Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Assessment Of Multi-Story Building Seismic Design Factors With Structural Irregularity, El Sayed Abdel Naby Abdel Aziz Abou Khalifa

Theses

Many high-rise buildings are practically irregular as a result of the architectural and service requirements in the design process, errors and modifications during the construction phase, and changes of the building use throughout its service life. Structural irregularities could increase the uncertainties related to the ability of the building to meet the design objectives. This study is thus devoted to assess the safety margins and calibrate the seismic design response factors of modern high-rise buildings with different vertical irregularity features. A brief survey of the most common vertical irregularities in reinforced concrete multi-story buildings is conducted to select reference structures. …

Assessment Of Multi-Story Building Seismic Design Factors With Structural Irregularity, El Sayed Abdel Naby Abdel Aziz Abou Khalifa

Theses

Many high-rise buildings are practically irregular as a result of the architectural and service requirements in the design process, errors and modification during the construction phase, and changes of the building use throughout its service life. Structural irregularities could increase the uncertainties related to the ability of the building to meet the design objectives. This study is thus devoted to assess the safety margins and calibrate the seismic design response factors of modern high-rise buildings with different vertical irregularity features. A brief survey of the most common vertical irregularities inn reinforced concrete multi-story buildings is conducted to select reference structures. …

Fates Of Spilt Oil And Factors Affecting The Bio-Degradation Of Oil: A Review, Amogh-Ranganath Chakravarthy

Theses

The usage of crude oil and its products is increasing; in turn, the number of spills is also going up. The inland spills are the more recurrent spills in the U.S today. This review article deals with the weathering of oils, which commences just after oil spills into the environment with various processes such as evaporation, dissolution, photo-oxidation, dispersion, emulsification and bio-degradation along with other possible fates. Biodegradation is one of the most significant processes of weathering which depends on oil physical and chemical characteristics, environmental characteristics, pH, salinity and oil concentration. There is a range of oil concentration for …

Assessment Of Flood Protection Strategies For Combined Critical Infrastructure Failure And Hurricane/Storm Surge Events In The Meadowlands Area, Nisharg Dipakkumar Dalwadi

Theses

As a result of a wide-reaching comprehensive post-Sandy NJIT project entitled "Flood Mitigation Engineering Resource Center (FMERC)", a detailed investigation of alternative measures for flood mitigation in the Meadowlands area was completed in June 2014. The project involved the assessment of flood impacts, and the evaluation of a range of structural and non-structural capital improvement measures, maintenance, operations and regulatory measures, and broad system design and redundancy measures.

The basic objective of this thesis is to develop an innovative procedure for the enumeration and simulation of probability-weighted combined events, e.g., Oradell dam failure under various scenarios (sunny day, water level, …

Vulnerability Functions For Seismic Loss Assessment Of The Modern Multi-Story Buildings In Dubai, Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz Ashri Hassan

Theses

The rapid developments in the United Arab Emirates along with the repeated seismic activity confirm the significance of planning for the possible damage that may hit earthquake-prone areas in order to mitigate earthquake losses. The contemporary buildings are the most important when estimating the potential losses from earthquakes since they represent concentrated economic and human assets. This study aims at developing vulnerability functions for a wide range of modern building inventory in a highly-populated and earthquake-prone area in the UAE. Ten reference buildings with varying heights from 2 to 100 stories and three different lateral force resisting systems are selected …

Flexural Strengthening Of One-Way Continuous Reinforced Concrete Slabs With Cutoffs In Sagging And Hogging Regions Jafer Husni, Jafer Husni Alshawa

Theses

Installation of cutouts in existing reinforced concrete (RC) floor slabs to accommodate utility services reduces the slab load capacity and ductility. This research examines the effectiveness of using near-surface-mounted (NSM) carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement to improve the flexural response of continuous RC slabs with cutouts. The study comprised experimental testing and analytical modeling. A total of eleven two-span RC slab strips, 400 x 125 x 3800 mm each, were tested. Test parameters included the location of the cutout, and amount and distribution of the NSM-CFRP reinforcement between the sagging and hogging regions. Installation of a cutout in the sagging …

Flexural Strengthening Of One-Way Continuous Reinforced Concrete Slabs With Cutoffs In Sagging And Hogging Regions, Jafar Husni Alshawa.

Theses

Installation of cutouts in existing reinforced concrete (CR) floor slabs to accommodate utility services reduces the slab load capacity and ductility. This research examines the effectiveness of using near-surface-mounted (NSM) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement to improve the flexural response of continuous RC slabs with cutouts. The study comprised experimental testing and analytical modeling. A total of eleven two-span RC slabs strips, 400 x 125 x 3800mm each were tested. Test parameters included the location of the cutouts, and amount and distribution of the NSM-CFRP reinforcement between the sagging and hogging regions.

