Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Statistical Analysis Of Compressive Strength Of Clay Brick Masonry Prisms, Saman Afqahi Aryana

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

The Specification for Masonry Structures section of the current governing masonry design document in the U.S., reported by the Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC), contains tables that can be used to determine the compressive strength of masonry, f'm, as a function of the mortar type and the compressive strength of the unit employed to construct the masonry. The majority of the data gathered to create the current values in the MSJC Specification were generated in studies done prior to 1970. There have been significant changes in materials and procedures since this time frame, and there is a need to gather …

Identification Of Pavement Distress In Kentucky, Tim C. Scully Jr., R. Clark Graves, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In Kentucky, the roads are comprised primarily of two types of pavement. The first being Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) a rigid pavement, and the other is Asphaltic Concrete (AC), a flexible pavement. There is a noticeable difference in their appearance, ride, cost and performance. Since Kentucky utilizes both pavements, as many states do, it is necessary to have a system in place to consistently identify pavement distress and categorize their overall performance.

A Comparison Of Data Assimilation Methods Using A Planetary Geostrophic Model, Edward D. Zaron

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Assimilating hydrographic observations into a planetary geostrophic model is posed as a problem in control theory. The cost functional is the sum of weighted model and data residuals. Model errors are assumed to be spatially correlated, and hydrographic station data are assimilated directly. Searches in state space and data space, for minimizing the cost functional, are compared to a direct matrix inversion algorithm in the data space. State-space methods seek the minimizer of the cost functional by performing a preconditioned search in an N-dimensional space of state or control variables, where N is approximately 650 000 in the present calculations. …

Semiempirical Electromagnetic Modeling Of Crack Detection And Sizing In Cement-Based Materials Using Near-Field Microwave Methods, Jagadish Nadakuduti, Genda Chen, R. Zoughi

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Detection and characterization of cracks in cement-based materials is an integral part of damage evaluation for health monitoring of civil structures. Microwave signals are able to penetrate inside of dielectric materials (e.g., cement-based materials) and are sensitive to local, physical, geometrical, and dielectric variations in a structure. This makes microwave nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) techniques suitable for inspection and health monitoring of civil structures. Near-field microwave NDT&E techniques offer the added advantage of providing high spatial resolution, requiring simple hardware that may be portable, low power, fast, real time, and robust. Additionally, these techniques are noncontact and one-sided. Besides …

Repair, Inspection And Maintenance Methods Of Steel Bridges, Deepak Koirala

Masters Theses

Transportation infrastructure is the backbone of American commerce & industry at the advent of the 21^st century. Bridges are the key elements of the transportation system of a country. According to National Bridge Inventory 2005, there are approximately six hundred thousand bridges in United States, among them nearly one third of bridges are functionally obsolete. A lack in performance of such structures, with respect to minimum acceptable standards, has direct impact not only on the highway system but also on public safety as well as economic growth. Systematic and well-designed research will provide the most effective approach to the …

An Analysis Of Indicator Organism Suitability For Lower James And York Rivers, Rhonda Ashonti Ford

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The primary objectives of this thesis are (1) determine if the proper indicator organism is being utilized to determine the bacterial water quality in the State of Virginia. (2) If other environmental factors can predict the bacterial water quality. The current indicator organism of choice for bacterial water quality of waters in the State of Virginia is enterococci, for estuarine and brackish waters. E. coli is the indicator organism of choice for fresh waters in Virginia.

The study concluded (1) Enterococci are the best indicator organism for beaches located in the Hampton Roads Harbor and the Lower James River. (2) …

Effect Of Firing Temperature And Holding Time On Characterization Of Al/Sic Metal Matrix Composites Produced By Pressureless Infiltration., Anne Zulfia, Myrna Ariati

Makara Journal of Technology

Effect of Firing Temperature and Holding Time on Characterization of Al/SiC Metal Matrix Composites Produced by Pressureless Infiltration. The production of Al-SiC metal matrix composite can be carried out by pressureless metal infiltration processs (PRIMEX). The experiment was conducted using aluminium AC2B ingot as a matrix and 50%Vf SiC powder as a reinforcement which is mixed with 10% Mg powder for wetting agent. The variables of this experiment are holding time and firing temperature to investigate the effect of these conditions on mechanical properties of Al-SiC metal matrix composites. Holding time was conducted for 2,5,8,10,12 hours and firing temperatures was …

