Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Deep Learning Vision-Based Bridge Inspection With Resource-Constrained Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Ji Young Lee

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Bridge inspection is critical for ensuring structural integrity, extending the service life of infrastructure, and minimizing maintenance costs. As bridges age and endure increasing loads, regular inspections help detect early signs of wear, such as cracks or corrosion, that could impact safety and performance. However, traditional inspection methods are labor-intensive, requiring significant time, specialized equipment, and manual access to challenging areas, which can lead to costly disruptions. Additionally, reliance on human inspectors introduces subjectivity, with assessments varying by individual expertise. These factors highlight the inefficiencies and safety risks in current inspection practices, underscoring the need for more objective, efficient solutions. …

Cal Poly Gateway Decathlon Deliverable 3: Cost Estimate Development, Ruby Maria Sierra

Construction Management

The Gateway Decathlon is a global competition where university teams design, build, and operate sustainable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective homes using advanced technologies and materials. Teams create homes with renewable energy, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable materials. The competition evaluates design, energy efficiency, sustainability, and market viability. Currently, teams are working on Deliverable 3, which includes technical documentation, architectural plans, energy simulations, and cost analyses to ensure project feasibility. This deliverable bridges the design and construction phases and sets the foundation for building and operating the homes, helping to advance sustainable building practices and energy-efficient solutions.

Operation Webs - Tiny Home On Wheels: Quantity Take-Off, Estimate, And Site Logistics, Brendan Moynahan

Construction Management

The objective of this paper is to highlight and discuss the process of performing quantity take-offs, completing an estimate, and creating a site logistics plan for the Operation WEBS (Women Empowered Build Strong) Tiny Home on Wheels project performed at the Paso Robles State Fair. This project is a part of the interdisciplinary project based senior project completed by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, College of Architecture and Environmental Design students Brendan Moynahan and Jake Torres. Brendan Moynahan performed the deliverables covered in this paper while Jake Torres completed his own deliverables for another paper. Our individual responsibilities …

Effects Of Concrete With The Implementation Of Spent Coffee Grounds, Nathan Limon

Construction Management

During this study, compression tests were performed on three different concrete mix designs to evaluate the effects of spent coffee grounds as an admixture. The initial mix design was the control mix, composed of a general concrete mix design containing aggregate, cement, and water. The second mixture utilized was high strength concrete; this included aggregate, cement, and water, fly ash. The third mixture tested consisted of aggregate, cement, water, and spent coffee grounds. The purpose of evaluating these three different mixtures is to see whether spent coffee grounds can be implemented into concrete without compromising the compressive strength. Substituting 15% …

The Viability Of Styrofoam Beads In Concrete Mixtures, Colin Edward Sykes

Construction Management

This experiment revolved around the idea that an aggregate replacement in a concrete mixture could not only maintain its structural integrity but increase its sustainability as well. This idea was formulated into the experiment of embedding Styrofoam beads into concrete. The outcome of this experiment showed the compressive strength of the concrete increased the greatest with the substitution of Styrofoam beads for fine aggregate up to 20%. This 20% Styrofoam replacement mixture exhibited an 189% increase in compressive strength when compared to the control group in the third week of testing. In addition to this impressive compressive strength, the weight …

The Use Of Augmented Reality (Ar) Technology In Construction, Luke Zamlich

Construction Management

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has revolutionized construction by replacing traditional paper-based methods with advanced software, improving data management and project workflows. However, as projects become more complex, challenges like communication gaps and design errors persist, often leading to cost overruns. Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging technology that could address some of these issues by enhancing real-time visualization and collaboration, helping avoid costly rework. Despite its potential, AR remains underutilized in the construction industry. This paper explores the feasibility of integrating AR into modern construction workflows to complement BIM models and improve on-site project management. A literature review highlights AR’s …

Building Safely: How Spanish Specific Safety Can Impact Job Sites, Luis D. Aguilar Montano

