Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Graphical Performance Measures For Practitioners To Triage Split Failure Trouble Calls, Richard S. Freije, Alexander M. Hainen, Amanda L. Stevens, Howell Li, W Benjamin Smith, Hayley Summers, Christopher M. Day, James R. Sturdevant, Darcy M. Bullock

Purdue Road School

Detector occupancy is commonly used to measure traffic signal performance. Despite improvements in controller computational power, there have been relatively few innovations in occupancy-based performance measures or integration with other data. This paper introduces and demonstrates the use of graphical performance measures based on detector occupancy ratios to verify potential split failures and other signal timing shortcomings reported to practitioners by the public. The proposed performance measures combine detector occupancy during the green phase, detector occupancy during the first five seconds of the red phase, and phase termination cause (gap out or force off). These are summarized by time of …

"Elemental Decomposition And Multi-Criteria Method For Valuing Transportation Infrastructure Elemental Decomposition And Multi-Criteria Method For Valuing Transportation Infrastructure ", Michelle S. Dojutrek, Samuel Labi

Purdue Road School

No abstract provided.

Water Pollution Source Identification, Daniel Blake, Dr. Brett Borup

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Determining the degree to which a water source has been contaminated by a pollution source such as a wastewater treatment plant is a difficult problem that has often been considered too difficult or too expensive to solve. Employing fluorescence spectroscopy, a relatively inexpensive measurement, in testing samples obtained from wastewater discharge locations and from locations in the receiving water can help determine the presence of such pollution. Fluorescence spectroscopy generates excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) which can be used as fingerprints of organic pollution in a water source. Additionally, employing statistical methods can improve the ability to fingerprint pollution sources. These statistical …

High-Voltage Pulse Detection Using Optical Fiber Sensors, Leeland Woodard, Dr. Stephen Schultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are a leading cause of the deaths of soldiers in militarized areas. Technology is being developed to disarm IEDs by coupling electrical energy in the blasting caps of the IEDs, but in order to do so effectively, a sensor needs to be capable of measuring the voltage potential between the leads of the blasting caps without altering the electric field between them. Slab-coupled optical fiber sensors (SCOS) are electric field sensing devices that have been developed at BYU and are best suited to solving this problem, as they have the capability to measure extremely large electric …

Assessing Water Quality Through Remote Sensing, Carly Hyatt, Dr. Gustavious P. Williams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over the past year, I have gathered 25 Landsat images for calibration and processing and in-field measurements over 25 years to develop seasonal chlorophyll detection models for the north-central Utah region. High chlorophyll levels indicate large algal blooms and large nutrient loading. Knowing these trends can help agencies and management to mitigate nutrient loading and make changes to monitoring.

Passive Water Distillation: Water Qualityanalysis, Elle Janice Holbrook

Collection of Engaged Learning

No abstract provided.

Exponential Stability Analysis For Neural Networks With Time-Varying Delay And Linear Fractional Perturbations, Chang-Hua Lien, Ker-Wei Yu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In this paper, the global exponential stability and global asymptotic stability for a class of uncertain delayed neural networks (UDNNs) with time-varying delay and linear fractional perturbations are considered. Delay-dependent and delay-independent criteria are proposed to guarantee the robust stability of UDNNs via linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. Additional nonnegative inequality approach is used to improve the conservativeness of the stability criteria. Some numerical examples are illustrated to show the effectiveness of our results. From the simulation results, significant improvement over the recent results can be observed.

Accident Prediction Models For Partial Cloverleaf On-Ramp Loops, Valerian Kwigizile

Faculty Research and Creative Activities Award (FRACAA)

Accident prediction models, popularly known as safety performance functions (SPFs) play an important role in roadway safety analyses and evaluation processes. The 2010 Highway Safety Manual (HSM) provides a number of SPFs that can be used locally after calibration to reflect local conditions. However, most of these SPFs focus on intersections and roadway segments. A limited number of studies have developed SPFs for interchanges and especially on-ramps and their related sections such as ramp segments and point of freeway entry. This study was an effort to develop Michigan-specific SPFs for urban partial cloverleaf (parclo) on-ramp loops at freeway entry. A …

