Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Missouri River Recovery Program: Spring Rise And The Missouri River

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Spring rise is a term used to describe the natural fluctuations in a river’s water level. Flooding is a natural part of a river’s relationship with its surrounding floodplain, and a river’s native wildlife and plant life become specially adapted to a river’s annual rise and fall. The frequency, duration, magnitude and timing of a river’s floods determine the types of species that associate with the river, over time creating an interdependent food web and ecosystem. In addition to controlling river biodiversity, spring rises affect the physical environment by adding nutrients to the surroundings, creating habitats for certain species, and …

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Omaha District Quarterly Drought Report, February 2008

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Current Conditions

Reservoir Predictions

Drought Outlook

Missouri River Region Mountain Snowpack Report

Ft. Peck, Montana

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Garrison, North Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Boat Ramp Information

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Other Areas of Interest/Concern

Oahe, South Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Mainstem Reservoir Storage Comparison Water Years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Ft. Peck, MT

Garrison, ND

Oahe, SD

Review Of Career Development In Bioengineering And Biotechnology By Guruprasad Madhavan, Barbara Oakley, And Luis Kun (Editors), Springer Science+Business Media, Llc, 2008, Mark R. Riley

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

As an educator in biological engineering, I am often asked by students about career opportunities in this growing field. The field of biological engineering merges approaches and methodologies from a variety of traditional disciplines, and so practitioners of biological engineering can find professional opportunities in numerous areas.

The recently published book Career Development in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, (485 pages) edited by Madhavan, Oakley, and Kun, represents an ambitious undertaking with the goal of not only presenting career options and career development techniques but also addressing how the work of an individual can impact society. The book contains 71 chapters divided …

System And Method For Analyzing Material Properties Using Hyperspectral Imaging, Jeyamkondan Subbiah, Chris Richard Calkins, Ashok Samal

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Systems and methods are provided for analyzing material properties of an object using hyperspectral imaging. An exemplary method includes obtaining a hyperspectral image of an object; analyzing the hyperspectral image according to an algorithm; and correlating data obtained from the analysis with material properties of the object.

Performance Requirements And Evaluation Procedures For Advance Wide Area Detectors, Anuj Sharma, Matthew Harding, Brad Giles, Darcy M. Bullock, James R. Sturdevant, Srinivas Peeta

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Dilemma zone protection ideally requires the exact position and speed of all the vehicles approaching the intersection. However, point detectors, typically used to protect vehicle incursion into the dilemma zone, only provide binary information about the presence or absence of a vehicle at a fixed point in space. The information regarding position and speed of the vehicle in subsequent time steps is extrapolated. The extrapolation error increases with the increase in projection time. Wide area detector (WAD) overcomes this drawback by tracking each vehicle at all times until they move out of range. Such a detector has the potential to …

Field Evaluation Of Alternative Real-Time Methods For Estimating Approach Delay At Signalized Intersections, Anuj Sharma, Darcy M. Bullock

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Vehicle delay at a signalized intersection is among the widely used performance measures of efficiency at a signalized intersection. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) uses this performance measure to report the level of service at a signalized intersection. This performance measure is also used to estimate travel time along the arterials. With the advent of technological advances in the field of vehicle detection, real-time measurement of delay at a signalized intersection has become economically and computationally feasible. This paper compares three emerging techniques for estimating approach delay: an Input Output technique (IO), a Hybrid technique, and the HCM delay equation. …

Buffer Law And Transitional Roughness Effect In Turbulent Open-Channel Flows, Junke Guo, Pierre Y. Julien

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

A novel and complete velocity profile law is presented for turbulent open channel flows. The law embeds the linear law in the viscous sublayer; the quartic law due to turbulent bursting that must satisfy instantaneous mass conservation, the modified log-wake law in the outer region and the effects of wall roughness. Specifically, an arctangent law smoothly connects the linear law with the log law of the wall. Combining the arctangent law with the modified log-wake law, a continuous velocity profile is proposed for smooth boundary conditions. A complete velocity profile is obtained after subtracting a new roughness function. Finally, the …

Phase Iii Development Of A Short-Radius Guardrail For Intersecting Roadways, Cody S. Stolle, Karla A. Polivka, Robert W. Bielenberg, Ronald K. Faller, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde, John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Tl-5 Vertical Faced Concrete Median Barrier Incorporating Head Ejection Criteria, Scott Rosenbaugh, Dean L. Sicking, Ronald K. Faller

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Climate Change On Aquatic Invasive Species And Implications For Management And Research (Powerpoint Presentation), Britta Bierwagen, Roxanne Thomas, Kathryn Mengerink, Austin Kane

