Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Chemical And Ultrasonic Conditioning Of Water Treatment Plant Coagulant Sludges, Stanley Louis Klemetson

Masters Theses

"The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the use of ultrasonic energy, pH adjustment, and addition of polyelectrolytes in dewatering coagulant sludges. Emphasis was placed on the effects of the ultrasonic power output level and period of conditioning, the chemical conditioning of the sludge, and the type and origin of the sludge. Dewatering is thought to be the most practical approach for reducing the volume of coagulant sludges and efforts are being made to improve their dewatering characteristics.

An experimental system consisting of a magnetically stirred sludge reservoir, sonifier and reaction chamber, polymer feeder, and collection cylinder was developed …

Release Of Pollutants From Aquatic Sediments, Lloyd Aldon Hinkle Jr.

Masters Theses

"This study was undertaken to investigate factors governing the release of pollutants from sediments and subsequent effects on water quality. Studies were carried out to: 1) determine the characteristics of selected sediments; 2) determine the level of release of pollutants under batch and fill and draw conditions; 3) determine the effect of temperature and pH on release mechanisms; 4) determine the importance of microbial (uninhibited) release and physio-chemical (inhibited) release processes.

The sediment utilized was from the Missouri River at Jefferson City, Missouri, and the Burgher Branch near Rolla, Missouri. Five environmental conditions to evaluate the effects of pH and …

Treatment Of A Pharmaceutical Waste With The Anaerobic Filter, Norman Dale Dennis Jr.

Masters Theses

"The anaerobic filter is essentially a plug-flow, packed-bed, column type reactor in which the anaerobic bacteria responsible for the waste stabilization are attached to the filter media. This process is a relatively new concept in waste treatment which has been used only in laboratory studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate anaerobic filter performance when used to treat an actual industrial waste under controlled conditions of flow rate, organic strength and temperature.

Four 0.5 cu ft (14.25 l) laboratory filters were operated for 180 days at 35° C using a pharmaceutical waste as the substrate. By varying influent …

Attitude Scaling As A Public Involvement Tool In The Lower Mississippi River Region Comprehensive Study, William A. Lee

Masters Theses

"The planner is under considerable pressure to involve the public in water resource planning. The public, however, often lacks sufficient knowledge to offer useful comments or suggestions. The use of a Likert Type Attitude Scale in the public involvement effort of the Lower Mississippi Region Comprehensive Study demonstrates the usefulness of attitude scaling techniques in obtaining public input to the planning process. The measurement of an individual's attitude, or his thoughts, feelings and disposition to act toward some aspect of his environment with some degree of consistency, gives an indication of the goals and objectives toward which a plan acceptable …

The Linear New City -- A Pattern For New Cities Based On Efficiency Of Transportation, Public Services, And Land Use, Elbridge Wesley Bartley Iii

Masters Theses

"The linear new city is defined as a city consisting of some arrangement of relatively narrow, high-density strips, served by various mass transportation systems. Such a new city would be ideally suited to the implementation of the latest technology. The concentration of development along the transportation route would allow certain economies in the supply of utilities and services, as well as insuring that open space would be readily available around and throughout the city. The provisions for transportation, housing, and governmental control should combine to produce a better quality of life for the inhabitants of the linear new city"--Abstract, page …

Fitting Discrete Probabilistic Frequency Distributions To Disturbed Traffic Flow At An Unsignalized Urban Intersection, Horst Walter Kaminsky

Masters Theses

"Traffic variables, such as volume, speed, gaps and lags, and headways can be described by probability distributions. In this study vehicle arrivals from three directions have been recorded at a four-leg, right-angled, at-grade intersection in Rolla, Missouri, and statistically analyzed. Two distinct probabilistic statistical concepts were used, the continuous (gap) and discrete (counting) distribution. The negative exponential distribution is discussed briefly, whereas the applicability of discrete statistical models for the traffic situation selected is elaborated in detail.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the impairment and distortion that various interferences such as upstream traffic lights, bottlenecks or other …

Adsorption And Desorption Of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Pesticides By Organic Humic Sludge, Fu-Sheng Chien

Masters Theses

"This research study was undertaken to investigate the fundamental sorption and desorption of selected organic pesticides by organic humic acids under laboratory-controlled conditions. Emphasis was placed on the evaluation of both the rate and the equilibrium of adsorption and desorption. Two types of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides were employed in this study. These are dieldrin and heptachlor, both of which are commonly used in today's agricultural applications. The adsorbent of organic humic acids was extracted from a coal-like substance called "leonardite," which has a humus content as high as 53 percent by weight. The experimental work of this study was conducted …

