Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

A Mechanistic Approach To Modeling Habitat Needs Of Drift-Feeding Salmonids, R. Craig Addley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A mechanistic model is developed to determine the habitat needs of drift-feeding stream salmonids from the direct cause-and-effect relationships of environmental and physiological variables on net energy intake (NEI). The model determines NEI by subtracting energy costs (basal metabolism, swimming cost, digestion cost) and losses (egestion and excretion) from the gross energy intake obtained as a result of simulated prey capture. The prey capture portion of the model utilizes components of the predation model of C.S. Holling and the prey capture model of N.F. Hughes and L.M. Dill to determine the rate of prey capture (gross energy intake) as a …

Density-Dependent Convective Flow In Closed Basins, Kim L. Mccleary

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Great Basin is a region of the Basin and Range Physiographic Province, which is completely isolated hydrologically from the sea. All precipitation that falls within the Great Basin is lost from the land surface or from the surface of closed inland lakes through evapotranspiration. Playas are often found at the base of these undrained basins. This study focuses on subsurface groundwater flow patterns in closed basins. Because all discharge from the basins occurs via evapotranspiration on and near the playa, the water table of the aquifer beneath the playa is often just below the ground surface. Fluctuations of the …

Bioavailable Phosphorus In The Bear River System, Utah, Kenneth Warren Barker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The bioavailable fraction of phosphorus (BAP) in the lower Bear River system waters was investigated. BAP plays a critical role as the limiting nutrient for algal production and eutrophication in proposed reservoirs in the Bear River system. The Bear River system has a hardness ranging between 180-240 mg/L as CaCO₃ which significantly affects BAP.

BAP estimation was done by a modified Selenastrum capricornutum Printz Algal Assay Bottle Test. The algal bioassay is considered the best estimator of BAP because no chemical tests or indicator parameters are available. Autoclaving and UV radiation were found to be unacceptable means for sterilization …

Evaluation Of Spatially-Distributed Snowpack Estimation Using Pattern Recognition, Cheng-Hua Leu

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A procedure for spatially-distributed snowpack estimate is proposed and evaluated herein. This procedure is divided into two parts, off-line and on-line parts. The off-line procedure uses Fuzzy c-Varieties (FCV) algorithms to perform the watershed classification based on Landsat TM data and a digital elevation model and estimate influence coefficient for all pixels in the watershed. Through the concept of influence coefficient, a set of prototypical points can be selected and located. The on-line procedure estimates snowpack properties at these prototypical points and then transforms them to estimates of snowpack properties at any point in the watershed. To effectively evaluate this …

A Hydrological Characterization Of A Zero-Order Basin In Volcanic Hillslope Terrain, Neil A. Mock

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Hydrologists have displayed a renewed effort towards understanding the complexity of runoff generation and its association with basin structure. Basin structure is defined as the complex geomorphological, vegetation, and soil characteristics that make up and distinguish the physical nature of a drainage basin. Zero-order basins are an integral part of watershed structure because they furnish the capacity to store and transmit snowmelt and rainfall. By definition, zero-order basins are sub-basins which are depressions in the surf ace and shallow bedrock topography. This study involves a space time characterization of a zero-order basin in fractured media located in southwest Idaho.

The …

An Application Of The Finite Element Method And Two Equation (K And E) Turbulence Model To Two And Three Dimensional Fluid Flow Problems Governed By The Navier-Stokes Equations, John I. Finnie

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Finite Element computer codes in two and three dimensions were written that solve both laminar and turbulent flow. These codes use the two equation (k and E) turbulence model to evaluate turbulent viscosity. They were tested with 29 different flow problems. The largest two dimensional turbulent problem solved is flow under a sluice gate. A three dimensional vortex flow problem was attempted but was not feasible due to the size of the available computer. The Harwell sparse matrix subroutines of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority were used to solve the set of simultaneous equations. The performance of these subroutines …

