Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Exploring Engineering Club, Samantha Corey, Stephen Yaghmour

Honors Program: Expanded Learning Clubs

Exploring Engineering Club provides an introduction to a variety of engineering problems and piques the students’ interest in engineering by accompanying the information with hands-on problem solving activities mainly related to structural engineering. The activities will often be done in teams which will teach good teamwork skills, as well as problem solving and critical thinking.

The Scaling Limit Of The Membrane Model, Alessandra Cipriani, Biltu Dan, Rajat Subhra Hazra

Journal Articles

On the integer lattice, we consider the discrete membrane model, a random interface in which the field has Laplacian interaction. We prove that, under appropriate rescaling, the discrete membrane model converges to the continuum membrane model in d ≥ 2. Namely, it is shown that the scaling limit in d = 2, 3 is a Holder continuous random field, while in d ≥ 4 the membrane model converges to a random distribution. As a by-product of the proof in d = 2, 3, we obtain the scaling limit of the maximum. This work complements the analogous results of Caravenna and …

Smart Building And Construction Materials, Donglu Shi, Julian Wang, Wen Deng

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Ua66/9/1 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Engineering Administration, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

No abstract provided.

Ce 5500: Stochastic Hydrology, University Of Virginia, Julianne Quinn

All ECSTATIC Materials

This document is the syllabus for CE 5500: Stochastic Hydrology by instructor Julianne D. Quinn at the University of Virginia. The course is an elective class, open to upper-level undergraduate and graduate students.

Improving Traffic Safety At School Zones By Engineering And Operational Countermeasures, Md Hasibur Rahman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Safety issues at school zone areas have been one of the most important topics in the traffic safety field. Although many studies have evaluated the effectiveness of various traffic control devices (e.g., sign, flashing beacon, speed monitoring display), there is a lack of studies exploring different roadway countermeasures and the relationship between school-related factors and crashes. In this study, the most crash-prone school zone was identified in Orange and Seminole Counties, Florida, based on crash rate. Afterward, a microsimulation network was built in VISSIM environment to test different roadway countermeasures in the school zones. Three different countermeasures: two-step speed reduction …

Flexural Behaviour Of Superelastic Shape Memory Alloy Reinforced Concrete Beams During Loading And Unloading Stages, Yamen Ibrahim Elbahy, Maged Youssef

Civil and Environmental Engineering Publications

Trend of using smart structures, which can adjust when exposed to severe unexpected loading, is increasing. One of the methods to achieve such structures relies on smart materials. For example, replacing conventional steel reinforcing bars in Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures with superelastic Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) bars significantly reduces the residual deformations caused by post-yielding behaviour. This paper provides in-depth understanding of the flexural behaviour of SMA RC beams. A sectional analysis method, which predicts the flexural behaviour of SMA RC beams during both loading and unloading stages, is adopted and validated using available experimental data. An extensive parametric study …

Seismic Performance Of Reinforced Concrete Frames Retrofitted Using External Superelastic Shape Memory Alloy Bars, Yamen Ibrahim Elbahy, Maged A. Youssef, Mohamed E. Meshaly

Civil and Environmental Engineering Publications

Pre-1970s designed and built reinforced concrete frame structures are considered unsafe when subjected to seismic loads. Insufficient anchorage of the beam reinforcement in the beam-column joints of these structures is considered a main deficiency. Newly built frame structures are seismically designed for safety, where high inelastic deformations can occur under moderate to strong earthquakes. Minimizing these inelastic deformations makes the structure repairable. One way to minimize these residual deformations is by using smart materials such as superelastic shape memory alloys (SMAs). In this paper, the seismic performance of RC frames retrofitted using external superelastic SMA bars is investigated and compared …

Ductile Corrosion-Free Self-Centering Concrete Elements, Maged Youssef, Mohamed E. Meshaly, Ahmed Elansary

Civil and Environmental Engineering Publications

Corrosion is a major factor in the deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. To mitigate this problem, steel bars can be replaced with glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer (GFRP) bars. However, the lack of ductility of GFRP-RC elements has prevented their use in many structural applications, especially in seismic areas. Superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) bars have been proposed to be used in seismic areas because of their self-centering characteristics. Also, they have the added advantage of being corrosion resistant. This paper examines the combined use of SMA and GFRP bars to achieve ductile self-centering and corrosion-free elements. The first challenge for such a …

