Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of Sixteen Reference Evapotranspiration Methods Under Sahelian Conditions In The Senegal River Valley, Koffi Djaman, Alpha B. Balde, Abdoulaye Sow, Bertrand Muller, Suat Irmak, Mamadou K. N'Diaye, Baboucarr Manneh, Yonnelle D. Moukoumbi, Koichi Futakuchi, Kazuki Saito

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Study region: Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) plays a key role in irrigation sys-tems design, water management under irrigated and rainfed production. Underthe sahelian conditions in the Senegal River Valley that receives less than 300 mmannual rainfall, rice crop water use should be estimated for the sustainability of theresource. Study focus: However the Penman–Monteith (PM) equation is revealed the mostaccurate one; it necessitates several climatic parameters that are not always avail-able mostly in the developing countries. The objective of this study was to evaluatethe performance of 16 ETo equations against the ASCE-PM equation under thesahelian conditions at Ndiaye and Fanaye …

Climate Change Implications For Health-Care Waste Incineration Trends During Emergency Situations, Emilia Mmbando Raila

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Healthcare waste (HCW) incineration practices in the global South countries are among the major sources of black carbon (BC) emissions or smoke. This study analyzes HCW incineration trends during emergency situations and smoke from HCW incineration processes in Haiti. The study was prompted by the current arguments about the climate change and the growing health effects associated with BC emissions. The conceptual framework was based on both adverse health effects from BC emissions exposure and climate change potential of BC emissions. Therefore, the goal was to determine whether cardboard HCW sharps containers emit lower BC emissions to the atmosphere during …

Life Cycle Assessment (Lca) Of Tourism Activities, Kayla Santello

Honors Theses and Capstones

Abstract— Tourism, like other developed industries is a commerce that requires energy inputs and yields outputs with significant effects on the environment. However a comprehensive study examining the life cycle impact associated with each tourism component including transportation, accommodation, food services, and recreation is still lacking. Therefore a search of previous tourism life cycle studies was carried out and ten studies were further investigated. Indicators, assessment approaches, and system boundaries of these previous studies were assessed. Then the outcomes were normalized and compared in order to obtain ranges for the four components of tourism. It was found that energy intensity …

Construction Claims: Impact Of Defective Construction On Long-Term Facility Maintenance Costs, Khalid Siddiqi, Alejuandro Hunt

Faculty Articles

The industry is becoming one of the leaders in producing and implementing sustainable building metrics by promoting the use of renewables, Green Building, Lean Building and LEED Construction. The newly introduced changes present challenges to sustainable construction and has led to more companies and stakeholders promoting integration of all construction phases. This study was conducted to quantify the impact on defective construction procedures and methods on sustainable construction projects' recurring facility maintenance costs. The research data was collected from public school facilities constructed under a sustainable construction program. These projects have been completed in the past 10 years and with …

Damage Detection Methodologies For Structural Health Monitoring Of Thin-Walled Pressure Vessels, Arturo Modesto

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a need in exploring structural health monitoring technologies for the composite structures particularly aged Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) for the current and future implementation of COPVs for space missions. In this study, the research was conducted in collaboration with NASA Kennedy Space Center and also NASA Marshall Space and Flight Center engineers. COPVs have been used to store inert gases like helium (for propulsion) and nitrogen (for life support) under varying degrees of pressure onboard the orbiter since the beginning of the Space Shuttle Program. After the Columbia accident, the COPVs were re-examined and different studies (e.g. …

Sustainable Material Solution For Flexible Pavements; Performance Evaluation And Impact Assessment Of Utilizing Multiple Recycled Materials In Hma, Behnam Golestani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The demand for pollution-free and recyclable engineering materials has been increased as the cost of energy and environmental concerns have risen. Green material design can lead to better environmental quality and sustainability of civil infrastructure. Road construction is one of the largest consumers of natural resources. Beneficial utilization of recycled materials can result in an important opportunity to save the mining and use of virgin materials, to preserve energy, and to save landfill space. Two main research questions addressed in this study are: (1) How much pollution, energy, natural resources, time and money can be salvaged by applying recycling materials …

Exploring A Toll Auction Mechanism Enabled By Vehicle-To-Infrastructure Technology, Andrew J. Collins, Erika Frydenlund, R. Michael Robinson, Mecit Cetin

