Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Application Of Isothermal Calorimetry To Phosphorus Sorption Onto Soils In A Flow-Through System, Chad Penn, Derek M. Heeren, Garey A. Fox, Ajay Kumar

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The degree, mechanisms, and kinetics of phosphorus (P) sorption onto soils can have a significant influence on leaching losses of P from soil. The objectives of this study were to measure the impact of retention time (RT) on P sorption in a flow-through system intended to simulate downward movement of a P solution through two different riparian soils, and determine if isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) can provide useful information reflective of flow-through results. Topsoil from two riparian/alluvial sites (Barren Fork and Clear Creek) was sampled and characterized for P concentrations and parameters related to P sorption. Flow-through P sorption experiments …

Monotonic And Cyclic Response Of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Panels Fastened To Wood Framing, John P. Judd, Dr. Fernando S. Fonseca

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper summarizes the results of a research project to determine the response of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) panels fastened to wood framing, under two different loading schemes: monotonic and repeated cyclic loading. The results of the monotonic testing phase of the project were published and presented at the International Conference on Composites Engineering [2].

Simulation Of Groundwater Flow In The Vicinity Of Trojan Corporation Near Mapleton And Spanish Fork, Utah Using Gms And Femwater, Jonathan Bailey, Dr. Wayne Downs

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Groundwater is a valuable resource. It accounts for over 99% of the earth’s available freshwater. Recognition of the value of groundwater has led to the passing of a number of laws to protect, preserve and when needed require remediation of groundwater that has been contaminated by industrial pollutants. An integral component of groundwater remediation and contaminated site management is the development of a numerical groundwater model that describes the direction and rate of flow of the groundwater. Numerical modeling of groundwater flow requires a synthesis of experience and intuition with fundamental scientific and mathematical principles.

Seismic Timber Connection, Mathew Fielding, Dr. Fernando Fonseca

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Three light gauge aluminum connections were designed, constructed and tested to determine the possibility of resisting an applied moment in timber beams and columns. A timber column 3 inches by 5.5 inches was axially compressed with 1000 lb. while the attached beam (3 inches by 3.5 inches) was loaded to determine the moment resisting capacity of the system. Fracture of the connection occurred at an average of 1550 ft-lb; this corresponded to a deflection of .4 inches. Actual failure of the joint occurred at an average of 1950 ft-lb. with an average deflection of .58 inches.

Study Of The Effect Of Wind Speed On Evaporation From Soil Through Integrated Modeling Of The Atmospheric Boundary Layer And Shallow Subsurface, Hossein Davarzani, Kathleen Smits, Ryan M. T Tolene, Tissa Illangasekare

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications - Archive

In an effort to develop methods based on integrating the subsurface to the atmospheric boundary layer to estimate evaporation, we developed a model based on the coupling of Navier-Stokes free flow and Darcy flow in porous medium. The model was tested using experimental data to study the effect of wind speed on evaporation. The model consists of the coupled equations of mass conservation for two-phase flow in porous medium with single-phase flow in the free-flow domain under nonisothermal, nonequilibrium phase change conditions. In this model, the evaporation rate and soil surface temperature and relative humidity at the interface come directly …

Swell And Shrinkage Strain Prediction Models For Expansive Clays, Anand J. Puppala, Thammanoon Manosuthikij, Bhaskar C. S. Chittoori

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A comprehensive laboratory investigation was conducted to study volume change behaviors of five different types of expansive clayey soils sampled from various regions in Texas, USA. The laboratory test results, which were presented in an earlier paper, are analyzed here to evaluate existing correlations that can be used to predict swell and shrink-related displacements in these soils. The test database is also used to develop newer and practical models for predicting volume change-related soil properties. Models developed here used soil plasticity and compaction properties as independent variables. Newer models, that rely on seasonal compaction moisture content variations in the subsoils, …

Development And Calibration Of A Multi-Zone Model To Predict The Distribution Of Contaminant In A Residential Building Using Contam Software, Magda Nohella Hernandez Ramirez

