Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Development Of Super Hydrophobic Membranes And Their Applications, Sumona Paul

Dissertations

Effective liquid phase separation is vital across industries, especially in aviation, chemicals, fuels, and textiles. Membrane technology offers advantages over traditional methods like distillation, with low energy consumption and protection for heat-sensitive molecules. Membrane performance is assessed based on factors such as materials, surface modification, and interactions. This research targets superhydrophobic membranes for liquid-liquid filtration and antiwetting omniphobic membranes for membrane distillation, focusing on properties like contact angle and thermal resistance.

This study presents a highly hydrophobic membrane achieved by immobilizing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto a PTFE microfiltration membrane. It's designed for dewatering organic-water mixtures with trace water content via …

Machine Learning Based Analysis Of Civil Infrastructure In The Presence Of Sparse Data, Megan Butcher

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The high computational cost of estimating engineering demand parameters (EDPs) via finite element (FE) models, which incorporate uncertainties in earthquake events and material properties, limits the application of the Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) framework. Previous efforts to replace FE models with surrogate models have typically focused only on building parameters, necessitating re-training for new, unseen earthquakes. This paper introduces a machine learning-based surrogate model framework that addresses both earthquake and material parameter uncertainties to predict responses for unseen seismic events. Earthquakes are characterized by their projections on an orthonormal basis, computed using Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of a representative ground …

Effect Of Antioxidant Additives And Recycling Agents On Performance Of Asphalt Binders And Mixtures, Phase I, Nitish R. Bastola, Mahdieh Khedmati, Hamzeh Haghshenas, Jamilla Teixeira

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in asphalt mixtures has notably increased in recent times. Nevertheless, the inherent stiff and aged characteristics of RAP materials have consistently raised concerns regarding cracking performance. The use of recycling agents (RAs) has gained popularity in recent years since they can effectively modify the engineering properties of the aged asphalt binder. Besides that, the combination of RA with antioxidant (AO) additives has shown promise in enhancing the long-term performance of RAP mixtures. This research aims to investigate the effect of various RAs and one AO additive on performance of asphalt binders and high-RAP …

Development Of The Nebraska Department Of Transportation Winter Severity Index – Phase Ii, Mark Anderson, Curtis L. Walker, Thomas Kauzlarich

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

For the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), the Nebraska Winter Severity Index (NEWINS) provided an independent framework to calculate a winter season’s severity by categorizing individual winter storms. However, one of the greatest limitations of NEWINS is that it is not predictive. Thus, this study builds on the previously developed NEWINS by creating a predictive winter storm severity index known as NEWINS-Predictive (NEWINS-P). The quantitative precipitation forecast, snow accumulation, ice accumulation, and surface wind speed parameters from the National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) are used to develop the five components composing the NEWINS-P framework. These components consist of snow severity …

Final Report - A Field Deployable Wall-Climbing Robot For Bridge Inspection Using Vision And Impact Sounding Techniques, Jizhong Xiao, Ejup Hoxha, David Kirakosian

Project AS-6

This project developed two wall-climbing robots and two omni-directional ground robots for automated data collection on both horizontal and vertical surfaces of concrete structures. These robots are equipped with non-destructive evaluation (NDE) sensors, including ground penetrating radar (GPR), impact sounding (IS) and impact echo (IE) devices. Utilizing a vision-based positioning system powered by simultaneous localization and mapping (V-SLAM), the robots tag NDE data with real-time pose information, significantly accelerating the data collection process and enhancing the accuracy of defect mapping. While effective at detecting shallow defects, impact sounding is highly sensitive to ambient noise and unsuitable for identifying deeper flaws. …

Investigation Of Piezocone Dissipation Test Interpretation In Clay Accounting For Vertical And Horizontal Porewater Pressure Dissipation With A Large Deformation Axisymmetric Penetration Model, Diane Moug, Andrew Huffman, Jason T. Dejong

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The piezocone (CPTu) dissipation test is used to characterize how the applied load from the penetrating cone is distributed between the soil and pore fluid during both penetrometer advancement and when penetration is paused. The coefficient of consolidation is often estimated from CPTu dissipation tests by interpreting the rate of excess porewater pressure (∆u) decay to static conditions during a pause in cone penetration. Most CPTu dissipation test interpretation methods are based on Terzaghi consolidation theory for ∆u dissipation at the cone shoulder (u₂ position) or cone face (u₁ position) and assume that radial ∆u dissipation dominates the …

Pltl Develops Scholars For Majors In The Built-Environment​, Shpat Halili, Calvin O. Walters Jr.

