Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

An Experimental Study On Mixed Hydrocarbon Gas On Transport Through Subsurface And Atmospheric Interfaces With Application To Natural Gas Pipline Leak Dection And Quantification, Richard Kolodziej

Civil and Environmental Engineering Theses and Dissertations

Natural gas (NG) production and usage as a fuel source have surged in recent years, becoming a critical component of the global energy system and requiring extensive belowground pipeline infrastructure. Leaks in belowground pipelines release fugitive methane (CH₄) emissions, posing significant environmental, safety, and economic risks. Effective leak detection and quantification (LDAQ) methods are essential for identifying and measuring leaks to enable timely repairs and accurately address these threats. However, few studies have characterized the effectiveness of current and advanced LDAQ survey methods for belowground NG pipelines, with existing work often limited to technology-centric evaluations or studies of …

Developing A Cross-Asset Allocation Mechanism, Jon Wilcoxson, Bryan Gibson, Bethany Paris

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has developed several tools and methods to compare the value of proposed projects within specific programs and asset classes, including the Enhanced Bridge Prioritization Index, Enhanced Pavement Prioritization Index, and the Strategic Highway Investment Formula for Tomorrow (SHIFT). Although immensely valuable, these methods and tools do not offer a convenient way of comparing the contributions of individual projects to meeting overall KYTC performance goals. As such, the Cabinet needs a robust mechanism for comparing the impact of projects across its capital, safety, and asset management programs. Following a review of cross-asset allocation frameworks described in …

New Method To Calculate Friction Velocity In Smooth Channel Flows Using Direct Numerical Simulation Data, Harshit Mishra, S. Karan Venayagamoorthy

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, we leverage the direct numerical simulation (DNS) data for closed-channel flow for a range of friction Reynolds number (Reτ∼180-5,000) to develop a new one-point friction velocity method (OPFVM) to calculate friction velocity U∗ in terms of free-surface velocity Um, flow depth h, and kinematic viscosity ν. In contrast to prevalent methods that require several cumbersome near boundary measurements to obtain friction velocity, the OPFVM relies on a single easy-to-measure free-surface velocity measurement. The formulation is used to obtain friction velocity for a closed-channel flow (CCF) DNS regime with Reτ=10,049 and on four open-channel flow (OCF) DNS regimes …

Advance On Rock-Breaking Cutter Steels: A Review Of Characteristics, Failure Modes, Molding Processes And Strengthening Technology, Ying Jiang, Bai Xin Dong, Jun Fan, Feng Qiu, Hong Yu Yang, Shi Li Shu, Fang Chang, Qi Chuan Jiang, Lai Chang Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Rock breaking has always been a challenging problem that must be solved in projects such as excavating mountains, drilling wells, and constructing railways. Among the rock-breaking cutter steels, AISI H13 steel and wear-resistant high manganese steel have become the best choices. From the characteristics and failure modes of the two, rock-breaking cutter steels should simultaneously have high strength, high toughness and high wear resistance to avoid short-term fracture/damage and cost increase. Analyzing the problems existing in the molding process of rock-breaking cutter steels such as die casting, forging, and hot stamping, traditional strengthening technologies such as alloying optimization, heat treatment, …

Deformation Demands And Collapse Performance Of Seismically Detailed Concentrically Braced Frames, Samuel Jablonsky

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Special concentrically braced frames (SCBFs) and ordinary concentrically braced frames (OCBFs) are seismic-force-resisting systems often used in steel building construction. Previous research has shown that lower brace width-to-thickness ratios delay brace fracture during cyclic inelastic loading that is typical during moderate-to-large earthquakes. To ensure adequate seismic performance, SCBF and OCBF brace shapes are thus limited by the highly and moderately ductile width-to-thickness ratio limits, respectively, presented by the American Institute of Steel Construction Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings. To justify these limits, system-level analysis of SCBFs and OCBFs during high seismic events is needed. This study uses nonlinear response-history …

Development Of A Rule-Based Monitoring System For Autonomous Heavy Equipment Safety, Amirpooya Shirazi