Installation of a cutout in the sagging …

Development Of Simulation-Based Fragility Relationships For The Seismic Risk Assessment Of Buildings, Anas Salem (Mohammad Ghaleb) Issa

Theses

A number of driving engines are required for earthquake loss estimation and mitigation, including an inventory of exposed systems, seismic hazards of the study area and fragility relationships. The number of existing buildings in the UAE that may be at risk because of insufficient seismic design provisions cannot be underestimated. A crucial role in the recovery period following an earthquake is also played by emergency facilities. Therefore, a systematic seismic vulnerability assessment of a diverse range of reference structures representing pre-seismic code buildings and emergency facilities, in a highly populated and seismically active area in the UAE, has been conducted …

Flexural Behavior Of Reinforced Concrete T-Beams Strengthened With Nsm Composite System Under Accelerated Corrosion., Anes Bouchair

Theses

This research work aims at evaluating the effects of corrosion on flexural response of simply supported reinforced concrete (RC) T-Beams strengthened with near-surface-mounted carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (NSM-CFRP) strips. The research comprised experimental testing and analytical modelling. Test parameters included concrete grade, amount of NSM-CFRP strips, presence of U-wraps along the beam span, and time of corrosion exposure. A total of eighteen reinforced concrete beams with a T-shaped cross section were tested. Fourteen beams were strengthened in flexure and four beams were not strengthened to act as benchmarks. The strengthening regime included installation of either two or four NSM-CFRP strips into …

Retrofitting Of Shear-Deficient Reinforced Concrete T-Girders With Composite-Based Systems, Alaa Ahmad Ata Maali

Theses

This research examines the viability of using different composite-based systems to upgrade the shear resistance of shear-deficient reinforced concrete T-girders. The research comprised experimental testing and analytical investigation. Test parameters included the retrofitting system; externally-bonded carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (EB-CFRP) laminates with or without a mechanical end anchorage (MA) and embedded through depth glass fiber-reinforced (ETD-GFRP) rebars; amount of internal stirrups; no stirrups, limited amount of stirrups with spacing s₁ = 0.6d, higher amount of stirrups with spacing s₂ = 0.375d; and initial shear damage prior to retrofitting; no damage, pre-cracking, and pre-failure.

The shear …

Identification And Quantification Of Phthalates In Polyethylene Terephthalate (Pet) Water Bottles Produced In The Uae, Reem Mohamed Ismail Mohamed Ahmed

Theses

This thesis highlights the criticality of phthalate esters (PEs), widely used in plastic molding and possessing carcinogenetic and toxicological effects. The thesis aims to assess the presence and abundance of these compounds in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottled water produced in the UAE.

The thesis tests for 6 types of PEs (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP) and Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in widely used bottled water brands produced in the UAE. 126 bottled water samples were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction using petroleum ether, followed by analysis of the target compounds using Gas …

Approach To Flood Mitigation - A Post Sandy Study In New Jersey Meadowlands Area, Banshari Datta

Theses

In the last decade the continuous change in the climate has resulted in an increased frequency of natural catastrophic events and the magnitude of their impact. The immense damage caused by such events brought to light the vulnerabilities of the impacted communities. Coastal communities are alarmingly vulnerable due to flood and storm surge impacts such as those caused by super storm Sandy in 2012. In order to mitigate this risk, the communities need to look beyond the short term recovery measures, and build a sustainable community by implementing long term mitigation measures. The objective of this thesis is to investigate …

Public Private Partnership In Transit Projects, Rashmita Daschaudhuri

Theses

The government is cutting down government impediments and entering into the market. One of the outcomes has been the rise of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). There have been a lot of information and transaction cost problems in government institutions. These issues can be sorted and mitigated if the risk is shared with the private sector.

Until 1990, there had been a monopoly of the public sector developing transit projects. Now with the PPP concept, the transit projects are slowly moving into public private partnership agreements. This study tries to identify the various approaches of public private partnership delivery system. A few …

Suspended Sediment And Nutrient Behaviour On The River Bandon, Ireland, James Hickey

Theses

Suspended sediment is a key contributor to contaminant transfer within river systems. The relationship between the transport of suspended sediment and nutrients influences the status of water quality and sustainability of aquatic habitats. This thesis studies suspended sediment and nutrient transport on the River Bandon.

This thesis includes a literature review of suspended sediment and nutrient transport, appropriate legislation, river flow representation and flood frequency estimation.

