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Full-Text Articles in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Determining The Value Of A Master's Degree In Construction Management, Benjamin K. Davis Jul 2006

Determining The Value Of A Master's Degree In Construction Management, Benjamin K. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine the value of a master's degree in construction management in southern Idaho. A telephone and Internet survey was employed to determine the value that members of the construction industry in southern Idaho place on construction management (CM) degrees, both graduate and undergraduate. The survey included 27 self-described general contractors who are members of The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) in regions 3 and 4 in the state of Idaho. Regions three and four include Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Ketchum, Burley and surrounding communities. Following the compilation of surveys, it was …

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Comparing Time And Accuracy Of Building Information Modeling To On-Screen Takeoff For A Quantity Takeoff Of A Conceptual Estimate, Morgan A. Alder Jul 2006

Comparing Time And Accuracy Of Building Information Modeling To On-Screen Takeoff For A Quantity Takeoff Of A Conceptual Estimate, Morgan A. Alder

Theses and Dissertations

Estimating is a critical aspect of every construction project. The most tedious component of an estimate is the quantity takeoff. Different tools are available to improve an estimator's productivity for a quantity takeoff. Faster quantity takeoffs enable estimator to bid more jobs. This study analyzed the time and accuracy of performing quantity takeoffs when using building information modeling (BIM) through a comparison study using Revit (BIM software) and On-Center's OST. In preparation for the study the researcher conducted a pilot study. Participants of the study were asked to perform a quantity takeoff using both Revit and OST. Their resulting data …

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Contractor Variability In Construction Of Cement Treated Base Layers, Maile Anne Rogers Jul 2006

Contractor Variability In Construction Of Cement Treated Base Layers, Maile Anne Rogers

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purposes of this research were to identify construction factors most correlated to specific mechanical properties of cement-treated base (CTB) layers and to determine which construction factors exhibit comparatively high variability within individual construction sections of the two pavement reconstruction projects included in this study. In addition, differences between construction sections tested in this research were evaluated. The research focused on the construction of CTB layers in two pavement reconstruction projects in northern Utah, one along Interstate 84 (I-84) near Morgan and one along U.S. Highway 91 (US-91) near Richmond. The significant predictor variables associated with California bearing ratio …

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Incorporating Wireless Power Transfer In An Led Lighting Application, Jonathan S. Shipley Jul 2006

Incorporating Wireless Power Transfer In An Led Lighting Application, Jonathan S. Shipley

Theses and Dissertations

There are various situations in which electrical energy is desired but cannot by conveniently supplied. Since the days of Hienrich Hertz and Nikola Tesla, scientists have tried to solve this problem using different methods of wireless power transfer. Today, wireless power transfer has only been commercially demonstrated at small distances through use of induction. This thesis demonstrated the transfer of wireless power at relatively large distances through radio frequencies in the development of a prototype for a commercial product - a wireless household lamp.

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A Solution For Commodity Field Hauling With Self-Unloading Semi-Trailers, Lee Pagens Wilkerson Jul 2006

A Solution For Commodity Field Hauling With Self-Unloading Semi-Trailers, Lee Pagens Wilkerson

Theses and Dissertations

Commodity hauling of bulk goods is a growing enterprise that has expanded from hauling agricultural products to hauling many other bulk products. Commodity trailers are used to haul agricultural products from storage facilities to processing plants. These trailers are designed for highway use but are frequently required to work in field conditions as well. In many cases this environment overstresses these trailers and results in permanent irreparable damage. In addition to the structural problems of these trailers, the current systems for unloading the bulk produce from these trailers have serious inadequacies. While functional, the currently used chain and non-chain driven …

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Development Of An Index For Concrete Bridge Deck Management In Utah, Ellen T. White Jul 2006

Development Of An Index For Concrete Bridge Deck Management In Utah, Ellen T. White

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop a new index for concrete bridge deck management in Utah. Data were collected in the summer of 2005 from 15 concrete bridge decks in the vicinity of Salt Lake City. The decks ranged from 2 to 21 years in age and were all constructed using epoxy-coated rebar. Visual inspection, sounding, Schmidt hammer testing, half-cell potential testing, and chloride concentration testing were performed on six 6-ft by 6-ft test areas randomly distributed within the single lane closed to traffic on each deck, and testing protocols followed American Society for Testing and Materials standards …

