Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

The Quantitative Determination Of Formaldehyde In Ambient Air (Analytical Method), Chitsan Lin

Theses

A procedure for coating in situ silica gel in prepacked cartridges with 2,4-dinitrophenylhvdrazine (DNPH) acidified with hydrochloric acid is described. The method was evaluated under practical field conditions in The Northern New Jersey-Staten Island Urban Air Toxics Project. The formaldehyde hydrazone formed is desorbed by acetonitrile and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV det.ection. In this study, we have examined trap coaz)ng, trap efficiency, parallel ambient air and inaoor air sampLing, to find the best analysis method. Sampling traps aci:iifled .:ith hydrochloric acid perform better than those using percnicric acid or phosphoric acid. Trap sampling efficiency was significantly affected …

Friedman's Model Of Calculating The Optimum Bid Price Using Dbase Iii Plus, Selim Uzel

Theses

The micro-computer program, BIDCALC presented in this thesis is offered as simple, practical, and proven approach to developing an effective data-based competitive bidding strategy. BIDCALC is written in dBASE III Plus programming language for MS-DOS based computers.

Main purpose of the program is to evaluate the optimum bid using the Friedman's model of Maximizing the Expected Profit. At the same time the program keeps track of necessary competitor and project information in data base files which are easily transferable to other software packages. The program is capable of generating a variety of reports in a matter of seconds.

BIDCALC is …

Estimation Of Modified Proctor Densities Based On Visual Identification, Ramesh Damodaram

Theses

Often in construction jobs requiring controlled compaction, there is a delay involved in testing the soil sample to be used as a structural fill. Here a rational approach has been adopted to get these values from 600 test data available. Using these data, appropriate relationships between grain sizes, maximum dry densities and optimum moisture content were developed. From these, two tables were derived to estimate the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content based on grain size distribution.

In a fill control job, if the borrow pit happens to change, the field personnel could obtain soil samples and send them …

Determination Of Project Duration For Resource Constrained Projects Without Using Resource Scheduling Procedure, Rabindra Nath Karmakar

Theses

The problem addressed in this thesis is that of determining the practicability of equating measures of network and resource characteristics to the early finish date of a project which is constrained by resources. The output of standard critical path calculations along with information on resource profiles that are easy to calculate can be of use in estimating resource constrained project duration.

Twenty two different equations ( developed by Hall) were used to find the estimated project finish dates. These results were compared to the schedule resulting from the application of the heuristic rule of minimum activity float. It is shown …

Softening Response Of Concrete In Direct Tension, Teresa Cintora

Theses

Due to the increased attention in nonlinear fracture mechanics and numerical methods of cementitious material, it has become necessary to have a reliable investigation of the post-peak softening response of concrete under direct uniaxial loading. But due to the brittleness of the material previous researchers have encountered great difficulty in obtaining complete data regarding the load-deformation behavior. This study uses a strain-controlled testing method and therefore the post-peak curve can be more easily obtained. Based on these results a unique formula for the normalized load vs. deformation curve has been proposed to be applied in fracture analysis applications.

Study Of The Structure And Capacity Of Construction Industry In Pakistan, Tayyab A. Ansari

Theses

The construction industry is the second largest sector in Pakistan's economy after agriculture. It is a fragmented industry which includes very small and very large contracting groups. It includes professional groups such as architects, engineers, management personnel etc. Major part of this industry is dominated by material's suppliers, vendors etc.

In the light of the developments which have taken place particularly over the last ten years, the study has covered the capacity of the construction industry in terms of estimated output, availability of manpower, demand and production of building materials , financial problems, credit, quality of work, the role of …

Sorptive And Geotechnical Characteristics Of Kaolinite, Chi-Yuan Shih

Theses

The sorption/desorption behavior of phenol and chlorobenzene as well as their influence on geotechnical characteristics of kaolinite were studied. The results reveal that the sorption process follows closely with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm whereas the sorption/desorption ratio depends upon the characteristics of organic compounds.

A series of geotechnical properties tests was also undertaken after achieving equilibrium at different concentrations of organic compounds. It was found that the parameters such as liquid limit, plastic limit, optimum moisture content, and dry density increase with an increasing-concentration of organic compounds.

The relationship between the geotechnical, properties and sorption behavior of soils provides the …

Expert Systems Approach For Means Of Egress Analysis, Dimitrios N. Dontas

Theses

The use of Expert Systems has grown dramatically during the 1980's. Developed as a branch of Artificial intelligence, knowledge based Expert Systems were at first of academic interest only. With successful application of knowledge based Expert Systems to medical and other diagnostic problems, industrial and commercial use of this technique is also increasing significantly. As of 1986, fifty percent of the Fortune 500 companies are embarked in their own Expert Systems research.