Performance And Design Of Labyrinth Spillway, Nosratollah Amanian

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In recent years, the general interest in the safety of dams and reservoirs has grown appreciably. This research describes the application and design of labyrinth weirs to improve the performance of existing reservoirs and also to be used for the construction of new dams. The parameters that can affect the performance of labyrinth weirs are discussed. Tests were conducted on normal linear weirs with four different crest shapes to determine the rate of change of discharge coefficient when each type of weir is used. It is found that weirs with rounded-crest shape can pass more flow than other types of …

Clostridium Perfringens: An Adjunctive Indicator In Nonpoint Pollution, Steven G. Eberl

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Clostridium perfringens (CP) was evaluated as an additional indicator in assessing impacts and sources of microbial pollution in the Idaho-Utah Cache Valley. Point, nonpoint, river water, and animal fecal samples were analyzed for CP, total coliforms, fecal collforms, and fecal streptococci.

Monthly river samples consistently contained < 20 CP/100 mL, but concentrations of the other indicators varied significantly by location and date. Two sample stations consistently had CP concentrations greater than 20/100 mL. One of these stations was influenced by an upstream wastewater discharge. Chlorinated effluent from this trickling filter plant contained greater than 10³ CP/100 mL, but met a 400 FC/100 mL discharge standard. A consistent decrease in CP concentrations in samples taken downstream from this wastewater source were found, despite significant impact from adjacent nonpoint pollution. Lagoon and oxidation ditch wastewater effluents sampled contained < 20 CP/100 mL.

Nonpoint sources sampled (e.g., cattle feedlot runoff) contained < 20 CP/100 mL and 10²-10⁴/100 …

Aerating Butterfly Valves To Suppress Cavitation, R. Ted Davis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Proper aeration of cavitating hydraulic equipment can greatly reduce cavitation intensity, noise, and damage. This thesis quantifies the benefit, in terms of damage and noise, from aerating six inch butterfly valve. The incipient damage level of cavitation was obtained for both aerated and non-aerated conditions. The level is defined as one pit per square inch of a soft aluminum test specimen per one minute of operation. A description of the cavitation pits that occurred plus where they appeared is presented. A graph showing the aerated and non-aerated limits of incipient damage is given along with a table showing the percent …

Calibration Of A Temperature-Radiation Evapotranspiration Equation For Utah, Payam Foroughi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two reference crop evapotranspiration (ETr) equations were calibrated to the reference crop of alfalfa using 45 meteorological datafiles from 13 scattered sites in Utah and four sites in the neigboring states of Idaho and Wyoming.

The calibrations were done against the Kimberly version of the Penman ETr formula. The first equation required measured inputs of mean air temperature and solar radiation. It was referred to as the Temperature- Radiation ETr equation (ETr= CT x T x Rs). The second equation required measured inputs of mean minimum and mean maximum air temperatures. It was referred to as the New Hargreaves equation …

Pullout Resistance Of Welded Wire Mats Embedded In Soil, Mark R. Nielsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Welded wire mesh has been used in the past as soil reinforcement in the construction of reinforced soil embankments. Involved in the design of these embankments is the external and internal stability. The internal stability has two failure mechanisms; tension failure and pullout failure of the welded wire mesh.

This paper presents the results of laboratory tests on different sizes of welded wire mats embedded in different types of soils. These tests were performed on mats that are much larger than in previous tests. These tests measured the pullout resistance as a function of the number of embedded wires, the …

Evaluating The Design And Operation Of Irrigation Canals In Egypt, Amany El Kayal

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A computer simulation model for temperature data was developed in order to generate synthetic daily temperature. The model consists of two components: a deterministic component represented by a Fourier series fit, and a stochastic component represented by an autoregressive model. The simulation model was proven to be able to preserve the main statistics of the historical series.