As part of a structured field monitoring programme, manual samples have been collected periodically and tested for suspended sediment concentration (SSC), turbidity, five species of phosphorus and five species of nitrogen. Continuous in-situ turbidity …

Achieving ‘Net Zero Energy’ Performance Through Retrofitting Of Residential Buildings In Ireland., M. Alan Costello

Theses

A Net Zero Energy Building (nZEB) is a residential or commercial building that consumes net zero energy over a set period of time, usually taken as one year. In short, for every unit of energy the building consumes over a year, it must generate a unit of energy to maintain an overall net balance. This is achieved by reducing the operational energy usage to a very low level through energy efficient design, and then providing renewable generation technologies on site to cater for the remaining energy demand.

Energy use in all sectors of society is under scrutiny at present, largely …

Classification Of Irish Beaches, Johnjoe O'Sullivan

Theses

This project aims to develop a beach classification model that has been validated for use on Irish beaches. Beach classification models have been developed over the past six decades as a means of identifying the sedimentological, morphological and hydrodynamic beach features that are present on beaches. Beach classification models have been pioneered by researchers for beaches in Australia and have been subject to continuous development through the monitoring and research of beaches along the Australian coastline. Recently a similar model been developed for England and Wales based on data collected from beaches along the coastline. This report will investigate the …

A Technical And Economic Appraisal Of Insulation Retrofits, Niamh O'Brien

Theses

The main aim of this literature review is to further develop the project brief and to examine what research has previously been undertaken in the field of thermal conductivity and retrofitting insulation. The basis of this project is to determine the effect of moisture in domestic cavity walls on the effectiveness of retrofitted insulation. The research began by highlighting the reasoning behind the need for insulation within domestic dwellings within Ireland and the guiding legislation in place in relation to this. Carrying on from this, the current methods used to retrofit insulation were examined, along with the types of insulation …

A Technical And Economic Appraisal Of Insulation Retrofits, Niamh O'Brien

Theses

The main aim of this literature review is to further develop the project brief and to examine what research has previously been undertaken in the field of thermal conductivity and retrofitting insulation. The basis of this project is to determine the effect of moisture in domestic cavity walls on the effectiveness of retrofitted insulation. The research began by highlighting the reasoning behind the need for insulation within domestic dwellings within Ireland and the guiding legislation in place in relation to this. Carrying on from this, the current methods used to retrofit insulation were examined, along with the types of insulation …

Evaluation Of Ireland’S Potential To Expand Its Hydro Electrical Power Facilities Through The Construction Of A Seawater Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Scheme, James Herley

Theses

The National Renewable Energy Action Plan for Ireland has detailed that 40% of Irelands total energy consumption from the electricity sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. In 2012 this figure was at 11.4%, it is unlikely these targets will be met by 2020. The important role that hydro power can play in achieving these targets was examined. Research into hydropower in general was carried out in order to attain an understanding of the principles and terminology used. Many traditional hydro schemes have been previously developed in Ireland. However due to increased population, there are no longer suitable locations …

A Decision Making Tool For Sustainable Design In Construction, Enda Collins

Theses

This report defines sustainability and sustainable development before any research is carried out. This is necessary so that the research carried out further in the report makes sense and there is a reason for including such items in this report. The need for this project and what the project aims to achieve is also highlighted in the introduction of this report.

Sustainability is made up of three equal parts; social, economic and environmental. This report goes through each item and gives examples of each type of development. Having discussed sustainability in a broad sense the report then focuses on Legislation …

An Investigation And Evaluation Of The Proposed Harbour Development In Bantry Bay, Cork, Shane O'Flynn

Theses

RPS Group was appointed by Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners to develop a master plan for a waterfront development in Bantry Bay Inner Harbour. It has been proposed that the inner harbour be dredged to a sufficient water depth to allow the entrance of marine craft. The purpose of the thesis is to evaluate and discuss the decisions regarding the environmental impacts that a harbour development would have on Bantry Bay. This research investigates the feasibility of alternative dredge treatment processes used in the Bantry Bay Inner Harbour Development. This research investigates the possibility of reusing the dredge material on site, …

Impact Of Run-Off Coefficients On Urban Drainage Design, Ross O'Sullivan

Theses

This study assesses the impacts that runoff coefficients have on an urban drainage design. The first part of the report reviews how drainage design is carried out. This assesses the traditional hand calculations method, where eharts and graphs are used, versus the more modem approach of using a computer modelling system such as WinDes. Both approaches were reviewed, as both will be used to design drainage systems at a further stage in the project. The objective of this projeet is to see how runoff eoefficients impact on urban drainage design. The methodology used to determine this, is to test six …

Performance Of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened With Mechanically-Fastened Composite System Under Corrosive Environment, Amna Zaid Suwaid Al Nassibi

Theses

This study examines the effects of corrosion exposure on the flexural response of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with a powder-actuated fastened (PAF) composite system. Twenty-one RC beams were constructed and tested to failure under four-point bending. The corroded beams were subjected to 30, 60, and 100 days of accelerated corrosion that corresponded to measure tensile steel mass losses of 6, 11 and 18% respectively. Other test parameters included width of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite strip, fastener length, and number of fasteners rows.

