Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Characterizing Ecologically Relevant Variations In Streamflow Regimes, Kiran J. Chinnayakanahalli

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Maintaining the ecological health of streams is vital for sustainable water resources management. Streamflow is a primary factor influencing the structure and function of ecological communities. A quantitative understanding of how stream biota respond to variation in streamflow is required for stream bioassessment. This dissertation focuses on quantifying relationships between streamflow regime and stream macroinvertebrate richness and composition. The contribution comprises statistical models that predict stream macroinvertebrate class from streamflow regime and predict streamflow regime from watershed attributes, and a tool that helps derive watershed attribute variables used in these models.

The dissertation is a collection of three papers. In …

Reliability-Based Underseepage Analysis In Levees Using Monte Carlo Simulation, Lourdes Polanco

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A new method for assessing the potential for unsatisfactory levee performance due to underseepage is presented. Specifically, the method assesses the potential for the initiation of piping (the internal backward erosion of the foundation or embankment caused by seepage). Current assessment methods consist of deterministic seepage analyses and simplified reliability methods. Deterministic methods produce either a maximum hydraulic exit gradient or a Factor of Safety against piping but they do not account for high levels of uncertainty in soil properties and subsurface geometry that are inherent to many levee analyses. The most common simplified reliability approaches that are currently being …

Internal Design Of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (Mse) Retaining Walls Using Crimped Bars, Bernardo A. Castellanos

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Current design codes of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls allow the use lower lateral earth pressure coefficient (K value) for designing geosynthetics walls than those used to design steel walls. The reason of this is because geosynthetics walls are less rigid permitting the wall to deform enough to work under active pressures instead of at rest pressures as in steel walls.

A new concept of crimped steel bars was recently introduced. This new type of bar was tested for tension and pullout behavior. Results on tests made on crimped bars show that putting those crimps in the steel bar will …

Increased Functionality Of Floodplain Mapping Automation: Utah Inundation Mapping System (Utims), Brian K. Stevens

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Floodplain mapping has become an increasingly important part of floodplain management. Floodplain mapping employs mapping software and hydraulic calculation packages to efficiently map floodplains. Modelers often utilize automation software to develop the complex geometries required to reduce the time to develop hydraulic models.

The Utah Inundation Mapping System (UTIMS) was designed to reduce the time required to develop complex geometries for use in floodplain mapping studies. UTIMS reduces the time required to develop geometries used in floodplain management studies. The automated geometries developed include: flood specific river centerlines, bank lines, flow path lines, cross sections, and areal averaged n-value polygons. …

Ultimate Shear Capacity And Residual Prestress Force Of Full-Scale, Forty-One-Year-Old Prestressed-Concrete Girders, Parry Osborn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The ultimate shear capacity of prestressed concrete beams is difficult to predict accurately, especially after being in service for an extended period of time. The Utah Department of Transportation asked researchers at Utah State University to experimentally determine the existing shear capacity of 41-year-old prestressed, decommissioned concrete bridge girders and then provide recommendations on how to increase that ultimate shear capacity. This thesis presents the research findings that relate to the existing shear capacity of the prestressed concrete girders.

Eight AASHTO Type II bridge girders were tested up to failure by applying external loads near the supports to determine their …

Multivariate Bayesian Machine Learning Regression For Operation And Management Of Multiple Reservoir, Irrigation Canal, And River Systems, Andres M. Ticlavilca

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The principal objective of this dissertation is to develop Bayesian machine learning models for multiple reservoir, irrigation canal, and river system operation and management. These types of models are derived from the emerging area of machine learning theory; they are characterized by their ability to capture the underlying physics of the system simply by examination of the measured system inputs and outputs. They can be used to provide probabilistic predictions of system behavior using only historical data. The models were developed in the form of a multivariate relevance vector machine (MVRVM) that is based on a sparse Bayesian learning machine …

Distributed Hydrological Modeling Using Soil Depth Estimated Based On Landscape Variables From Enhanced Terrain Analysis, Teklu K. Tesfa

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The spatial patterns of land surface and subsurface characteristics determine the spatial heterogeneity of hydrological processes. Soil depth is one of these characteristics and an important input parameter required by distributed hydrological models that explicitly represent spatial heterogeneity. Soil is related to topography and land cover due to the role played by topography and vegetation in affecting soil-forming processes. The research described in this dissertation addressed the development of statistical models that predict the soil depth pattern over the landscape; derivation of new topographic variables evaluated using both serial and parallel algorithms; and evaluation of the impacts of detailed soil …

Full-Scale Testing Of 40 Year Old Prestressed Aashto Girders That Have Been Retrofitted In Shear By Externally Applied Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Wraps, David A. Petty

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is interested in the application of rehabilitation techniques to strengthen their AASTHO prestressed bridge girders for shear. Utah's bridges are exposed to deterioration from rain, snow, and the introduction of salt for ice removable. This requires innovative rehabilitation techniques to address the deteriorations of their highway bridges, especially the ends of bridge girders where water and salt are more common due to construction joints. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) are becoming more prevalent as a tool in highway bridge rehabilitation.