The data generated by the above temperature model were used as an input to an irrigation water requirements simulation model. This model incorporates the probabilistic nature of these requirements. The irrigation system of Abo Raya area in Egypt was used to demonstrate the …

Nonpoint Source Pollution To Bear Lake, Utah-Idaho: Magnitude, Periodicity, And Watershed Management Alternatives, Victor J. Kollock

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

From April of 1981 to June of 1982 a Clean Lakes Program Phase 1 Diagnostic Feasibility Study was conducted on Bear Lake, a 282 km² (109m²) fresh-water lake located in southeastern Idaho and northeastern Utah. A portion of this Clean Lakes Program required an itemized inventory of all nonpoint sources affecting the lake's water quality.

A 16 month lake tributary monitoring program, which included the spring runoff periods of 1981 and 1982, provided data from which nutrient loading values (kg/day and kg/yr) were calculated. Analysis of these data, along with land use percentages within the Bear Lake …

Simulated Use Of The Exponential Polynomial/Maximum Likelihood Technique In Developing Suitability Of Use Functions For Fish Habitat, Kenneth A. Voos

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to present a new methodology for producing fish habitat suitability at use functions. The suitability functions are relative measures of the voluntary or involuntary preference for combinations of the values of environmental attributes by a fish species and age class. This suitability function is used to determine the relative usability of a physical stream environment as fish habitat.

A generalized function form, exponential polynomials, was selected for the development of these suitability of use functions. The maximum likelihood technique was used for function parameter solution. Derivation of the suitability functions was simulated for several …

The Effects Of Artificial Destratification On Water Quality In Hyrum Reservoir, John W. Gill

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Hyrum Reservoir, Utah, was studied for one year during an artificial destratification project. Previously Drury et al. (1975) had studied Hyrum Reservoir for one year of stratified and one year of destratified conditions. The redistribution of dissolved oxygen to the hypolimnion significantly changed conditions for chemical and biological activities in the lower depths of the reservoir. The Aphanizomenon bloom increased with each year of destratification. The reservoir was changed by destratification so as to be suitable habitat for trout on a year round basis. Aerobic conditions prevented iron from being released from the sediment into the aqueous phase. In summary …

A Liquefaction Potential Map For Cache Valley, Utah, Randall Jones Hill

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The identification of liquefaction susceptible soil deposits in Cache Valley, Utah and the relative potential that these deposits have for liquefaction were the two main purposes of this study. A liquefaction susceptibility map was developed to outline areas where liquefaction might occur during an earthquake. The susceptibility map was combined with a liquefaction opportunity map to produce a liquefaction potential map for Cache Valley, Utah. The opportunity map for Cache Valley was developed in a companion study, Greenwood (1978).

The development of the susceptibility map and the opportunity map and combining them to form a liquefaction potential map for Cache …

Evaluation Of A Welded Wire Retaining Wall, Jerold Albert Bishop

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of a Welded Wire Retaining Wall and present design recommendations for its future use. Field data from the instrumentation of a Welded Wire Retaining Wall as well as laboratory data from a study of welded wire fabric as a reinforcing agent for soil was gathered. A study of the theory and practice of reinforced soil construction was made. On the basis of this study and the experimental data obtained, the wall is evaluated and design recommendations presented.

Development Of A Liquefaction Opportunity Map For Cache Valley, Utah, Richard J. Greenwood

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A liquefaction opportunity map was developed for Cache Valley, Utah. The study was the initial phase to determine the potential for liquefaction in Cache Valley.

The method used in this study to develop the liquefaction opportunity map was based on a procedure developed by Youd and Perkins (1977).

This opportunity map is proposed to be combined with a map delineating liquefaction susceptible soils to produce a liquefaction potential map. The liquefaction susceptibility map is being developed in a companion study.