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Numerical Modeling Of Blast-Induced Liquefaction, Wayne Yeung Lee Jul 2006

Numerical Modeling Of Blast-Induced Liquefaction, Wayne Yeung Lee

Theses and Dissertations

A research study has been conducted to simulate liquefaction in saturated sandy soil induced by nearby controlled blasts. The purpose of the study is to help quantify soil characteristics under multiple and consecutive high-magnitude shock environments similar to those produced by large earthquakes. The simulation procedure involved the modeling of a three-dimensional half-space soil region with pre-defined, embedded, and strategically located explosive charges to be detonated at specific time intervals. LS-DYNA, a commercially available finite element hydrocode, was the solver used to simulate the event. A new geo-material model developed under the direction of the U.S. Federal Highway Administration was …

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A Study Of Home Builder Advertising For Smart Home Technologies, Jared Don Bingham Jul 2006

A Study Of Home Builder Advertising For Smart Home Technologies, Jared Don Bingham

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to discover if home builders along the Wasatch Front in Utah are advertising smart home technologies. Research was conducted by a review of the display advertisements placed in the Saturday and Sunday editions of The Deseret Morning News/Salt Lake Tribune from March 4, 2006 through April 1, 2006. An internet search for smart home terminology was performed on the web sites of home builders advertising in The Deseret Morning News/Salt Lake Tribune. A review of the display advertisements for the Deseret Morning News/Salt Lake Tribune revealed that home builders are not using that medium …

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Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Blank-Out Overhead Dynamic Advance Warning Signal Systems, Ryan Peterson Jun 2006

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Blank-Out Overhead Dynamic Advance Warning Signal Systems, Ryan Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

Advance warning signals installed upstream of a high-speed signalized intersection (HSSI) warn motorists of impending signal changes in an effort to reduce the frequency of red-light running (RLR) and crashes. A new advance warning signal design was tested on an approach to an HSSI in Utah to study the effects of the modified design on motorist behavior. The new design utilized an overhead dynamic blank-out sign and flashers. A state-of-the-art digital wave radar evaluation system was installed at the study site to collect continuous data of vehicle speeds and RLR events by a non-intrusive method. Crash data were collected from …

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Effect Of Stay-In-Place Metal Forms On Performance Of Concrete Bridge Decks, Stephen Litster Frost Jun 2006

Effect Of Stay-In-Place Metal Forms On Performance Of Concrete Bridge Decks, Stephen Litster Frost

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this research were to investigate the effect of stay-in-place metal forms (SIPMFs) on the performance of concrete bridge decks in Utah. The research program included six bridge decks with SIPMFs and six decks without SIPMFs, which were all located within the Interstate 215 corridor in the vicinity of Salt Lake City, Utah, and therefore subject to similar traffic loading, climatic conditions, and maintenance treatments, including applications of deicing salts during winter months. All of the tested decks were constructed between 1984 and 1989 using epoxy-coated rebar. Several tests were performed at each of six locations on each …

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Payback Information: It's Effect On Home Buyers Regarding Energy Efficiency, Steven E. Sparti Jun 2006

Payback Information: It's Effect On Home Buyers Regarding Energy Efficiency, Steven E. Sparti

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to find out how payback analysis would affect consumer decision making with regards to home energy efficient upgrade packages. Three different home plans were obtained from a local builder and seven different energy efficient packages were created. Using Hot2000 the heating and cooling loads were calculated for each building, with each energy efficient package, in each of the four major cardinal directions. The averages were taken and the payback information was calculated. The payback information included the increased cost of the package, the increase in the mortgage payment, the annual savings from heating and cooling bills, …

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Assessing The Safety Impacts Of Access Management Techniques, Jeff S. Lewis Jun 2006

Assessing The Safety Impacts Of Access Management Techniques, Jeff S. Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Access management techniques such as raised median installation and driveway consolidation improve safety conditions for motorists. Several locations where these access management techniques have been installed in the state of Utah were selected for analysis of the safety impacts. Although crash rates were not necessarily reduced as a result of the access management techniques, other safety improvements were observed. The raised medians generally reduced the more serious types of collisions, which resulted in a decrease in the severity of crashes. The fatality rates generally decreased as crashes became less severe. Because fatalities and the overall severity of crashes decreased, the …

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Evaluation Of Microbial Diversity In Wetland Through Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr) And Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (Rflp), Gregory K. Joseph Jun 2006

Evaluation Of Microbial Diversity In Wetland Through Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr) And Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (Rflp), Gregory K. Joseph

Theses and Dissertations

The diversity of microbial communities in wetlands has not been fully measured. These communities may offer tools to naturally remediate sites polluted with chlorinated compounds. Polmerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) are genomic techniques that are capable of rapidly characterizing bacteria communities and can provide valuable information about the diversity of microbial communities.