Publications and Research

The National Science Foundation S-STEM program at NYC College of Technology (City Tech), Developing an Ecosystem of STEM success for Built Environment Scholars (Award Number 2150432), focuses on supporting and developing scholars in the majors relating to the Built Environment. The proposed project includes the expansion of Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) at City Tech. The PLTL model creates a supportive learning environment and supplements the faculty-centered classroom with student-led and student-oriented workshops. At City Tech, existing workshops provide curricular support in statics and mathematics. The PLTL program benefits promising first-year STEM students, and the S-STEM program utilizes the PLTL model …

Combustion-Induced Endothermic Process In Carbon Dots Synthesized On Magnetite Nanoparticle Substrate, Khalid Zouhri, Luke J. Snyder, Michael Mcfarland, Parker O. Laubie, K. A. Shiral Fernando, Christopher E. Bunker

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Carbon dots are synthesized alone and in the presence of commercial magnetite nanoparticles using a simple hydrothermal reaction. The spectroscopic and structural characteristics of CDot and CDot–magnetite materials are presented and their behaviors under combustion conditions are studied. A careful examination of their combustion behaviors reveals interesting results for the CDot–magnetite material: it undergoes early catalytic combustion at ~200°C and a strong endothermic process that quenches combustion. By investigating the physical mixtures of pre-formed CDots and magnetite and the starting material ascorbic acid and magnetite, it is determined that the strong endothermic behavior requires intimate interactions between the carbon source …

Modeling And Forecasting Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (Cyanohabs) In Lake Pontchartrain, Shekhar Mahat

LSU Master's Theses

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) frequently occur in coastal waters worldwide, adversely affecting economies, human health, aquatic ecosystems, and recreational activities. Lake Pontchartrain, an oligohaline estuary, experienced frequent HABs from 2018 to 2023. While NOAA’s NCCOS and USEPA’s CyAN currently monitor cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) in coastal, freshwater, and riverine systems, there is a notable lack of systems monitoring phycocyanin concentrations in the lake. This thesis utilizes satellite remote sensing environmental stressors to model and predict CyanoHABs in Lake Pontchartrain using machine learning techniques. A key focus of this study is assessing the forecasting capabilities of the random forest method …

Revealing Long Vehicle Dynamics: A Comprehensive Journey From Visualization Tools For Heavy Vehicles To Conversion Factors And Public Transit Performance Analysis, Eren Yuksel

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing fascination with Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) technology, particularly in the realm of data collection and traffic management. Thanks to the possibilities unlocked by ITS and CAV technology, traffic data collection now serves a diverse array of safety and mobility applications, delivering real-time or near-real-time information for both road users and transportation professionals.

The integration of ITS and CAV technology is crucial for the creation of safer, more reliable, and sustainable transportation environments. As traffic-related data collection, analysis, and visualization form essential components of this …

Synthesis Of Geopolymer Using Coal Fly Ash And Corn Stover, Anu Paneru

Master's Theses

The development of each nation is dependent on its infrastructure, and nations are competing with others in infrastructure, especially in the construction of roadways, since they play a vital role in the economic and social development of the nation. The conventional materials used for road construction are cement and asphalt, which pose significant environmental challenges. This thesis explores the potential of fly ash (FA) and corn stover (CS) in synthesizing geopolymer, as an alternative material for the construction of roads. The study examines the impact of FA and CS percentages and the particle sizes of CS on the compressive strength, …

Performance Of Co2-Cured Alkali-Activated Blast-Furnace Slag Incorporating Magnesium Oxide, Yubin Jun, Seong Ho Han, Jae Hong Kim

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study investigated characteristics of alkali-activated slags incorporating magnesium oxide (MgO) subjected to CO₂ curing. The samples were prepared by adding 2%, 5%, and 10% MgO to the total binder mass. The mixture was activated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and cured in a CO₂ incubator for 3 days. The compressive strength of the MgO-incorporated CO₂-cured alkali-activated slag was higher than that of the conventional alkali-activated slag at all ages up to 28 days. No reduction in the strength was observed over time. The enhanced strength was independent of MgO content. Combined X-ray diffraction with thermogravimetric analysis …

Pet And Polyolefin Plastics Supply Chains In Michigan: Present And Future Systems Analysis Of Environmental And Socio-Economic Impacts, Utkarsh S. Chaudhari, Kamand Sedaghatnia, Barbara K. Reck, Kate Maguire, Anne T. Johnson, David Watkins, Robert M. Handler, Tasmin Hossain, Damon S. Hartley, Vicki S. Thompson, Alejandra Peralta, Jenny L. Apriesnig, David Shonnard