Routing Strategies For Emergency Management Decision Support Systems During Evacuation, Joseph Yu, Anurag Pande, N. Nezamuddin, Vinayak Dixit, Frances Edwards

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Simulation studies of urban transportation networks have been increasingly applied to evacuation planning. The level of detail provided within a traffic simulation model allows for devising strategies for evacuation and emergency response. In this research, simulation model of downtown San Jose, California, transportation network is developed to evaluate the efficiency of the evacuation process under hypothetical scenarios. Although the scenarios evaluated herein are not exhaustive, they demonstrate the potential of the simulation approach for managing traffic engineering aspects of the emergency response. The scenarios described here include the use of contraflow lanes, traffic incidents on the network, and a modal …

Determining The Dynamics Of Agricultural Water Use: Cases From Asia And Africa, Lisa-Maria Rebelo, Robyn Johnston, Poolad Karimi, Peter G. Mccornick

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

Across Africa and Asia, water resources are being affected by a complex mixture of social, economic, and environmental factors. These include climate change and population growth, food prices, oil prices, financial disruptions, and political fluctuations. The need to produce more food will have one of the largest impacts on water and will continue to reshape the patterns of agricultural water use in major food-growing regions. With this increasing demand on water for agriculture, from large-scale irrigation to intensification of rainfed systems, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that water resources decision-making has access to information that captures the spectrum …

Effect Of Multivalent Ions On The Swelling And Mechanical Behavior Of Superabsorbent Polymers (Saps) For Mitigation Of Mortar Autogenous Shrinkage, Qian Zhu

Open Access Theses

The chemical and physical structure-property relationships of model superabsorbent polymer (SAP) hydrogels were characterized with respect to swelling behavior and mechanical properties in different ionic solutions (Na+ , Ca2+ , and Al3+ ). The model hydrogels were composed of poly(sodium acrylate-acrylamide) (PANa-PAM) copolymer with varying concentrations of PANa (0, 17, 33, 67, and 83 wt.%) and covalent crosslinking densities of 1, 1.5, and 2 wt.%. By synthesizing the hydrogels in-house, systems with independently tunable amounts of covalent crosslinking and anionic functional groups were created, allowing for the relative effects of covalent and ionic crosslinking on the properties of the hydrogels …

A Gpr-Gps-Gis-Integrated, Information-Rich And Error-Aware System For Detecting, Locating And Characterizing Underground Utilities, Shaui Li

Open Access Theses

Underground utilities have proliferated throughout the years. The location and dimension of many underground utilities have not always been properly collected and documented, leading to utility conflicts and utility strikes, and thus resulting in property damages, project delays, cost overruns, environment pollutions, injuries and deaths. The underlying reasons are twofold. First, the reliable data regarding the location and dimension of underground utility are missing or incomplete. Existing methods to collect data are not efficient and effective. Second, positional uncertainties are inherent in the measured utility locations. An effective means is not yet available to visualize and communicate the inherent positional …

Water Resources Systems Engineering - University Of California, Los Angeles, William Yeh

All ECSTATIC Materials

Graduate course in water resources systems engineering offered at University of California, Los Angeles in Spring 2014.

Infrastructure Modeling - George Mason University, Mark Houck

All ECSTATIC Materials

To introduce the range of problems encountered in civil, environmental and infrastructure systems engineering. To introduce the concepts of systems analysis and systems engineering. To develop the ability to construct appropriate models of complex systems, including multiple objectives. To use these models to analyze and solve real problems in the field of infrastructure systems engineering. Course taught at George Mason University.

Water Resource Systems Analysis - Colorado State University, John Labadie

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The goal of this course is to introduce participants to general concepts of systems analysis and systems engineering as they apply to the planning, design and operation of water resources systems. The course focuses on the use of computer-based mathematical models for analyzing water resources systems. Students are exposed to a variety of example applications of systems analysis to water resources problems. Course taught at Colorado State University.