Civil Engineering Theses

The use of computer simulations is a powerful alternative in the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) study due to the efficient performance and the amount of it is able to obtain. Multi-zone modeling is one of the most popular computing methods for IAQ study, thus can provide the knowledge of indoor airflow, temperature and contaminant concentration distributions. The study was conducted in TX Air House 1 using CONTAM software developed by U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which is one of the most widely used airflow and indoor modeling program. The model was developed and calibrated to predict the …

Impact Of Structure, Material Properties, Temperature Curling, And Trafficking On Load Transfer Efficiency, Charles Cunliffe

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the impact of structure, material properties, temperature gradient and trafficking on load transfer efficiency of rigid airfield pavements. The current FAA mechanistic design procedure for rigid pavements assumes constant stress-based load transfer efficiency (LTE (S)) of 25% at the joints. The design procedure assumes the material properties remain constant throughout the life of the pavement. Furthermore, the design procedure does not directly consider the effect that temperature induced slab curling can have on joint LTE (S). Analysis is conducted from full scale accelerated pavement test data from the National Airport Pavement Test Facility (NAPTF) operated by the …

Predicting The Severity Of Highway User Crashes On Public At-Grade Highway-Rail Crossings, Elias Wondwossen Haile

Civil Engineering Theses

Highway user-rail crashes have a significant effect on highway user safety rating. However, very little attention is garnished on the subject. An understanding of the factors contributing to the levels of injury severity is an important step toward making the transportation system safer and more reliable. The main goal of this thesis is to explore the impact of various factors involved in highway user crashes on Highway-Rail at Grade Crossings (HRGCs) and provide appropriate mitigation measures. The logistic regression modeling approach (specifically ordered and unordered logit models) was applied to predict the three levels of highway user crash severity on …

Static Strength And Durability Testing Of Biomass Fly Ash In Concrete, John Hema, Dr. Fernando Fonseca

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Fossil fuels are used in modern power plants throughout the world to produce electrical energy. This process increases air pollution and generates millions of tons of a by-product known as fly ash. Fly ash is the inorganic residue that remains after pulverized coal is burned. This residue rapidly accumulates and is often disposed of in landfills, filling them to capacity. One solution to reducing the amount of waste has been to use fly ash in concrete.

The Small Volume Autonomous Water Sampler (Svaws): An Innovative, Cost- Effective, Adaptable Protocol, Nicholas B. Fitzgerald

Dissertations and Theses

As of 2007, U.S. pesticide use stood at 1.1 billion pounds with 80% of all usage in agriculture. Such realities pose a potentially dangerous threat to our surface water bodies. This research provides a detailed analysis of the design, operation and field testing of a prototype water sampler, the Small Volume Autonomous Water Sampler (SVAWS). The research includes a discussion of the design and construction of the SVAWS. Seven USGS employees operated the SVAWS in a number of different states and conditions in order to collect samples for pesticide analysis. Field-testing outcomes of the SVAWS were measured through a Participant …

Testing And Analysis Of A Post-Tensioned Coupled Wall System Monitored With Multiple Digital Image Correlation Systems, Michelle Holloman

Civil Engineering Theses

This thesis discusses the design and experimental evaluation of a novel seismic resistant reinforced concrete (RC) coupled shear wall system. In this system, the widely-used unbonded post-tensioned floor slab construction method is adapted to couple (i.e., link) two RC wall piers, providing significant performance and construction benefits over conventional RC coupling beams in high seismic regions. Previous experiments of post-tensioned coupled wall structures are limited to floor-level coupling beam subassemblies. The current study extends the available research to multi-story structures by construction and testing of a 15% scale eight story prototype specimen. This test is monitored by four digital image …

Ground Water Modeling For Deseret Ranch In Deer Park, Florida, James Halgren, Dr. Wayne Downs

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The original intent of this project was to create a groundwater model of the Deseret Ranch in Deer Park, Florida, in order to predict the possible detrimental effects of a 3,000-acre landfill planned for the area. Shortly after the acceptance of the proposal, the landfill plans were cancelled and the project had to be reconsidered. Sufficient issues with ranch hydrogeology exist to justify eventual creation of a model, so I changed my focus to collection of the pertinent data to accurately formulate such a model.