A variety of knowledge based Expert Systems has been developed for the Civil Engineering design and construction industries. The applications cover a wide range of subjects, including among …

Sorption Characteristics And Their Effects On Geotechnical Properties Of Clay Soils, Arambawattage Mahendra Rodrigo

Theses

An experimental investigation on the sorption characteristics of clay soils with liquid organics (phenol, chlorophenol, nitrophenol and chlorobenzene) and their effects upon geotechnical properties was undertaken. The investigation consisted of two different phases, namely, (1) the sorption/ desorption study, including kinetic rate, equilibrium time, isotherm modeling, and (2) geotechnical properties due to clay/ liquid organic interactions. The results of kinetic rate study indicate that the equilibration time for the contaminants way dependent upon the hydrophobic or the hydrophelic nature of the chemical. For equilibrium adsorption models, the linear isotherm was found to be the best fit in predicting sorption capacities …

An Improved Method Of Gas Chromatographic Determination Of Trace Organic Vapors In Ambient Air Collected In Canisters, Yong-Jin Shen

Theses

An improved method for analysis and quantitation of volatile organic compounds in ambient air has been developed. Samples are collected in evacuated SUMMA polished stainless steel canisters using a sampling flow apparatus with a critical orifice as flowrate controller. Analysis of VOCs in the collected air is carried out by cryogenically concentrating the sample, then thermally transfering it onto the head of a capillary column in a gas chromatograph. The column effluent is measured by a parallel flame ionization detector (FID), and electron capture detector (ECD). The problems associating with quantitative transfer of the sample to the initial cryofocusing loop …

Thermal Desorption Of Hazardous And Toxic Organic Compounds From Soil Matrices : Dichloromethane, Chloroform, Benzene, Toluene, 1-Chloronaphthalene, 1, 2, 4-Trichlorobenzene, Arun S. Chemburkar

Theses

This research project was undertaken to understand the process of desorption/removal of organic compounds from soil matrices under the influence of temperature and gas purging. The project was divided in two parts :

A. Plug deposition experiments: Columns packed with soil matrices were purged with an inert gas under isothermal conditions. Organic compounds were then introduced as a plug on the front of the column by on-line injection. The rate of passage (due to sequential adsorption/desorption) of the plug through the various soil matrices was measured by a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID). The compounds studied …

Reliability Of Existing Bridge Inspection And Evaluation Procedures, Leroy R. Klouser

Theses

In general, bridge inspection is subjective since visual observation and the basic inspection tools cannot reveal hidden structural deterioration, such as corrosive and delaminated rebars embedded in the concrete. Based on the NJDOT SI&A report, a scale (9 to 0) is used in rating five bridge components. This approach seems reasonable, since the time span, manpower and cost are limited throughout the counties of New Jersey. On the other hand, based on the scaling system, the SI&A reports can vary depending upon the exposed surface appearance and the experience of the bridge inspector.

Water, de-icing agents, freezing and thawing cycles …

Use Of Latex Modified Concrete For Repairs And Overlays, Chen-Hoang Lo

Theses

Latex modified concrete and polymer concrete have been widely used for bridge deck overlays and crack repairs for the past decade. In recent years, many of these repaired structures were found to be defective. The causes of these failures are not clearly confirmed. Some blame the quality of the latex products while manufacturers accuse the contractors of improper placement and/or surface preparation. While most of these failures largely appeared to be debonding and delamination of the overlays, excessive cracks, possibly shrinkage cracks, were also reported in the overlaid LMC.

To evaluate the suitability of using latex modified concrete for crack …

Optimal Design Aspects Of A Unit Treating Hazardous Wastes Via Biodegradation : A Theoretical Approach, Farnaz Saghafi

Theses

The treatment of wastes via biodegradation is a widely utilized technique in most industries today. The kinetics of biodegradation, in most cases, follow either the Monod (non-inhibitory) or Andrews (also known as Haldane, inhibitory) model as indicated by published experimental data. The present study investigates aspects of the optimal design of a unit treating wastes when the biodegradation kinetics are those mentioned above. The criterion of optimality is the minimum volume achieving a desired conversion under given load conditions.

Two alternatives from the point of view of the number of vessels (one and two), and three alternatives from the operational …

Column Base Plate Under Eccentric Loading, Ja-Pung Sheu

Theses

The understanding of the strength and deformational behavior of column base plates is of paramount importance in the analysis and design of pipe and pressure vessel supports. Both elastic and plastic stress analyses, using ANSYS computer program to simulate the strength and deformation of column base plates anchored over a concrete block with an eccentric load, are presented in this study. The work presented here includes the effects of bolt pretension and prying actions of stressed flexible plates.