Department of Construction Engineering and Management: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Roadway construction work zones are constantly exposed to interactions among construction equipment, workers, and vehicles. Furthermore, ensuring safety in these areas is considered a challenging task due to the complexity of the environment. As shown in the rising trend of fatal accidents in roadway work zones, current OSHA regulations in construction safety are insufficient in effectively detecting unsafe situations and mitigating the risks. Furthermore, best practices, such as internal traffic control planning (ITCP), exhibit critical limitations requiring continuous monitoring of active work zones as well as adjustments to the site coordination plans due to the dynamic nature of work zone …

Freezing-Thawing Hysteretic Behavior Of Soils, Jidong Teng, Antai Dong, Sheng Zhang, Xiong Zhang, Daichao Sheng

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The soil freezing characteristic curve (SFCC) plays a crucial role in investigating the soil freezing-thawing process. Due to the challenges associated with measuring the SFCC, there is a shortage of high-quality or rigorous test results with sufficient metadata to be effectively used for applications. Current researchers typically conduct freezing tests to measure the SFCC and assume a singular SFCC when studying the freezing-thawing process of soils, although limited studies indicated that there is a hysteresis during the freezing and thawing process. In this paper, a series of freezing-thawing tests were performed to assess the SFCC, utilizing a precise nuclear magnetic …

Refinement Of A Regional Storm Surge Mesh For High-Resolution Topographic Representation Of Volusia County, Morgan Harbin

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In 2022, Volusia and Flagler Counties of northeast central Florida were impacted indirectly by consecutive Hurricanes Ian and Nicole; the destabilization of dunes and armoring infrastructure caused by Ian left the region susceptible to Hurricane Nicole, which caused unprecedented coastal damage to dunes and seawalls. The extent of damage that occurred within Volusia and Flagler Counties during the 2022 hurricane season, the underrepresentation of this region within sustainability and resilience research, and the ecological, social, and economic value of the geography provide just cause for scientific inquiry of the area’s coastal dynamics. This thesis specifically describes an investigation of Hurricane …

The Impact Of Pac-Loaded Polymer Membrane Thickness On Chloroform Removal And Comparison Of Solvent And Thermal Membrane Regeneration Methods, Yizhi Hou, Brooke K. Mayer

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Powdered activated carbon (PAC) has better adsorption performance than granular activated carbon (GAC) and is widely used in water purification. In most cases, PAC is dosed into water directly, then precipitated as sludge, and landfilled. In this study, PAC was mixed with a polymer and dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent to form a PAC-loaded membrane, which was then tested for chloroform removal. The chloroform adsorption capacity of the PAC membrane increased with increasing membrane thickness because of higher carbon loading. However, regardless of membrane thickness, the flux of the PAC membranes was similar since flux resistance predominantly occurred at the …

Rock Structural Changes Monitored By Fibre Bragg Grating Sensors And Nuclear Magnetic Resonance During Static And Dynamic Carbonated Brine Core Flooding Experiments, Bruno Da Silva Falcão, Lionel Esteban, Ausama Giwelli, Ahmed Al-Yaseri, Alireza Keshavarz, Jeremie Dautriat, Stephanie Vialle, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

One proposed solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the capture and storage of carbon dioxide (CCS) in geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Injected carbon dioxide (CO2) forms carbonic acid once dissolved in the formation water, which can lead to dissolution of certain types of rock minerals. This may weaken rock geomechanical properties that can jeopardize the safety of long-term storage. In this work, the use of Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors associated with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was investigated to measure the change in rock strain during core flooding experiments. Optical fibres were glued onto …

Advancing Understanding Of Opinions, Perceptions, And Knowledge In Underrepresented Communities In The El Paso Region To Promote Electric Vehicles And Electrified Infrastructure Use To Reduce Environmental Impacts, Liliana Lozada-Medellin

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

As the transportation and automotive industries continue growing, environmental and human health impacts remain a growing concern for planners, policy-makers, constructors, and the public as well (Krause et al., 2013; Larson et al., 2014). Although Electric Vehicles (EVs) are entering the market as a green technology solution to counteract greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), there are still barriers that need to be overcome for widespread diffusion and adoption as the best solution. These include disseminating basic information about the technology for public awareness, considering equity concerns, and ensuring equitable access to infrastructure for all (L. …

Building Sevices Engineering July/August 2024

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Performance Evaluation Of Asphalt Binder Modified With Recycled Plastics, Abeeb G. Oyelere