Modification Of Bonding Strength Test Of Wc Hvof Thermal Spray Coating On Rocket Nozzle, Bondan T. Sofyan, Haposan J. Pardede, Marizki Stefano, Edi Sofyan

Makara Journal of Technology

Modification of Bonding Strength Test of WC HVOF Thermal Spray Coating on Rocket Nozzle. One way to reduce structural weight of RX-100 rocket is by modifying the nozzle material and processing. Nozzle is the main target in weight reduction due to the fact that it contributes 30 % to the total weight of the structur. An alternative for this is by substitution of massive graphite, which is currently used as thermal protector in the nozzle, with thin layer of HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel) thermal spray layer. This paper presents the characterization of nozzle base material as well as the modification …

Development Of Fiber-Optic Humidity Sensor Probe With Gelatin Cladding, Akhiruddin Maddu, Kun Modjahidin, Sar Sardy, Hamdani Zain

Makara Journal of Technology

Development of Fiber-Optic Humidity Sensor Probe with Gelatin Cladding. Humidity sensor based on optical fiber with gelatin cladding has been developed. In this humidity sensor probe, the origin cladding of optical fiber is replaced by gelatin coating as humidity sensitive cladding. Testing of the optical fiber sensor probe was conducted by measuring of light intensity transmitted on the optical fiber probe for each variation of different humidity treatments. Response of the optical fiber sensor probe measured from 42%RH to 99%RH, the results show an optical transmission curve varied with relative humidity (RH). Optical transmission in the optical fiber probe increase …

Lessons Learned From An Emergency Bridge Replacement Project, Yong Bai, William R. Burkett, Phillip T. Nash

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, and subsequent potential threats to U.S. transportation systems have presented an urgent need to develop emergency response plans to quickly react to the possible consequences of extreme events. Extreme events include terrorist attack as well as man-made and natural disasters such as explosions, fires, floods, and earthquakes. The objective of this research was to identify strategies and technologies to quickly restore the use of highway bridges, a critical component of the nation’s transportation network, in case they are damaged or destroyed by extreme events. One of the tasks associated with this research was …

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Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

On The Performance Of Imt-2000 Communication Link Based On Stratospheric Platforms, Iskandar Iskandar, Shigeru Shimamoto

Makara Journal of Technology

A new means for providing wireless communication has been currently proposed. It is based on aerial vehicle known as High Altitude Platform or Stratospheric Platforms (SPF). The SPF will be operated at an altitude of 17-22 km above the ground. Therefore, the channel condition may be different compared with those of the conventional terrestrial or satellite wireless channel. In this paper, the channel propagation characteristic of such a system is firstly investigated by means of ray tracing algorithm. We emphasize our investigation in a typical urban environment, in which the mobile users mostly exist. We developed building block model for …

Analysis Of Technical Energy Losses By Using Simulation, Betrianis Betrianis, Randite Herawan

Makara Journal of Technology

Model is a representation of a system. Through model, it can be easier to forecast and control the changing of each element system. Electricity distribution is also a system. Losses are general problem that exist in a distribution network system. But with the right methods, specifically technical energy losses can be reduced in order to increase the efficiency. By making model of the distribution network, the value of technical energy losses in the whole network as well as in every line can be observed. Simulation can also be used to see all losses reduction alternatives. By comparing results from each …

Modeling Of Coupled-Tank System Using Fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno Model, Aries Subiantoro

Makara Journal of Technology

Modeling of Coupled-Tank System Using Fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno Model. This paper describes modeling of coupledtank system based on data measurement using fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno model. The fuzzy clustering method of Gustafson- Kessel algorithm is used to classify input-output data into several clusters based on distance similarity of a member of input-output data from center of cluster. The formed clusters are projected orthonormally into each linguistic variables of premise part to determine membership function of fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno model. By estimating data in each cluster, the consequent parameters of fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno model are calculated using weighted least-squares method. The resulted fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno model is …

Design Of Induction Motor Drive Without Velocity Sensor Using Current Vector Controller With Full And Reduced Observer Moving To Dq Axis, Ridwan Gunawan, Feri Yusivar, Wahidin Wahab, Zuhal A. Kadir

Makara Journal of Technology

Design of Induction Motor Drive Without Velocity Sensor Using Current Vector Controller with Full and Reduced Observer Moving to DQ Axis. The observer is used in estimation velocity sensor usually in α-β axis, therefore this situation will need an extra transformation when we want to add compensator because the flux model is in direct and quadrature-axis dq. Every used the transformation to make possible emerge an error. So in this simulation is used a method to estimate the velocity of induction motor drive with observer that is moved to dq-axis. The model of actual motor used is in alfa-beta axis, …

Hybrid Identification System With Arx And Fast Fourier Transform In Application Of A Quarter Of Vehicle Half Active Suspension, Noveri Lysbetti M, Antonius R.

