Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Removal Efficiencies, Uptake Mechanisms And Competitive Effects Of Copper And Zinc In Various Stormwater Filter Media, Emily Heleva-Ponaski

Dissertations and Theses

Polluted stormwater, if not treated, can compromise water quality throughout our hydrologic cycle, adversely affecting aquatic ecosystems. Common stormwater pollutants, copper and zinc, have been identified as primary toxicants in multiple freshwater and marine environments. For small-scale generators, stormwater management can be cumbersome and implementation of common BMPs impractical thus catch basins are popular though not the most environmentally conscious and sustainable option. This study aims to characterize the potential of a mobile media filter operation for the treatment and on-site recycling of catch basin stormwater. The removal capacities of various commercially available filter media (e.g. a common perlite; Earthlite™, …

Coupled Thermally-Enhanced Bioremediation And Renewable Energy Storage System: Conceptual Framework And Modeling Investigation, Ali Moradi, Kathleen M. Smits, Jonathan O. Sharp

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications - Archive

This paper presents a novel method to couple an environmental bioremediation system with a subsurface renewable energy storage system. This method involves treating unsaturated contaminated soil using in-situ thermally enhanced bioremediation; the thermal system is powered by renewable energy. After remediation goals are achieved, the thermal system can then be used to store renewable energy in the form of heat in the subsurface for later use. This method can be used for enhanced treatment of environmental pollutants for which temperature is considered a limiting factor. For instance, this system can be used at a wide variety of petroleum-related sites that …

Toward Autonomous Wall-Climbing Robots For Inspection Of Concrete Bridges And Tunnels, Jizhong Xiao

INSPIRE Archived Webinars

In addition to visual inspection for surface flaws, inspectors are often required to detect subsurface defects (e.g., delamination and voids) using nondestructive evaluation (NDE) instruments, such as ground penetration radar (GPR) and impact sounding device, in order to determine the structural integrity of bridges and tunnels. In these cases, access to critical locations for reliable and safe inspections is a challenge.

Since 2002, Dr. Jizhong Xiao’s group has developed four generations of wall-climbing robots for NDE inspection of bridges and tunnels. These robots combine the advantages of aerodynamic attraction and suction to achieve a desirable balance of strong adhesion and …

Driver Distraction In Microsimulation Of A Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossing, Darryl Joseph Michaud

Dissertations and Theses

Traffic simulation has become an invaluable part of the traffic engineering toolbox. However, the majority of driver models are designed to recreate traffic performance based on interactions among vehicles. In keeping with this pursuit, most are fundamentally built to avoid collisions. This limits the applicability of using these models for addressing safety concerns, especially those regarding pedestrian safety performance. However, by explicitly including some of the sources of human error, these limitations can, in theory, be overcome. While much work has been done toward including these human factors in simulation platforms, one key aspect of human behavior has been largely …

Reducing Exposures Traffic-Related Air Pollution And Urban Building Design, Elliott T. Gall, Linda George

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

16-06 Vehicle-To-Device (V2d) Communications: Readiness Of The Technology And Potential Applications For People With Disability, Ala Al-Fuqaha, Jun-Seok Oh, Valerian Kwigizile

Transportation Research Center Reports

IEEE 802.11p was developed as an amendment to IEEE 802.11 for wireless access in vehicular environments (WAVE). While WAVE is considered the de facto standard for V2V communications, in the past few years a number of communications technologies have emerged that enable direct device-to-device (D2D) communications. Technologies like Bluetooth Smart, WiFi-Direct and LTE-Direct allow devices to communicate directly without having to rely on existing communications infrastructure (e.g., base stations). More importantly, these technologies are quickly penetrating the smartphones market.