Fiegel, Kurt H. (Sc 1257), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1257. Paper, “Historic and Archival Photographic Documents of the 1869 Bowling Green Water Works Engine/Boiler Room, Repair Shop and Pump House: A Contributing Element of WA-B-3, the Bowling Green Water Works, Warren County, Kentucky” by Kurt H. Fiegel, Frankfort, Kentucky. Includes historical narrative, construction details, maps and photographs. This project documented the structure prior to its demolition.

2014 Civil And Environmental Engineering Department News, Department Of Civil And Environmental Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Newsletters

Table of Contents

• Student Awards
• Research Awards
• Faculty News
• Alumni News
• Department News
• Academy of Civil and Environmental Engineers
• CEE Donor Recognition

A Study Of A Landslide In Birmingham, Alabama, Caitlin L. Bukovitz

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

In 1988 a landslide occurred at a construction site in Birmingham, Alabama in which a portion of the construction site required excavating a rock slope with a group of apartments that were located at the top of the slope. During construction, two separate landslides occurred causing one and half of the apartment buildings to collapse downslope. The slope failure was investigated by two firms. One firm investigated the site conditions and the second firm investigated the design of the cut slope. The main concerns in the investigation were (1) the lack of consideration for the existing joint system, (2) using …

Building Engineering Feasibility Study: Herreshoff Marine Museum, Vanessa Camiolo, Janelle Devereaux, Kayla Newton, Zach Turner, Anthony Ruocco, Gilbert Brunnhoeffer, Arnold Robinson

Engineering and Construction Management

Our design team was supplied with a dozen architectural designs from the students of the Roger Williams University Architectural School. After discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each our team was able to narrow our choices down to one base design to conduct our feasibility and structural integrity analysis. Currently, the structural integrity of the proposed building addition has been examined by determining the wind and the snow loads, the green roof requirements, and the column and beam loads. The feasibility of the chosen design was assessed by researching Bristol zoning regulations and developing a path through the required zoning …

Hvac System Analysis And Energy Audit: The Providence Athenaeum, Nicholas Farland, Trevor Larson, Justin Taylor, Cameron Wendler, Anthony Ruocco, Janet Baldwin, Arnold Robinson

Engineering and Construction Management

To evaluate the impact of potential modifications to the HVAC system the Historical Value Adding Consultants developed a building energy model. The building energy model was constructed using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that utilizes typical meteorological year (TMY) data to determine the average energy usage of the Athenaeum for a typical year. The model has been validated against actual energy usage and is used to identify and quantify energy savings resulting from design alternatives.

Landsat-8: Science And Product Vision For Terrestrial Global Change Research, David P. Roy, M. A. Wulder, T. R. Loveland, C. E. Woodcock, R. G. Allen, M. C. Anderson, D. Helder, J. R. Irons, D. M. Johnson, R. Kennedy, T. A. Scambos, C. B. Schaaf, J. R. Schott, Y. Sheng, E. F. Vermote, A. S. Belward, R. Bindschadler, W. B. Cohen, F. Gao, J. D. Hipple, P. Hostert, Desert Research Institute, Reno, Nv, C. O. Justice, Ayse Kilic, V. Kovalskyy, Z. P. Lee, L. Lymburner, J. G. Masek, J. Mccorkel, Y. Shuai, R. Trezza, J. Vogelmann, R. H. Wynne, Z. Zhu