The liquefaction potential map will assist in the evaluation of earthquake response in general and microzonation in particular. The liquefaction …

Engineering Properties, And Slope Stability And Settlement Analysis Related To Phosphate Mine Spoil Dumps In Southeastern Idaho, Richard Ellsworth Riker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The engineering properties of waste spoil from phosphate mines in Southeastern Idaho were determined through field and laboratory testing. The testing included compaction tests, grain size analysis, powder x-ray defraction tests, permeability tests, compression tests, triaxial and direct shear strength tests, and nutrient analyses. Based on these tests, the slope stability and settlement characteristics of phosphate spoil dumps were investigated.

The study showed that the foundation is an important component of the stability of a spoil dump. Hypothetical examples were used to illustrate possible modes of foundation failures. Such failures might occur when weak foundation soils exist or when there …

A Mathematical Model Of The Dispersion Of A Concentrated Substance For Use In The Great Salt Lake's South Arm, Anthony O. Rughellis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The ability to predict the dispersion of substances in the Great Salt Lake is a requisite towards making responsible management decisions relating to uses of the lake. The lake is a complex terminal body of water and will require a fairly sophisticated mathematical model to properly simulate the dispersion process in the lake. This finite element convection-dispersion model is a first step towards developing a comprehensive model.

The model provides a finite element solution to the two-dimensional convection-dispersion equation and is capable of simulating steady or unsteady-state situations. It utilizes a known velocity field, dispersion coefficients, an introduced substance concentration, …

Salt Production From Micro-Channels In The Price River Basin, Utah, Richard Bruce White

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Salt production from micro-channels in the Price River basin of east-central Utah was studied using artificial inputs in order to better define the general sources and processes involved in diffuse source salt release within the basin. An attempt was made to determine what factors are most significant in relation to salt release. The study revealed that the micro-channel systems are highly heterogeneous in relation to salinity. This natural variability tends to increase as the salt content of the channel increases.

The Bluegate member of the Mancos shale was found to be the prime source of salt within the basin. Gypsum …

A Study Of Geologic Hazards And Geotechnical Input For Selected Critical Facilities - Cache Valley, Utah, Kenneth Robert Green

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Important public facilities located in Cache Valley, Utah, were studied to assess their exposure to geologic hazards. Also, the level of geotechnical and geologic expertise involved in the siting, design, and construction of critical public facilities was studied. A discussion of several individual facilities, that were exposed to some degree of hazard, was presented to illustrate the nature of the problem.

Earthquake hazards probably constitute the greatest threat to facilities and to the general welfare of the public. Many earthquake hazard mitigation measures were discussed and recommendations were made, based on aseismic design criteria which has been developed for seismically …

Naturally Occurring Organic Compounds Found In Hyrum Reservoir, Utah, Russell Richard Renk

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Methods of collecting, concentrating, separating, and identifying organic compounds in natural water systems are presented. These methods were applied to a eutrophic reservoir (Hyrum Reservoir, Utah) and resulted in the identification of the following 27 volatile, organic compounds:

Alcohols: methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, 1-pentanol, 2-methyl-l-butanol, methyl-1- butanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, 1-penten-3-ol, 2-methyl-2-pentanol

Ketones: acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, 4-methyl-3-penten-2-one

Aldehydes: acetaldehyde, propanal, 2-buten-1-al

Others: acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, pyridine, 3-methylpyridine, diethyl ether

The concentration level of the following 13 compounds was established in the reservoir from October 1974 to January 1976:

Alcohols: methanol, ethanol, propanol, …

Microbial Bioassay Techniques For Assessing Acid Mine Spoil Amendments For Revegetation, Michael A. Anderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The revegetation of sterile acid mine spoils is a costly and lengthy process due to the many factors (pH, toxic materials, low nutrients, poor soil structure, temperature, moisture, length of growing season, etc.) which impede the establishment of stable plant communities. A microbial bioassay technique applied to soil systems has been developed to allow a rapid (four weeks) and integrated (with respect to nutrients and toxicants) determination of the best amendments for stabilizing mine spoils by revegetation. Using mine spoil from the Blackbird Mine, Cobalt (near Salmon), Idaho, various comb illations of nitrogen, phosphorus, chelators, trace elements, potassium, manure and …

Effects Of Heavy Metals (Cadmium, Copper, And Mercury) On Reproduction, Growth, And Survival Of Brine Shrimp (Artemia Salina) From The Great Salt Lake, Karl A. Gebhardt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to report findings concerning the effects of cadmium, copper, and mercury on the brine shrimp Artemia Salina, of the Great Salt Lake. Metal toxicity was observed in relation to acute susceptibility, growth, reproduction, and hatching of the brine shrimp.