This research investigates the application of various CFRP systems that can be used as …

Changes In Hybrid Poplar Endophytic Microbial Diversity In Response To Trichloroethylene Exposure, Jared S. Ervin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Remediation of trichloroethylene (TCE) is a major priority for many contaminated sites all over the industrialized world including Hill Air Force Base, UT (HAFB). Phytoremediation as part of a cleanup strategy is an appealing option, and trees at HAFB have been studied to this end. Trees have also been used to delineate groundwater plumes because the passive uptake of organic contaminants by trees generally results in a direct relationship between tree and groundwater TCE concentrations if the trees are using the contaminated groundwater. However, the concentrations of plant-produced TCE metabolites can vary greatly. It was hypothesized that the endophytic microbial …

Data Analysis Of Utah's I-80 And I-215 Bridges - For The Use In The Development Of Accelerated Bridge Construction Standards, Erik S. Rosvall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study discusses five bridges on Utah's I-80 that were replaced in the summer of 2008 using Accelerated Bridge Construction methods. Each superstructure was built offsite and moved into place with the use of Self-Propelled Modular Transporters. The bridges were instrumented and monitored during the moving process to investigate the effects of moving an entire superstructure into place. Collected data was analyzed to find the level of stress each superstructure experienced during lifting, moving, and placement of each bridge.

The change in supporting conditions from when the superstructure was built to being transferred onto Self-Propelled Modular Transporters caused significant stress …

Remotely Sensed Data Assimilation Technique To Develop Machine Learning Models For Use In Water Management, Bushra Zaman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Increasing population and water conflicts are making water management one of the most important issues of the present world. It has become absolutely necessary to find ways to manage water more efficiently. Technological advancement has introduced various techniques for data acquisition and analysis, and these tools can be used to address some of the critical issues that challenge water resource management.

This research used learning machine techniques and information acquired through remote sensing, to solve problems related to soil moisture estimation and crop identification on large spatial scales. In this dissertation, solutions were proposed in three problem areas that can …

Effects Of Submergence In Montana Flumes, Ryan P. Willeitner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As part of a continued research project for the Utah Water Research Laboratory and the State of Utah, a study of flow measurement devices is being conducted throughout the state. Initially the project included only measurement devices associated with high-risk dams, but has since been broadened to any measurement structure of interest for water users in the state. The physical dimensions, relative elevations, and flow accuracy were documented for each included device.

After visiting sixteen sites, it was found that fourteen of the measuring devices had incorrect geometries. Of these fourteen, thirteen of them were originally Parshall flumes. A large …

Fundamentals Of Operation Of The Induced Bed Reactor (Ibr) Anaerobic Digester, Jacob Shaun Dustin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Induced Bed Reactor (IBR) was developed at Utah State University to apply high-rate anaerobic digestion techniques to high solids content substrates. This technology has been successfully implemented at full-scale multiple installations in the United States and Canada as a waste treatment and energy production technology, but the physical processes necessary to further optimize the system were not well understood.

Bench scale IBRs were operated as anaerobic digesters at 35°, 45°, and 55° C under three organic loading rates and three corresponding hydraulic retention times. Reactor performance was monitored at steady state for residence time distribution and substrate reduction.

The …

Water Allocation Challenges In Rural River Basins: A Case Study From The Walawe River Basin, Sri Lanka, D. K. Neelanga Weragala

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation evaluates the water allocation challenges in the rural river basins of the developing world, where demands are growing and the supply is limited. While many of these basins have yet to reach the state of closure, their water users are already experiencing water shortages. Agricultural crop production in rural river basins of the developing world plays a major role in ensuring food security. However, irrigation as the major water consumer in these basins has low water use efficiency. As water scarcity grows, the need to maximize economic gains by reallocating water to more efficient uses becomes important. …

The Utah Pilot Bridge, Live Load And Dynamic Testing, Modeling And Monitoring For The Long-Term Bridge Performance Program, Steven M. Petroff

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As part of the Federal Highway Administration's Long-Term Bridge Performance Program, Live Load and Dynamic tests were conducted. A long-term monitoring plan was developed and presented for the Utah Pilot Bridge based on Live Load and Dynamic tests. As one of seven pilot bridges, the Utah Pilot Bridge is one of the first bridges used to initiate the LTBP Program. A formal permit approval process, with the Utah Department of Transportation, was followed to gain permission to conduct the tests and install long-term instrumentation. Analysis provided good results for each test completed, with a summary of test results presented. A …

