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Full-Text Articles in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Sensitivity Of Resistivity Measurements On Concrete Bridge Decks To Operator-Controlled And Concrete Material Variables, Natasha Christine Barrus Apr 2012

Sensitivity Of Resistivity Measurements On Concrete Bridge Decks To Operator-Controlled And Concrete Material Variables, Natasha Christine Barrus

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this research were to investigate the sensitivity of two-prong and fourprong resistivity measurements to certain operator-controlled variables and to conduct a direct comparison of the sensitivity of two-prong and four-prong resistivity measurements to certain concrete material variables. Four full-factorial experiments were designed for this research. In the experimentation on operator-controlled variables with two-prong resistivity testing, main effects that are both statistically significant and practically important include hole depth and surface water. In the experimentation on operator-controlled variables with four-prong resistivity testing, probe position, surface water, and prong spacing are all neither statistically significant nor practically important. This …


Passive Resistance Of Abutments With Mse Wingwalls, Nathanael G. Bingham Apr 2012

Passive Resistance Of Abutments With Mse Wingwalls, Nathanael G. Bingham

Theses and Dissertations

Large scale static lateral load tests were performed on a pile cap under varying sand backfill configurations: no backfill, full-width dense sand backfill, dense sand slip plane confined backfill, and two configurations of dense sand MSE wall confined backfills. Efforts were made to maintain the relative compaction of the backfills for each of the tests near the same value. The MSE wall panel arrangement was varied to determine the effect of different reinforcement configurations on the passive resistance and wall panel displacement. Passive force-displacement curves were generated from each test. It was found that the MSE design manual provided reasonable …


Skew Effects On Passive Earth Pressures Based On Large-Scale Tests, Shon Joseph Jessee Apr 2012

Skew Effects On Passive Earth Pressures Based On Large-Scale Tests, Shon Joseph Jessee

Theses and Dissertations

The passive force-deflection relationship for abutment walls is important for bridges subjected to thermal expansion and seismic forces, but no test results have been available for skewed abutments. To determine the influence of skew angle on the development of passive force, lab tests were performed on a wall with skew angles of 0º, 15º, 30º, and 45º. The wall was 1.26 m wide and 0.61 m high and the backfill consisted of dense compacted sand. As the skew angle increased, the passive force decreased substantially with a reduction of 50% at a skew of 30º. An adjustment factor was developed …


An Analysis Of Turnover Intentions: A Reexamination Of Air Force Civil Engineering Company Grade Officers, Joshua D. Connell Mar 2012

An Analysis Of Turnover Intentions: A Reexamination Of Air Force Civil Engineering Company Grade Officers, Joshua D. Connell

Theses and Dissertations

A potential retention problem is facing company grade officers (CGOs) in the Air Force Civil Engineer (CE) career field. This is due to the stress caused by a demanding workload experienced during a prolonged period of conflict (Iraq and Afghanistan), which is compounded by a reduction in force. The possibility of reduced retention is thus a concern for CE leadership. Based on past research, and the prior study conducted by Riddel (2010), a new model of turnover intentions was developed. The new model expands on Riddel's simplified model of turnover and attempts to focus on key factors that may help …


Asset Management: Roof Maintenance And Facility Energy Retrofits, Joseph P. Dirosario Mar 2012

Asset Management: Roof Maintenance And Facility Energy Retrofits, Joseph P. Dirosario

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force (USAF) needs aggressive new techniques to compliment its asset management of its real estate portfolio. Air Force officials are experiencing budget cuts that have led to degraded facility infrastructure. Two areas of operations in which there are opportunities to improve the asset management of Air Force facilities are roof maintenance and energy retrofits. Information obtained via a geospatial information systems analysis revealed that the current state of the rooftop maintenance program was deficient and supported strategic sourcing as a potential solution to the program's deficiencies. In addition, two methodologies were created to gauge the effectiveness …


Evaluation Of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Activated Sludge For Biodegradation Of Propylene Glycol As An Aircraft Deicer, Justin D. Delorit Mar 2012