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

The surge in the production of plastic waste has become a pressing global environmental issue. To address this, repurposing plastic waste to modify asphalt binders in asphalt pavement is being explored This study investigates the potential of recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) and recycled polypropylene (rPP) as asphalt binder modifies to improve pavement performance and sustainability while mitigating plastic waste's adverse environmental impacts. Laboratory investigations were conducted to assess the rheological performances as well as the compatibility of rHDPE and rPP-modified asphalt. Additionally, the impact of aging and mixing temperature on rheological performance was investigated. Experimental results indicated that adding these …

Quantifying Extreme Events: Applications Of Probabilistic Methods To Quantify Riverine And Coastal Flood Dynamics In South Carolina And Neighboring Coastal Communities, Ryne Phillips

Theses and Dissertations

Extreme flood events have been persistent throughout history and have challenged human populations around the globe. Over time, scientists and engineers have developed tools and technology to support flood risk management. Most, if not all, of these tools rely on some form of the field of stochastic hydrology. Stochastic hydrology is a broad discipline, but the overarching principle is to use statistical and data-driven techniques to develop an understanding of one or more hydrologic variables (e.g., flood flow or peak storm tide). However, the need for large sample sizes of data that offer insight into all possible combinations of outcomes …

Exploring Performance-Based Contracts: A Good Option To Address Long-Term Road Maintenance In California?, Maria Calahorra-Jimenez, Richard Poythress

Mineta Transportation Institute

Performance-based contracts (PBCs) used in road maintenance provide flexibility for considering new materials, design, and technology to achieve predetermined performance targets. Several states in the U.S. have already used these types of contracts in road maintenance, and their experience can inform the use of PBCs in California. The objectives of this research are twofold. First, identify the benefits and challenges of PBCs compared to traditional contracts. Second, explore the main aspects of PBCs implementation for road maintenance and relate them to California's context. To this end, deductive-inductive content analysis was conducted on 84 peer-reviewed articles published between 1998 and 2023. …

Adopt: An Environmentally-Friendly System For Alerting Drivers To Occluded Pedestrians Traffic, Abrar Abdulrahman Alali

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

The emergence of sensing technologies and vehicular communications has brought significant opportunities for enhancing pedestrian safety on city streets. However, existing solutions rely on costly technologies such as computer vision and trajectory prediction to detect crossing pedestrians, while they have limits in detecting pedestrians who are occluded by parked cars. Despite the presence of collaborative perception by surrounding vehicles and infrastructure, there is a notable absence of incorporating existing parked cars themselves due to their insufficiency in detecting pedestrians and communicating with other cars while they are turned off. Furthermore, accommodating pedestrians on streets has been linked to an additional …

Hydrologic Modeling Of The Lower Chesapeake Bay Watershed Using Hecc-Hms With Implications For Future Coupled Coastal Modeling, Christopher Leonard Frost

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This study explores the hydrological methodology for modeling a coastal watershed basin using the US Army Corps of Engineers hydrologic software, HEC-HMS with an objective of being able to create riverine boundary conditions that could be applied to a coupled compound flood model. Compound flooding is defined as high water inundation event that occurs due to the simultaneous occurrence of multiple flooding drivers. The Atlantic Seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico regions of the United States account for most of the compound events observed in the United States with a higher occurrence caused by hurricanes from July to November. In …

Laboratory Evaluation And Field Demonstration Of Cold In-Place Recycling Asphalt Mixture In Michigan Low-Volume Road, Dongzhao Jin, Lei Yin, Lance Malburg, Zhanping You

Michigan Tech Publications

Cold-in place recycling (CIR) is a promising technology for the rehabilitation of asphalt pavements. However, the CIR asphalt pavement constructed in the field often has high air voids due to the presence of moisture during construction, and the moisture susceptibility of the pavement is crucial in determining its service life. Therefore, the objective of this research was to assess the laboratory performance of CIR asphalt mixes under freeze-thaw conditions (The mix prior to being subjected to freezing and thawing is labeled as "dry condition", while the mix that was placed in a refrigerator at –18 °C for 16 h and …