The analytical results were benchmarked with the published test data by D.P. Thambiratnam and P. Paramasivam for the maximum longitudinal strain along …

Adsorption Of Nickel And Lead With Activated Sludge, Chi-Yun Chen

Theses

Wastewater produced in domestic, commercial, and industrial activities often contains significant amounts of metals. This would result in the discharge of heavy metals into the sewer system. Some of the heavy metals can be adsorbed by activated sludge. This may present a problem for the treatment and ultimate disposal of sludge.

The purpose of the research was to determine how much metals can be adsorbed by sludge. Nickel and Lead were selected for this investigation because of their environmental significance. Both belong to priority pollutants considered potentially toxic. Factors affecting the adsorption, such as sludge concentration, metal concentration, mixing condition, …

Application Of Computer Techniques In Groundwater Contamination Studies, Komratchi Raman

Theses

A study has been undertaken to provide insight into two related aspects of groundwater contamination studies - contaminant transport behavior and its analysis by modeling techniques. The study reviews recent research that explains some of the uncertainties in the transport and fate of chemical contaminants in groundwater. Approaches to modeling techniques and data reduction are developed to illustrate their usefulness in analysing existing groundwater data, and to make predictions on the future water chemical characteristics. Three types of study areas have been chosen for this purpose, each representing a different type of groundwater contamination problem. The first study area has …

Approximate Methods For Analysis And Design Of Channel And Tee Shaped Reinforced Concrete Columns Under Axial Compression And Biaxial Bending, Chayan Bhattacharyya

Theses

Combined Bending and Axial Compression for irregular shaped (such as L-shaped, Channel shaped, T-shaped) reinforced concrete short column is a common design problem. Current code provisions and the available design aids do not offer an insight into the determination of strength and ductility of biaxially loaded reinforced concrete columns. The reason is that the information on the behavior of irregular shaped reinforced concrete members under combined biaxial bending and axial load is not well known. They are usually overdesigned and this may cause the structure to be stiffer, which may result in loss ductility when applied to seismic regions. Thus …

Separation And Characterization Of Biologically Significant Chemical Classes In Airborne Particulate Organic Matter : Measurement Of Selected Chemical Classes In Freshly Collected Air Samples, Xueying Sun

Theses

Since hazardous materials present in airborne pollutants can affect human health and environmental quality and most of the specific compounds remain uncharacterized, a study was conducted to characterize airborne particulate extractable organic matter (EOM) with respect to chemical composition. Specifically, a number of chemical classes including N-heterocycles, phenols, quinones, carboxylic acids, and especially N-nitrosamines were tested using an integrated chemical class screening system.

The inhalable particulate matter was collected, using a high volume 10 um inlet sampler, on the roof of Tiernan Hall, New Jersey Institute of Technology, which is located off Warren Street in Newark. Sequential solvent extractions yielded …

Degradation Of Aniline And Nitrobenzene In A Photoreactor, Michael Joseph Sowa

Theses

Degradation of aniline and nitrobenzene in aqueuous solutions was studied. Five reaction processes were utilized, including ultraviolet light, ozone, O₂/UV, O₃/O₂/UV, and H₂O₂/UV. A 30 liter semi-batch gas sparged reactor was used for the development of reaction rate and mass transfer parameters in these systems. The results were used to model a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) for the O₃/O₂/UV case. Reasonable agreement was obtained for steady state exit concentrations between the experimental data and those predicted from the model.

Post-Cracking And Nonlinear Microcomputer Analysis In Reinforced Concrete Beams, Pedro Ricardo Munoz Arias

Theses

The main objective of this Thesis work is to study a non-linear behavior of reinforced concrete structures using the Finite Element Method and an incremental load strategy.

Bond between steel and concrete is simulated using linkage spring elements. The proposed model has a generalized crack propagation capability and it accounts for nonlinearities due to cracking and material properties.

Load-displacement relationships describing the aggregate interlock along the crack and the dowel action at the level of reinforcement are incorporated into a computer program.

A simply supported reinforced concrete beam is analyzed from zero load until failure. Contributions to the shear capacity …

Thermal Decomposition Of Dichlorobenzene In An Atmosphere Of Hydrogen And Helium, Mingta Hung

Theses

Reactions of dilute mixtures of dichlorobenzene in hydrogen and in helium were studied in a tubular reactor at a pressure of 1 atm, residence times of 0.04 to 2.7 seconds, and temperature range of 825 to 1000° C. Product distributions at various reaction conditions are measured with a flame ionization detector gas chromatograph, and qualitative analysis of batch samples was also performed by GC/Mass Spectrometry. The major products were observed as the thermodynamically stable species, HC1, Cis), benzene and chlorobenzene. Thermal reaction in helium at 1 second residence time in 1.05 cm ID reactor yielded less benzene and chlorobenzene when …

Feasibility Of State-Of-The-Art Project Planning Techniques In Pakistan, Ahmed Mansoor Ansari

Theses

The objective of this work is two-fold:

1. Technological transfer of the best suitable state of the art techniques for implementation in the construction industry of Pakistan.