The goal of this research is to conduct extensive simulation and experimental studies to assess the efficacies of utilizing D2D communications …

Evaluation Of Model Concepts To Describe Water Transport In Shallow Subsurface Soil And Across The Soil–Air Interface, Zhen Li, Jan Vanderborght, Kathleen M. Smits

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications - Archive

Soil water evaporation plays a critical role in mass and energy exchanges across the land– atmosphere interface. Although much is known about this process, there is no agreement on the best modeling approaches to determine soil water evaporation due to the complexity of the numerical modeling scenarios and lack of experimental data available to validate such models. Existing studies show numerical and experimental discrepancies in the evaporation behavior and soil water distribution in soils at various scales, driving us to revisit the key process representation in subsurface soil. Therefore, the goal of this work is to test different mathematical formulations …

Properties And Mechanisms Of Self-Sensing Carbon Nanofibers/Epoxy Composites For Structural Health Monitoring, Yanlei Wang, Yongshuai Wang, Baolin Wan, Baoguo Han, Gaochuang Cai, Zhizheng Li

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In this paper, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with high aspect ratio were dispersed into epoxy matrix via mechanical stirring and ultrasonic treatment to fabricate self-sensing CNFs/epoxy composites. The mechanical, electrical and piezoresistive properties of the nanocomposites filled with different contents of CNFs were investigated. Based on the tunneling conduction and percolation conduction theories, the mechanisms of piezoresistive property of the nanocomposites were also explored. The experimental results show that adding CNFs can effectively enhance the compressive strengths and elastic moduli of the composites. The percolation threshold of the CNFs/epoxy composites is 0.186 vol% according to the modified General Effective Media Equation. …

Rheological Performance Of Bio-Char Modified Asphalt With Different Particle Sizes, Ran Zhang, Qingli Dai, Zhanping You, Hainian Wang, Chao Peng

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

To improve the performance of petroleum asphalt, bio-char was used as a modifier for a petroleum asphalt binder, in this study. The rheological properties of bio-char modified asphalt binders were compared with different particle sizes and contents, with one control and one flake graphite modified asphalt binder. Specifically, the bio-char modifiers with two particle sizes (ranging from 75 μm–150 μm and less than 75 μm) and three contents of 2%, 4%, and 8% were added into the asphalt binder. A flake graphite powder with particle sizes less than 75 μm was used as a comparison modifier. The Scanning Electron Microscopy …

Evaluation Of Tseb Turbulent Fluxes Using Different Methods For The Retrieval Of Soil And Canopy Component Temperatures From Uav Thermal And Multispectral Imagery, Héctor Nieto, William P. Kustas, Alfonso F. Torres-Rúa, Joseph G. Alfieri, Feng Gao, Martha C. Anderson, W. Alex White, Lisheng Song, María Del Mar Alsina, John H. Prueger, Mac Mckee, Manal Elarab, Lynn G. Mckee

AggieAir Publications

The thermal-based Two-Source Energy Balance (TSEB) model partitions the evapotranspiration (ET) and energy fluxes from vegetation and soil components providing the capability for estimating soil evaporation (E) and canopy transpiration (T). However, it is crucial for ET partitioning to retrieve reliable estimates of canopy and soil temperatures and net radiation, as the latter determines the available energy for water and heat exchange from soil and canopy sources. These two factors become especially relevant in row crops with wide spacing and strongly clumped vegetation such as vineyards and orchards. To better understand these effects, very high spatial resolution remote-sensing data from …

Mechanical And Sorptivity Characteristics Of Edge-Oxidized Graphene Oxide (Eogo)-Cement Composites: Dry- And Wet-Mix Design Methods, Yousef Alharbi, Jinwoo An, Byoung Hooi Cho, Mohammad Khawaji, Wonseok Chung, Boo Hyun Nam

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper aims to investigate the effects of edge-oxidized graphene oxide nanoflakes (EOGO) on the mechanical properties and sorptivity of cement composites. The EOGO used in this study was produced by a mechanochemical process that assists the production of EOGO in large quantities at significantly reduced costs, enabling its practical use for infrastructure construction. The scope of this work includes the use of EOGO as an additive in cement composites, including cement paste and mortar. This study explores two mixing methods: The dry-mix method and the wet-mix method. The dry-mix method uses EOGO as dry powder in cement composites whereas …

Analysis Of Isotruss Joints, Robert Thompson, Dr. David Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to identify how different winding patterns of composite tow affects the strength of interwoven joints, like those that exist in IsoTruss and other composite lattice structures. Three different winding configurations were analyzed to compare and determine how the pattern of carbon fiber strand layup would affect the strength of the joints on an IsoTruss member.