Michigan Tech Publications

Many actions are underway at global, national, and local levels to increase plastics circularity. However, studies evaluating the environmental and socio-economic impacts of such a transition are lacking at regional levels in the United States. In this work, the existing polyethylene terephthalate and polyolefin plastics supply chains in Michigan were compared to a potential future (‘NextCycle’) scenario that looks at increasing Michigan’s overall recycling rate to 45%. Material flow analysis data was combined with environmental and socio-economic metrics to evaluate the sustainability of these supply chains for the modeled scenarios. Overall, the NextCycle scenario for these supply chains achieved a …

Estimation Of Useful-Stage Energy Returns On Investment For Fossil Fuels And Implications For Renewable Energy Systems, Emmanuel Aramendia, Paul E. Brockway, Peter G. Taylor, Jonathan B. Norman, Matthew K. Heun, Zeke Marshal;

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

The net energy implications of the energy transition have so far been analysed at best at the final energy stage. Here we argue that expanding the analysis to the useful stage is crucial. We estimate fossil fuelsʼ useful-stage energy returns on investment (EROIs) over the period 1971–2020, globally and nationally, and disaggregate EROIs by end use. We find that fossil fuelsʼ useful-stage EROIs (~3.5:1) are considerably lower than at the final stage (~8.5:1), due to low final-to-useful efficiencies. Further, we estimate the final-stage EROI for which electricity-yielding renewable energy would deliver the same net useful energy as fossil fuels (EROI …

Structural Fiber Mesh Reinforcement Of A Polymeric Heart Valve: Improving Valve Durability And Leaflet Closure Effectiveness, Peter J. Choi, Hugo Zazueta, John A. Acevedo, Philip Park

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Objective: Bioprosthetic valves using either porcine or bovine pericardium have been widely used for transcatheter heart valve replacements. However, producing bioprosthetic valves is not a sustainable solution. Acquiring animal tissue is often not readily available and costly and requires time-consuming modifications. Moreover, its primary tissue failure requires reoperation after roughly 15 years. The suggested replacement of porcine and bovine leaflets with biocompatible polymers appears to be an attractive alternative to bioprosthetic valves. In this study, engineered fiber-reinforced polymers were developed, which are less degenerative and offer greater hemocompatibility in relation to mechanical valves.
Methods: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer reduces calcification significantly …

Investigating Small Drinking Water System Technical Capacity To Treat For Pfas, Chloe J. Yoder, Kaycie Lane

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) presents technical challenges in small systems where advanced drinking water treatment implementation is difficult. Publicly available data were used to examine technical treatment capacity for PFAS in the US, using Nebraska as a pilot. Of 1312 PWSs in Nebraska, 441 have technologies capable of removing PFAS from drinking water. Reverse osmosis was the most common treatment technology in Nebraska with 277 total systems using this technology with, 194 PWSs with RO serving populations of <= 100 people. Fifty-two PWSs had granular activated carbon, 47 had ion exchange and 62 had ultraviolet, with UV being primarily used for disinfection. We found PWSs had different technology deployment methods, several systems had “significant deficiencies” reported in management and operation evaluations, and age and previous water quality violations were not correlated to treatment evaluations. The developed methodology models utilizing publicly available data for contaminants across the US.

Approach Guardrail Transition Retrofit To Existing Buttresses & Bridge Rails, Scott Rosenbaugh, Robert W. Bielenberg, Chen Fang, Ronald K. Faller, Cody S. Stolle

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) frequently applies roadway overlays to the surface of bridges to extend the bridge’s lifespan. To minimize repair costs, NDOT does not desire to replace or alter any bridge rails with adequate structural capacity and height. Bridge rails installed to NCHRP Report 350 or MASH standards are likely to remain in place, though their effective heights would be reduced by the overlay. This creates a problem of attaching new, 31-in. tall approach guardrail transitions (AGTs) to existing concrete bridge rails and buttressess (after an overlay) that were not designed for such connections and the resulting …

Advancing Simultaneous Extraction And Sequential Single-Particle Icp-Ms Analysis For Metallic Nanoparticle Mixtures In Plant Tissues, Lei Xu, Xingmao Ma, John Yang, Joel G. Burken, Paul Ki-Souk Nam, Honglan Shi, Hu Yang