Construction Management

This project explores how Spanish Specific Safety Training is being approached in the construction industry, with an attempt to identify some possible issues associated with language barriers and accessibility to these trainings. This research involved data collection through thirty analytical surveys, in addition to conducting three semi-structured interviews with construction workers and supervisors. The focus of the data collection was to gain insights into several key areas, including training accessibility, workplace injuries, language barriers, and worker comfort. The survey results indicated strong support for Spanish-language safety training, with respondents recognizing its potential to improve safety and overall worker comfort. Many …

Caed Shop Entrance Wall Redesign, Theodore Haoran Khuong, Joelle Schalesky, Ellen Elizabeth Untalan, Katherine Evalyn Timbes

Construction Management

This paper details the preconstruction process involving the replacement and redesign of the north wall at the CAED Support Shop at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Accomplished by an interdisciplinary team of Architectural Engineering and Construction Management students, this project explores the requirements and procedures of generating a project proposal to submit to Cal Poly Facilities Management. The project, initiated in the fall of 2024, aimed to redesign the wall aligned with the adjacent Engineering West building and replace it with a CMU low lift grouted wall. The CAED Support Shop is offered as a resource to all CAED students …

A Comparison Of Mass Timber Perceptions Among Construction Professionals Over Time, Josh A. Higginson

Construction Management

Mass timber is a relatively new construction building material consisting of large-scale engineered wood products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (glulam). It is gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to traditional steel and concrete, offering benefits such as reduced carbon emissions and enhanced aesthetic appeal. Despite being used on notable projects recently, it is not yet widely accepted by the industry as a whole. This study investigates the evolving awareness, benefits, and challenges associated with mass timber construction among U.S. construction professionals. Through a survey of over 100 construction practitioners, primarily from Cal Poly’s Construction Management Advisory …

Lab Exercise For Cm 114: Static Bending Of Timber And Its Alternatives, Samuel E. Arreola

Construction Management

This lab exercise investigates the static bending behavior of various structural materials. In this lab, the primary objective is to evaluate and compare the stress, strain, and deflection of 2” x 10” lumber, TJI joists, LVL beams, and steel studs under controlled loading conditions. This lab will require the calculation of cross-sectional properties, applying incremental loads until failure, and recording all corresponding deflection values. Material failure was visually documented using photographs to understand structural performance under the load. By using structural engineering principles and the formulas for stress and strain, the completion of this lab exercise provides a comprehensive analysis …

Investigating The Contribution Of First-Order Streams To Floods In Downstream Water Bodies On The Central Appalachian Plateau., Luke Ott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Flash floods are the costliest natural disaster in Appalachia. The goal of this study is to better understand flood response in headwater streams and the role of these systems in the generation of downstream floods. We applied a process-based hydrologic model using data from the Robinson Forest environmental monitoring network to estimate the contribution of headwaters to downstream floods. We then used the model to understand the effects of landscape disturbance in headwaters on downstream floods. Finally, we developed empirical hydrologic models to identify useful data for predicting downstream peak flood discharge. Results indicate that headwaters in our study catchment …

Life Cycle Assessment Approach For Energy Usage In Animal Rendering Plants, Abel Binoy Mathew

All Theses

The animal rendering industry plays a crucial role in transforming waste products from livestock production and meat processing facilities into valuable and economically beneficial products, promoting both resource efficiency and sustainability. This study uses a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to evaluate energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions in animal rendering plants, focusing on electricity and natural gas as the main energy inputs for plant operation. This research examines three distinct rendering facilities, each processing different raw materials, to quantify the environmental impacts of rendering operations. Site visits, data collection, and real-time monitoring were used to capture energy use across …

Landslide Inventory And Unstable Slope Monitoring Along Highways In Eastern Tennessee, Robert Mcsweeney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research introduces an unstable slope management program (USMP) for Tennessee based on federal slope management standards, along with improved methods for landslide monitoring with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) lidar and photogrammetry. In mountainous regions, monitoring slope hazards is a critical function of transportation management. A mobile field assessment form created with Survey123 was used to collect 22 unstable slope ratings in eastern Tennessee. Location points were appended with photographs, notes, and site information. Landslide scores ranged from 325 (Fair) to 1005 (Poor). UAS monitoring of a slow-moving soil landslide along I-40 near Rockwood, TN, produced high-resolution lidar and photogrammetry …