VMASC Publications

High-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes—an increasingly popular solution for congested roadway networks—give drivers the option to access express lanes. The cost of entry often varies with demand, although no standard method of optimizing these price points exists. Using the principles of a Vickrey auction that incentivizes true-value bids, this paper proposes a tolling system that uses vehicle-to-infrastructure technology to optimize toll operator revenue with HOT lane usage. In the scenario, a roadway network consists of a HOT lane and a general-purpose lane, each with identical physical properties. Drivers can access the HOT lane at the start of the facility or at …

Evaluation Of A Modified Monod Model For Predicting Algal Dynamics In Lake Tai, Jian Huang, Qiujin Xu, Xixi Wang, Beidou Xi, Keli Jia, Shouliang Huo, Hongliang Liu, Changyou Li, Bingbing Xu

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Several modified versions of the Monod model have been proposed to simulate algal dynamics in lakes by keeping the parent model's advantages of simplicity and low data requirement. This study evaluated the performance of a widely-used modified Monod model in predicting algal dynamics at various time scales in Lake Tai, a typical shallow lake in east China, using multiple time series. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration was used as a surrogate for algal (CyanoHABs: cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms) growth and the independent variables were total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and either water temperature or air temperature. The evaluation indicated that the …

Counting And Classification Of Highway Vehicles By Regression Analysis, Mingpei Liang, Xinyu Huang, Chung-Hao Chen, Alade Tokuta

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In this paper, we describe a novel algorithm that counts and classifies highway vehicles based on regression analysis. This algorithm requires no explicit segmentation or tracking of individual vehicles, which is usually an important part of many existing algorithms. Therefore, this algorithm is particularly useful when there are severe occlusions or vehicle resolution is low, in which extracted features are highly unreliable. There are mainly two contributions in our proposed algorithm. First, a warping method is developed to detect the foreground segments that contain unclassified vehicles. The common used modeling and tracking (e.g., Kalman filtering) of individual vehicles are not …

Vapor Flow Resistance Of Dry Soil Layer To Soil Water Evaporation In Arid Environment: An Overview, Xixi Wang

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Evaporation from bare sandy soils is the core component of the hydrologic cycle in arid environments, where vertical water movement dominates. Although extensive measurement and modeling studies have been conducted and reported in existing literature, the physics of dry soil and its function in evaporation is still a challenging topic with significant remaining issues. Thus, an overview of the previous findings will be very beneficial for identifying further research needs that aim to advance our understanding of the vapor flow resistance (VFR) effect on soil water evaporation as influenced by characteristics of the dry soil layer (DSL) and evaporation zone …

A Study Of The Huff Run Watershed, Benjamin Habig

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Acid mine drainage is the formation and movement of highly acidic water rich in heavy metals. The Huff Run watershed, located in Carrolton and Tuscarawas counties, is heavily polluted due to the several abandoned mines throughout the area. This research project serves to further a study began under the supervision of Dr. Cutright of the University of Akron. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has instituted an abatement plan in Mineral City. The plan, involving a retention pond, a wetland, and a limestone bed inoculated of bacteria, has been found to reduce pollutant levels substantially. However, the limestone bed …

Novel Engineered Nanomaterials For Water Remediation And Gas Adsorption: Graphene Oxide And Carbon Nanotubes Decorated With Metal-Organic Frameworks And Magnetic Nanoparticles, Vahid Jabbari

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In the current study, a series of novel magnetic and non-magnetic hybrid nanocomposites based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of M3(BTC)2 (M: Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd), graphene oxide (GrO), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were developed via a green, simple and versatile solvothermal method at which GrO and CNT were used as platform to grow the MOFs and Fe3O4 MNPs over them. The as-synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, IR, Raman, TGA, and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms. Morphological analysis confirmed successful growth of nano-size Fe3O4 MNPs and M3(BTC)2 MOFs over GrO and CNT platforms. …

A Methodology For Use Of Digital Image Correlation For Hot Mix Asphalt Testing, Estefany Ramos

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is a relatively new technology which aids in the measurement of material properties without the need for installation of sensors. DIC is a noncontact measuring technique that requires the specimen to be marked with a random speckled pattern and to be photographed during the test. The photographs are then post-processed based on the location of the pattern throughout the test. DIC can aid in calculating properties that would otherwise be too difficult even with other measuring instruments.