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Engineered Nanoparticles (ENPs) Have Been Increasingly Used in Agricultural Operations, leading to an Urgent Need for Robust Methods to Analyze Co-Occurring ENPs in Plant Tissues. in Response, This Study Advanced the Simultaneous Extraction of Coexisting Silver, Cerium Oxide, and Copper Oxide ENPs in Lettuce Shoots and Roots using Macerozyme R-10 and Analyzed Them by Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Additionally, the Standard Stock Suspensions of the ENPs Were Stabilized with Citrate, and the Long-Term Stability (Up to 5 Months) Was Examined for the First Time. the Method Performance Results Displayed Satisfactory Accuracies and Precisions and Achieved Low Particle Concentration …

Engineering And Geological Zoning Of The Distribution Areas Of The Eocene Clays Of Northern Tamdytau, Mirabbas Mirsaatovich Zakirov, Inobat Abduvaxidovna Agzamova, Dilshod Kalandarovich Begimkulov, Golibjon Ernazar Ogli Ochilov, Temur Makhmarajabovich Khudoyberdiyev, Dastan Jamal Uli Madiyarov

Technical science and innovation

The article discusses scientific research on the integrated assessment of the problem of ensuring the sustainability of buildings and structures for industrial and civil purposes. The relevance is due to the development of various zoning methods to establish territories with reliable results on the spread of special soils. Especially in cases where swelling clays are common in the territory, characterized by high sensitivity to weather and climatic conditions. Based on the above, the purpose of engineering and geological zoning of the areas of distribution of Eocene clays of Northern Tamdytau was to identify areas of new construction, to ensure the …

On The Right Track? Energy Use, Carbon Emissions, And Intensities Of World Rail Transportation, 1840–2020, Bernardo Tostes, Sofia T. Henriques, Paul E. Brockway, Matthew Kuperus Heun, Tiago Domingos, Tânia Sousa

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

The history of rail transport can offer valuable insights for future energy transitions due to its importance in promoting clean mobility. There is a complex interplay between the evolution of the railway network, fuel consumption, efficiency, energy service, and CO2 emissions that requires further exploration. We developed a dataset that covers energy use in all stages of rail transportation, as well as the length of track, energy service, and CO2 emissions at the world scale. To deal with missing data we utilized machine learning techniques for the first time in a historical energy reconstruction study. Our analysis reveals that …

Advective And Diffusive Gas Phase Transport In Vadose Zones: Importance For Defining Vapour Risks And Natural Source Zone Depletion Of Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Kaveh Sookhak Lari, Greg B. Davis, John L. Rayner, Trevor P. Bastow

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Quantifying the interlinked behaviour of the soil microbiome, fluid flow, multi-component transport and partitioning, and biodegradation is key to characterising vapour risks and natural source zone depletion (NSZD) of light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) petroleum hydrocarbons. Critical to vapour transport and NSZD is transport of gases through the vadose zone (oxygen from the atmosphere, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), methane and carbon dioxide from the zone of LNAPL biodegradation). Volatilisation of VOCs from LNAPL, aerobic biodegradation, methanogenesis and heat production all generate gas pressure changes that may lead to enhanced gas fluxes apart from diffusion. Despite the importance of the gaseous …

Coupling Treatment Technologies With Bioelectrochemical Systems To Optimize Resource Recovery From Wastewater, Matthew Stephen Ferby

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Wastewater is a common waste produced from municipal, agricultural, and industrial processes. As the world’s population increases, the amount of wastewater produced globally is expected to reach approximately 450 billion m3 in the next two decades. Issues surrounding water, food, and energy accessibility will also become more imminent as the population grows. Interestingly, wastewater is an unconventional source of resources including water, nutrients (e.g., NH4+ and PO43-), and energy. However, conventional wastewater treatment processes focus primarily on the removal of containments rather than the recovery of resources. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have the ability to recover resources from wastewater. These engineered …

Longitudinal Spatial Trends In U.S. Pedestrian And Bicyclist Fatalities, Ossiris Rodriguez, Nicholas N. Ferenchak

Civil Engineering ETDs

Between 2009 and 2022 in the United States (U.S.), pedestrian fatalities increased 82.3% and bicyclist fatalities increased 70.8%. Several studies have researched crash characteristics such as the people and roadways involved in these crashes. But where are these fatalities occurring within our regions and what spatial characteristics of these locations could be influencing this trend? We analyzed pedestrian and bicyclist fatality data from the last two decades using NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) in relation to built-environment and socio-economic characteristics (such as street network density, transit access, poverty, and educational attainment) obtained from the U.S. Census and the U.S. …