Evaluation Of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Activated Sludge For Biodegradation Of Propylene Glycol As An Aircraft Deicer, Justin D. Delorit

Theses and Dissertations

Aircraft deicing fluid used at airport facilities is often collected for treatment or disposal in order to prevent serious ecological threats to nearby surface waters. This study investigated lab scale degradation of propylene glycol (PG), the active ingredient in a common aircraft deicing fluid, by way of a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor containing municipal waste water treatment facility activated sludge (AS) performing simultaneous organic carbon oxidation and nitrification. The ability of AS to remove PG was evaluated by studying the biodegradation and sorption characteristics of PG in an AS medium. The results indicate sorption may play a role in the …


Turnover Intentions: A Quantitative Analysis Of Comments From Air Force Civil Engineering Company Grade Officers, Tj E. Gabrielson Mar 2012

Turnover Intentions: A Quantitative Analysis Of Comments From Air Force Civil Engineering Company Grade Officers, Tj E. Gabrielson

Theses and Dissertations

Voluntary turnover is a concern for the military and many other organizations from a financial and performance standpoint. This study applied grounded theory to code and network comments provided by CE officers in 2010. The results of this study found the most influential construct that predicts turnover intentions to be the relationship of OPSTEMPO influencing interrole conflict. This conflict is increased by the workload at home station due to under manning within CE. OPSTEMPO is an important aspect of a military member's decision to stay or leave the service because it was found to interact with a multitude of other …


Firm Fixed Price And Cost Plus Fixed Fee Construction Contracts In Iraq And Afghanistan, Lindsay M. Jaszkowiak Mar 2012

Firm Fixed Price And Cost Plus Fixed Fee Construction Contracts In Iraq And Afghanistan, Lindsay M. Jaszkowiak

Theses and Dissertations

Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract types have been utilized the most for construction in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters. Often construction occurs in contested regions that are known to be particularly challenging, unpredictable, and unstable. The objective of this study was to analyze the performance of these two contract types in the contingency environment, and to determine what internal and external factors influence contact success the most. First, the author evaluated existing construction performance data using bivariate analysis and analysis of variance to identify differences in contract type. Next, a quantitative/qualitative questionnaire was administered …


Optimization Of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron For The Remediation Of Groundwater Contaminants, Andrew W. E. Mcpherson Mar 2012

Optimization Of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron For The Remediation Of Groundwater Contaminants, Andrew W. E. Mcpherson

Theses and Dissertations

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) is an emerging tool for the remediation of groundwater contaminants. The nanoparticles are capable of reductively destroying or immobilizing a wide range of contaminants. Their small size results in a high surface area to mass ratio, making them much more reactive compared to their more-coarse predecessors. Small particle size also allows nZVI particles to be injected directly into contaminated areas via a well, limiting the above-ground footprint and allowing access to contaminated areas that are beyond the reach of some conventional methods. nZVI technology has the potential to facilitate remediation in difficult situations, improve remediation outcomes, …


Biodegradation Of Organophosphate Chemical Warfare Agents By Activated Sludge, Steven J. Schuldt Mar 2012

Biodegradation Of Organophosphate Chemical Warfare Agents By Activated Sludge, Steven J. Schuldt

Theses and Dissertations

Organophosphates (OPs) have been widely used as Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) as well as pesticides since World War II and still remain a threat to national security. While efforts have been taken at military installations and civilian communities to secure these chemicals and prevent their misuse, a determined adversary could still obtain and deploy them to injure, kill, or instill terror. The lethal properties of this group of compounds are primarily owed to their irreversible inhibition of the enzyme acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and thus may alter the human nervous system or affect the hormonal balance of children in particular. In …


Analysis Of Leadership In Energy And Environmental Design® Construction In The Air Force, James M. Rozzoni Mar 2012

Analysis Of Leadership In Energy And Environmental Design® Construction In The Air Force, James M. Rozzoni

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force uses the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system as a third party verification system to ensure sustainable and resource-conscious facilities. The Federal Government has implemented several mandates in recent years that require certain milestones be met for energy reduction, water conservation, renewable energy use, and so forth. This research aims to determine how the Air Force has implemented LEED through credit analysis, and to better understand why LEED is being used in this way. Using a database of 172 military construction projects, the research evaluates the frequency of credit usage individually and by category. …