The objective of this Thesis is to discuss the methodology and validate the use of DIC in different hot …

A Rapid Approach For Considering Nonlinear Response Of Flexible Pavements Under Fwd And Estimation Of Remaining Lives Of Pavements, Shahabaldin Shirazi

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Most mechanistic empirical pavement analyses are based on the layered elastic models where the stress sensitivity of geomaterials and their nonlinearity are either ignored or accounted for indirectly. Advanced numerical models, such as finite element models, are required to consider the nonlinear nature of the geomaterials. Existing pavements are often tested with the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) to estimate the input moduli to the layered elastic models in order to estimate remaining life and structural capacity of pavements. It has been more than 30 years that FWD tests are being performed to measure structural adequacy of pavements. Backcalculation is the …

Evaluating Methods Of Field-Based 3d Visualization And Their Application To Mapping Metamorphic Terranes: An Example From The Panamint Mountains, California, Jade Ashley Brush

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Field geology has traditionally relied on 2D, paper-based workflows, but digital mapping techniques are rapidly replacing these outdated methods because they allow for more efficient and accurate mapping. This research applies digital mapping techniques and two terrestrially-based 3D visualization technologies, photogrammetry and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), to the study of metamorphic terranes in the Panamint Mountains, California. This study reports on the spatial accuracy of TINs (triangulated irregular networks) generated from both photogrammetry and ground-based LiDAR using a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and discusses how spatial accuracy can be increased. Two levels of comparison were used to test spatial …

Evaluation Of Point Of Use Drinking Water Treatment Systems For Colonias In The Southwest United States, Isaac Campos Flores

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Clean drinking water is often taken for granted in first world countries, such as the United States. However, thousands of colonias residents (settlements in the Southwest US that lack access to basic infrastructure) still lack access to clean drinking water. Such is the case in the Paso Del Norte Region. In Doña Ana County, NM, and El Paso County, TX, colonia residents typically rely on shallow domestic wells and hauled water, respectively. However, both water sources can pose health concerns from elevated total dissolved solids and microbiological contamination. With connection to centralized water treatment and distribution still years away, colonias …

Question 1: "Up" — A Fermi Question About Buoyancy; Question 2: Traffic Jams, Larry Weinstein

Physics Faculty Publications

Is it possible for a house to fly by the uplift of balloons, like in the movie "Up"? (written by R. Allart, A. Cazenave, and A. Müller, University of Geneva)

How much total time do Americans spend waiting in traffic each year? What is the total cost of this time?

Automatic Turning Movements Identification System: Intersection Error Analysis, Brandon Ross Orr, Joseph Thomas Lanni

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

To lessen congestion at intersections, traffic identification systems are placed at roadway intersections in order to collect vehicle data. These traffic identification systems include various types of detectors that can identify the presence of vehicles in real-time. However, these detectors can only detect their presence and not their turning movements. To fix this issue, The University of Akron has developed a program that can automatically identify vehicle turning movements and is called the Automatic Turning Movement Identification System, or ATMIS. ATMIS uses mathematical algorithms to compute the vehicle’s turning movements based on a sink and feed detector paring. During traffic …

Roundabout Maintenance Flipbook, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

This flipbook is a summary of the work pub­lished in the Roundabout Maintenance Manual by Indiana LTAP. This information was collected through a series of interviews with city engi­neers, public works directors, and street commis­sioners experienced in roundabout maintenance. It serves as a model to guide work crews in correct maintenance procedures.

Roundabout Maintenance Manual, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

This maintenance manual serves as an additional resource for communities who have imple­mented roundabouts or are considering them. There are a few other published guides, such as the NCHRP Report 672, Roundabouts: An Informational Guide, and the Wisconsin DOT Facilities Develop­ment Manual. However, the information covered in these guides is very broad. This manual provides specific information regarding roundabout maintenance.

Developing A Colorimetric Membrane Sensor To Detect Trihalomethanes In Water Samples Utilizing The Fujiwara Reaction, Max D. Duckworth

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This work focused on creating a colorimetric sensor to detect trihalomethanes (THMs) at concentrations near the level of environmental regulations from the environmental protection agency (EPA). This work utlized the fujiwara reaction as well as a hydrophobic electrospun polyprolylene membrane to produce a sensitive colorimetric reaction. A calibration curve was produced which was able to predict the concentration of a bromoroform solution in the range of 8-250 ppb with a confidence of 97.7 % using the intensity of the color change as a quantitative measure.

Civil Engineering/ Graduate Students/ Johnston & Jeffryes/ University Of Minnesota/ 2012, Lisa Johnston, Jon Jeffryes

Data Information Literacy Case Study Directory

From the University of Minnesota, this case study describes the seven modules that comprise their data information literacy program for students in Civil Engineering. The modules include: data management, organization and documentation, data access and ownership, data sharing and re-use, and preservation. Materials include a book chapter describing the case study, the syllabus for the program, a template for developing a data management plan and the evaluation forms that were used.