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Molecular Characterization Of Wetland Soil Bacterial Community In Constructed Mesocosms, Ethan C. Bishop Jun 2006

Molecular Characterization Of Wetland Soil Bacterial Community In Constructed Mesocosms, Ethan C. Bishop

Theses and Dissertations

The use of wetlands to effectively remediate aquifers contaminated with chlorinated solvents is an emerging technique, which shows high promise. In order to better understand this process and test its legitimacy, a treatment wetland was constructed at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio and, in a joint effort with Wright State University (WSU), has previously shown the effective removal of PCE. The purpose of this research was to characterize the soil bacterial community, pre-PCE injection, among three wetland plant species from the sedge family (Cyperaceae) within constructed wetland mesocosms and to identify any bacterial dominance. Carex comosa, Scirpus atrovirens, and Eleocharis erythropoda …

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Cement Stabilization Of Aggregate Base Materials Blended With Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement, Ashley Vannoy Brown May 2006

Cement Stabilization Of Aggregate Base Materials Blended With Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement, Ashley Vannoy Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) content and cement content on the strength and durability of recycled aggregate base materials. Specifically, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and final dielectric value in the Tube Suction Test (TST) were measured in a full-factorial experimental design including five RAP contents, five cement contents, and three replicate specimens of each possible treatment. Specimen mixtures consisted of 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 percent RAP and 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 percent Type I/II Portland cement. Both the RAP and base materials were sampled from …

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A Study Of Model Integration In Conjunction With The Extensible Model Definition Format, Melanie A. Fife May 2006

A Study Of Model Integration In Conjunction With The Extensible Model Definition Format, Melanie A. Fife

Theses and Dissertations

A considerable amount of research has been done to connect or integrate separate numerical models. The Environmental Modeling Research Laboratory (EMRL) has developed a generic file format, the eXtensible Model Data Format (XMDF). One of the objectives of the XMDF project is to facilitate the spatial interpolation and data-sharing necessary when linking models. The objective of this research is to investigate how model linking capabilities can be added to the XMDF by defining a Model Linkage Object (MLO) that is compatible with current model linking frameworks. A potential design for an MLO is defined in this thesis after a detailed …

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Evaluation And Modeling Of Repeated Load Test Data Of Asphalt Concrete For Mechanistic-Empirical Flexible Pavement Design, Stephen Price Apr 2006

Evaluation And Modeling Of Repeated Load Test Data Of Asphalt Concrete For Mechanistic-Empirical Flexible Pavement Design, Stephen Price

Theses and Dissertations

The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) uses a power model that incorporates Dynamic Modulus (DM) as a factor in predicting rutting performance of asphalt concrete. The rutting model is empirical and the rutting profiles obtained from the model are largely based on the adjustment of calibration constants not the DM. Various DM values would be capable of producing similar rutting profiles based on the current model. This study evaluated using accumulated strain data obtained from the Repeated Load Test (RLT) as an alternative to using DM. In addition, a model to represent the accumulated strain data obtained from the RLT …

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In-Situ Testing Of A Carbon/Epoxy Isotruss Reinforced Concrete Foundation Pile, Sarah Richardson Apr 2006

In-Situ Testing Of A Carbon/Epoxy Isotruss Reinforced Concrete Foundation Pile, Sarah Richardson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on the field performance of IsoTruss®-reinforced concrete beam columns for use in driven piles. Experimental investigation included one instrumented carbon/epoxy IsoTruss®-reinforced concrete pile (IRC pile) and one instrumented steel-reinforced concrete pile (SRC pile) which were driven into a clay profile at a test site. These two piles, each 30 ft (9 m) in length and 14 in (36 cm) in diameter, were quasi-statically loaded laterally until failure. Behavior was predicted using three different methods: 1) a commercial finite difference-based computer program called Lpile; 2) a Winkler foundation model; and, 3) a simple analysis based on fundamental mechanics …

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Increasing Speed Limit Compliance In Reduced-Speed School Zones, Kelly Grant Ash Apr 2006