The Adoption Of A Design Build Approach In Retrofit Projects – A Descriptive Case Study, Lloyd Scott

Conference papers

The delivery Design Build projects across the built environment in Ireland has begun to take significant shape. There are many examples of the traditional are moving towards more collaborative practices. There exists support for the integration of a design build project approach in the retrofit realm where designer, client and developer can work collaboratively. As with the regular design build process the intent behind this collaborative approach is to encourage those associated with the built environment to consider how retrofit design and construction can contribute positively to addressing elements of climate change and the design build process. The opportunity to …

2018 Fall Engr333 Project Assignment, Matthew K. Heun

ENGR 333

The Fall 2018 ENGR333 project focused on renewable energy generation.

I asked the students “What is the largest possible reduction in Calvin’s annual energy costs from a $5M investment in renewable energy?”

Customer

The customer for this project was Russell Bray, Director of Calvin’s Physical Plant.

A Comparative Analysis Of Key Elements Of The Strategic Decision-Making Process Across Construction Professional Services Firms: Evidence From The Irish Construction Industry, Oluwasegun O. Seriki, Roisin Murphy Dr

Conference papers

The Irish construction industry is experiencing a well-established growth phase following a prolonged recession. While the economic impact has been well documented, there remains less emphasis on discipline-specific studies pertaining to strategy within construction firms in Ireland. Additionally, evidence regarding strategic management within the construction sector is predominantly concentrated on contracting organisations, with less emphasis on highly knowledge-intensive professional service firms (PSFs). As the construction sector in Ireland continues its sustained growth, there have been increased calls within the industry for further collaboration between key stakeholders. However, exploring collaboration within project-centric firms without understanding the individual strategic decision-making processes within …

The Role Of Digitisation In The Strategic Planning Process Of Irish Quantity Surveying(Qs) Practices, Michael Adesi, Roisin Murphy, Dermot Kehily

Conference papers

Digitisation is important to the transformation of many aspects of the construction industry such as strategic planning process in QS practices. Quantity Surveying (QS) practices largely apply digital technologies in construction project delivery, while neglecting the use of digital technologies in the strategic planning process. The aim of this paper is to investigate the role of digitisation in the strategic planning process of QS practices operating in Ireland. The study adopts a quantitative research methodology which is the first phase of an ongoing research project, by administering survey questionnaires to senior management of QS practices in Ireland. The findings of …

Report Of Community Conversations About Gender Roles In Livestock, Mamusha Lemma, Wole Kinati, Annet Mulema, Zekarias Bassa, Abiro Tigabe, Hiwot Desta, Mesfin Mekonnen, Tadious Asfaw

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the International Center for Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) gender and animal health teams facilitated community conversations (CCs) about gender roles in livestock husbandry in three districts in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) and Amhara region from 30 May–07 June 2018. These dictricts were: Doyogena (Hawora Arara and Ancha Sadicha kebeles) of SNNPR from 30 and 31 May; and Menz Gera district (Sine Amba kebele) and Menz Mama district (Key Afer kebele) of Amhara from June 6–7. In Doyogena, the team held the conversations in farmer training centres (FTCs) …

Where There Is No Engineer - Designing For Community Resilience, Liam Mccarton, Sean O'Hogain

Books/Book Chapters

Where There Is No Engineer – Designing for Community Resilience” is a design initiative coordinated by the Development Technology in the Community (DTC) Research Group, Technological University Dublin (DIT) and Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Ireland.