Small-Scale Minimal-Maintenance Anaerobic Digestion Of Food Waste For Solids Reduction And Methane Production: Feasibility Study, Leland C. Scantlebury

Civil and Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Six gallons of food waste was anaerobically digested for 76 days in two small-scale digesters sitting by a lab window. The main difference, besides waste sources, of these digesters was substrate processing: chopping versus blending. An effort was made to minimize the maintenance of the digesters, however, after 45 days of overly acidic (pH

Water At The Centre Of Environmental Issues – Research At The Ucd Dooge Centre For Water Resources Research, Zeinab Bedri, Eva M. Mockler, Michael Bruen, Yaqian Zhao, Pj Purcell, John O'Sullivan, M. Alsaji, Aisling Corkery, Liam Doherty, M. Dzakpasu, M. Martins, A. Rymszewicz, L. Willuwet

Conference papers

Since 1988, the UCD Dooge Centre for Water Resources Research has been conducting research in a wide range of water topics including hydraulics, hydrology, coastal dynamics and wastewater with an emphasis on multi-disciplinary collaboration. This paper presents an overview of this research, both past and present, and provides an outlook to the future research directions of the Centre.

Effects Of Tendon Spacing On In-Plane Behavior Of Posttensioned Masonry Walls, Dongun Ryu, Anil C. Wijeyewickrema, Mohamed A. Elgawady, M. A.K.M. Madurapperuma

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In-plane behavior of unbonded posttensioned clay brick masonry walls are investigated using detailed finite-element (FE) models. FE models of three walls having different aspect ratios of 1.50, 1.00, and 0.67 are developed. Effects of tendon spacing on in-plane behavior of these walls are investigated using different tendon spacings ranging from 0.61 m (2 ft) to 3.81 m (12.5 ft). In addition, the effects of having different horizontal reinforcement ratios of 0%, 0.1%, and 0.5% on the in-plane behavior of the walls were investigated. The stresses in the tendons are calculated using different approaches, and then the flexural strength of each …

Hydro-Environmental Modeling Of Sewage And Riverine Discharges Into A Coastal Area: Comparison Of Depth-Averaged And Three-Dimensional Models, Zeinab Bedri, John O'Sullivan, Aisling Corkery, Louise Deering, Katalin Demeter, Wim Meijer, Gregory O'Hare, Bartholomew Masterson

Conference papers

This study applies and compares two hydrodynamic and water quality models; a depth-averaged (TELEMAC-2D) and a three-dimensional model (TELEMAC-3D) on their performance in simulating the transport and fate of Escherichia coli (a main microbial bathing water quality indicator) in the coastal waters of Bray, Ireland subjected to sewage discharges and freshwater inflows from the River Dargle. The models first calibrated and validated against hydrodynamic and water quality data, were used to simulate Escherichia coli distribution patterns based on mean spring and mean neap tides for dry and wet weather scenarios. The hydrodynamic calibration yielded a good match between both models …

Optimization Methods And Applications - Michigan Technological University, Houghton, David Watkins

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Undergraduate course in optimization methods and applications offered at Michigan Technological University, Houghton in Spring 2014.

Water Resources Planning And Management - University Of Florida, Jim Heaney

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This course is designed to (1) acquaint students with the role of analytical methods in water resources planning processes; (2) differentiate the roles of professionals and decision makers; and (3) present methods for evaluating multi-purpose water resource systems. Course taught at University of Florida.

Water Resources Systems Engineering - Technion, Avi Ostfeld

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Course taught at Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.

Water Resources Systems Engineering - Cornell University, Patrick Reed

All ECSTATIC Materials

Growing concerns about how “change” (climate, land-use, population, etc.) will strain our water resources is motivating the need for the next generation of professionals that can innovate the planning and management of these systems. Course topics build on the legacy of research in the water resources systems area and seek to provide a new generation of planners with an enhanced ability to discover and negotiate the highly uncertain tradeoffs we face in balancing the water resources demands of the future. Students will be encouraged to explore what sustainable water management means given conflicting demands from renewable energy systems, ecosystem services, …

Integrating Algaculture Into Small Wastewater Treatment Plants: Process Flow Options And Life Cycle Impacts, Muriel M. Steele, Annick Anctil, David A. Ladner

Publications

Algaculture has the potential to be a sustainable option for nutrient removal at wastewater treatment plants. The purpose of this study was to compare the environmental impacts of three likely algaculture integration strategies to a conventional nutrient removal strategy. Process modeling was used to determine life cycle inventory data and a comparative life cycle assessment was used to determine environmental impacts. Treatment scenarios included a base case treatment plant without nutrient removal, a plant with conventional nutrient removal, and three other cases with algal unit processes placed at the head of the plant, in a side stream, and at the …

