Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Effluent Organic Nitrogen (Eon): Bioavailability And Photochemical And Salinity-Mediated Release, Deborah A. Bronk, Quinn N. Roberts, Marta P. Sanderson, Elizabeth A. Canuel, Patrick G. Hatcher, Rajaa Mesfioui, Katherine C. Filippino, Margaret R. Mulholland, Nancy G. Love

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The goal of this study was to investigate three potential ways that the soluble organic nitrogen (N) fraction of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents, termed effluent organic N (EON), could contribute to coastal eutrophication - direct biological removal, photochemical release of labile compounds, and salinity-mediated release of ammonium (NH₄+). Effluents from two WWTPs were used in the experiments. For the bioassays, EON was added to water from four salinities (∼0 to 30) collected from the James River (VA) in August 2008, and then concentrations of N and phosphorus compounds were measured periodically over 48 h. Bioassay results, based …

Route Change Decision Making By Hurricane Evacuees Facing Congestion, R. Michael Robinson, Asad Khattak

VMASC Publications

Successful evacuations of metropolitan areas require overcoming unexpected congestion that reduces traffic flows. Congestion may result from accidents, incidents, or other events that reduce road capacity. Traffic professionals and emergency managers may promote deviations from planned routes to bypass an area of congestion and speed mass exit. However, some route changes may actually reduce traffic flow rates, and in these cases decision makers may want to discourage use of alternate routes. By using results of a behavioral survey of potential hurricane evacuees, this study identifies variables associated with the decision to alter routes and also identifies frequently used information sources. …

Investigating The Factors That Influence Injury Severity During Large Truck Crashes, Irina Olegovna Hoag

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Large trucks and passenger cars share the transportation infrastructure. The diversity of mass, size and maneuverability of vehicles on roads makes truck involved collisions very dangerous and causes injury and fatality of drivers and passengers. Considering that large trucks are usually traveling for a long distance and cross country, Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) collected data to analyze and predict injury or fatality from a set of predictor (independent) variables. Data were collected at 24 sites in 17 States and 2,284 vehicles were involved in crashes and have up to 1,000 variables for each crash. Sixty-nine percent of these …

Using Geographically Weighted Regression Models To Analyze Crash Harm, Libin Zheng

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Society pays a high cost for collisions in terms of property damage, injuries and loss of life. This paper has two objectives. One is to examine various factors associated with harm caused by highway collisions. Both global OLS and local GWR models are provided to identify specific variables influencing crash harm. Another objective is to demonstrate the use of a Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) method in this complex safety problem, which can estimate models for each crash location and show spatial variation. The results show that the GWR model is a significant improvement on the OLS model; the test for …

3d Numerical Modeling Of Hydrodynamic Flow, Sediment Deposition And Transport In Stormwater Ponds And Alluvial Channels, Leying Zhang

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Prediction of flow and sediment transport is an important and challenging problem for stormwater management and river engineering applications. This thesis concerns primarily the computation of flow, sediment deposition and transport processes in stormwater ponds and alluvial channels based on a multiphase flow approach in modeling sediment transport. Starting from an existing hydrodynamic Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes flow solver, numerical models are developed to predict flow, sediment deposition and transport under the FLUENT software package. Two types of sediment transport models are formulated to consider quantities of present sediment phase volume fractions: a Discrete Phase Model in a Lagrangian frame where …

Geometrically Nonlinear Arc Length Sparse Finite Element Analysis And Optimal Design Of Truss Structures, Glenn A. Hrinda

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A technique for the optimization of stability-constrained geometrically nonlinear shallow trusses with snap-through behavior is demonstrated using the arc length method and a strain energy density approach within a discrete finite element formulation. The optimization method uses an iterative scheme that evaluates the performance of the design variables and then updates them according to a recursive formula that is controlled by the arc length method. A minimum weight design is achieved when a uniform nonlinear strain energy density is found in all members. This minimal condition places the design load just below the critical-limit load that causes snap-through of the …