Increasing Speed Limit Compliance In Reduced-Speed School Zones, Kelly Grant Ash

Theses and Dissertations

Reduced-speed school zones greatly improve the safety of young children commuting to and from school and provide larger gaps in traffic for children to cross the street. The main focus of this study was to determine effective methods for increasing speed compliance in reduced-speed school zones. This objective was accomplished through an in-depth literature review, a public opinion survey of Utah drivers, and an evaluation of the effects of speed monitoring displays (SMDs) in school zones. The main focus of the literature review was to determine how to increase and maintain speed limit compliance within school zones. Information about the …

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Assessing The Economic Impacts Of Transportation Improvement Projects, Andrew L. Stewart Mar 2006

Assessing The Economic Impacts Of Transportation Improvement Projects, Andrew L. Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

In that a transportation system can influence an economy for good or bad a system that enhances economic vitality becomes a crucial element in maintaining or developing economic prosperity. To provide a methodology to include economic development impacts of transportation improvement projects in the decision making process and the tools and alternatives available are here explored. Primary contributions of this document are results of a literature review, transportation professional and decision maker survey, economic modeling tool evaluation, and development of approach alternatives. The following thesis introduces the purpose and need for the given research, the procedure that was followed, the …

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Full Scale Static Lateral Load Test Of A 9 Pile Group In Sand, Dustin Shaun Christensen Mar 2006

Full Scale Static Lateral Load Test Of A 9 Pile Group In Sand, Dustin Shaun Christensen

Theses and Dissertations

Much research has been done to study the effects of spacing in laterally loaded pile groups and how the pile spacing affects lateral resistance of the piles. In this test a 9-pile group of steel piles was installed in a 3x3 configuration in sand. The piles were spaced from center-to-center at a distance of 5.65 pile diameters in the direction of the load. The pile group was laterally loaded and instrumented to collect deflection, load, and strain data. A separate single pile was similarly instrumented and tested for comparison to the pile group. The soil profile consisted of a top …

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Full-Scale-Lateral-Load Test Of A 1.2 M Diameter Drilled Shaft In Sand, Amy Jean Taylor Mccall Mar 2006

Full-Scale-Lateral-Load Test Of A 1.2 M Diameter Drilled Shaft In Sand, Amy Jean Taylor Mccall

Theses and Dissertations

The soil-structure interaction models associated with laterally loaded deep foundations have typically been based on load tests involving relatively small diameter foundations. The lateral soil resistance for larger diameter foundations has been assumed to increase linearly with diameter; however, few, if any load tests have been performed to confirm this relationship. To better understand the lateral resistance of large diameter deep foundations in sand, a series of full scale, cyclic, lateral load tests were performed on two 1.2 m diameter drilled shafts and a 0.324 m diameter steel pipe pile in sand. Although the tests involve two different foundation types, …

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Improving Steering Module Efficiency For Incremental Loading Finite Element Numeric Models, Ryan L. Kitchen Mar 2006

Improving Steering Module Efficiency For Incremental Loading Finite Element Numeric Models, Ryan L. Kitchen

Theses and Dissertations

Engineers frequently use computerized numeric models to calculate and predict water levels and current patterns for rivers, bays, and other bodies of water. This computation often involves an iterative process known as incremental loading that can cause frustration and consume a lot of time. Although the steering module in the Surface-water Modeling System (SMS) automates incremental loading to minimize user interaction, it can still be very time consuming. This thesis examines the steering module and the incremental loading process to improve its efficiency. Specifically, the RMA2 and FESWMS models are utilized. Two methods of improving efficiency are examined. The first …

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Encryption Of Computer Peripheral Devices, Kelly Robert Norman Mar 2006

Encryption Of Computer Peripheral Devices, Kelly Robert Norman

Theses and Dissertations

Computer peripherals, such as keyboards, scanners, printers, cameras, and Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) typically communicate with a host PC via an unencrypted protocol, leaving them vulnerable to eavesdropping techniques, such as keyloggers. An encryption system was developed that is simple enough to be used in peripherals that do not have large amounts of processing power and memory. A software driver loaded in the operating system of the host computer communicates with a simple 8-bit microcontroller in the peripheral device. The driver handles key generation, key exchange, and provides decrypted data to the operating system. A key exchange protocol allows the …