2. A vehicle intended for American readers to gain insight of the present methods of working in Pakistan.

In harmony to the first of the forestated ambitions this work covers subjects widely ranging from introducing the concept of proven scheduling techniques as CPM, PERT to the application of these techniques via advanced computer technology.

Frequently, American professionals and consulting firms are invited to participate to administer or design specialist construction projects in Pakistan. …

Bond Behavior Of Reinforced Concrete Under Impact Loading, Abu Rayhan Md Muniruzzaman

Theses

This thesis covers experimental investigations of bond behavior of reinforced concrete specimen under impact loading. A computer assisted data acquisition system was selected for data acquisition and control. This entire electronic system involved mainly a multichannel digital oscilloscope and an IBM-AT micro computer. All specimens were tested by a modified instrumented Charpy tester assisted by the electronic system.

15 test specimen were prepared in order to perform the experimental investigations. Each 3x3x16 inch specimen was reinforced with a single deformed bar mainly 3/4" and 1/2" diameter and three catagories of concrete mainly plain, 1%, and 2% (by volume) steel fiber …

Benzene Losses From Aqueous Solutions During Geotechnical Laboratory Testing, Konstadinos Vogiatzis

Theses

This study addressed the problem of using volatile organics in geotechnical laboratory tests. Previous experiments with volatile organics such as benzene and trichloroethylene with soils had shown significant concentration losses during the tests. The purpose of the study was to identify the sources of loss and to quantify the magnitude of loss.

Vapor - liquid equilibrium was used to predict theoretical evaporation losses of benzene from aqueous solutions. Calculations were made for both an infinite volume of air and for a finite volume. Experiments were then performed to verify the theoretical predictions.

Other losses considered were those during solution preparation, …

Non-Linear Finite Element Of Analysis Of Reinforced Concrete Members, Chellathurai Jeyamohan

Theses

A finite element analysis of reinforced concrete members is used to study the initiation and propagation of cracks and the behavior at the interface of concrete and steel. The increase of concrete strength due to the biaxial compression and the shear capacity of the cracked elements are also considered in the analysis.

The results of the present analysis are compared with some available experimental data in beam tests. It has been found that the present analysis is capable of calculating the stress ( or moment ) and strain ( or deformation ) from zero load upto the ultimate load.

Analysis Of Nitrated Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Pah-Quinones And Related Compounds In Ambient Air, Yalan Wang

Theses

Studies were conducted to characterized airborne particulate extractable organic matter (EOM) with respect to chemical composition and biological activity. It has been well established that the nitrated polycyclic hydrocarbons (nitroPAH) are environmental contaminants. To identify nitro-PAH in ambient air sample, a technique was developed involving introduction of a reducer column into an reversephase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Strong fluorescence signals were achieved from nitro-PAH and detected together with u.v. signals for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of nitro-PAH. 2-Nitrotriptycene was synthesized according to published procedures and used as an internal standard. By use of the above technique, 9nitroanthracene, …

Feasibility Of Using Canine Olfaction As A Means Of Detecting Hazardous Substances, Stuart David Messur

Theses

Two specific applications for using canine olfaction as a means of detecting hazardous substances have been recognized: detection of residual contamination on hazardous waste cleanup equipment (DECON), and detection of leaking underground gasoline tanks (LUST).

With the DECON project, the dog's ability to detect low emissions of some common hazardous compounds was tested. As a safe and effective training tool for presenting hazardous compounds to the dog, permeation tubes filled with m-xylene or 1,1,1-trichloroethane were constructed and calibrated. Hidden tubes emitting as low as 0.5 µg/min were consistently detected by the dogs. During olfactory field tests, "hot spots" of m-xylene …

Construction Labor And Productivity : Productivity Improvements, Stavros C. Nicolaou

Theses

Construction productivity has been on the decline in the last decade. Although an important factor in the nation's economy, productivity of construction labor has been given little attention over the years. A review of the literature dealing with construction was performed that revealed the importance of the declining productivity as well as the confusion among construction managers and labor leaders as to what productivity is all about and how it can be improved. It has been found also, that construction labor motivation, which is the most important factor in improving productivity, is almost nonexist. Very few construction companies employ any …

Construction Loan Proposal : A Model For Contractors, Saeed Ahmed

Theses

This thesis is an attempt to outline a construction loan proposal. The purpose is to provide an average contractor with an insight which could help him toward a preparation of a better proposal and better understanding of the subject matter itself.