Towards The Efficient Probabilistic Characterization Of Tropical Cyclone-Generated Storm Surge Hazards Under Stationary And Nonstationary Conditions, Senanu Kudjo Agbley

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The scarcity of observations at any single location confounds the probabilistic characterization of tropical cyclone-generated storm surge hazards using annual maxima and peaks-over-threshold methods. The EST and the JPM are indirect approaches aimed at estimating the probability distribution of the response variable of interest (i.e. storm surge) using the probability distributions of predictor variables (e.g. storm size, storm intensity etc.). In the first part of this work, the relative performance of the empirical simulation technique (EST; Borgman et al., 1992) and the joint probability method (JPM; Myers, 1970) is evaluated via stochastic simulation methods. It is shown that the JPM …

Spatiotemporal Estuarine Water Quality Parameterization Using Remote Sensing And In-Situ Characteristics, Kwisun Park Yu

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation develops a new paradigm in a water quality monitoring approach to parameterize spatiotemporal estuarine water quality with sustainable reliability, less cost and less time. A key underpinning of this paradigm of the spatiotemporal estuarine water quality parameterization is various water quality parameters' interrelationship with ambient water temperature as a common factor, their time dependent characteristics, and spatiotemporal characteristics of remote sensing. It has two core models to provide input data of water quality parameterization model in a system; the transfer function models of the physical system and an analytical temperature time series model. The objective of this dissertation …

A Hurricane Evacuation Route System Real-Time Monitoring And Distribution Of Load, Anup Khanal

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Hurricane evacuation is one of the major steps in diminishing the devastating effects of hurricanes on lives and properties. The challenge in evacuating a large number of people in a short time is the severe congestion faced in the transportation network, leading to long delays and shortages. Standard hurricane evacuation plans focus on how to best utilize the main arteries. The research challenge is to not overload the fastest routes and to utilize all the routes efficiently. The evacuation routing system proposed in this thesis focuses on distributing the traffic load throughout the network, utilizing alternative routes not considered in …

Implementation Requirements For The Notice Architecture In Vehicular Communications, Dusadee Treeumnuk

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Many studies have been focusing on Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networking (VANET) in order to increase the quality of traffic and life on the road. An important aspect in vehicular communications is maintaining the privacy and security of VANET. NOTICE is an emerging architecture promising efficient traffic notification as well as strong immunity to malicious attacks, leading to improvement of safety and reduction of traffic congestion on roadways. To enable secure traffic notification, the NOTICE system employs vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication rather than vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication like in traditional VANET. The infrastructure consists of sensor belts which are embedded in the roadway and …

International Service Learning Projects For Senior Capstone Projects, Steve Reichle, Avery Bang, Carol Considine

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Service learning is being adopted in many engineering programs at various course levels. International service learning experiences can provide senior level engineering students with opportunities to practice the required skills of engineering graduates as detailed by the ABET Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs. Bridges to Prosperity is a non-profit organization that builds footbridges in rural third world communities. These design build footbridge projects require a full year for fundraising, site visit, design and construction, and provide engineering students an opportunity to practice their knowledge of globalization, sustainability, engineering design, teamwork, and leadership. A team of students from the University of …

Mesoscale Dispersive Flux In The Lower Reaches Of The Elizabeth River Estuary, Byron Danrich Tracy

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Congress has mandated under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act that Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL's) be established for impaired water bodies to further identify and regulate their waste assimilative capacity. To establish a TMDL, the sources of waste loading or pollutants must be identified, and a method of determining how each should be limited or removed must be developed. Using a water quality model is a typical method for determining these limits, and since new or changed limits will likely impact local businesses and government budgets, the model must be accurate. For most tidal systems larger than small …

Parallel Mpi/Fortran Finite Element Symmetrical/Unsymmetrical Domain Decomposition, Siroj Tungkatara