Microbial-Chemical Degradation Of Styrene In Co-Mingled Plumes With Ethylbenzene, Benzene, And Carbon Tetrachloride, Marcela C. Flórez-García

All Theses

Industrial sites contaminated with a complex matrix of chemicals represent a problem for the ecosystem and a high risk for the health of all individuals. That is why remediation strategies are needed to mitigate this environmental impact. The latex zone, located at the Corteva industrial site in San Lorenzo, Argentina, is the subject of this research. The environmental impacts in this area are a consequence of petrochemical operations carried out for many years.

Monoaromatic hydrocarbons such as styrene, ethylbenzene, and benzene, and chlorinated methanes like carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, dichloromethane, and chloromethane are among the contaminants identified at the site that …

Performance Evaluation Of Surface Treatment Waste Glass As Aggregate In Asphalt Mixture, Miao Yu, Dongzhao Jin, Yu Liu, Zhanping You, Yalong Li

Michigan Tech Publications

Surface modification is a crucial strategy for enhancing the pavement performance of waste glass hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. This study conducts a comparative analysis of various surface modification techniques to pinpoint the key factors that influence the interfacial interaction between waste glass and asphalt. To assess the performance of asphalt mixtures containing surface-treated waste glass, the study employed methods such as Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), boiling water tests, and contact angle measurements, which helped to quantify surface morphology and the effectiveness of different treatments. The evaluation also included assessments of water stability, dynamic stability, small beam bending, and …

Investigating The Conversion Of A Signalized Intersection To A Turbo Roundabout, Vyshnavi P. Shetty

Master's Theses

Turbo roundabouts are multilane roundabouts that utilize a spiral design with raised lane dividers to guide traffic flow effectively. While they have seen widespread use in Europe, California is the second state in the US (after Florida) to have installed a turbo roundabout. Turbo roundabouts separate the ingress and circulating lanes. The concept was first proposed and implemented in the Netherlands to address safety concerns and improve traffic flow efficiency on conventional multilane roundabouts.

This research evaluates the first-ever turbo roundabout in California and compares its safety and operational performance with the previously existing 4-legged signalized intersection. The research team …

Supporting Holistic, Informed, Decision-Making Through The Complementarity Of Life Cycle Assessment And Radiological Protection, Bryanna Wattier-Weisensee

All Dissertations

Decision making is challenging and it is necessary to consider all relevant data to make an informed decision. The work herein provides a pathway wherein the fields of radiological protection and life cycle assessment (LCA) can be utilized synergistically to benefit the decision-making using the other (and vice versa). Specifically, LCA parallels decision-aiding techniques used in the optimization of radiological protection and LCA includes an ionizing radiation potential (IRP) impact category wherein the impacts associated with an emission of radioactive material is quantified to determine the human health impact. Thus this body of work focuses on (1) expanding the platform …

Evaluation Of 3d Beach Profiles: A New Method For Monitoring Changes In Beach Morphology And Grain Size, Kalinda Ellen Roberts

Graduate Masters Theses

Beach profiles are a simple and affordable approach to monitoring changes in beach morphology. However, traditional methods offer limited resolution and dimension. Recent advancements in technologies, particularly structure-from-motion (SfM) and grain size detection models (GSDMs), can be integrated into conventional beach profiling techniques, enabling more detailed spatial and temporal analysis of slope and grain sizes. This research introduces a new technique for coastal monitoring, termed “3D Beach Profiles,” which integrates SfM technology to create high-resolution three-dimensional digital surface models (DSMs) and orthomosaics of beach surfaces. These digital surfaces enable the extraction of beach slopes with orders of magnitude more data …

Non-Contact Acoustic Emission Detection Of Rail Defects Using Air-Coupled Sensors, Lei Jia

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Rail defects, whether internal or external, present significant safety risks. Acoustic Emission (AE) technology has emerged as a promising technique for monitoring damage progression and detecting these rail defects. This project addresses this critical concern by testing air-coupled optical microphones for non-contact AE detection. The goal of this research is to investigate AE signal characteristics using both rail-mounted and vehicle-mounted methods, establishing the understanding of AE signals in relation to defects and their effectiveness in identifying them.