Effect Of Biological Activity On Pesticide Desorption, Loh-Tien Chiang

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this research study was to investigate the effect of biological activities on the desorption of pesticides from humic acid solids. The pesticides selected in this study are dieldrin and heptachlor, both of which have been commonly used in agricultural applications. The humic acid adsorbent was extracted from a coal-like substance called "leonardite", which has a humus content of as high as 53 percent by weight. The first step of this study involved a proper cultivation of biological culture so that the culture could be adapted to a test environment containing a high concentration of humic acids. The …

Thermal Stresses And Movements In Bridges, Joseph Charles Reynolds

Masters Theses

"A state of the art regarding the thermal behavior of bridges and considerations to be given to the resultant thermal effects is presented. The results of studies related to the thermal effects on bridges are reviewed. Studies attempting to relate environmental factors to bridge temperatures, and subsequently to bridge movements and stresses, indicate that the task is extremely complex. Some correlation has been made between equations predicting bridge temperatures and movements based on weather bureau records. However, further research is needed to evaluate the effects of factors other than temperature, such as creep, shrinkage, and humidity on bridge movements and …

Use Of Glass Separated From Municipal Refuse In Asphaltic Concrete, Thomas Eugene Keith

Masters Theses

"The recent interest in municipal refuse recycling has brought about the development of several systems for separation of the refuse into components. One of the components reclaimed is a glass-rich fraction which, although primarily glass, contains various non-glass materials which the system is not able to remove. Clean waste glass can be used as an asphaltic concrete aggregate, and it would be desirable to use this glass-rich fraction in a similar manner. However, the effect, if any, of the non-glass components on the properties of an asphaltic mixture must be determined in order to utilize the glass-rich fraction with a …

A Study On The Lateral Placement Of Automobiles Due To Restrictions On Two-Lane Rural Highways, Warren Chip Woods

Masters Theses

"The driver of an isolated vehicle on a given section of highway, whether it is urban or rural, will choose a path on the pavement that offers the least resistance to driver effort and which to him seems safest. Lateral obstructions, such as retaining walls, trees, bridge abutments, ect., which may cause him to deviate from the desired path represent some degree of hazard to the driver and should be removed, if practicle. The purpose of this investigation was to determine any change in the lateral placement of automobiles due to side restrictions on rural two-way, two-lane highways. Phase one …

Development Of A Sampling System And Characterization Of Stormwater Runoff From A Small Urban Area, William Clark Ford

Masters Theses

"Increasing urbanization and the demand for high quality water have directed attention to the problem of combined sewer overflows, while recent research has demonstrated that stormwater alone, without the influence of sanitary sewage, carries a significant pollutional load. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the quality and pollutional contribution of stormwater runoff from a small urban area, with specific emphasis on the development of a suitable sampling and flow recording system, the characterization of runoff and the correlation of runoff quality with local environmental factors and storm characteristics. The system developed consisted of an automatic sampler capable of …

Structural Test And Analysis Of A Vierendeel Steel And Concrete Composite Girder, Melvin Crews Oestreich

Masters Theses

"The results of the structural load testing of a unique type of steel and concrete composite girder are described. The structural system, referred to as a composite Vierendeel girder, is a hybrid type which incorporates features of a castellated beam and a Vierendeel truss. The performance of the composite girder agreed reasonably well with calculated values based on section properties for a prismatic beam. Observations indicated web stiffeners were required on the stub beams to prevent premature failure of the system. Failure of the girder was due to concrete crushing over a stub web beam. Design considerations for a structural …

Characterization And Staged Lagoon Treatment Of Swine Feedlot Waste, Abraham H. Loudermilk Jr.

Masters Theses

"Feedlot pollution is developing into a serious problem because of the trend toward intensive farming techniques and the increasing number of animals in confinement feeding operations. The purpose of this study was to characterize swine waste collected under a slotted feeding floor using a water-carriage system, and to evaluate the treatment of this waste in a staged lagoon system consisting of an anaerobic, a dual anaerobic-aerobic, and an aerobic lagoon. A small feeding floor unit capable of maintaining 3 separate groups of animals, and a pilot 3-lagoon system were designed, constructed, and operated for a period of approximately 4 months. …

High Speed Magnetically Supported Vehicles For Reducing Transportation's Degradations Of The Environment, Pravinchandra Shukla

Masters Theses

"The development of new techniques for higher speed transportation is desirable to satisfy the environmental, conservation, and economic requirements of society. Some of the important factors are presented for developing magnetically supported vehicles. A new method for improving the ratio of lift force to drag force is suggested and discussed. An application of the new technique to vehicles that would ride on a carpet of magnetism and would operate with less waste of energy is suggested "--Abstract, page ii.