Eco-Design Integration Into New Product Development Processes: Comparison Between Lca Software And Cad-Integrated Tools, Maria I. Hernandez Dalmau

Purdue Polytechnic Masters Theses

The constant growth of environmental concerns and in order to satisfy the increasing population demands, designers have started to integrate eco-design parameters in early design stages. The technological development that happened in the last decade has started to integrate LCA methods within CAD tools, allowing non-geometric data to be integrated in a typical geometrical model. The main research interest of this thesis is focused on the evaluation of the use of these emerging CAD tools, as tools capable to evaluate the futures environmental impacts of products and processes. This thesis studies through three comparative case studies if SolidWorks Sustainability as …

Utilizing Ultrasonic Technology To Manage Algal Blooms In Lake Rockwell, Mackenzie Kaser, Andrew Perdue

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effectiveness of ultrasonic technology to manage algal blooms in Lake Rockwell. Lake Rockwell is the drinking water source for the city of Akron, OH and the surrounding areas. One of the main issues facing the City of Akron Water Treatment Plant is cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria releases toxins, which makes conventional water treatment processes more difficult. Our proposed solution to manage algal blooms in Lake Rockwell is ultrasonic technology. This system emits vibrations that destroy the algal cells and prevent new blooms from forming. Our plan involves three master buoys …

Parameters Estimation Of Material Constitutive Models Using Optimization Algorithms, Kiswendsida Jules Kere

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Optimization Algorithms are very useful for solving engineering problems. Indeed, optimization algorithms can be used to optimize engineering designs in terms of safety and economy. Understanding the proprieties of materials in engineering designs is very important in order to make designs safe. Materials are not really perfectly homogeneous and there are heterogeneous distributions in most materials. In this paper, Self-OPTIM which is an inverse constitutive parameter identification framework will be used to identify parameters of a linear elastic material constitutive model. Data for Self-OPTIM will be obtained using ABAQUS simulation of a dog-bone uniaxial test. Optimization Algorithms will be used …

Parametric Study Of Self-Centering Concentrically-Braced Frames In Response To Earthquakes, Nicholas F. Roth

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research project consisted of the use of computer aided numerical software to test the response of an earthquake resistance system within various buildings when exposed to various design-level earthquakes. This research project is an extension of an existing NSF research project. The relevant questions and investigations of this and the greater project surround the performance of an earthquake resistance system with the intentions of better understanding its abilities and limitations. This project has been aided by Dr. David Roke, the faculty sponsor, in order to perform the research and collect, organize, and analyze the data. This research was performed …

Environmentally Friendly Propylene Epoxidation Process Using Silver Catalysts, Sijia Li, Zheng Lu, Justin Ikerman

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

High Temperature Helical Tubular Receiver For Concentrating Solar Power System, Nazmul Hossain

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In the field of conventional cleaner power generation technology, concentrating solar power systems have introduced remarkable opportunity. In a solar power tower, solar energy concentrated by the heliostats at a single point produces very high temperature. Falling solid particles or heat transfer fluid passing through that high temperature region absorbs heat to generate electricity. Increasing the residence time will result in more heat gain and increase efficiency. A novel design of solar receiver for both fluid and solid particle is approached in this paper which can increase residence time resulting in higher temperature gain in one cycle compared to conventional …

Wind Farm Optimization Using Evolutionary Algorithms, Carlos Marco Ituarte-Villarreal

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, the wind power industry has focused its efforts on solving the Wind Farm Layout Optimization (WFLO) problem. Wind resource assessment is a pivotal step in optimizing the wind-farm design and siting and, in determining whether a project is economically feasible or not. In the present work, three (3) different optimization methods are proposed for the solution of the WFLO: (i) A modified Viral System Algorithm applied to the optimization of the proper location of the components in a wind-farm to maximize the energy output given a stated wind environment of the site. The optimization problem is formulated …

Reliability And Sensitivity Analysis For Micro-Meteoroids And Orbital Debris Protection Models Using First-Order Reliability Methods (Form)., Levi Pereda

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Abstract This Thesis provides a probabilistic assessment of the micro-meteoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) impact protection structures. The assessment is based on first-order reliability methods that use Ballistic Limit equations traditionally used by NASA for the design of shields. The research demonstrates how the structural reliability methods can be implemented into the aeronautics and astronautics field. NASA is continuously developing new techniques that allow the consideration of the uncertainty that exists in the design of their space structures. Nevertheless, some of their design approaches are still deterministic. For example MMOD ballistic limit equations used for the design of the MMOD …