This research focused on investigating air-conduct sensors in the lab-controlled pencil lead break (PLB) test. The objective was to evaluate the propagation characteristics …

Real-Time Assessment Of Rebar Intervals Using A Computer Vision-Based Dvnet Model For Improved Structural Integrity, Bubryur Kim, Sri Preethaa K.R., Yuvaraj Natarajan, Danushkumar V., Jinwoo An, Dong-Eun Lee

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Structural durability is critical for building and civil engineering safety, wherein the arrangement and distribution of reinforcing bar (rebar) is crucial. Improperly aligned rebar impacts bearing capacity, whereas uniform spacing optimally distributes loads, reducing stress. We introduce a computer-vision based Deep Vision Net (DVNet) model for real-time evaluation of rebar placement. A customized dataset is prepared in an environmental setup and augmented to address overfitting issues. This research conducts a comparative analysis of the learning performance exhibited by the proposed DVNet model against several other pre-trained models, such as Mask-RCNN and YOLOv5. The proposed DVNet model is built on a …

Impacts Of Stream Bed Adjustment On Local Bridge Morphology At Highway 281, Molly G. Likins

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Nebraska sand-bed rivers have long been a part of sediment transport studies and have been used in the development of numerous well-known empirical bedload equations. Some of these studies have shown how adjustments in streambed elevation led to changes in local stream morphology. The sand-bed rivers of Nebraska are highly susceptible to such changes due to their wide, shallow cross-sections and erodibility. The objective of our study is to synthesize a hydrodynamic model with high-resolution field data and improved methods of representing sediment transport to better predict both short and long-term channel adjustments for an aggraded sand-bed river.

The field …

Numerical Study On The Behavior Of Natural And Recycled Aggregate Concretes, Shahriar Mardpour

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis investigates the mechanical behavior of natural and recycled aggregate concretes (NAC and RAC) using a multi-phase numerical approach to predict performance. Growing interest in sustainable materials has led to using recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) to replace natural aggregates, creating Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC). Due to their different structural components, RAC and NAC exhibit varying mechanical properties, particularly in strength and durability.

This study validated tension and bending (flexural) test models by comparing numerical results with similar models from the literature. Following validation, a multi-phase approach modeled NAC and RAC for the bending (flexural) and tension tests, providing a …

Development And Evaluation Of Highly Thixotropic Uhpc Mixtures For Bridge Overlay Applications, Akbota Aitbayeva

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is an advanced construction material renowned for its exceptional strength and durability. However, conventional UHPC is typically self-consolidating, making it unsuitable for bridge deck overlay applications due to challenges posed by potential surface slopes. UHPC overlay construction requires a highly thixotropic material that not only responds well to vibration but also maintains workability over an extended period and remains stable on sloped surfaces. Despite the complex rheological properties of highly thixotropic UHPC, limited testing methods are available to effectively assess the workability and rheology of overlay mixtures. To address this gap, the present study provides a comprehensive …

Exploring Variably Saturated Flow Formulations For Modflow: Implementing A Fully 3d Richards' Equation In Modflow 6, Sebastian Vazquez-Gasty

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis explores the implementation of a fully 3D Richards’ equation solution into MODFLOW 6 to solve for saturated/unsaturated flow. Currently, MODFLOW 6 has limited capability for solving unsaturated zone flow problems by using the Unsaturated Zone Flow (UZF) package, which neglects capillarity and assumes vertical 1-dimensional flow. Various formulations of the Richards’ equation were first evaluated for their strengths and weaknesses. Various numerical solution approaches to Richards’ equation were also studied to understand the robustness and efficiency of different approaches and to select one that would best fit into the MODFLOW 6 framework. The MODFLOW 6 framework was also …