The Application Of Sensors On Guardrails For The Purpose Of Real Time Impact Detection, Matthew D. Sturtevant Mar 2012

The Application Of Sensors On Guardrails For The Purpose Of Real Time Impact Detection, Matthew D. Sturtevant

Theses and Dissertations

The United States roadway system has deteriorated over time due to its age, increasing delays in completing preventative maintenance, and the lack of timely repairs following damage to the infrastructure. Proper asset management drives the need for generalized methods to integrate new sensing capabilities into existing Intelligent Transportation Systems in a time efficient and cost effective manner. In this thesis, we present a methodology for the deployment of new sensors into an existing ITS system. The proposed methodology employs a three phase approach that incorporates data modeling, spatial analysis in Geographic Information Systems, and cost optimization to provide enhanced decision …


Understanding The Impact Of Bead Type On Paint And Thermoplastic Pavement Markings, Joshua D. Hollingsworth Mar 2012

Understanding The Impact Of Bead Type On Paint And Thermoplastic Pavement Markings, Joshua D. Hollingsworth

Theses and Dissertations

Each year the United States spends approximately two billion dollars maintaining pavement markings. In addition, an impending Federal policy establishing a minimum retro-reflectivity value for pavement markings has driven asset managers to develop performance models to effectively and efficiently manage these high quantity, low cost assets. Research over the past decade has sought to identify and understand the many factors influencing pavement marking degradation. Despite the fact that reflective glass beads are foundational to pavement marking retro-reflectivity, little research has specifically considered the impacts of bead type. The purpose of this study is to quantify the impact that bead type …


Improving Effectiveness Of Monetary Weapon Systems In Afghanistan, Seth M. Lorimer Mar 2012

Improving Effectiveness Of Monetary Weapon Systems In Afghanistan, Seth M. Lorimer

Theses and Dissertations

Tenuous political and economic times call for increased oversight and improved results from military counterinsurgency programs in Afghanistan, programs that provide agile non-kinetic weapons, critical for commanders fighting in today's asymmetric battle space. This paper proposes a decision tool for construction projects executed under the Commanders Emergency Response Program, designed to meet the changing demands of fighting an amorphous insurgency among dynamic systems of stakeholders. The research first conducted a system analysis of the CERP project execution process identifying key findings addressing value adding inputs. The research then applies a Causal Chain, borrowed from the Emergency Management field to identify …


Damage Tolerance Of Unidirectional Carbon And Fiberglass Composites With Aramid Sleeves, Charles Andrew Sika Mar 2012

Damage Tolerance Of Unidirectional Carbon And Fiberglass Composites With Aramid Sleeves, Charles Andrew Sika

Theses and Dissertations

Unidirectional carbon fiber and fiberglass epoxy composite elements consolidated with aramid sleeves were radially impacted at 5 J (3.7 ft-lbs) and 10 J (7.4 ft-lbs), tested under compression, and compared to undamaged control specimens. These structural elements represent local members of open three-dimensional composite lattice structures (e.g., based on isogrid or IsoTruss® technologies). Advanced three-dimensional braiding techniques were used to continuously fabricate these specimens. The unidirectional core specimens, 8 mm (5/16 in) in diameter, were manufactured with various sleeve patterns. Bi-directional braided sleeves and unidirectional spiral sleeves ranged from a nominal full to half coverage. These specimens were tested for …


Evaluating Climate Change Effects In Two Contrasting Reservoirs Using Two-Dimensional Water Quality And Hydrodynamic Models, Oliver Obregon Mar 2012

Evaluating Climate Change Effects In Two Contrasting Reservoirs Using Two-Dimensional Water Quality And Hydrodynamic Models, Oliver Obregon