Makara Journal of Technology

Hybrid Identification System with ARX and Fast Fourier Transform in Application of a Quarter of Vehicle Half Active Suspension. In a control system problem, identification system mechanism is a absolute thing, especially in adaptation controlling to disturbance changing. For that case, is needed an identification method which can identify the changing of disturbance in that system. The aim of this research is to give an alternative in system/plant identification which is a combination (hybrid) of ARX and Fast Fourier Transform. So, it is needed an algorithm design for identification process. In this case, the designed algorithm will be implemented in …

Course Portfolio For Arch333/Cnst305: Building Environmental Technical Systems, Tim Wentz

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

Due to the critical nature of team-based learning in this course, I propose to study the learning aspects of team-based learning, as I envision it in this course. Not having formally investigated this issue previously, I am left with a sense that some teams perform much better than other teams. I am looking for those criteria that separate the good teams from underperforming teams. Some of the issues that occur to me as I start this process include the following: - Team size - Academic diversity - Discipline diversity - Gender diversity - Geographic diversity How students best learn in …

Development Of A Gis Based Infrastructure Replacement Prioritization System; A Case Study, Brian D. Pickard

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Maintenance, repair, and replacement of transmission mains and distribution system piping is expected to cost approximately $75 billion over the next two decades to ensure that public water systems are capable of providing the United States with safe drinking water. However, there is a significant gap between the funds available and the projected costs of infrastructure replacement or rehabilitation. Infrastructure Management Systems (IMS) have been developed to assist utilities and decision-makers in determining how to allocate resources for infrastructure. This project utilizes theTampa Water Department (TWD) as a case study to develop a tool for prioritizing infrastructure replacement.

TWD is …

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 …

A Damage Assessment And Wind Loading Analysis Of Residential Structures Built Post-1996 In Punta Gorda In The Wake Of Hurricane Charley, James Newberry

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One of the communities in the path of Hurricane Charley as it came ashore

August 13, 2004, was Punta Gorda, recording gusts up to 145 mph. This project

utilizes aerial photos taken approximately 10 days after the storm battered the

area, using a digital photography program. Focusing on the one-story residential

structures (houses) of the Punta Gorda area, a damage assessment could be

made of the area’s homes, and how they stood up to the storm. This study

focused further on homes built after major changes to the local/state building

codes went into effect (starting in 1996) after the devastation …

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 …

2006 Directory Of Indiana State, County, City And Town Officials Responsible For Road And Street Work, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Directory

Contact information for agency officials and employees responsible for Indiana’s local road infrastructure.

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, …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

Risk Of Colon Cancer In Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer Patients As Predicted By Fuzzy Modeling: Influence Of Smoking, Rhonda M. Brand, David D. Jones, Henry T. Lynch, Randall E. Brand, Patrice Watson, Ramesh Ashwathnayaran, Hemant K. Roy

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

AIM: To investigate whether a fuzzy logic model could predict colorectal cancer (CRC) risk engendered by smoking in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) patients.

METHODS: Three hundred and forty HNPCC mismatch repair (MMR) mutation carriers from the Creighton University Hereditary Cancer Institute Registry were selected for modeling. Age-dependent curves were generated to elucidate the joint effects between gene mutation (hMLH1 or hMSH2), gender, and smoking status on the probability of developing CRC.

RESULTS: Smoking significantly increased CRC risk in male hMSH2 mutation carriers (P < 0.05). hMLH1 mutations augmented CRC risk relative to hMSH2 mutation carriers for males (P < 0.05). Males had a significantly higher risk of CRC than females for hMLH1 non smokers (P < 0.05), hMLH1 smokers (P < 0.1) and hMSH2 smokers (P < 0.1). Smoking promoted CRC in a dose-dependent manner in hMSH2 in males (P < 0.05). Females with hMSH2 mutations and both sexes with the hMLH1 groups only demonstrated a smoking effect after an extensive smoking history (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: CRC promotion by smoking in HNPCC patients is dependent on gene mutation, gender and age. …

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 …

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 …