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Landsat 8, a NASA and USGS collaboration, acquires global moderate-resolution measurements of the Earth's terrestrial and polar regions in the visible, near-infrared, short wave, and thermal infrared. Landsat 8 extends the remarkable 40 year Landsat record and has enhanced capabilities including new spectral bands in the blue and cirrus cloud-detection portion of the spectrum, two thermal bands, improved sensor signal-to-noise performance and associated improvements in radiometric resolution, and an improved duty cycle that allows collection of a significantly greater number of images per day. This paper introduces the current (2012–2017) Landsat Science Team's efforts to establish an initial understanding of …

Water Metrics, Lisa-Maria Rebelo, Jean-Marc Faurès, Poolad Karimi, Wim Bastiaanssen, Meredith Giordano, Vladimir Smakhtin, Peter G. Mccornick

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

Society has a universal need for water that crosses all sectors of activity. We need to be able to measure progress towards sustainable water for all by working towards targets that consider the different dimensions of water resources and use, including water quantity and quality. A suite of indicators that reflect water use by different sectors is needed to measure progress towards the forthcoming SDGs’ [sustainable development goals] water-related targets. Such indicators will need to rely on national data, must consider the variation in data availability, and can be complemented with new cost-effective ways for data collection.

Remote sensing measurements, …

Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Jeremy Bird, Felix Dodds, Peter G. Mccornick, Tushaar Shah

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

The proposed SDGs on water, food and energy security all include targets on increasing efficiencies. Yet the water–food–energy nexus has multiple dimensions that, if managed in isolation, will compromise a nation’s ability to achieve the full portfolio of SDGs.

Climate change introduces additional uncertainties, further increasing tensions between sectors for access to water. Conventional energy and food production are emitters of greenhouse gases, but measures to reduce emissions—including renewable energy interventions, such as subsidies for biofuel production—can have adverse consequences on food prices.

To achieve desirable and sustainable outcomes for water, food, and energy requires investigating these elements as an …

Afrontar El Cambio: Cuidar Del Agua, De La Agricultura Y De La Seguridad Alimentaria En Una Era De Incertidumbre Climática, Peter G. Mccornick, Vladimir Smakhtin, Luna Bharati, Robyn Johnston, Matthew Mccartney, Fraser Sugden, Floriane Clement, Beverly Mcintyre

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

En 1950, la población mundial era apenas superior a los 2500 millones de habitantes. En 2013, ronda los 7 mil millones. Aunque el crecimiento de la población se está ralentizando, se estima que en 2050 se alcanzarán los 9600 millones de habitantes. El aumento de la población será mayor en los países en desarrollo, donde los alimentos a menudo escasean, y la tierra y el agua están sometidas a presión. Para alimentar a la población mundial en 2050, tendrán que producirse más alimentos sin que haya un aumento significativo del terreno de cultivo y contando con un caudal menor de …

Fluoride Exposure From Groundwater As Reflected By Urinary Fluoride And Children’S Dental Fluorosis In The Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, Tewodros Rango, Avner Vengosh, Marc Jeuland, Redda Tekle-Haimanot, Erika Weinthal, Julia Kravchenko, Christopher Paul, Peter G. Mccornick

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

This cross-sectional study explores the relationships between children’s F⁻ exposure from drinking groundwater and urinary F⁻ concentrations, combined with dental fluorosis (DF) in the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) Valley. We examined the DF prevalence and severity among 491 children (10 to 15 years old) who are lifelong residents of 33 rural communities in which groundwater concentrations of F⁻ cover a wide range. A subset of 156 children was selected for urinary F⁻ measurements. Our results showed that the mean F⁻ concentrations in groundwater were 8.5 ± 4.1 mg/L (range: 1.1–18 mg/L), while those in urine …

The Effect Of Non-Fluoride Factors On Risk Of Dental Fluorosis: Evidence From Rural Populations Of The Main Ethiopian Rift, Julia Kravchenko, Tewodros Rango, Igor Akushevich, Behailu Atlaw, Peter G. Mccornick, R. Brittany Merola, Christopher Paul, Erika Weinthal, Courtney Harrison, Avner Vengosh, Marc Jeuland