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

MPI/FORTRAN finite element analysis software based on Domain Decomposition (DD) formulas has been developed in this work. Efficient input data storage/data communication schemes, domain partitioning, fast symbolical and numerical sparse assembly, symmetrical/unsymmetrical sparse solver and robust symmetrical/unsymmetrical iterative solvers algorithms are all incorporated into the developed code. Parallel Precondition Conjugated Gradient (PCG) and Flexible Generalized Minimum Residual (FGMRES) are developed. Efficient computational techniques used in the developed code are explained. Numerical performance and the accuracy of the developed code are conducted on acoustic examples with medium to large grid sizes. The results obtained from ODU Wilbur cluster (under parallel processing …

Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation Of Mono Azo Dye Orange Ii: Catalyst Selection, Reaction Kinetics, And Modeling, Pinar Ozdural

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Wastewaters generated as byproducts of dyeing processes are not treatable with conventional methods. It has been estimated that among the 900,000 tons of different dyes produced annually in the world, approximately 10–15% are lost in wastewater streams during manufacturing and processing operations. Once in rivers and streams, dyes cause major problems, such as reducing light penetration, or displaying toxic effects on aquatic life. Therefore, it is essential that dyes are removed from wastewaters before being discharged into the environment.

This study focuses on the catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of Orange II, a mono azo dye used in large amounts …

Nonlinear Random Response Of Large-Scale Sparse Finite Element Plate Bending Problems, Swati Chokshi

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Acoustic fatigue is one of the major design considerations for skin panels exposed to high levels of random pressure at subsonic/supersonic/hypersonic speeds. The nonlinear large deflection random response of the single-bay panels aerospace structures subjected to random excitations at various sound pressure levels (SPLs) is investigated. The nonlinear responses of plate analyses are limited to determine the root-mean-square displacement under uniformly distributed pressure random loads. Efficient computational technologies like sparse storage schemes and parallel computation are proposed and incorporated to solve large-scale, nonlinear large deflection random vibration problems for both types of loading cases: (1) synchronized in time and (2) …

Massive Spatiotemporal Watershed Hydrological Storm Event Response Model (Mhserm) With Time-Lapsed Nexrad Radar Feed, Changqing Song

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Correctly and efficiently estimating hydrological responses corresponding to a specific storm event at the streams in a watershed is the main goal of any sound water resource management strategy. Methods for calculating a stream flow hydrograph at the selected streams typically require a great deal of spatial and temporal watershed data such as geomorphological data, soil survey, landcover, precipitation data, and stream network information to name a few. However, extracting and preprocessing such data for estimation and analysis is a hugely time-consuming task, especially for a watershed with hundreds of streams and lakes and complicated landcover and soil characteristics. To …

Development And Validation Of A Dynamic Model Of The Maglev Transportation System At Old Dominion University, Ajinkya Deodhar, Sebastian Bawab, Aravind Hanasoge

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

A dynamic model of the vehicle/guideway coupled with a controller is developed for the maglev demonstration system currently being developed at ODU, using the MAthematical DYnamic MOdeling software - MADYMO. The fundamental characteristics of the vehicle and guideway are obtained from detailed finite element analyses using MSC-NASTRAN. As a result, the vehicle is modeled in MADYMO as a 21- degree-of-freedom spring-mass-damper system. A three span concrete guideway is modeled using 3D solid Hex8 elements. The air gap is modeled as a penetration of the magnets into the guideway. Decentralized colocated PD controllers are used for controlling the penetration of each …

Exceed Teaching Workshop: Tenth Year Anniversary, Allen Estes, Ronald Welch, Stephen Ressler, Norman Dennis, Debra Larson, Carol Considine, Tonya Nilsson, Jim O'Brien, Thomas Lenox

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

In response to the need for faculty training, the American Society of Civil Engineers developed and funded the ExCEEd (Excellence in Civil Engineering Education) Teaching Workshop that is today - the summer of 2008 - celebrating its tenth year of existence. For the past decade, nineteen ExCEEd Teaching Workshops (ETW) have been held at the United States Military Academy, the University of Arkansas, and Northern Arizona University, with two more workshops scheduled for this summer for a total of 21 offerings. ETW has realized 449 graduates from 203 different U.S. and international colleges and universities. This paper summarizes the content …