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Contents:
Five Key Lessons from Report
Climate Change Effects on Aquatic Ecosystems
Climate Change Effects on Aquatic Invasive Species may…
Other stressors may…
Why focus on AIS?
This Report Includes
Report Process
Climate Change & Invasion Pathway
Climate Change & Interacting Stressors
AIS Management Activities
State Managers’ Reported Concerns
Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change
Accounting for Changing Conditions
Information & Research Needs
Research Recommendations
Possible Next Steps
On-going Activities

Midwest Guardrail System For Long-Span Culvert Application, Robert W. Bielenberg, Ronald K. Faller, John R. Rohde, Dean L. Sicking, James C. Holloway, Karla A. Polivka, John D. Reid, Erin M. Allison

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Development Of The Midwest Guardrail System (Mgs) W-Beam To Thrie Beam Transition Element, Ronald K. Faller, John R. Rohde, Robert W. Bielenberg, Karla A. Polivka, Dean L. Sicking, John D. Reid, Craig M. Eller, Erin M. Allison

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Manure Testing: What To Request?, Charles A. Shapiro, Charles S. Wortmann

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Manure testing is necessary to make optimum use of manure while protecting water resources. This publication is a guide to providing information on a Manure Sample Sub­mission Form for reliable interpretation of results.

The tests most frequently needed to optimize nutrient management are total and ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N), phosphorus (P₂O₅), potassium (K₂O), pH, soluble salts, sodium, and dry matter content.

Nitrogen. Manure contains both organic and inorganic forms of nitrogen. Ammonium-N is the primary inorganic form in manure and is readily available to crops. Nitrate-N concentration is usually too small to …

Evaluation Of Irrigation Strategies With The Dssat Cropping System Model, Derek M. Heeren, Hal D. Warner, Todd P. Trooien

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Water is becoming an increasingly valuable commodity with shortages and water rationing more commonplace. Since irrigation is the largest consumptive use of water in South Dakota, accounting for over 70% of the water withdrawals, irrigation water management is critical to make the best use of the water available. This project uses the CERES-Maize cropping system model (available in DSSAT v4) to study the impact of various irrigation management strategies on corn production. SDSU management software developed by Oswald (2006) is used to simulate a center pivot for specific locations and years. Weather data from several sites in the Great Plains …

Implementation Of The Aashto Lrfd Code In Geotechnical Design, Andrzej S. Nowak, Marek Kozikowski,, Tomasz A Lutomirski, Piotr Paczkowski, Jordan Larsen

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Estimating Business And Residential Water Supply Interruption Losses From Catastrophic Events, Nicholas Brozovic, David L. Sunding, David Zilberman

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

Following man-made or natural catastrophes, widespread and long-lasting disruption of lifelines can lead to economic impacts for both business and residential lifeline users. As a result, the total economic losses caused by infrastructure damage may be much higher than the value of damage to infrastructure itself. In this paper, we consider the estimation of economic impacts on businesses and residential consumers resulting from water supply disruption. The methodology we present for estimating business interruption losses assumes that marginal losses are increasing in the severity of disruption and that there may be a critical water availability cutoff below which business activity …

Effects Of Aggregates On Properties And Performance Of Mastics And Superpave Hot Mix Asphalt Mixtures, Francisco Aragão

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Superpave, a set of advancements in testing devices and specifications for asphalt binders and mixtures, was limited to address the effects of aggregates. Because aggregates represent around 95% in mass of the asphalt mixtures, it is important to understand how these materials affect properties and performance of such mixtures. This research focus on how different types and contents of aggregates affect properties of mastics and asphalt mixtures, and their performance considering the viscoelastic nature of the asphalt material.

Five different types of aggregates and hydrated lime were used for sample fabrication together with two different binders. Several different tests were …

Design Aids For Threaded Rod Precast Prestressed Girder Continuity System, Maher K. Tadros, Leslie D. Martin

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Streambank Stabilization Using Traditional And Bioengineering Methods:A Literature Review, David M. Admiraal

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Blowout Penstemon (Penstemon Haydenil) Endangered Species, James Stubbendieck, Kay Lynn Kottas

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Pilot Study On Real-Time Calculation Of Arrival Type For Assessment Of Arterial Performance, Edward J. Smaglik, Darcy M. Bullock, Anuj Sharma

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The Highway Capacity Manual uses the arrival type (AT) as a mechanism to account for the quality of traffic signal coordination in the calculation of delay at a signalized intersection. Although there is much discussion in the literature regarding the accuracy and precision of this approach, the AT parameter provides a simple mechanism for grading the performance of traffic signal coordination. This paper describes data collection limitations of current traffic signal controllers and proposes a procedure where the AT parameter can be calculated by traffic signal controllers in real time. Given that the nation received a score of 61 out …