Laboratory Studies Using Diffused Oxygen And Air For Hypolimnion Reaeration, Chin-Ming Pai

Masters Theses

"The purposes of this research were to study the oxygen transfer rates and the oxygen transfer efficiencies of different types of aerators using different sources of oxygen in different types of water bodies, and to evaluate the number of diffusers required to be installed in a selected lake for hypolimnion aeration.

The experiments were conducted using a specially designed column. Four types of aerators, including a cylindrical stone diffuser, a spherical stone diffuser, and 2 ceramic diffusers (types A and B) which differed in pore size, were utilized as the aerators. The water bodies selected for the studies were Rolla …

Effect Of Glass Aggregates Upon Abrasiveness Of Asphaltic Mixtures, Dwarka Prasad Gupta

Masters Theses

"The utilization of glass as an aggregate in asphaltic concrete pavements has been suggested as a means for reusing the increasing amounts of waste glass generated each year in the United States. Recent studies have shown that asphaltic mixtures containing glass aggregates can be designed to meet Marshall requirements for stability, flow and void content but the abrasiveness of mixtures containing glass aggregates had not been investigated. The objectives of this study were to develop a laboratory wear testing apparatus and compare the abrasiveness of asphaltic concrete mixtures using glass aggregates with the abrasiveness of mixtures using several different conventional …

A Study Of Right Turn On Red At Signalized Intersections, Ronald Duane Rains

Masters Theses

"Traffic engineers have discussed the controversial subject of allowing drivers to make a right-turn-on-red (R.T.O.R.) for many years. There have been many strong points given for and against allowing this movement.

Within this paper R.T.O.R. is discussed and conclusions are drawn for a research of literature and questionnaire survey.

Questionnaires were sent to ninety-three cities and all fifty states. Many valuable unwritten facts and opinions were received from the seventy city and thirty-six state traffic engineers that completed and returned the questionnaires.

It was determined that 63.8% of the states replying and 64.3% of the cities are presently utilizing R.T.O.R. …

Interactions Between Selected Pigment Producing Bacteria Isolated From Sewage, Leslie Alexander Lakie

Masters Theses

"Pigmented bacteria have been of interest to the microbiologist for several years. The pigmented organisms in sewage have been known to gain predominance, but no investigations have been made to determine whether the pigment assists the organism in gaining predominance. During this study a number of bacteria which produced a water soluble pigment were isolated from sewage. These bacteria were grown in shaken flasks using tryptone Glucose extract broth as a medium. Growth studies of the bacteria in pure and mixed culture were performed to determine if the pigment could affect another bacteria's growth. Studies were also performed using the …

Shear Properties Of An Organic Soil And The Same Soil With The Organic Matter Removed, David Eugene Daniels

Masters Theses

"The effect of strain rate on the shearing properties of an organic A̲ horizon Bryce clay and the same soil treated with hydrogen peroxide to remove the organic matter was studied. For both soils, the pore pressures were found to be independent of strain rate, and dependent only on the increment of strain during shear. The effect of the hydrogen peroxide treatment on the shear properties of an inorganic Bryce B̲ horizon clay was also studied. It was concluded that the hydrogen peroxide does not affect the mineral properties of the Bryce clay and serves only to selectively remove organic …

Advanced Waste Treatment Of Industrial Waste Waters By Physicochemical Processes, Michael Gay Hardie

Masters Theses

"The primary objective of this investigation was to determine the general applicability of using physicochemical processes for treating different types of industrial wastes. Emphasis was placed on the evaluation of the treatment efficiency and the performance difficulties encountered in the treatment of each waste. Two types of waste were studied, one a high strength acidic industrial chemical waste and the other a petroleum refinery waste. The physicochemical system utilized included chemical coagulation and clarification plus activated carbon adsorption. Parallel operations of fixed-bed and expanded-bed carbon adsorbers were conducted. Treatment efficiencies were evaluated in terms of the removals of chemical oxygen …

The Skid Resistance Of Asphaltic Pavements Using Glass Aggregates, Michael Vaughn Korth

Masters Theses

"The disposal of the glass portion of solid waste is an ever-growing problem in the U.S. and recycling has been suggested as a possible solution. In order to find new uses for waste glass, investigations have been conducted to determine if the glass could be used as an aggregate in bituminous concrete mixtures. As part of the overall investigation, this study was concerned with investigating the skid resistance properties of the glass aggregate mixtures, called glasphalt. The objectives were to compare the skid resistance of various bituminous mixtures using aggregate combinations ranging from all glass to all conventional aggregate and …