For the non-corroded beams, the PAF-FRP system resulted in up to 24% increase in beam flexural …

Safety Performance Comparison Between Light Rail Transit And Subway, Nehemie Jasmin

Theses

Along with the expansion and addition of guide way transit systems, such as light rail and subway, there came the need to compare the safety performance of each mode. The multimodal transportation systems with many different technologies, operating characteristics and diversified environments made it more difficult to compare their safety.

In order to evaluate the potential for intermodal comparison of safety performance measures, the thesis has focused on the subway and Light Rail Transit (LRT) modes at the national level. Starting with clear definitions of each safety category, the analysis utilizes mostly the National Transit Database (NTD) from recent years …

The Behaviour Of Connections In Segmental Precast Concrete Pile Systems, Evan Causer

Theses

Driven precast concrete segmental piles are a popular foundation solution. Segmental pile systems incorporate connections into the pile, therefore it is important to be confident that the strength of the pile joints is comparable to that of the pile cross-section.

The primary objective of the research was to examine the behaviour of connections in segmental precast concrete pile systems. This was achieved by undertaking a literature review, laboratory testing and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).

The uses of segmental concrete pile systems are described and a review of the available pile joints is given. A review of the relevant design codes …

An Investigation Of Transverse Load Distribution In Masonry Arch Bridges, Helen Dunne

Theses

Masonry arch bridges comprise a significant proportion of the bridge stock both nationally and internationally. They have proven to be enduring structures, far surpassing their design lives and with relatively low life-cycle costs, are environmentally friendly (Sustainable Bridges, 2007).

New masonry arch bridges are not generally constructed. However, their ageing materials paired with ever increasing traffic loads have led to the necessity for their periodic re-assessment. Masonry arch bridge design was predominantly by rule of thumb and their re-assessment has been subject to a number of simplified assumptions. One such simplification, the bridge “effective width” is studied in this thesis. …

An Investigation Into The Potential Of Increasing The Span Of Solid Slab Deck Bridges, Eamonn Kiernan

Theses

Solid slab deck bridges are a common type of structure employed for short to medium span bridges. They may be of rapid build nature if they are made up of prestressed precast sections with concrete infill deck.

The aim of this research was to investigate the potential to increase the span of solid slab deck bridges by the employment of high strength concrete (HSC), lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) and the use of a voided deck.

The analysis undertaken in the research was based on a bridge, which was recently constructed in Cork; the bridge was constructed using MY beam sections, …

Structural Behaviour Of Semi-Continuous Steel End Plate Connections, Niall Scollard

Theses

This report focuses on determining the joint stiffness and moment capacity values for semi-continuous (semi-rigid) connections in steel framed structures. When designing a beam to column connection, the assumption that the Joint is either fully continuous or fully pinned may not be entirely valid; it may be more realistic to classify the connection as intermediate between fully pinned and fully continuous.

The development of “the component method”, which is utilised in IS EN 1993-1-8 (EC3) to determine design values of the joint properties is described. A software solution was created using Microsoft Excel to carry out calculations in accordance with …

Investigation Into The Measure, Correlate And Predict Methodologies Used In Wind Farm Design Software, Brendan O'Sullivan

Theses

This paper is focused on the Measure Correlate and Predict (MCP) methodologies used to estimate long term wind resource at a prospective site. The first common step in all MCP methodologies is a successful wind measurement campaign at the prospective site. This campaign involves the erection of a wind measurement mast (ideally to the hub height of the proposed turbine) and careful selection of booms, mountings and anemometers. The wind measurement campaign is a vital part of the process as the correlation and prediction analysis is only as accurate as the measured wind data. Correlation is a measure of the …

Modelling Of Bed Load Transport In The River Bandon, Stephen Falvey

Theses

This research thesis examines the various aspects of fluvial sediment transport with a particular emphasis on bed load transport. Sediment is a dynamic, essential and important part of Ireland’s river basins. The collection of sediment transport data is very important as it can help prevent flooding, improve water quality, protect ecology and assist cities and towns in future planning. At the moment there is no legislation dedicated exclusively to sediment but it does interface with a range of other pieces of legislation including the Water Framework Directive.

This literature review studies sediment transport. There is a particular emphasis on the …