Policies Required To Encourage Biomethane As A Transport Fuel, Daniel Goulding

PhDs

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport industry is a major environmental issue which the world currently faces. In Ireland, the transport sector accounted for 19% of its total GHG emissions in 2015 which is projected to increase to 29% by 2030. The European Union Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) mandates Ireland to achieve a 10% share of renewable energy sources in transport (RES-T) by 2020. The Irish Government proposes to achieve the RES-T through biofuels (9%) and electric vehicles (1%). However, in 2016 the RES-T of Ireland stood at 5.0% and requires significant renewable energy penetration to reach the 2020 …

Reply To “Discussion Of ‘On The Soil Water Characteristic Curves Of Poorly Graded Granular Materials In Aqueous Polymer Solutions’ By Junnan Cao, Jongwon Jung, Xiaoyu Song And Bate Bate, Acta Geotechnica, 2018, 13(1):103–116” By Peng Liu And Xiaoming Liu, Zejian Chen, Junnan Cao, Bate Bate, Xiaoyu Song

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Congestion Mitigation Strategy: Modeling The Effect Of Different Geometric Configurations Of A Two-Lane On-Ramp On Capacity Using Vissim, Rhizlane Brachmi

ETD Archive

Freeway on-ramps are critical components of freeway systems since they control the entry of traffic to the mainline. According to the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), a two-lane on-ramp configuration will achieve less turbulence than a similar one-lane on-ramp but little guidance on the desired lengths of the acceleration lanes or their effect on the operation of the influence area is provided. An experiment was designed to investigate the effect of the lengths of the acceleration lanes of isolated, two-lane on-ramps on the operation of the ramp influence area. The Highway Capacity Software (HCS) was used to calculate the density of …

Optimal Assessment Of Weigh-In-Motion Data For Structural Reliability Based Rating Of Bridge Superstructures, Sasan Siavashi

Wayne State University Dissertations

The first objectives of this research are to propose a simplified procedure to reduce the vehicle dataset need to be considered for load rating of bridge superstructures. The second objective is to explore the effectiveness of Reliability Based Design Optimization (RBDO) to develop a State-specific rating load model for a set of bridge superstructures. Finally, an alternative novel approach to develop rating models as effective as an ideal RBDO solution is proposed. The proposed solutions can substantially reduce the computational effort while not compromising the level of accuracy.

Introducing Gaseous Transport Fuel To Ireland: A Strategic Infrastructure Framework, Niamh Power, Daniel Goulding, Dan Fitzpatrick, Rodger O'Connor, James D. Browne

Publications

European Union legislation in the form of the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC and the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive 2014/94/EC have placed mandatory requirements on Member States to deliver sustainable forms of alternative transport infrastructure in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector. However, there is currently little or no refuelling infrastructure to support the development of an alternative transport fuel market for compressed natural gas and its renewable form biomethane in a number of EU Member States. Primarily focussing on a combination of biomethane and compressed natural gas (bio-CNG), this paper analyses the key considerations …

Structural Behaviour Of Post-Installed Reinforcement Bars In Moment Connections Of Wall-Slabs, Yuen Fai, Augustus Lee, Ray K. L. Su, Ricky W. K. Chan

Staff Publications

Post-installed reinforcement (PIR) bars helps to facilitate retrofitting works, mitigate misplaced reinforcement problems, as well as support newly casted additions. However, the use of PIR has not been addressed in the major reinforced concrete (RC) design codes worldwide. Recently, the European standards have introduced a beneficial coefficient of moments in EN 1992-4 2018 for concrete fastenings which allows compliant PIR systems to be designed by using the bonded anchor (BA) design method. However, when applying this method to wall-slab connection design, the moment resisting capacity is often limited by the lack of bar spacing and small concrete covers. This means …

Nebraska Water Center Annual Report 2017-2018, The Nebraska Water Center

Nebraska Water Center: Administrative Materials

Contents

Introduction: Foreword • Director’s Letter by Chittaranjan Ray • Nebraska Water Center Overview and Timeline • Nebraska’s Top 10 Water Challenges

Research: Water Sciences Laboratory Overview • Nebraska Vadose Zone Program • Novel Nitrate Leaching Reduction • Ogallala Water Coordinated Agriculture Project (OWCAP) • Nebraska Water Productivity Report • USDA-NIFA Water End-User Grant • U.S. Geological Survey 104b Projects

Extension & Outreach: Bazile Groundwater Management Area • Platte River Basin Ecosystem Symposium • Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) • 2018 National Institutes for Water Resources Regional Symposium • Water Quality + Citizen Science • Nebraska Water and Natural Resources …