A Strategic Framework For Attaining Golden Leed Certification For Resorts, Mohamad Soliman, Hadi Jawad, Mariam Younes, Oussama El Hamaoui, Saadeddine Ramadan

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The contemporary landscape of engineering is witnessing a pivotal shift towards sustainability, encapsulated in the catchphrase "GO GREEN". This global trend underscores a strategic emphasis on sustainable design, where engineering projects prioritize a delicate balance among environmental, societal, and economic considerations.” However, a persistent challenge in construction projects lies in their tendency to neglect environmental impact, contributing to increased contamination levels. This paper aims to introduce the "Lodge in the Green" project, meticulously aligned with LEED Certification principles. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, stands as the foremost green building rating system, highlighting its relevance in contemporary sustainable …

An Experimental Study On The Effect Of Salt And Sugar Combination On Mortar Properties, Lelian Elkhatib, Jamal Khatib, Abbas Hassan, Mohammad Kassem, Adel Elkordi

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The most important engineering material nowadays, used in construction is concrete. Concrete consists mainly of sand, cement and aggregates. However, weather conditions play a crucial role in affecting concrete characteristics and its serviceability. Weather conditions could be the reason to delay or accelerate the setting time of the concrete. As a result, and in order to deal with weather conditions and its effect on the setting time of concrete, accelerators and retarders must be added to the concrete mix. This research paper focuses on the impact of the use of salt and sugar on the setting time of concrete. Accelerators, …

An In – Depth Analysis Of Natural Fibers :A Comprehensive Review Of Properties And Performance Characteristics, Abbas Chour, Jamal Khatib

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The purpose of this research is to investigate the usage of natural fibers in plant-based natural fiber-reinforced cement-based composites for sustainable construction materials. It summarizes research on various fiber kinds, their properties, and their impact on cement-based products, with a focus on renewable possibilities such as flax, jute, ramie, hemp, cotton, sisal, and kenaf. Due to their hydrophilic nature, plant fibers and polymers present compatibility concerns and moisture damage when combined. The paper examines ways for improving durability, such as physical and chemical treatments to improve aging resistance, optimizing binder components, and modifying curing regimens to reduce alkalinity in the …

Final Report - Smart Sounding System For Autonomous Evaluation Of Concrete And Metallic Structures, Anil K. Agrawal, Deepak Kumar

Project IM-3

Recent research by the authors has shown that the sounding, such as chirp signal, can be generated by electronic speakers, and their magnitude and frequency can be controlled. Unlike mechanical impact hammers, the electronic sounding is consistent and can be designed with controlled frequency characteristics to excite defects in concrete decks. Another significant limitation of mechanical impact hammers is that the bottom of a deck cannot be conventionally sounded, and determination of precise location of the damaged area is a challenge. To address these limitations, a “smart sounding system” has been developed that can be used to inspect the underdeck …

Final Report - Health Inspection Of Concrete Pavement And Bridge Members Exposed To Freeze-Thaw Service Environment, Hongyan Ma, Genda Chen, Kangyi Cai, Rezwana Hafiz

Project SN-7

This project proposed an integrated approach for the non-destructive evaluation of the health status – represented by compressive strength – of any concrete, including well-cured (or intact) and degraded (or partially damaged) due to freeze-thaw cycling. To use this approach, no pre-recorded information (e.g., mixture proportions of concrete, curing and maintenance history, and service history) is needed. Instead, several conventional non-destructive testing methods (NDTs), assisted by hyperspectral camera, can be employed to generate a dataset that informs a pre-trained artificial intelligence (AI) to predict strength. As the core of this approach, the dedicated AI was trained through this project. To …

Final Report - Data-Driven Risk-Informed Bridge Asset Management And Prioritization Across Transportation Networks, Iris Tien, Yijian Zhang

Project RR-2

This project aims to transform inspection data into risk-informed decision-making, leading to two main advancements. First, a new method is developed to account for the combined effect of soil stress history and scour hole on laterally and axially loaded piles in sand and clay. The methodology is validated with results from field tests for no-scour scenarios and verified with numerical models for scour scenarios. Quantification of the soil effects is investigated through lateral pile deflection and load-settlement curves for lateral and axial behaviors, respectively. Stress history increases up to 34.1% and 61.1% in estimated pile settlement for sand and clay, …