Laying The Groundwork For Odor Control And Setback Estimation In Nebraska, Rick R. Stowell

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The goal of this field research study was to validate use of the Odor Footprint Tool (OFT) with livestock building sources in rural communities. The primary objective was to evaluate the accuracy of predictions of annoyance potential (as projected by odor concentration output data from AERMOD^® - the OFT's underlying dispersion model) when compared to measures of annoyance potential made in the field. Odor assessors were trained to monitor odors around a 4,800-head finishing site in eastern Nebraska. During the summer of 2005, mobile odor assessors monitored odor levels at downwind locations. During the spring and summer of 2006, …

Traffic Noise Barrier System: U.S. Patent No. Us 7,220,077 B2, Eric C. Humphries, Stephen D. Barratt, Ronald K. Faller, Keith J. Kurz, Dean L. Sicking

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

A crashworthy traffic noise barrier system for use alongside a path of traffic, the crashworthy traffic noise barrier system comprises a crashworthy longitudinal barrier extending substantially parallel to the path of traffic and a crashworthy traffic noise barrier wall supported by the longitudinal barrier. The crashworthy traffic noise barrier wall includes a plurality of upstanding posts attached to the traffic noise barrier wall, at least one panel supported between each adjacent pair of posts in the plurality of upstanding posts, and at least one longitudinal beam spaced above a top surface of the longitudinal barrier and extending across the plurality …

A Performance-Based Incentive Program For Asphalt Pavement, Tim Wentz, Satya Peruri, Wayne Jensen, Bruce Fischer

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Survey Of The Golden-Cheeked Warbler On Fort Hood In Support Of Nepa Requirements, Bruce Macallister, Tim Hayden, Michael Baranski, Rebecca Peak

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

This research on the golden-cheeked warbler (GCW) was con-ducted on Fort Hood, Texas, during April and June 2006. Subject matter experts on Fort Hood were consulted and helped determine which areas of the installation contained suitable GCW habitat but were not already included in The Nature Conservancy’s intensive study program. Researchers then surveyed one of these areas, documenting the presence of GCW. This research was conducted to determine if data collected in the intensive study area has been successfully extrapolated to other areas of habitat on the installation.

The collected data showed that the territory density was lower than those …

Effect Of Backwashing On Perchlorate Removal In Fixed Bed Biofilm Reactors, Young Chul Choi, Xu Li, Lutgarde Raskin, Eberhard Morgenroth

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The influence of backwashing on biological perchlorate reduction was evaluated in two laboratory scale fixed bed biofilm reactors using 1- or 3-mm glass beads as support media. Influent perchlorate concentrations were 50 μg/L and acetate was added as the electron donor at a concentration of 2 mg C/L. Perchlorate removal was evaluated at various influent dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. Complete perchlorate removal was achieved with an influent DO concentration of 1 mg/L resulting in bulk phase DO concentrations below the detection limit of 0.01 mg/L. The influence of increasing influent DO concentrations for 12 h periods was evaluated before and …

Analysis Of Fat Intake Based On The U.S. Department Of Agriculture’S 1994–96, 1998 Continuing Survey Of Food Intakes By Individuals (Csfii), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Many chemicals found in the environment tend to accumulate in fatty tissue. Assessing potential risks from these chemicals in food requires knowledge of dietary habits and the amount of fat present in various types of foods. The National Center for Environmental Assessment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Research and Development has conducted an analysis of fat consumption across the U.S. population. The analysis used data derived from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 1994–96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) and its 1998 Supplemental Children’s Survey and the EPA’s Food Commodity Intake Database (FCID). Percentiles …

Three Innovative Concepts For Short Span Steel Bridges, Aaron Jon Yakel, Atorod Azizinamini, Mohammadreza Farimani, Nazzanin Mossahebi

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Centerline Curbing Treatment At Railroad Crossings For Improved Safety, Aemal Khattak, Dwight L. Mosby Jr., Gregory Mcknight, Brian Gardner

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The objectives of this research were to study unsafe actions of motor vehicle drivers at railroadhighway grade crossings, to evaluate centerline barriers in reducing those unsafe driver actions, and to note any maintenance or other issues with the barriers. Driver actions were observed at two railroad crossings before and after installation of centerline barriers. A comparison of observed driver actions in the pre- and post-barrier periods provided information on the effectiveness of the barriers in reducing unsafe driver actions while periodic inspection of the centerline barriers provided information on maintenance needs. A major concern of the Nebraska Department of Roads …

Safety Performance Evaluation Of Minnesota's Temporary Rigid Panel Sign Stand Systems, Karla A. Polivka, James C. Holloway, Ronald K. Faller, John R. Rohde

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.