Exploring Applications Of Artificial Intelligence In Water And Wastewater Management Systems, Yanran Xu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Water and wastewater management systems play an essential role in satisfying residential, commercial, and industrial needs, but these systems suffer from undesired issues and high expenses, which stresses the need for sustainable development and system optimization. Modeling simulation is commonly used to optimize system performance through process prediction and precise control, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies including machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) are showing their advantages in the application of water and wastewater management systems. A general framework was illustrated for optimized performance and enhanced explainability of ML models. Several analytical techniques were explored, including feature engineering, data …

Early Age Assessment Of A New Course Of Irish Fly Ash As A Cement Replacement, Niall Holmes Dr., Nikki Shaji, Mark Tyrer

Articles

This paper explores the potential of a new source of fly ash, deposited on the site of a coalfired power plant in Ireland dating from 1985 to 1995, as a cement replacement material. A series of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses on binder samples with cement replacement levels of 0, 10, 25 and 35% was undertaken to determine the fly ash’s mineralogical composition and to determine its suitability as a supplemental cementitious material (SCM). The XRD results reveal a unique mineral composition with promising characteristics for enhancing the strength and durability of concrete. The experimental results were used to calibrate a …

Fitness For Service (Ffs) And Fatigue Assessment For Shell Distorted Steel Storage Tank Based On Api 579-1/Asme Ffs-1, Wira Herucakra Sr. Structure Engineer, Luh Putri Adnyani, Ic Farid Hadi Prasetyo, Alviani Rahma Rizkhita

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

A shell distortion was occurred due to incorrect in the welding procedure during construction of a new built above ground steel storage tank. The assessment level 1 then performed referred to original construction code of API Standard 650 was performed, the roundness data of tank plate was obtained through to laser scanning survey, and the result on assessment level 1 known that the minimum radius of measured point is exceeding the radius tolerance. This unacceptable condition of assessment level 1 requires to be performed the higher level of assessment. A fitness for service assessment level 3 for tank 1000 KL …

Regular Algorythms For Synthesis Of Optimal Control Systems For Dynamic Objects, Igamberdiyev Husan, Uktam Farkhodovich Mamirov, Xankeldiyeva Zebiniso

Technical science and innovation

The article presents algorithms for the synthesis of an optimal control system for dynamic objects. As a model, we consider a differential equation of a continuous one-dimensional system in the form of a state space, which has the properties of controllability and observability. The paper shows the need to use an observation device in order to assess how the properties of the controlled system change with the slightest change in the parameters of the control object, to assess the sensitivity of the system to these changes. When finding a solution to the equation formulated to find the parameters of the …

Development Of 485 Mpa Class High Strength Low Alloy Steel For Power Plant Infrastructures, Agung Baskoro, Rini Riastuti

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Currently, Indonesia is progressing to build 35,000 MW of power plants, which will increase the demand for materials, especially steel. One of these power plants is fossil fuel-based, which generates not only electricity but also flue gas containing sulfur that may cause corrosion to power plant infrastructure such as chimney or boiler areas. In addition, apart from being resistant to corrosion in sulfuric and hydrochloric acid conditions, the steel used in power plant infrastructure must also have good strength, toughness, and weldability. Therefore, the present paper describes about steel development for power plant applications that has not only corrosion resistance …

Exploring The Impact Of Lake Browning On The Production Of Singlet Oxygen In Adirondack Surface Waters, Birdem Oz

Theses - ALL

Many inland lakes in temperate and boreal regions, including those in the Adirondack region of New York, are experiencing browning due to increased terrestrial inputs of colored dissolved organic matter (DOM). This phenomenon results from watershed recovery following declines in atmospheric acid deposition and shifts in precipitation patterns. Close coupling of changes in dissolved organic carbon levels and DOM quality in Adirondack lakes has important implications for ecosystem services, ranging from aquatic food web functioning to drinking water production. However, comparatively little is known about the potential effects of lake browning on carbon cycling and contaminant attenuation driven by the …

Insight Into The Application Of Engineered Phenol Polymer Nanocomposites For Geothermal Well Applications To Modify Fracture Permeability, Fatemeh Hamidi

Civil Engineering ETDs

In enhanced geothermal systems, the efficient transfer of heat from the formation to the fluid circulating through the fracture network can be compromised when thermal short-circuiting occurs due to preferential flow through highly conductive fractures. This study introduces a pioneering approach using newly developed phenol polymer nanocomposites as an engineering solution to address the challenges associated with preferential flow in geothermal wells, which can lead to thermal short-circuiting. Multiple phenol polymer nanocomposites were formulated, incorporating aluminum oxide, COOH-functionalized graphitized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and graphene nanoparticles, each with a 0.5 wt.% polymer dosage. This research successfully modified the crosslinking process …