A Study Of Cause And Effect Relationships Of Snowmelt-Induced Movement For The Skunk Hollow Landslide, Brent P. Randall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Skunk Hollow Landslide (located 1 mile north of Mantua, UT along US-89) was instrumented with an automated monitoring system to aid in the determination of the triggering mechanism of slow moving landslides. Data was transmitted wirelessly through telecommunications to allow year-round, real-time monitoring of the site. Measurements were recorded and analyzed for the first season of landslide movement (fall 2009 to spring 2010) to better understand the correlations between snowmelt and movement initiation. Based on the first year of data, it appears that the Skunk Hollow Landslide is controlled by water infiltrating into the slide mass through cracks and …

Relative Performance Comparison And Loss Estimation Of Seismically Isolated And Fixed-Based Buildings Using Pbee Approach, Prayag J. Sayani

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Current design codes generally use an equivalent linear approach for preliminary design of a seismic isolation system. The equivalent linear approach is based on effective parameters, rather than physical parameters of the system, and may not accurately account for the nonlinearity of the isolation system. The second chapter evaluates an alternative normalized strength characterization against the equivalent linear characterization. Following considerations for evaluation are included: (1) ability to effectively account for variations in ground motion intensity, (2) ability to effectively describe the energy dissipation capacity of the isolation system, and (3) conducive to developing design equations that can be implemented …

Live-Load Test And Computer Modeling Of A Pre-Cast Concrete Deck, Steel Girder Bridge, And A Cast-In-Place Concrete Box Girder Bridge, Leonardo A. Pockels

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The scheduled replacement of the 8^th North Bridge, in Salt Lake City, UT, presented a unique opportunity to test a pre-cast concrete deck, steel girder bridge. A live-load test was performed under the directions of Bridge Diagnostic Inc (BDI) and Utah State University. Six different load paths were chosen to be tested. The recorded data was used to calibrate a finite-element model of this superstructure, which was created using solid, shell, and frame elements. A comparison between the measured and finite-element response was performed and it was determined that the finite-element model replicated the measured results within 3.5% of …

Removal And Utilization Of Wastewater Nutrients For Algae Biomass And Biofuels, Erick W. Griffiths

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Logan City Environmental Department operates a facility that consists of 460 acres of fairly shallow lagoons (~ 5'deep) for biological wastewater treatment that meets targets for primary and secondary treatments (solids, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and pathogen removal). Significant natural algal growth occurs in these lagoons, which improves BOD removal through oxygenation and also facilitates N removal through volatilization as ammonia under high pH conditions created by algal growth. Phosphorus, however, is non-volatile and stays in the water and likely cycles in and out of algal cells as they grow and die in the lagoons. In the near future, …

Factors Affecting Air Entrainment Of Hydraulic Jumps Within Closed Conduits, Joshua D. Mortensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

While there has been a great deal of research on air entrainment at hydraulic jumps within closed conduits, very little of the research has specifically addressed size and temperature scale effects. Influences from jump location and changing length characteristics on air entrainment have also received little attention from past research. To determine the significance of size-scale effects of air entrained by hydraulic jumps in closed conduits, air flow measurements were taken in four different-sized circular pipe models with similar Froude numbers. Each of the pipe models sloped downward and created identical flow conditions that differed only in size. Additionally, specific …

Parshall Flume Staff Gauge Location And Entrance Wingwall Discharge Calibration Corrections, Bryan J. Heiner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Utah Water Research Laboratory, in conjunction with the State of Utah, initiated a study to determine the accuracy of a wide variety of flow measurement devices in Utah. The project selected 70 sites with flow measurement devices throughout the state. During the assessment each device had its physical condition and flow measurement accuracy documented.

Although a wide variety of flow measurement devices were tested, the majority were Parshall flumes. Many of the assessed Parshall flumes were not measuring flow to the specified ±5 percent design accuracy. Problems in flow measurement were due to issues with the staff gauge location …

Quantifying Surface Water And Groundwater Interactions In A High-Gradient Mountain Stream For Solute Transport, Noah M. Schmadel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study reach in a mountain stream highly influenced by groundwater was selected to test common data collection strategies used to characterize and quantify groundwater exchange processes necessary to predict solute transport. The data types collected include: high frequency discharge estimates with the use of rating curves, dilution gauging techniques with instantaneous tracer experiments, groundwater table and stream water surface elevations, vertical head gradients, and hydraulic conductivity estimates. The first two data types were categorized as stream gauging and the remaining three data types as site characterization. The stream gauging data were used to quantify net changes in stream discharge …

Metering Secondary Water In Residential Irrigation Systems, Gregory L. Richards

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of residential secondary or dual water systems for irrigation purposes is common in the western United States where water supplies are scarce. While the use of non-potable water in secondary systems has successfully curtailed demands on potable systems, experience has shown that overall water use actually increases with the introduction of a secondary supply because users commonly pay a fixed fee and have unlimited water use. While water metering and billing effectively reduce water use, there are two main obstacles to the widespread installation of meters in secondary systems.