Simulation, Visualization And Self-Assessment Tools For Enhanced Engineering Education The Stiffness Matrix Method Module For Structural Analysis, Ahmed Ali Mohammed

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Existing macromedia FLASH software which has extensive and exciting simulation and visualization capabilities is utilized to develop the "Stiffness Matrix Method" (SMM) module, which is one of the new topics ( offered for the first time in Spring 2007 semester) covered in a Structural Analysis I course, offered at the junior level at Old Dominion University. The developed software (under the FLASH environment), including tutorial lectures to explain all necessary theoretical backgrounds, formulas, step-by-step computerized procedures and numerical examples are presented in simple, user friendly, visualized, interactive fashion to enhance the student's learning capabilities. Through numerous graphical visualization and simulation …

Adsorption Of Lead (Ii) Ions By Organosilicate Nanoporous Materials, Larry Keith Isaacs

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

As-synthesized organosilicate nanoporous (OSNP) materials HMS (hexagonal mesoporous structure) and MCM-41 were used as adsorbents for removal of lead (II) ions in laboratory batch and column studies. Mesoporous organosilicates were prepared from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and either an ionic (cetyltrimethyl-ammonium) or neutral (dodecylamine) surfactant. Batch reaction distribution coefficients for MCM-41 were K_D = 51.5 L/g (SD = 26.3) at 24 h and K_D = 73.7 L/g (SD = 40.5) at 7 d. OSNP lead (II) ion adsorption increased from pH = 3 until pH ca. 7.5 after which a sharp decrease in adsorption was noted. OSNP materials reflected a …

Analysis Of Ultraviolet Energy Distribution In Uv Disinfection Systems Using Monte Carlo Ray -Trace Method, Khoi Trung Nguyen

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Determination of fluence rate in ultraviolet (UV) disinfection systems is a crucial part in evaluating disinfection efficiency of the systems. A robust Monte Carlo Ray Trace (MCRT) method has been developed to determine fluence rates in three-dimensional space of the systems. This is a statistical sampling method in which millions of random light energy bundles are simulated from the axis of each UV lamp and traced through the system until their energies reduce to a minimum threshold level. Inherent phenomena including refraction through quartz tubes, specular reflection at quartz tube surfaces, and absorption by quartz and water, along with specific …

Using Principles Of Momentum Conservation To Develop A Coastal Storm Impulse Scale (Cosi), Chris Adam Klentzman

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Coastal engineers have long recognized the need for a storm classification system that combines wave conditions, storm surge, and the length of time for the storm event. A new classification system has been developed that is based on the conservation of total horizontal momentum. This research concentrated on developing the theory and then applying that theory for a 10-year period of data from the Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility (FRF) in Duck, North Carolina. When fully developed, the Coastal Storm Impulse scale (COSI) may be applied to all previous Hurricane and Northeaster storm events along a coast and …

Gis-Based Integration Of Swat And Remm For Estimating Water Quality Benefits Of Riparian Buffers In Agricultural Watersheds, Y. Liu, Wanhong Yang, Xixi Wang

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a process-based, watershed-scale model with a hydrologic response unit (HRU) as the basic computation element, which makes it difficult to accurately represent riparian buffers using their physical parameters (e.g., vegetation structure). On the other hand, the field-scale Riparian Ecosystem Management Model (REMM) provides the opportunity to consider details of hydrologic processes within a riparian buffer zone. However, the runoff and its associated constituents from the upland area that is hydraulically connected to the riparian buffer zone must be provided as inputs into REMM. The rationale proposed here is that the integration of …

The Reflective Mariner An Approach For Ecdis Training And Operational Usage, Scott W. Muller

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The emergence of the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) on the bridge of modem vessels offers the possibility of improving the safety and efficiency of maritime operations. Despite its benefits, improper use of ECDIS relegates the watch officer to passive monitoring, which in tum places the mariner "out of the control loop" in the assessment of vessel control functions and equipment malfunctions. It is therefore vital to train mariners to be active in their ECDIS monitoring. This thesis presents a training strategy aimed at developing the "Reflective Mariner": an approach to help mariners maintain their active use of …