Getting Seniors Moving Through Broome County, Nicole A. Zulu

MPA Capstone Projects 2006 - 2015

Faith in Action (FIA) is interested in expanding and restructuring its transportation program for seniors. FIA lacks the volunteers and program structure to serve all 449 clients. In 2013, transportation accounted for 66% of requested services, while only 30% of active volunteers are willing to provide transportation services. FIA is interested in learning volunteers' motivations and the best practices for volunteer recruitment and management, as well as the most effective way to structure a volunteer-provided transportation program.

Selected Durability Studies Of Geopolymer Concrete With Respect To Carbonation, Elevated Temperature, And Microbial Induced Corrosion, Mohammad Sufian Badar

Doctoral Dissertations

This thesis reports a comprehensive study related to the experimental evaluation of carbonation in reinforced geopolymer concrete, the evaluation of geopolymer concretes at elevated temperature, and the resistance of geopolymer concrete to microbial induced corrosion (MIC).

Carbonation: Reinforced concretes, made of geopolymer, prepared from two class F fly ashes and one class C fly ash, were subjected to accelerated carbonation treatment for a period of 450 days. Electrochemical, microstructure and pore structure examinations were performed to evaluate the effect of corrosion caused due to carbonation. GPC specimens prepared from class F fly ash exhibited lower corrosion rates by a factor …

Integration Of Qual2kw And Arcgis For Silver Bow Creek, Montana, Michael S. Potts

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The purpose of this project is to take preliminary steps towards the development of a QUAL2Kw model for Silver Bow Creek, MT. These preliminary steps include initial research and familiarization with QUAL2Kw, use of ArcGIS to fill in geospatial data gaps, and integration of QUAL2Kw and ArcGIS. The integration involves improvement of the QUAL2Kw model output through adding functionality to the model itself, and development of a QUAL2Kw specific tool in ArcGIS. These improvements are designed to help expedite and simplify the viewing of QUAL2Kw output data spatially in ArcGIS as opposed to graphically within QUAL2Kw. These improvements will allow …

Increasing The Supply Of Affordable Housing In Urban India - Mumbai, Upasna Viswanathan

Open Access Theses

The need for housing in today's world is irrefutable. The growing population, accompanied with the fast pace of urbanization, are producing great housing demand, in urban areas in particular. This study focused on one segment of housing - affordable housing, in Mumbai, India, the demand for which has been on a steady rise over the past decade. Though traditionally the State was the provider of affordable housing, private sector has been increasingly involved in the segment, beginning the economic meltdown of 2008-2009. Yet there is a huge demand-supply gap that exists, which needs to be filled. The researcher looks at …

Contractor Evaluations In The Contractor Selection Process, Timothy R. B. Taylor, Roy E. Sturgill, Maegan Mcdowell, Alexa Deep, Paul M. Goodrum

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The current contractor evaluation system in use within the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is based on the contractor evaluation system developed as part of SPR 212-00 “Quality Based Prequalification of Contractors.” This system relies on average performance ratings from the completion of the Contractor’s Performance Report at the conclusion of every project or annually for multi-year projects. The contractor’s average performance rating is weighted based on the dollar value of work performed across all projects for the year. The average performance rating is used in the computation of the Contractor’s Maximum Eligibility Amount in accordance with 603 KAR 2:015, Section 5. …

Examining The Freezing And Thawing Behavior Of Concretes With Improved Performance Through Internal Curing And Other Methods, Wesley A. Jones

Open Access Theses

Internally cured (IC) concrete has been emerging over the last decade as an effective way to improve the performance of concrete. IC holds promise for producing concretes with an increased resistance to early-age cracking and ultimately enhancing the durability of structures. It is a simple and effective way to ensure proper hydration of cementitious material in high performance concrete mixtures; mixtures in which traditional, external, curing can be ineffective. IC supplies water that is necessary to relieve stress buildup from chemical shrinkage and in turn helping to prevent early age shrinkage cracking.^ The first part of this thesis presents and …