Heavy metal concentrations such as cadmium, copper, and mercury are known to be considerably higher in the Great Salt Lake than those in both freshwater and seawater. No published study has been concerned with heavy metal effects on organisms in salinities greater than seawater (35 grams per liter total dissolved solids). The experiments reported …

Assessment Of Possible Carcinogenic Hazards Created In Surrounding Ecosystems By Oil Shale Developments, Gerald L. Dassler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

One of the purposes of an environmental assessment is to foresee potential problems created by the introduction of contaminants into an ecosystem and to suggest appropriate control devices to mitigate the effects of such inputs. In the case of the oil shale industry, very little is known about the potential hazards, especially those related to the emission of organic compounds with carcinogenic potency. The hazards will probably be due to chronic exposures to the emitted compounds and the effects of such exposures are likely to take years to manifest themselves, as is the case with many carcinogenic substances. A precise …

Development Of A Water Quality Model Applicable To Great Salt Lake, Utah, Craig T. Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The development of a model capable of predicting the long term (seasonal) distribution of water quality constituents within Great Salt Lake was undertaken as a portion of the ongoing Great Salt Lake project at Utah State University. The overall goal of the project is the development of a modeling framework to assist the relevant decision making bodies in the comprehensive management of the Great Salt Lake system. Phase I of the project provided the overall structural framework for management of the Great Salt Lake system, identified data needs, and established priorities for the development of submodels for incorporation into the …

Lagoon Effluent Polishing By Soil Mantle Treatment Using Various Utah Soil Types, Roger Scott Tinkey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of four Utah Great Basin soil types in removing particular chemical constituents and select enteric organisms from a sewage lagoon effluent. Sewage taken from the secondary oxidation pond in Logan, Utah was applied daily to lysimeters which allowed samples to be recovered at 7.6 and 38.1 centimeter soil depths. The texture of the soils was the most important physical property affecting their removal capacity. Drainage Farm soil (clay) provided the best bacteriological and overall chemical removal with Nibley (silty clay loam) second, then Draper (sandy loam) and Parleys (silty loam) …

Examination Of A Non-Point Source Loading Function For The Mancos Shale Wildlands Of The Price River Basin, Utah, Stanley L. Ponce Ii

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

During 1974 and 1975 a diffuse source salinity study was conducted in east-central Utah. The specific objectives of this study were (a) to determine the role of overland flow on salt movement for selected land types, (b) to determine the relative magnitude of surface erosion associated with overland flow and its role in the salt release process, and (c) develop a non-point source loading function to predict salt production from diffuse sources.

The Rocky Mountain Infiltrometer technique was utilized to study the process of overland flow and its relation to salt transport. A reconnaissance survey was made during the 1974 …

A Hydro-Quality Model To Predict The Effects Of Biological Transformations On The Chemical Quality Of Return Flow, V. A. Narasimhan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A computerized mathematical model has been developed to simulate the system hydrology and water-salinity (as indicated by seven major ions constituting the salt) of a river basin, in which irrigation is the major beneficial water user. The overall system simulation model consists of three submodels: (1) a general hydrologic submodel programmed on a hybrid computer; (2) a chemical submodel to predict the quality of percolated water through the soil profile; and (3) a biological transformation submodel in respect of microbial nitrogen transformations, which is utilized by the chemical submodel. Both the chemical and biological submodels are programmed on a digital …