An Analysis Of Indicator Organism Suitability For Lower James And York Rivers, Rhonda Ashonti Ford

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The primary objectives of this thesis are (1) determine if the proper indicator organism is being utilized to determine the bacterial water quality in the State of Virginia. (2) If other environmental factors can predict the bacterial water quality. The current indicator organism of choice for bacterial water quality of waters in the State of Virginia is enterococci, for estuarine and brackish waters. E. coli is the indicator organism of choice for fresh waters in Virginia.

The study concluded (1) Enterococci are the best indicator organism for beaches located in the Hampton Roads Harbor and the Lower James River. (2) …

Unsymmetrical And Symmetrical Sparse Iterative Algorithm With Multiple Right-Hand-Sides Strategies, D. T. Nguyen, A. P. Honrao, G. Hou, O. Akan, O. Baysal

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Unified unsymmetrical and symmetrical iterative solvers for handling multiple right-hand-side vectors are examined in this work. Efficient computer implementation strategies (to reduce computational time and in-core memory requirements) are proposed. In-core, out-of-core, linear, multiple right hand side (RHS) vectors, non-linear, symmetrical, and unsymmetrical capabilities of the developed software are demonstrated by solving variety of problems selected form different engineering disciplines. Results indicate that the developed algorithm and software is reliable and efficient.

A Hybrid Course In Fundamentals Of Building Construction Using Combination Archived Video And Live Session Distance Learning, Vernon W. Lewis Jr., Carol L. Considine, June Ritchie

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

A course in the Fundamentals of Building Construction has been a curricular requirement of the Civil Engineering Technology Program (CET) since its inception. This course was taught traditionally as an on-campus class. Over the last ten years, the CET program has expanded to contain an extensive distance learning component, with at least half of the enrollment located off campus. The model for the typical distance-learning class is to meet for three hours, once a week, with a fully interactive (voice) live class. In consideration of the demand of a growing distance learning system, it was decided to restructure this class …

Individual Certification As An Engineering Manager?, Rafael Landaeta, Kawintorn Pothanun, William Peterson

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Several of the discipline specific professional societies are offering or planning to offer certification of individuals as engineering managers. Does this have implications for Engineering Management programs at universities? Other stakeholders (faculty, students, employers, and graduates of engineering management programs) are impacted by certification as well. This paper attempts to look at the issue from several points of view. This paper is intended to provoke a dialog on the topic.

Halonitromethane Treatment Using Advanced Oxidation Process: Rates, Mechanisms And Kinetic Modeling, Stuart Kirkham Cole

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Halonitromethanes (HNMs) are low molecular weight halogenated disinfection-by-products (DBPs) found to be formed during ozonation, chlorination, or chloramination of waters containing natural bromide ion and nitrogenous organic matter. This work identifies the absolute rate constants for the oxidative hydroxyl radical (•OH) and reductive hydrated electron e^- _aq extinction of HNM compounds. Three forms of HNMs included in this study are the chlorinated, brominated, and mixed halogenated compounds. Electron pulse radiolysis and transient absorption spectroscopy were used to measure •OH and e^- _aq radical absolute reaction rate constants for a total of nine HNMs. To elucidate the decomposition reaction …

Effects Of Initial Seated Position On Whiplash In Low Speed Rear-End Impacts Comparison And Study Using The Tno Rear Impact Dummy (Trid) Model, Manjunath P. Venkataramana

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Despite numerous investigations devoted to its scrutiny, injury causing mechanism associated with rear-end impact collision producing injury such as Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) has remained a mystery. Several criteria have been proposed to predict the injury causing mechanism, but none have been universally accepted. The challenge lies in determining a set of testing procedures representative of real-world collisions, wherein the results obtained are not only the same as human testing, but remain consistent with various subjects and impact conditions. It is hypothesized that one of the most important considerations is the effect of initial seated position (ISP).

This thesis can …