The Artificial Sedimentation Of Soil, John Richard Wagner

Masters Theses

"Previous investigations concerned with artificially sedimented soils and a review of the literature on soil structure are summarized. These studies show that many of the physical properties of a soil depend upon its structure and that the structure of a sedimented soil depends principally upon the salt content of the pore water. In addition, artificially sedimented soils have been shown to have a "natural" soil structure. An apparatus was developed which will automatically sediment soils in water of controlled salt content. To determine whether or not the apparatus was able to sediment uniform and homogeneous soil samples, moisture content determinations, …

Reservoir Design: Simulation Techniques, Larry W. Mays

Masters Theses

"A simulation model is developed to aid in the analysis of small dams to reduce the possibility of inadequate spillway designs. Basic assumptions concerning the geometric aspects of the natural reservoir are made to develop the model which is based upon describing the timing and magnitude of a design flood passing through a reservoir. Simulation equations are derived from the basic continuity equation and describe reservoir outflow and storage as functions of reservoir depth. Newton's Iteration Technique is utilized to solve the simulation equations for the reservoir depth. The resulting simulation model determines an optimum size auxiliary spillway having a …

Thickening And Dewatering Characteristics Of Activated Sludge Containing Metal-Precipitated Phosphorus, Lyle Wayne Merritt

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this research study was to investigate methods for the disposal of activated sludge containing metal-precipitated phosphorus. To accomplish this objective, chemically-treated activated sludge or a mixture of the secondary sludge with primary sludge were thickened and dewatered by vacuum filtration and centrifugation. The putrescibility of the dewatered secondary sludge was also evaluated, and since anaerobic digestion is the usual method of sludge treatment, a digestion study was conducted. Secondary sludge for these studies was produced in five 38-gpd (144-1/day) activated sludge pilot plants operated at the Rolla Southeast Treatment Plant. Ferric chloride and alum were added directly …

Comparing Community Resources To Industrial Needs With Application To Daviess County, Missouri, Jay Eldon Waggoner Jr.

Masters Theses

"A method of matching industries with communities, the modified Miller-Weiss Indugram, is developed. The technique compares the environmental needs of industry with the environmental resources of a community. The comparison is based upon twenty-five environmental factors. Application of the technique is made to Daviess County, Missouri. Results indicate those industries which are best suited for this rural area"--Abstract, page ii.

Effects Of Flat And Elongated Particles Upon Properties Of Mixtures Containing Glass Aggregates, John Dean Doyle

Masters Theses

"As a possible solution for the rapidly proliferating problem of waste glass disposal in the United States, glass is being considered for use as aggregate in bituminous concrete mixtures. Crushed waste glass particles, and crushed bottle glass particles in particular, are more angular, much smoother, and contain a higher percentage of flat and/or elongated particles than conventional rock aggregate particles. Because of the differences in shape and surface texture, glass aggregate may require different gradations than those found suitable for conventional rock aggregate. Objectives of this research were to determine gradations which result in maximum density for aggregates consisting entirely, …

A Study Of The Effects Of Mixing On The Accelerated Anaerobic Digestion Of Concentrated Municipal Sludges, Victor Darryl Orr

Masters Theses

"Most domestic sewage treatment plants today practice anaerobic digestion of sludge. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if thorough mechanical mixing of concentrated sludge would improve its digestion. The simulated digesters consisted of six 1 gallon anaerobic reactors which were operated in the laboratory for 78 days. The contents of three digesters were continually mixed and their responses were compared with those of the similarly loaded remaining three unmixed units. Raw sludge with solids concentrations of 7.5, 15 and 30 per cent was digested for detention periods of 30, 15 and 7.5 days at 33º C. Various analyses …

A Statistical Hydrologic Simulation Model, Ronald L. Wycoff

Masters Theses

"Simulation of a physical system requires knowledge of all components of the system and their interactions. A probabilistic simulation model of a hydrologic system is developed from short term continuous, sychronized rainfall-runoff records. The individual components of the system area the time between and duration of storms, the depth of rain occurring in each time period of the storm, precipitation excess relations, and the watersheds unit hydrograph. The available data is used to define or develop the probabilistic models involved. The only nonprobabilistic model employed is the watersheds unit hydrograph. It is found that the time between and duration of …

Digested Sludge Dewatering On Drying Beds Under Controlled Environmental Conditions, Daniel James Harris

Masters Theses

"The dewatering characteristics of anaerobically digested primary and activated sludge were investigated under eight selected combinations of laboratory controlled air temperature and relative humidity using three open, drained model beds, as well as a closed, drained and an open, nondrained bed. The evaporation rate from a free water surface was also determined. Moisture content, drainage, evaporative weight loss, and sludge surface recession were measured and recorded periodically throughout the two week period of each of the eight experiments. Relationships were shown to exist between sludge moisture content, evaporation rate from a free water surface, and the parameters 6T (the difference …