The first obstacle is that standard residential water meters …

Behavior Of Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders, Franklin B. Angomas

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

For this research, prestress losses were monitored in six HPC bridge girders. These measured losses were compared to predicted losses according to four sources. Prestress loss predictive methods considered for this research were: 1- AASHTO LRFD 2004, 2- AASHTO LRFD 2004 Refined, 3- AASHTO LRFD 2007, and 4- AASHTO LRFD Lump Sum method. On the other hand, the camber prediction methods used in the present research were: 1- Time dependent method described in NCHRP Report 496, 2- PCI multiplier method, and 3- Improved PCI Multiplier method. For the purpose of this research, long-term prestress losses were monitored in select girders …

Measurement Of Air Pollutant Emissions From A Confined Poultry Facility, Olumuyiwa Omotola Ogunlaja

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Air emissions from animal feeding operations have become a growing concern. Much work has been done to study occupational exposures and the exhaust concentrations associated with animal facilities; however little information has been provided about air quality around the houses. Ammonia (NH₃ ), ethanol (EtOH), nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and particulate matter (PM _2.5 and PM₁₀) emissions were monitored in two different buildings for laying hens in northern Utah. Over the six-month sampling period, the observed average temperatures for the west and east fan banks of the high-rise building were 21.2±4 …

Sediment Transport Impacts Upon Culvert Hydraulics, Wade H. Goodridge

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Sedimentation buildup and accumulation can cause serious impediments to the hydraulic capacity of culvert systems. There has not been any significant research to date regarding the behavior of bed load transport nor the implications of bed forms upon the hydraulics associated with culvert flow. The primary objective of this study was to investigate how sediment transport occurs in a culvert and to then develop a methodology and test setup to successfully investigate this sediment transport. The investigation was limited to studying culvert and pipeline transport of alluvial material in sand and gravel sizes.

This dissertation develops a semi-empirical bed load …

Finite Element Modeling Of Full Depth Precast Concrete Transverse Bridge Deck Connections, Jacob Logan Julander

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The frequent use of precast concrete panels has been used to decrease the construction time for bridges. Cracking often occurs at the transverse connections of these panels, resulting in corrosion, and decreased bridge life. Previous laboratory testing of these connections was performed at Utah State University for the Utah Department of Transportation to determine maximum shear and moment capacities, cracking behavior, and cracking loads for five different connections. Two connections are Utah Department of Transportation standard connections. These connections are post tensioned and welded tie connection using shear studs. A different type of welded tie connection using rebar was also …

Development Of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (Mse) Wall Inspection Procedure For Failure Mode Analysis And Risk Assessment, Ryan Bruce Maw

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A large component of the State of Utah's transportation network involves the use of MSE walls, which have proven useful in infrastructure for their reduced costs and footprint compared to other alternatives. As effective as MSE walls have been in responding to demands in transportation, they also have inherent challenges. For the majority of MSE walls the structure is limited in observation as structural components are buried as part of the soils mass. This inability to observe at can lead to the development of complex failure mechanisms, which can be difficult to assess and anticipate. As society becomes increasingly reliant …

Water Allocation For Agricultural Use Considering Treated Wastewater, Public Health Risk, And Economic Issues, Ahmed E. Al-Juaidi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Increasing demand on limited water resources calls for more efficient and improved approaches to maximize the benefits of water use. Typically, agricultural water use has the largest share among all water use sectors. Therefore, finding the best agricultural water management alternatives to maximize profit and reduce financial and other related risks under limited water availability is essential. Treated wastewater is an important alternative source of agricultural water which has the potential to reduce the stress on freshwater sources from urban and industrial sectors. Thus, further research on optimal agricultural water management is needed to find the best management alternatives that …

Energy Losses In Cross Junctions, Zachary B. Sharp

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Solving for energy losses in pipe junctions has been a focus of study for many years. Although pipe junctions and fittings are at times considered "minor losses" in relation to other energy losses in a pipe network, there are cases where disregarding such losses in flow calculations will lead to errors. To facilitate these calculations, energy loss coefficients (K-factors) are commonly used to obtain energy losses for elbows, tees, crosses, valves, and other pipe fittings. When accurate K-factors are used, the flow rate and corresponding energy at any location in a pipe network can be calculated. K-factors are well defined …