Theses and Dissertations

I analyzed and compared impacts from global climate change (GCC) and land use change to Deer Creek (United States) a temperate reservoir and Aguamilpa (Mexico), a tropical reservoir by using calibrated CE-QUAL-W2 (W2) water quality and hydrodynamic models based on field data over an extended time period. I evaluated and compared the sensitivity to predicted GCC and land use changes. I individually evaluated changes to air temperature (TAIR), inflow rates (Q), and nutrient loads (PO4-P and NO3-NO2-N) followed by analysis of worst case scenarios. I developed analysis methods using indexes to represent the total …


Study Of Water Quality Of Utah Lake Tributaries And The Jordan River Outlet For The Calibration Of The Utah Lake Water Salinity Model (Lksim), Gordon Killarney Liljenquist Mar 2012

Study Of Water Quality Of Utah Lake Tributaries And The Jordan River Outlet For The Calibration Of The Utah Lake Water Salinity Model (Lksim), Gordon Killarney Liljenquist

Theses and Dissertations

The water quality of Utah Lake is of great importance to agriculture, recreation, and wildlife. The Utah Lake Simulation Model (LKSIM) was created to accurately predict changes in water quality parameters. However, a potential limitation of LKSIM is the age of the underlying data which was gathered from 1930 to 1980. New sample data were collected from March 2009 through May 2011. Samples were taken from 13 tributaries, the Jordan River Outlet, and various wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Upon dividing the collected data points into seasons and plotting them in Microsoft Excel, trendline equations were produced. These equations correlated TDS …


Maintenance Operations Degradation Of Airfield Pavement Markings, John C. Jaszkowiak Mar 2012

Maintenance Operations Degradation Of Airfield Pavement Markings, John C. Jaszkowiak

Theses and Dissertations

Pavement markings are an essential element in the navigational aids subsystem for any airfield. Most airfields still use waterborne paint as the primary marking material, although there are other materials in use on roadways that airfield managers could use to save time and money. An airfield experiences a host of maintenance operations that cause degradation of the pavement markings. Of particular concern are rubber removal operations, sweeping operations, and snowplowing operations. This research focuses on chemical rubber removal operations and sweeping operations. The study evaluates waterborne paint markings and thermoplastic marking strips to determine if these marking materials perform differently …


Safety Issues Among Hispanic Construction Workers Along The Wasatch Front In Utah, Phavel Israel Loayza Chahuayo Dec 2011

Safety Issues Among Hispanic Construction Workers Along The Wasatch Front In Utah, Phavel Israel Loayza Chahuayo

Theses and Dissertations

During the last few decades immigration by foreigners seeking work in the construction industry in the United States has increased dramatically. Of those seeking jobs in construction, Hispanics represent the largest and fastest growing population. The proportion of reportable accidents among Hispanic on-site construction workers in the United States is higher than that of non-Hispanics. This trend of on-site construction accidents is evident not only in states that have traditionally high populations of Hispanics, such as New York, Florida, California, Arizona, and Texas, it is also manifested in the State of Utah. This research focused on causes of accidents among …


A Performance-Based Model For The Computation Of Kinematic Pile Response Due To Lateral Spreading And Its Application On Select Bridges Damaged During The M7.6 Earthquake In The Limon Province, Costa Rica, Kevin W. Franke Dec 2011

A Performance-Based Model For The Computation Of Kinematic Pile Response Due To Lateral Spreading And Its Application On Select Bridges Damaged During The M7.6 Earthquake In The Limon Province, Costa Rica, Kevin W. Franke

Theses and Dissertations

Lateral spread is a seismic hazard associated with soil liquefaction in which permanent deformations are developed within the soil profile due to cyclic mobility. Lateral spread has historically been one of the largest causes of earthquake-related damage to infrastructure. One of the infrastructure components most at risk from lateral spread is that of deep foundations. Because performance-based engineering is increasingly becoming adopted in earthquake engineering practice, it would be beneficial for engineers and researchers to have a performance-based methodology for computing pile performance during a lateral spread event. This study utilizes the probabilistic performance-based framework developed by the Pacific Earthquake …


Damage Tolerance Of Unidirectional Basalt/Epoxy Composites In Co-Cured Aramid Sleeves, Devin Nelson Allen Dec 2011