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

Elevated level of fluoride (F⁻) in drinking water is a well-recognized risk factor of dental fluorosis (DF). While considering optimization of region-specific standards for F⁻, it is reasonable, however, to consider how local diet, water sourcing practices, and non-F⁻ elements in water may be related to health outcomes. In this study, we hypothesized that non-F⁻ elements in groundwater and lifestyle and demographic characteristics may be independent predictors or modifiers of the effects of F⁻ on teeth. Dental examinations were conducted among 1094 inhabitants from 399 randomly selected households of 20 rural communities of …

Fluoride Exposure From Groundwater As Reflected By Urinary Fluoride And Children’S Dental Fluorosis In The Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, Tewodros Rango, Avner Vengosh, Marc Jeuland, Redda Tekle-Haimanot, Erika Weinthal, Julia Kravchenko, Christopher Paul, Paul Mccornick

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

This cross-sectional study explores the relationships between children’s F⁻ exposure from drinking groundwater and urinary F⁻ concentrations, combined with dental fluorosis (DF) in the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) Valley. We examined the DF prevalence and severity among 491 children (10 to 15 This cross-sectional study explores the relationships between children’s F⁻ exposure from drinking groundwater and urinary F⁻ concentrations, combined with dental fluorosis (DF) in the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) Valley. We examined the DF prevalence and severity among 491 children (10 to 15 years old) who are lifelong residents of 33 rural communities in which …

Selection Of High Performance Repair Materials For Pavements And Bridge Decks, Alice E. Sommerville

ETD Archive

The Ohio Transportation has identified the need to specify durable, more permanent high performing pavement and bridge deck patching materials. These materials need to allow for expedited pavement and bridge deck wearing surface repair for worker and user safety. Currently, either temporary or generally specified in-kind or like materials are being used to perform pavement patching. Usually, the Department provides generically specified cementitious or cold mix asphalt materials for patching wearing surfaces with varied performance characteristics. Current products used for these repairs are generally those that have been used for many decades for which competition exists. However, new or proprietary …

New Sensor Technology Integration For Safe And Efficient E-Navigation, Michael Baldauf, R. Glenn Wright

Conference Papers

This paper discusses the relation of new sensor technology on bridge resource management as pertaining to the integration of new information sources and types for ship navigation in a future e-Navigation environment. An overview of several new technologies will be provided showing how systems and devices currently available in the commercial marketplace are being adapted and used to aid ship navigation planning and decision making. Examples include live Doppler radar useful for coastal navigation available from land-based sources through broadband Internet connections, imagery from unmanned aerial vehicles to aid in ice-navigation in, and forward-looking sonar for navigating in poorly charted, …

2014 Scholarly Productivity Report, Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Scholarly Productivity Reports

No abstract provided.

Soil-Bentonite Slurry Trench Cutoff Wall Proposal, Jeffrey C. Evans, Michael A. Malusis, Robert W. Jacob

NSF Soil-Bentonite Slurry Trench Cutoff Wall Documents

This is the proposal to the National Science Foundation for a soil-bentonite slurry trench cutoff wall. The proposal includes a project summary, description of the project, and the resources implemented on the project.

Synthesis And Characterization Of High-Iron Alite-Calcium Sulfoaluminate-Ferrite Cements Produced From Industrial By-Products, Tristana Y. Duvallet, Youngmin Zhou, Thomas L. Robl, Rodney Andrews

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSAC) are well-known and commonly used construction materials. The clinker phases mainly responsible for their strength development are C3S (alite) in OPC, which hydrates to form a calcium silicate gel phase; and C4A3S ´ (calcium sulfoaluminate) in CSAC, which hydrates to rapidly form ettringite. The purpose of this work was to produce high-iron alite-calcium sulfoaluminate-ferrite cements, by combining C4AF (ferrite), from 5% to 50% by weight, to the C3S and C4A3S ´ clinker phases. Producing this alite-calcium sulfoaluminate-ferrite cement would decrease the requirement of bauxite in the raw materials, which would consequently …