Impact Of Potential Engine Malfunctions On Fuel Consumption And Gaseous Emissions Of A Euro Vi Diesel Truck., Yuhan Huang, Elvin C.Y. Ng, Yat-Shing Yam, Casey K.C. Lee, Surawski C. Nic, Wai-Chuen Mok, Organ Bruce, John L. Zhou, Edward F.C. Chan

Faculty of Science & Technology (THEi)

Although new vehicles are designed to comply with specific emission regulations, their in-service performance would not necessarily achieve them due to wear-and-tear and improper maintenance, as well as tampering or failure of engine control and exhaust after-treatment systems. In addition, there is a lack of knowledge on how significantly these potential malfunctions affect vehicle performance. This study was therefore conducted to simulate the effect of various engine malfunctions on the fuel consumption and gaseous emissions of a 16-tonne Euro VI diesel truck using transient chassis dynamometer testing. The simulated malfunctions included those that would commonly occur in the intake, fuel …

Ce 431-106: Construction Materials Laboratory, Steve George

Civil and Environmental Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Ce 443-141: Foundation Design, Ivan Guzman

Civil and Environmental Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Limited Tension Stiffening In Rc Elements Under Cyclic Loads., Xueying Wang, Jun Shang Kuang

Faculty of Science & Technology (THEi)

The tension capacity in cracked concrete is not well defined in existing shear models for reinforced concrete (RC) membrane elements under cyclic reversed loading, and the shear strength of RC elements is consequently overestimated due to the deviated decreasing branch of envelope of cyclic tensile stress-strain relationship. In this paper, the cyclic effect of limited tension stiffening of cracked RC elements is evaluated by proposing an analytical model named as the cyclic tension-stiffening fixed-angle truss model (CTFTM). The proposed model, based on fixed-angle theory, integrates unloading and reloading rules and accumulated damage into the limited tension-stiffening effect under cyclic loading …

Effects Of Eccentricity On Seismic Behavior Of Non-Seismically Designed Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Joint, Ho-Fai Wong, Ying Liu, Sung-Hei Luk, Pok-Man Lee, Wing-Hei Kwong

Faculty of Science & Technology (THEi)

The staggering numbers of eccentric reinforced concrete beam-column joints without seismic design details were used in existing RC frame building due to geometrical constraints, which implied high susceptibility of the building structures to anticipated seismic risk. Three exterior RC beam-column joints were fabricated and tested, which were applied reversed cyclic loads to simulate seismic action. In this study, the effects of stirrup ratio in joints and the eccentricity which is defined as the distance between the axis of the beam and column on seismic performance are investigated. The test results provide a further understanding of the failure mode and shear …

Fragility Curves For Buildings In Hong Kong, Sung-Hei Luk, Ho-Fai Wong

Faculty of Science & Technology (THEi)

Fragility curves are the tools for evaluating the damage of structural or nonstructural components under different levels of ground excitation. It is also the necessary information for calculating the life-cycle cost of buildings during their design period. In this paper, development of fragility curves for buildings designed based on HK standard is presented. Two prototype models, which include three-storey and tenstorey reinforced concrete rigid frames, were considered. Incremental dynamic analysis was conducted under nine sets of past earthquake records with scaled peak ground accelerations. Maximum inter-storey drift ratio was selected as the damage indices and three performance levels were considered. …

Assessing Impact And Blast Resilience Of Polymer Coated Cementitious Materials, Murtaza Nalwala, Gabriel Nsengiyumva, Yong-Rak Kim

UCARE: Research Products

RESEARCH MOTIVATION The bridge piers are highly vulnerable to the impact and blast loads. The position in which they are constructed makes it difficult to install protective devices around them. By the current AASHTO standard, it is possible to under-design bridge piers for commercial vehicle impacts and other events such as blast.

OBJECTIVE To improve impact and blast resilience of bridge piers using polymeric coatings.

CONCLUSION Polymer coating of Portland cement concrete can be achieved with a good bonding. ü The polymeric coating seem to improve impact resilience of Portland cement concrete by increasing absorbed impact energy (i.e., area underneath …

Analysis Of Factors Influencing Return On Investment (Roi) For Building Information Modeling (Bim) Implementation, Tugce Kulaksiz

Wayne State University Dissertations

A research study was conducted to investigate and understand factors influencing Return on Investment of Building Information Modeling (BIM).