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Cracking And Roughness Of Asphalt Pavements Constructed Using Cement-Treated Base Materials, Jonathan Russell Hanson Mar 2006

Cracking And Roughness Of Asphalt Pavements Constructed Using Cement-Treated Base Materials, Jonathan Russell Hanson

Theses and Dissertations

While cement treatment is a proven method for improving the strength and durability of soils and aggregates, cement hydration causes shrinkage strains in the cement-treated base (CTB) that can lead to reflection cracking in asphalt surfaces. Cracking may then cause increased pavement roughness and lead to poor ride quality. The overall purpose of this research was to utilize data collected through the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program to investigate the use and classification of CTB layers and evaluate the relative impact of cement content on the development of roughness and cracking in asphalt concrete (AC) pavements constructed using CTB layers. …

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Risk-Based Decision Model For Determining The Applicability Of An Earned Value Management System In Construction, Mark D. Workman Mar 2006

Risk-Based Decision Model For Determining The Applicability Of An Earned Value Management System In Construction, Mark D. Workman

Theses and Dissertations

New policy mandated by the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics has lowered the dollar thresholds of contracts requiring earned value management (EVM). This policy directed that a "risk-based decision" be made to determine if EVM should be used on firm-fixed price contracts under $20 million. Although not previously applicable to Military Construction (MILCON) building projects or other Air Force Civil Engineer (CE) managed contracts, the new threshold requires that CE projects be evaluated for risk. Therefore, the focus of this research was to analyze the risk factors associated with construction contracts in an attempt to build a …

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The Art And Science Of Discontinuous Innovation: A Case Study In Product Reinvention, Daniel C. Smoot Mar 2006

The Art And Science Of Discontinuous Innovation: A Case Study In Product Reinvention, Daniel C. Smoot

Theses and Dissertations

Divergence of new and old technologies is a source of tremendous innovation potential. As the dizzying pace of technological innovation accelerates indefinitely into tomorrow, not only do new paths diverge exponentially; doors already opened are increasingly abandoned for the allure of things undiscovered. Mature, late-stage life-cycle products left behind in today's fast-paced world open the floodgates to reinvention. This paper tests the hypothesis that innovativeness can be encouraged through the learning and application of universal innovation principles and processes. The implications of this research area are far-reaching. If innovation can be encouraged, then it can likely be taught. If it …

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The Role Of The Architect: Changes Of The Past, Practices Of The Present, And Indications Of The Future, Chad B. Jones Mar 2006

The Role Of The Architect: Changes Of The Past, Practices Of The Present, And Indications Of The Future, Chad B. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

For centuries the architect was the master builder; the one who was responsible for both the design and the construction of a project with sufficient construction expertise to oversee the project from inception to completion. Eventually, complexity of projects required a higher level of specialization leading to the separation of the designer and the builder. Since that separation, the role of the designer, or architect, has continued to shift and evolve. In recent history, the architect has been the one selected by a building owner, at the inception of the project, as the professional who is able to assist and …

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Automated Manipulation For The Lotus Filament Winding Process, Jeffrey V. Anderson Mar 2006

Automated Manipulation For The Lotus Filament Winding Process, Jeffrey V. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The filament-winding process produces quality consistent composite parts for many industries. Filament winding allows for consistent quality parts by automating the winding process. A recent development of filament winding is the Lotus process. The Lotus process reverses conventional filament winding by leaving the mandrel stationary and winding composite fiber around the mandrel. The automated Lotus filament-winding machine is controlled by four-axis control manipulating the Lotus ring around a fixed mandrel. This allows Lotus filament winding to wind parts that do not have a linear axis. Lotus filament winding is in its early stages of development. As a second step in …

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Investigation Of Copper Contamination And Corrosion Scale Mineralogy In Aging Drink Water Distributions Systems, Nadja F. Turek Mar 2006

Investigation Of Copper Contamination And Corrosion Scale Mineralogy In Aging Drink Water Distributions Systems, Nadja F. Turek

Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown higher levels of copper appear in drinking water conveyed through relatively new copper piping systems; older piping systems typically deliver lower copper levels in their drinking water. This research contributes field data from a real drinking water distribution system, providing a better understanding of this phenomenon, as it relates to treatment considerations and compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule. Copper pipes and copper levels were sampled from drinking water taps of 16 buildings with pipes ranging in age from less than 1 to 48 years. Water samples from each building were collected before and following a …

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