Final Report - Autonomous Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement By A Magnet-Wheeled Robot, Yang Wang, Hung Manh La, Yu Otsuki, Son Thanh Nguyen

Project SN-6

This project develops a compact ultrasonic thickness sensing device that is integrated with a steel-climbing bicycle robot for autonomous thickness measurement of steel bridge members. With wireless communication capability, the ultrasonic sensing device can perform high-voltage pulse excitation, filtering and amplification of the received ultrasonic signal, and high-speed analog-to-digital conversions (up to 80 MHz). After successful validations of the device, it is integrated into a bicycle-like robot with two magnetic wheels controlled by two independent steering actuators that navigates on various steel surfaces (flat, curved, rough, concave, and convex). Along with the wireless ultrasonic sensing device, the robot carries a …

A Comparative Study Of Local And Global Construction Materials Sourcing Strategies For Road Projects In Nigeria, Araoye Olarinkoye Ajiboye, Micaiah Zhitsu Silas, Chinedu Chimdi Adindu, Elijah Aina Alhassan, Stephen Sunday Kolo

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

This study is a comparative analysis of local and global sourcing strategies to determine the impact of strategic material sourcing on road construction project performance. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of material-sourcing strategies on the performance of road construction companies in Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research. Data collection involved sampling techniques using structured questionnaires and oral interviews. Regression analysis evaluated the relationship between strategic material sourcing and road construction performance. The results revealed that 87.5% of the materials used by road construction companies in the study areas were sourced from the …

Appraising Critical Success Factors In Sustainable Housing Projects: A Comparative Study Of Ppp Modalities In Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Gouda Mohamed

Civil Engineering

This study examines the critical success factors (CSFs) crucial for the effective deployment of public-private partnership (PPP) models in sustainable housing projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), underpinning the nation's Vision 2030. Through a robust methodology that incorporates a profound literature review, structured interviews, and a survey involving key stakeholders, the study prioritizes fourteen significant CSFs integral to PPP efficacy. Employing Analytical Hierarchy Process analysis, key outcomes underscore the paramount importance of technical aspects with an emphasis on sustainability, tailoring risk-sharing and allocation to encompass green technologies and eco-friendly practices, and economic stability in the light of long-term …

Development Of Jetty Structure Design Procedures At The Schematic Design Stage With The Implementation Of Computational Design And Building Information Modelling To Improve Design Time Performance, Aidil Fitriansyah, Yusuf Latief

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The construction sector faces persistent productivity challenges, significantly hindering the efficiency of design workflows. Computational Design (CD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) offer potential solutions. CD enables the exploration of parametric design alternatives, while BIM enhances collaboration, visualization, and decision-making through comprehensive 3D models. This study aimed to investigate the processes and activities involved in the structural design of jetties during the schematic design phase using CD and BIM and to assess the impact of these activities on design time performance. A comprehensive analysis of secondary data was carried out, interviews were conducted with design experts, and quantitative analysis using …

Advancing Construction Practices: Innovations, Efficiency, And Safety In The Digital Era, Mohammed Ali Berawi, Perdana Miraj, Mustika Sari

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

In the ever-changing landscape of the construction industry, digital tools and procedures are a cornerstone of architectural and engineering practices. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and other computational design methodologies transform how projects are imagined, planned, and executed. These tools improve design precision while allowing real-time collaboration across different teams. As a result, adopting digital approaches is no longer an option but rather a requirement for remaining competitive in the construction industry. These innovative approaches provide an in-depth understanding of project complexities, drive design optimization, and contribute to resource management efficiency.

Construction efficiency has also improved due to lean manufacturing processes …

The Role Of Stakeholder Involvement In Enhancing Safe Drinking Water Infrastructure: An Interpretative Structural Modeling Approach, Awlya Rahmanea, Ayomi Dita Rarasati

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

One of the primary goals listed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to “Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all,” as stated in SDG 6.1. To obtain this goal, the Government of Indonesia has developed the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), which has set specific targets including achieving 100% access to decent drinking water, 15% access to safe drinking water, and establishing 10 million house connections. The Ministry of National Development Planning has established a goal of achieving 45% access to safe drinking water by 2030 as part of the SDGs. However, …