The programme is delivered in partnership with various development partners and Engineers Ireland. It provides participants with the opportunity to learn about design, teamwork and communication through real, inspiring, sustainable and crosscultural development projects. By participating in the programme, students and professionals will have the opportunity to design creative solutions to real life development projects. This initiative formed part of the DIT team submission which …

Optical-Fiber-Based Smart Concrete Thermal Integrity Profiling: An Example Of Concrete Shaft, Ruoyu Zhong, Ruichang Guo, Wen Deng

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Concrete is currently the most widely used construction material in the world. The integrity of concrete during the pouring process could greatly affect its engineering performance. Taking advantage of heat production during the concrete curing process, we propose an optical-fiber-based thermal integrity profiling (TIP) method which can provide a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of the integrity of concrete immediately after its pouring. In this paper, we use concrete shaft as an example to conduct TIP by using the optical fiber as a temperature sensor which can obtain high spatial resolution temperature data. Our method is compared with current thermal infrared …

Rheological Properties Of Warm Mix Asphalt Binders And Warm Mix Asphalt Binders Containing Polyphosphoric Acid, Jun Liu, Kezhen Yan, Jenny Liu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents the laboratory investigation of properties of warm mix asphalt (WMA) binders and WMA binders containing polyphosphoric acid (PPA).Two types of warm mix additives were used to produce the WMA binders. Superpave tests were carried out on original and short-term aged binders through the rotational viscometer, the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), and the bending beam rheometer (BBR). The results indicated that the WMA binders with different warm mix additives showed different viscosity values, however, the addition of PPA remarkably increased the viscosity values of these two kinds of WMA binders used, in the present study, to a similar …

Ce 350-101: Transportation Engineering, Joyoung Lee

Civil and Environmental Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Mech 320-101: Statics And Mechanics Of Materials, Joseph Baladi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Ce 333-001-003: Reinforced Concrete Design, M Ala Saadeghvaziri

Civil and Environmental Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Mech 234-001-003: Engineering Mechanics: Statics, G Milano

Civil and Environmental Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Ce 332-001: Structural Analysis, Eduardo Castro

Civil and Environmental Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Ce 200a - Surveying Lab, Allison Lapatka

Civil and Environmental Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Ce 360-001: Sustainable Civil Engineering Materials, Matthew Adams

Civil and Environmental Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Sociodemographics And Access To Organic And Local Food: A Case Study Of New Orleans, Louisiana, Chuo Li, Amir Ghiasi, Xiaopeng Li, Guangqing Chi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This study examined the association between physical accessibility to organic and local food, and sociodemographic factors in New Orleans, Louisiana. Spatial regression models were used to investigate how sociodemographic variables such as income, race/ethnicity, education, and age correlate with driving, bicycling, and walking distances to stores that sell organic or local food. The distances were calculated from GIS and real-time speed information from Google Maps. The results indicated that physical access to such stores is positively associated with population density, median housing value, education, non-Hispanic Blacks, and Hispanics, and is negatively associated with median housing age. We found no disparities …

Waterproofing Options For Bridge Decks, Danny Wells, Sudhir Palle, Theodore Hopwood Ii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Due to the increasing use of deicing chemicals and the subsequent intrusion of chlorides into bridge decks, it is necessary to expand the use of available protective measures, including waterproofing materials. Waterproofing options that fall into three categories; 1) membranes (liquid and sheet systems), 2) friction polymers (laminates), and 3) polymer asphalts. This study assessed the waterproofing characteristics of these products. Prior to this study, no common test had been established to compare the performance of waterproofing products. A test method was developed that closely follows ASTM D5084, “Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Saturated Porous Materials …

Data From: Market Segment Prediction Tool, Philip L. Winters, Amy Lester

TREC Datasets and Databases

Social marketing seeks to develop and integrate marketing concepts with other approaches to influence behaviors that benefit individuals and communities for the greater social good. Social marketing is a useful transportation demand management (TDM) planning approach to promote travel-behavior change, and combines at least seven distinguishing features that sets it apart from other popular, behavior-change planning approaches, such as education and mass media campaigns. These seven features include a focus on socially beneficial behavior change; a strong consumer orientation; the use of audience segmentation techniques and the selection of target audiences; the use of marketing’s conceptual framework (marketing mix and …