Damage Tolerance Of Unidirectional Basalt/Epoxy Composites In Co-Cured Aramid Sleeves, Devin Nelson Allen

Theses and Dissertations

Unidirectional basalt fiber rods consolidated with an aramid sleeve were measured for compression strength after impact at various energy levels and compared to undamaged control specimens. These structural elements represent local members of open three-dimensional composite lattice structures (e.g., based on isogrid or IsoTruss® technologies) that are continuously fabricated using advanced three-dimensional braiding techniques. The unidirectional core specimens, nominally 8 mm (5/16") and 11 mm (7/16") in diameter, were manufactured using bi-directional braided sleeves or unidirectional spiral sleeves with full or partial (approximately half) coverage of the core fibers. The 51 mm (2") specimens were shorter than the critical buckling …


Damage Tolerance Of Buckling-Critical Unidirectional Carbon, Glass,And Basalt Fiber Composites In Co-Cured Aramid Sleeves, Michael D. Embley Dec 2011

Damage Tolerance Of Buckling-Critical Unidirectional Carbon, Glass,And Basalt Fiber Composites In Co-Cured Aramid Sleeves, Michael D. Embley

Theses and Dissertations

Compression strength after impact tests were conducted on unidirectional composite rods with sleeves. These elements represent local members of open three-dimensional composite lattice structures (e.g., based on isogrid or IsoTruss® technologies). The unidirectional cores composed of carbon, glass, or basalt fiber/epoxy composites were co-cured in aramid sleeves. Sleeve patterns included both bi-directional (unsymmetric) braids and unidirectional spiral wraps with sleeve coverage ranging from nominally half to full. The diameters were nominally 8 and 11 mm (5/16 and 7/16 in). The larger diameter had nominally twice the cross-sectional area, to quantify the effects of scaling. The specimens were long enough to …


Reduction In Wick Drain Effectiveness In Typical Utah Clays, Gabriel M. Smith Dec 2011

Reduction In Wick Drain Effectiveness In Typical Utah Clays, Gabriel M. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Consolidation theory states that decreasing the spacing of prefabricated vertical drains will decrease the time required to achieve primary consolidation. Previous field tests have shown that there exists a "critical" drain spacing, which is the point at which further spacing decrease does not decrease the time of primary consolidation. This "critical" spacing is thought to be due to disturbance effects from installation of the drains. Previous studies have found that the "critical" drain spacing may be dependent upon soil layering and drain and mandrel dimensions. Thin, interbedded clay layers have been found to be affected greatly due to the smear …


Strength Of Concrete Masonry Prisms Constructed With Non-Traditional Grout And Type-M Mortar, Scott Michael Watterson Dec 2011

Strength Of Concrete Masonry Prisms Constructed With Non-Traditional Grout And Type-M Mortar, Scott Michael Watterson

Theses and Dissertations

The Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada in conjunction with Brigham Young University devised a masonry prism testing scheme to aid in the determination of whether prisms constructed with grouts possessing high levels of supplemental cementitious materials could meet minimum masonry compressive strength requirements. ASTM standards, identical to that of concrete, place restrictions on quantities, by weight, of supplemental materials that can replace ordinary Portland cement. For an all fly ash replacement, up to 40% of Portland cement can be replaced while up to 70% can be replaced by a fly ash-slag combination. Research is focused on class F …


Using Commodity Flow Data For Predicting Truck Freight Flow On State Truck Routes, Goangsung Jin Nov 2011

Using Commodity Flow Data For Predicting Truck Freight Flow On State Truck Routes, Goangsung Jin

Theses and Dissertations

The increase in truck traffic on highways has brought many problems and challenges to transportation planning and traffic operation, including traffic congestion, transportation system deficiency (insufficient truck parking, etc.), safety, infrastructure deterioration, environmental impacts (air quality and noise), economic development, and so forth. Along with the increase in truck traffic, the need for developing a statewide truck freight demand model has grown so that a state can estimate truck traffic at any point on its highways. The most significant hurdle to including freight transportation in the transportation modeling process is that most of the demand forecasting methodologies currently available were …