Dynamics Of Flexible Freestanding Structures Under Ground Motion Excitation, Seyed Mohammadreza Farooghi Mehr

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Freestanding structures are characterized by being unattached at the base, exhibiting rigid or flexible motion under ground motion excitation with various potential responses including rocking (rotation at the base about corner points), pure sliding, slide-rocking, and overturning. While rigid freestanding structures have been extensively studied, the behavior of flexible freestanding structures—particularly the interaction between modes involving sliding—remains underexplored. Existing literature has focused on the deformation and rocking motions of flexible freestanding structures through both analytical and experimental approaches, which have shown indications of sliding at the base. These findings highlight the necessity of incorporating sliding motion into analytical models to …

Biological Reduction Of Mixed Oxyanions In Wastewater Brine, Katherine J. Earp

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Treatment of contaminated brine water is an area of active research spurred by the use of advanced treatment technologies, such as membrane separation, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, etc. for water reuse and recycling, which has become critical due to the impact of climate change on water resources throughout the globe. Biological reduction of harmful organic and inorganic pollutants in water has been demonstrated as an effective method for water and wastewater treatment and would be a potential technology for brine treatment. However, biodegradation of contaminants in high salinity waters is challenging because most microbial communities cannot survive brine environments. The …

Uptake Of Contaminants Of Emerging Concerns (Cecs) By Plants Irrigated With Recycled Waters, Abid Hussain

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The increasing demand for water in arid and semi-arid regions necessitates the use of recycled water (RW) for irrigation. RW is a viable alternative to conventional irrigation water at most locations, but it can be a major route for contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) to be taken up by the tissues of food crops, thereby leading to their subsequent entry into the food chain. CECs include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial chemicals that are generally present at low concentrations in environmental waters, hence their common designation as trace organic compounds (TOrCs), and CECs also include microbiological constituents such as …

Prediction Of Cost And Schedule Changes In Transportation Projects Through Historical Bid And Change Order Document Analysis – Using Oklahoma Dot Project Cases., Rabin Shrestha

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Construction bid documents encompass project specifications, drawings, schedules, and other critical details and are the foundation for project bidding and execution. Accurate bid documents are essential to ensure project bids are competitive, realistic, and aligned with requirements. However, bid documents are susceptible to risks from various sources. Failure to identify and rectify these risks can result in inaccurate cost estimates and higher bids. Therefore, identifying and resolving risks within bidding or contract documents are of utmost importance. While prior research has shed light on potential risk factors within the bid documents, a noticeable gap remains in the literature regarding identifying …

A Mass Balance Model Of The Great Salt Lake, Ut With Adaptive Management Applications, Diana Dunn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Great Salt, Utah, USA is a saline lake that provides critical habitat for ecologic communities and generates $1.3 billion annually. It has gone through detrimental change since the 20^th century. Streamflow reaching the lake has been decreased by upstream withdrawal for industrial and municipal use, causing the lake level to drop and salinity to increase to unhealthy levels. Further, in 1959, it was segregated into north and south sections by a railroad causeway. Due to the causeway and limited exchange of water through two bridges, the lake sections have significantly different water surface elevation and salinity levels. The …

Channel Dynamics In Response To Compounding Hydrogeomorphic Disturbances In A Steep Burned Watershed, Paxton Ridgway

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Wildfires significantly increase sediment input to rivers through various pathways, including post-fire debris flows. Understanding how mountain rivers respond to these sediment inputs is crucial for predicting and managing downstream impacts on infrastructure, water security, and aquatic habitats. While the causes and characteristics of post-fire debris flows have been extensively studied, the morphological changes in downstream fluvial channels remain poorly understood. This study uses scripted spatial analysis toolsets, high-resolution pre- and post-fire DEMs, repeat cross-sectional surveys, time-lapse footage, and pebble counts to document channel responses to sediment supply in a burned steep mountain stream in the upper Colorado River Basin, …