNet to enhance the feature extraction of construction backgrounds, facilitating object …

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Great Lakes Water Level Trends Using The Moving Statistics Method, With Implications For Climate Change And Cities, Brian Barkdoll, Opeyemi Alamutu Jan 2025

Great Lakes Water Level Trends Using The Moving Statistics Method, With Implications For Climate Change And Cities, Brian Barkdoll, Opeyemi Alamutu

Michigan Tech Publications

Increasing magnitudes of precipitation and evaporation are predicted for future climate change. Knowing whether these trends are occurring can help water managers plan with respect to future erosion, flooding, and design changes for shoreline infrastructure. Data from all the Laurentian Great Lakes (Erie, Michigan-Huron, Ontario, St. Clair, and Superior) were analyzed here to determine whether these trends are being realized. The MovingStatistics Method is used here using the moving average and moving standard deviation. It was found that Lakes Erie and St. Clair had the highest moving average trend of 0.5 mm/month, while Lake Ontario had the highest moving standard …

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Fatigue Life Of Pre-Cut Seam Asphalt Mixture Composite Beams: A Combined Study Of Fatigue Damage Evolution And Reflective Cracking Extension, Hongfu Liu, Hong Lu, Xun Zhu, Zhengwei Yi, Xin Yu, Dongzhao Jin, Xinghai Peng, Songtao Lv Jan 2025

Fatigue Life Of Pre-Cut Seam Asphalt Mixture Composite Beams: A Combined Study Of Fatigue Damage Evolution And Reflective Cracking Extension, Hongfu Liu, Hong Lu, Xun Zhu, Zhengwei Yi, Xin Yu, Dongzhao Jin, Xinghai Peng, Songtao Lv

Michigan Tech Publications

This study investigated the impact of reflective cracking on the fatigue performance of asphalt pavements after milling and resurfacing under various conditions. Fatigue life was assessed through four-point flexural fatigue tests, while the crack extension pattern of composite beams was analyzed by digital image correlation (DIC) at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. Evaluation parameters such as stress ratios, immersion time, porosity, and types of viscous oils were assessed. A fatigue life prediction model of composite beams was established, accounting for the combined influence of these factors. To enhance the accuracy of determining composite beam failure, the critical fatigue damage was …

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Innovations In Balanced Mix Design: Establishing Gwp Thresholds For Various Nmas And Evaluating Superpave Vs. Bmd In High Content Rubber Asphalt, Kai Xin Jan 2025

Innovations In Balanced Mix Design: Establishing Gwp Thresholds For Various Nmas And Evaluating Superpave Vs. Bmd In High Content Rubber Asphalt, Kai Xin

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Traditional volumetric asphalt mix design methods, such as Superpave, frequently struggle to address critical performance parameters, leading many agencies to seek more robust approaches. Balanced Mix Design (BMD) has emerged as a forward-looking alternative by directly measuring rutting and cracking resistance in the laboratory. In this study, BMD principles were applied to asphalt mixtures featuring three distinct NMAS mixes and two high content rubber mixes, introduced through both dry and semi-wet processes. Compared with conventional volumetric constraints, BMD provided greater flexibility in adjusting binder content and gradation to accommodate elevated crumb-rubber levels. The resulting mixtures satisfied both rutting and cracking …

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Analysis Of Lava Flow Paths Using Remote Sensing And Geomorphological Techniques, Oluwatosin Oluyemisi Ayo Jan 2025

Analysis Of Lava Flow Paths Using Remote Sensing And Geomorphological Techniques, Oluwatosin Oluyemisi Ayo

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Lava flows have severe impacts on the Earth’s surface, communities, and natural habitats. Accurate modeling of lava flow paths is crucial for volcanic hazard assessment and risk mitigation. This research integrated remote sensing, geographic information systems, geomorphological techniques, and hydrologic analysis to numerically determine the optimal ground sample distance (GSD) of digital elevation models (DEMs) for delineating lava flow paths. Two volcanic regions were analyzed: the Afar Region of Ethiopia (Alu, Dalaffilla, and Erta Ale volcanoes) and the Reykjanes Peninsula of Iceland (Fagradalsfjall volcano). Forward and backward modeling methods were used to simulate potential lava flow paths. Remote sensing data, …

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Geospatial Analysis For Urban Resilience: Green Space, Flood Susceptibility, And Wetland Restoration Potential, Jessica Lareaux Jan 2025

Geospatial Analysis For Urban Resilience: Green Space, Flood Susceptibility, And Wetland Restoration Potential, Jessica Lareaux

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Through the integration of high-resolution geospatial data, hydrologic modeling, and spatial statistics, this research addresses three interrelated topics that are critical to sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient urban planning. The overall objective of this dissertation is to provide data-driven and machine learning-based geospatial analysis frameworks that enhance our understanding of environmental inequities, flood exposure, and the potential for wetland restoration, with a focus on urban contexts. The study presented in Chapter Two examines the distribution and accessibility of urban green spaces in Detroit, Michigan, using high-resolution geospatial data and geospatial analysis methods, including geographically weighted regression (GWR) and network-based analyses. This …

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Great Lakes Wave Height Trends, Erv Kraft, Brian Barkdoll Jan 2025

Great Lakes Wave Height Trends, Erv Kraft, Brian Barkdoll

Michigan Tech Publications

With the advent of the industrial revolution, greenhouse gases have been emitted into the atmosphere causing the alteration of weather across the globe. These gases have caused the global temperature to warm. This has also caused a change in precipitation, wind speeds, and wave heights. The Great Lakes have many cities located on their shores and millions of people are affected by waves. Effects include shoreline erosion, infrastructure damage, and loss of valuable property and lives. It is imperative to future planning and engineering that the trends of wave height are understood. This study uses linear regression, a well-known and …

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