Quantifying Mass Sediment Movement In Deer Creek Reservoir During Spring Runoff And Potential Water Quality Impacts, Colin Rodger Ricks Oct 2011

Quantifying Mass Sediment Movement In Deer Creek Reservoir During Spring Runoff And Potential Water Quality Impacts, Colin Rodger Ricks

Theses and Dissertations

The accurate prediction of water quality is essential for management of reservoirs used for drinking water supply. Since algae are a major source of taste and odor problems in drinking water, understanding and controlling algal growth and production is an important task. Deer Creek Reservoir supplies drinking water for over one million people in northern Utah and has been highly eutrophic in the past. Despite major reductions in external nutrient loading, including phosphorus, seasonal algal blooms in Deer Creek have not decreased to desired levels. Resuspension of sediment has been suggested as a potential source of internal nutrient loading for …


Comparison Of Analysis And Optimization Methods For Core-Megacolumn-Outrigger Skyscrapers, James B. Peterson Aug 2011

Comparison Of Analysis And Optimization Methods For Core-Megacolumn-Outrigger Skyscrapers, James B. Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research is to compare performance of three analysis methods and three optimization methods for core-megacolumn-outrigger, or CMO skyscrapers. The three analysis methods include a 1D stick analysis, 2D frame analysis, and 3D finite element analysis. The three optimization methods include a trial and error optimization, optimality criteria optimization, and genetic algorithm. Each of these methods was compared by applying an example CMO skyscraper. The 1D stick analysis proved to be the most accurate when compared with the 3D finite element results. The genetic algorithm was recommended as the best optimization method in this research. The 1D …


Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamics Of Swimming Rainbow Trout Using Navier-Stokes And Large Eddy Simulation Models, Donovan R. Chipman Jul 2011

Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamics Of Swimming Rainbow Trout Using Navier-Stokes And Large Eddy Simulation Models, Donovan R. Chipman

Theses and Dissertations

Energy efficiency and propulsive characteristics of a 10 cm undulatory rainbow trout (oncorhynchus mykiss) swimming in a stationary position are considered. Two CFD simulations are performed utilizing dynamic grid meshing (FLUENT 6.3). The first simulation uses a laminar flow model with an added hydrofoil shape in order to test if thrust and drag can be brought to unity. The second simulation uses a Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence model to determine if transition to turbulence along the fish's surface leads to boundary layer separation. The expected results caused by adding these two features to earlier simulations do not occur. …


Mapping And Modeling Chlorophyll-A Concentrations In Utah Lake Using Landsat 7 Etm+ Imagery, Victor Nii Afum Narteh Jul 2011

Mapping And Modeling Chlorophyll-A Concentrations In Utah Lake Using Landsat 7 Etm+ Imagery, Victor Nii Afum Narteh

Theses and Dissertations

This study shows the results of testing previous research that used remote sensing techniques to determine chlorophyll-a concentrations in turbid surface waters, and developing similar methods and models for Utah Lake using Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery and field measured concentrations of chlorophyll-a. The data for the study included images acquired on June 22 and July 8, 2009. The field data included ground measurements taken on June 22 and July 6, 2009 from seven water quality sampling locations. The 48 hour time difference between the Landsat image acquisition (July 8) and the field measurement (July 6), and the small sample …


Unintended Social And Economic Consequences Resulting From The Implementation Of New Construction Technologies In The Developing World, Andrew J. South Jul 2011

Unintended Social And Economic Consequences Resulting From The Implementation Of New Construction Technologies In The Developing World, Andrew J. South

Theses and Dissertations

One of the key components of international development is to provide adequate shelter for citizens of developing countries. This is often accomplished by governmental, non- governmental, and private organizations that seek to lower the cost, increase the quality, and expand the availability of safe, sustainable housing through the use of innovative technologies. These new technologies can affect the social and/or economic structure within communities. This paper is a case study resulting from the construction of a seventy-one-home village, including infrastructure, near Yogyakarta, Indonesia by a foreign, aid-based non-governmental organization (NGO). The village was relocated less than two kilometers from its …