Research data was collected from 182 industry professionals (design firms, contractors and owners) using a survey instrument. The research data were evaluated by examining frequency distributions and running statistical analyses including an analysis of variance with post hoc tests and a multiple linear regression analysis. Furthermore, a simulation study was conducted to infer conclusions about the larger population from which the repeated samples were taken. The research findings revealed that the factors contributing to Return on Investment of BIM implementation were: …

Timescales Of Global Tidal Flooding, Maria Bower

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Millions of people in low-lying areas are already affected by flooding, and the number will increase substantially in the future. Tidal flooding, the form of flooding caused by a combination of high tides and sea level rise to overcome protection levels, can cause damage and inconveniences such as road closures, overwhelmed drainage systems, and infrastructure deterioration from water damage. Tidal flooding already occurs annually in cities along the U.S. east coast, most notably Miami. However, the time it will take for other regions globally to begin to experience tidal flooding has not yet been assessed. Therefore, there is a limited …

Analysis Of Truck-Related Crashes Of Freeways In China, Ting Xu, Rui-Sen Jiang, Lei Zhao, Long Qi, Yu Zhang

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Truck-related crashes result in tremendous lives and property loss and become a serious safety issue in China. The goal of this article is to identify the influential factors for severity of truck-related crashes using data from Jingjintang freeways in China and to design an ordered probit model to explore their relationship. Records including crashes, traffic flow attributes, and geometric design features ranging from 2009 to 2012 were collected from Jingjintang freeway. Crashes are divided into three severity levels: slight injury, injury, and fatal injury. The injury crashes is ranking the first place occupying 64.37%. Truck-related crashes are likely to occur …

Future Climate And Land Use Change Impacts On River Flows In The Tapajós Basin In The Brazilian Amazon, Fabio Farinosi, Mauricio E. Arias, Eunjee Lee, Marcos Longo, Fabio F. Pereira, Angela Livino, Paul R. Moorcroft, John Briscoe

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Land conversion and changing climate are expected to significantly alter tropical forest hydrology. We used a land surface model integrated with a river routing scheme to analyze the hydrological alterations expected in the Tapajós River basin, a large portion of the Brazilian Amazon, caused by two environmental drivers: climate and land use. The model was forced with two future climate scenarios (years 2026–2045) from the Earth System Model HadGem2-ES with moderate (+4.5 W/m² radiative forcing value in the year 2100 with respect to preindustrial levels) and severe (+8.5 W/m²) representative atmospheric carbon dioxide pathways (Representative Concentration Pathways). …

A Route Navigation Algorithm For Pedestrian Simulation Based On Grid Potential Field, Minghua Li, Yun Wei, Yan Xu

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Pedestrian simulation modeling has become an important means to study the dynamic characters of dense populations. In the continuous pedestrian simulation model for complex simulation scenario with obstacles, the pedestrian path planning algorithm is an indispensable component, which is used for the calculation of pedestrian macro path and microscopic movement desired direction. However, there is less efficiency and poor robustness in the existing pedestrian path planning algorithm. To address this issue, we propose a new pedestrian path planning algorithm to solve these problems in this article. In our algorithm, we have two steps to determine pedestrian movement path, that is, …

The Resilient City: A Platform For Informed Decision-Making Process, Paul Niculescu-Mizil Gheorghe, Jarutpong Vasuthanasub, Adrian Gheorghe

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

As over half of the world’s inhabitants lives in metropolises, the rapid growth in urbanization has made cities becoming more and more exposed and vulnerable to a broad spectrum of threats and hazards. In order to respond to such difficulties, a concept of resilience is considered a significant component for the long-term planning and sustainable development of the cities. “Resilient City” is a new paradigm that challenges the idealistic principle of stability and resistance to change implicitly in sustainable development and success. However, building a resilient city requires a holistic approach, as well as the appropriate adoption of knowledge and …

Evaluation Of Nebraska’S Aggregate Reactivity By The Miniature Concrete Prism Test Method – Aashto T380, Lieska Halsey, Wally Heyen

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The evaluation of nine different aggregates shows the viability of the T380 test method as an alternative to the standard C1293 test method. The T380 assesses the Alkali-Silica Reaction potential of aggregates with the same reliability as C1293 and correlates well with the C1293 test method. Results are obtained within 56 days by T380 compared to 365 days required by C1293. The T380 method at 56 days appears to characterize the aggregate reactivity similarly to C1293 for all the aggregates evaluated in this study. Therefore, T380 will be part of the Department test method for approval of interground/blended cements along …